Common Behaviors of False Teachers
Overview
Over the years, the phrase "false teacher" has become a loaded term - like many other labels, it's often used as just an insult. So before we can say if someone is a false teacher, we need to know what this phrase really means.
Put simply, a "false teacher" is someone who acts as a spiritual authority, but what they preach about God or His Word isn't true. Importantly, the problems with their doctrines aren't due to ignorance or misunderstanding: they aren't interested in what God has to say. Instead, they've decided to focus on other things they could get as a spiritual leader, like power, fame, or money.
Since their counterfeit gospel doesn't come from the right place, their preaching tends to develop unusual quirks that distinguishes them from people who faithfully study, practice, and preach the Word of God. Several of these traits are listed below, in roughly the order of severity.
Put simply, a "false teacher" is someone who acts as a spiritual authority, but what they preach about God or His Word isn't true. Importantly, the problems with their doctrines aren't due to ignorance or misunderstanding: they aren't interested in what God has to say. Instead, they've decided to focus on other things they could get as a spiritual leader, like power, fame, or money.
Since their counterfeit gospel doesn't come from the right place, their preaching tends to develop unusual quirks that distinguishes them from people who faithfully study, practice, and preach the Word of God. Several of these traits are listed below, in roughly the order of severity.
Behaviors of False Teachers
They discredit or attack the reputation of God's people
All of us at one point or another have said something disparaging about another Christian. Many distinguished and famous Christians even started out as some of its harshest critics. But what makes a false teacher stand out is that their disapproval of other Christians comes from a different place: since they can't argue against the Truth, they silence or slander the speaker in an attempt to shut them down or discourage people from listening to them.
They focus and bicker over small matters while ignoring more important ones
Christians have a lot of battles to face in our lives today, possibly more than any generation before us. But since we only have so much time and energy to spend fighting those battles, we need to be sure that the ones we fight are the ones that are worth fighting.
Since false teachers usually want to be seen as uniquely holy, they often focus more on the little things like someone's outward appearance (eg, tattoos, jewelry, manner of dress) and leave more important matters, like tending to the poor and needy, up to someone else.
Since false teachers usually want to be seen as uniquely holy, they often focus more on the little things like someone's outward appearance (eg, tattoos, jewelry, manner of dress) and leave more important matters, like tending to the poor and needy, up to someone else.
They use fancy language to make themselves sound more credible
You've probably noticed that when a TV show or movie needs a character to sound smart, they'll use big fancy words and phrases to express themselves. Medical shows absolutely love this cliché, having the doctors use longwinded phrases like "the patient suffered a myocardial infarction and expired shortly thereafter" when "he died of a heart attack" would do just as well (if not better).
Insisting on specific terminology can be appropriate in the work place, but it's more than a little strange when it's used in casual conversations. This can be especially jarring when someone uses scriptural sounding phrases in everyday conversations, like describing a disagreement by saying that "they have hardened their heart against us".
Nobody talks like that, and you should probably be concerned when they do.
Insisting on specific terminology can be appropriate in the work place, but it's more than a little strange when it's used in casual conversations. This can be especially jarring when someone uses scriptural sounding phrases in everyday conversations, like describing a disagreement by saying that "they have hardened their heart against us".
Nobody talks like that, and you should probably be concerned when they do.
They seek to please people, not God
People have a strong need to conform to the world around them, and even clergy aren't immune to it. In some cases, the pressure to avoid or play down serious topics can even come from other people higher up in the church's hierarchy.
But in the end it doesn't matter where the pressure comes from - it's how someone responds to it. When we preach the Word of God, we can either obey it and risk alienating people, or lie and tell people what they want to hear. A false teacher is a weak teacher, and will bend whatever way keeps the offering plate full.
But in the end it doesn't matter where the pressure comes from - it's how someone responds to it. When we preach the Word of God, we can either obey it and risk alienating people, or lie and tell people what they want to hear. A false teacher is a weak teacher, and will bend whatever way keeps the offering plate full.
They aren't interested in bettering people's lives
A Christian who is studying the Word and applying what they learn to their lives will naturally be driven to become a better person and help others to do the same. In turn, it's very suspicious when a leader in the church doesn't seem to care about improving or protecting the spiritual lives of their flock.
Often, this disinterest stems from the fact that they care more about something else, such as gaining followers, money, or power - none of which should be their priority.
Often, this disinterest stems from the fact that they care more about something else, such as gaining followers, money, or power - none of which should be their priority.
They exploit their followers
When people hear about a religious leader exploiting their followers, they usually think about money, as stories of crooked pastors using donated funds for their own expenses are a dime a dozen. But there are other ways to exploit people than just taking advantage of their generosity - expecting a lot of unpaid "volunteer" work for their church, for example.
They cannot be corrected
Everyone makes mistakes, even the best and holiest of Christians. The important thing is that you learn that they are mistakes, and adjust your behavior accordingly. But not everyone can accept that they were wrong about something, and when someone has made a lie an important part of their faith, they aren't likely to respond well to any attempt at correction.
They overrule the Word of God
And lastly, we have what is probably the biggest and most obvious sign of a false teacher: they do not teach the Truth.
One of the most common ways they go about this is to say that the Bible was mistranslated, edited, corrupted, or in some way rendered untrustworthy, so we need some other way to determining what God's Message is saying. But if you need to disregard 2,000 years of doctrine and change what the Bible says to make it "right", then you're only kidding yourself if you still think you're being truthful.
Unfortunately, while this should be easily recognized for the nonsense it is, this is also the most difficult thing for your average person to defend themselves against. As long as what the false teacher is saying makes enough sense, people will happily follow them and stand up for them.
The best way to defend yourself against this sort of thing is to study and know your Bible - even the parts that you don't like and don't agree with - and listen to your gut when something doesn't sound right. You may not be able to challenge the false teacher, but you can always leave their church.
One of the most common ways they go about this is to say that the Bible was mistranslated, edited, corrupted, or in some way rendered untrustworthy, so we need some other way to determining what God's Message is saying. But if you need to disregard 2,000 years of doctrine and change what the Bible says to make it "right", then you're only kidding yourself if you still think you're being truthful.
Unfortunately, while this should be easily recognized for the nonsense it is, this is also the most difficult thing for your average person to defend themselves against. As long as what the false teacher is saying makes enough sense, people will happily follow them and stand up for them.
The best way to defend yourself against this sort of thing is to study and know your Bible - even the parts that you don't like and don't agree with - and listen to your gut when something doesn't sound right. You may not be able to challenge the false teacher, but you can always leave their church.
Dealing with a False Teacher
The more you love God, the harder it is to listen to people slander Him and distort His Word. When (not if) you encounter a false teacher, you may want to confront them immediately. While the desire to stand up for God and His Word is a good thing, charging ahead with both barrels blazing isn't going to help anyone, and it may even make things worse.
In today's world, the best way to deal with a false teacher is to withdraw your support. Don't watch their videos, don't engage with or promote them on social media, avoid their merchandise, and if the situation warrants, find another church.
Some may say that such "cowardly" behavior is an unbiblical response to a false teacher, so allow me to briefly explain my reasoning.
In today's world, the best way to deal with a false teacher is to withdraw your support. Don't watch their videos, don't engage with or promote them on social media, avoid their merchandise, and if the situation warrants, find another church.
Some may say that such "cowardly" behavior is an unbiblical response to a false teacher, so allow me to briefly explain my reasoning.
They expect confrontation
If a false teacher is trying to build their own little kingdom (and many are), then they are probably expecting someone to challenge them at some point. Not only can they turn the charge around and claim you are the one twisting God's Word, but they can make a show of dismissing the unbeliever, and that will strengthen their position. As pointed out above, many false teachers already base a substantial portion of their ministry on attacking others - you'll just be another "mouth piece of Satan" for them to target.
Groupthink will work against you
As humans, we have an annoying tendency to sort the world into boxes labelled "us" and "them". By confronting a false teacher, you're going to be placing yourself firmly in the "them" box. This not only goes against our natural instincts, but it encourages their followers to ostracize and dismiss you. Confronting a false teacher publicly in front of their congregation is always going to be a terrible idea for just this reason.
Many are too strongly established
In the past century, there have been numerous schisms and divisions among Christian denominations thanks to differences in key doctrines. Thus, it's entirely plausible that you'd be facing an entire church bureaucracy or a million dollar business venture instead of just one person. Against such odds, the chances of you making an impact with just words are terribly small.
Planting seeds is more effective
While I am arguing that confronting the false teacher isn't likely to produce any good results, I'm not saying that you should cut communication with friends or family. In fact, you're more likely to help the situation by talking to other people who ask about it. Politely explaining to someone why you aren't comfortable with what's being taught - especially when you can provide good evidence - can make them start to question things, and in turn, persuade more people to stay way from the false teacher.