What Is the Key Trait of a False Teacher?

Let’s examine false teachers who cause divisions in an unacceptable manner. Perhaps it begins as a heart issue, which is then manifested by what they say. According to these verses, it appears the main characteristic of a false teacher is an evil heart.

The verses below discuss false teachers and false prophets. You will see a lot of unholy heart attitudes in the group. Note them as you read. Also note that very often they were messing with the heart of the Gospel: 1) Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah and 2) Salvation is through personally accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

• Distorting the message of salvation: I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. (Gal. 1:6-7)

• Antichrist spirit says that Jesus is NOT the Christ: Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. (1 Jn. 2:22; 2 Jn. 1:7; 1 Jn. 2:18)

• Destructive heresies brought in by false teachers. There will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master (i.e. Jesus) who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words…  Daring, self-willed … like unreasoning animals …They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime… they carouse … having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin … having a heart trained in greed. (2 Pet. 2:1-15)

• Philosophy and traditions of men which focus on external rules: See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. (Col. 2:8).  If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)--in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? (Col. 2:20-22)

• Liars with seared consciences add external rules not in the Bible: But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars, seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. (1 Tim. 4:1-3)

• Rebellious teachers who are empty deceivers talking for money: For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. (Titus 1:10-11)

• The teacher who teaches without a sound understanding: Wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. (1 Tim. 1:7)

• Missing the goal of instruction which is the increase of faith: Nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.  (1 Tim. 1:4-5)

• Misleading as to the return of Christ: And then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ'; or, 'Behold, He is there'; do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance (Mk. 13:21-23). Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. (Mk. 13:26-27)

Did you get a list of the evil heart attitudes and behaviors of false teachers so you can be sure to steer clear of them?

I suggest that the key trait of a false teacher is an evil heart, and that he manifests the works of the flesh in his life:

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal. 5:19-21)

John Wesley followed this time-tested approach

"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity." Wesley believed that the spirit of charity (love) needs to take into consideration the limits of human understanding. He observed,

"To be ignorant of many things and to be mistaken in some is the necessary condition of humanity" and therefore, "As to all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think." (Wesley’s expanded article is here.)

The root (or heart) of Christianity is salvation through Christ

• “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16).
• “If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9).
• Note: My declaration is that I am embracing Jesus as the Son of God and my Lord and Savior. I honor Him as my teacher, leader, wonderful counselor, and the one who will exhort me as necessary. I have chosen to honor His call to “Follow Me.”

I expect the essential doctrines are those stated in The Apostles’ Creed

The Apostles’ Creed deals primarily with beliefs about the Triune God, with special focus on Jesus.

1. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated in the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
3. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic [universal] Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Things NOT mentioned in the Apostles’ Creed and perhaps not essential

Amazing how many doctrines we hold dear and fight over that are never mentioned in the Apostles’ Creed. Notice that it doesn’t cover any of the four views of eschatology or four views of hell! 

Nor does the Apostles’ Creed cover any particular beliefs concerning miracles, dreams, kingdom now, baptism, word of faith, gifts of the Spirit, church administration or liturgy… I could go on and on. Amazing! Yet we fight and call people heretics if they disagree with us on these points.

The church I was saved in had a church split over whether men should have beards or not! Is that really an essential? Is that really worth starting a new denomination over? This is NOT becoming of the church.

Downloadable Chart -Traits of a False Teacher Self-Check Test

It’s Not Heresy! It’s Enlightenment!

1. What Is a Heretic? Have I Been One? Who Defines Misinformation?
2. Shall We Remove the Words "Heretic" and "Heresy"?
3. What Is the Key Trait of a False Teacher?
4. What Is the Key Trait of a True Teacher?
5. God’s Highway of Holiness Is SAFE
6. Roadblocks Removed on His Highway of Holiness
7. As I Travel God’s Highway, Revelation Is Ever Brighter
8. A New Day Dawns as the Morning Star ARISES in Our Hearts
9. Using e-Sword to Explore the Words "Heretic" and "Heresy"