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Ruthless Tactics of False Teachers

By Bill Hall

False teachers constitute the foremost destructive force to the church in every generation. The damage they do is probably greater than that done by all other forces combined. Warnings concerning them are expressed by every writer of the New Testament.

False teachers can be so mean and ruthless in their approach. They will do anything to discredit a faithful preacher of the gospel. If he changes his mind, even in an area as insignificant as travel plans, they will accuse him of being fickle, the kind of man that talks out of both sides of his mouth. If he receives support for preaching, they will accuse him of being covetous; if he doesn't, they will use this fact to discredit his ability and qualifications as a teacher. They will accuse him of being cowardly. If he is an effective writer, they will say he is strong in his writing, but weak when confronted face to face.

False teachers will go to any end to establish their own credentials. They will somehow come up with impressive letters of commendation. They will claim credit for work done by others. They will place themselves in a favorable light through unfair comparisons. Their accomplishments always seem to be greater than those of faithful preachers. They specialize in outward appearance.

False teachers will drain their deceived of everything they can get out of them. They will bring them into bondage. They will devour them. They will take from them. They will exalt themselves.

False teachers must be exposed for what they really are—the ministers of Satan transformed as the ministers of righteousness.

But before someone accuses us of judging, let us hasten to say that this appraisal of false teachers is not ours. It is the apostle Paul's as given in the book of Second Corinthians (see 1:15-20; 3:1-5; 10:7-18; 11:7-20), a letter in which Paul deals, not so much with the doctrinal error of false teachers as with their vicious tactics. It is our opinion, however, that things have not changed much in the past 1900 years. False teachers of today still use the same tactics.

How sad it is that those who hold to the truth sometimes stoop to such shameful shenanigans, as though truth must be sustained by trickery and deceit. NO! NO! NO! False teaching can only be propagated by unfair and evil means. But the teacher of truth does not depend upon such, for truth does not find its power in human wisdom or in shrewd, unprincipled scheming, but in the power of God who gives the increase. "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds"
(2 Cor. 10:4). God's "sword of the Spirit," wielded skillfully in love, can gain the victory among all who sincerely love the truth. — July, 1986 

Other Articles by Bill Hall
Two Men Know They Are Saved
Permissive Parents
Two Men React to Teaching on Morals