Examining Todays False Teachers

Matt Waymeyer Pastoral Resident, Grace Community Church

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Introduction A. The threat of false teachers is as old as the church itself. In Matthew 7:15, the Lord Jesus warned of those who would disguise themselves as purveyors of truth: Beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. To heed this warning, the church must pursue with diligence her most effective weapon against false teachingdiscernment. If pastors are to equip the flock to spot a wolf in disguise, they must train Gods people to understand and embrace four key aspects of discernment: the meaning of discernment, the need for discernment, the call to discernment, and the path to discernment.

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The Meaning of Discernment A. The Terminology of Discernment The meaning of discernment is reflected in the various terms used to express the concept, including the Hebrew verbs bin and nakar, the Greek verb diakrino, and the English verb discern. 1. The Hebrew Verb Bin a. The Hebrew verb bin is used in 1 Kings 3:9a where Solomon pleads with the Lord, saying, So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge your people to discern between good and evil. Here the verb carries the idea of being able to discern or differentiate between good and evil (TLOT, 1:231; TWOT, 1:103-04). In other words, the word refers to the ability to differentiate one thing from another, in this case two things that are sometimes difficult to distinguish (cf. 1 Kings 3:9b).

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The Hebrew Verb Nakar a. The Hebrew verb nakar is used in Ezra 3:13 where it refers to the people being unable to distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping of the people. Here the verb carries the idea of being able to distinguish one thing from another (BDB, 648; NIDOTTE, 3:108; TWOT, 2:580), in this case two sounds that had blended together into a single sound (cf. Ezra 3:12).

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3. The Greek Verb Diakrino a. The Greek verb diakrino means to separate, to distinguish, to make a distinction, to differentiate, or to discriminate (Abbot-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, 108; BAGD, 185; Thayer, A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament, 138). The idea here is one of separating, distinguishing, or differentiating between two things.

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The English Verb Discern a. The English verb discern means to separate or distinguish between two things (Websters Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, 360). Furthermore, it carries the idea of being able to recognize or identify as separate and distinct (ibid.).

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The Definition of Discernment 1. For the purposes of the present discussion, discernment can be defined as the ability to distinguish between truth and error. Stated another way, it is the divinely given ability to distinguish Gods thoughts and ways from all others (Adams, A Call for Discernment, 49). In other words, a believer who possesses discernment is an individual who has the ability to recognize truth and error and to distinguish or separate the one from the other. The challenge is that many theological assertions contain a mixture of both truth and error. In such cases, the discerning believer is able to draw lines and differentiate between the two, saying, in effect, This is true (or biblical), and this is false (or unbiblical). Discernment, then, enables one to examine a blended assertion and dissect it in such a way that truth can be embraced and error can be rejected.

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The Need for Discernment Many individuals in the church are simply not convinced that discernment is a valuable commodity. In fact, the prevailing notion is that it serves only to disrupt the unity of the body of Christ. The need for discernment becomes obvious, however, when one considers three factors: the relativism and tolerance of contemporary culture, the presence and impact of false teachers, and the accessibility and influence of mass media. A. The Relativism and Tolerance of Contemporary Culture 1. The underlying assumption in todays culture is that there is no such thing as absolute truth. In fact, one survey found that 66% of adult Americans deny the existence of absolute truth, insisting instead that different people can define truth

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in conflicting ways and still be correct. A similar survey found that only 22% of adult Americans affirm the existence of absolute moral truth. 2. In todays world, then, truth is relative, and what is true for one individual is not necessarily true for another. The important thing is to be open-minded and tolerant of the views of others, never telling people they are wrong or forcing your own views upon them, which is the height of all arrogance. In short, all opinions are equally valid. In this way, one virtue is esteemed above all otherstolerance. As Veith notes, Sociologists studying our contemporary culture report that Americans do have strong moral beliefs, but ranking highest among them is the ethical imperative to be nonjudgmental, tolerant, and affirming of other people no matter what (Gene Edward Veith, When Nice is Nice, World Magazine, November 10, 2001, p. 14). The church has not been unaffected. As MacArthur writes, In the world of modern evangelicalism, it is allowable to advocate the most unconventional, unbiblical doctrinesas long as you afford everyone else the same privilege. About the only thing that is taboo nowadays is the intolerance of those who dare to point out others errors. Anyone today who is bold enough to suggest that someone elses ideas or doctrines are unsound or unbiblical is dismissed at once as contentious, divisive, unloving, or unchristian. It is all right to espouse any view you wish, but it is not all right to criticize another persons viewsno matter how patently unbiblical those views may be (MacArthur, Reckless Faith, 21-22). This pluralistic approach to truth has produced a breeding ground for false teaching, allowing it to thrive and wreak havoc in the church. Only discernment can turn the tide.

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The Presence and Impact of False Teachers The very presence of false teaching in the church emphasizes the need for discernment in the body of Christ. Scriptures teaching on the presence and impact of false teachers underscores the gravity of the situation. 1. Their Presence Throughout the New Testament, there is evidence of false teachers infiltrating the early church (Acts 13:6; Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Cor. 11:3-4, 13-15; Gal. 1:6-9; 2:4; Eph. 5:6; Col. 2:4; 1 Tim. 1:3-7, 19-20; 2 Tim. 2:16-18; 3:1-13; Titus 1:10-16; 3:9-11; 2 Pet. 2:1-22; 3:16; 1 John 2:22; 2 John 7; Jude 4, 10-16). In addition, the New Testament repeatedly warns believers of the presence of false teachers will infiltrate the church and seek to lead people astray. a. Matthew 7:15: Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 24:5: For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will mislead many.

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c. Matthew 24:11: And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many. Matthew 24:24: For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect (cf. Mark 13:22). Acts 20:29-30: I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Philippians 3:2: Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision. 1 Timothy 4:1: 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. 2 Timothy 3:13: But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 4:3-4: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. 2 Peter 2:1: But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

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Their Impact The impact of false teachers upon the church can most easily be seen by considering the Bibles description of the character of the teachers, the content of their teaching, and the consequences of their teaching. a. The Character of the Teachers The New Testament gives much attention to describing false teachers who infiltrate the church. Although not all of them possess every one of these characteristics, false teachers are described in the following ways. i. Deceptive False teachers are labeled false prophets (Matt. 7:15; Luke 6:26; 1 John 4:1), false apostles (2 Cor. 11:13), deceivers (Titus 1:10; 2 John 7), deceitful workers (2 Cor. 11:13), liars (1 Tim. 4:2; cf. Titus 1:12-13a; 1 John 2:22), and wolves in

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sheeps clothing (Matt. 7:15). They are said to creep into the church unnoticed (Jude 4), deceive people (Rom. 16:18; Eph. 5:6), mislead people (Matt. 24:5, 11, 24), lead people astray (Mark 13:22; 2 Cor. 11:3; Acts 20:30), engage in trickery, craftiness and deceitful scheming (Eph. 4:14) exploit people with false words (2 Pet. 2:3), secretly introduce destructive heresies (2 Pet. 2:1), disguise themselves as apostles of Christ and servants of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:13, 15), and revel in their deceptions (2 Pet. 2:13). ii. Persuasive They deceive people with smooth and flattering speech (Rom. 16:18; Jude 6); they delude people with persuasive arguments (Col. 2:4); they take people captive through philosophy and empty deception (Col. 2:8); they captivate weak women (2 Tim. 3:6); they secretly introduce destructive heresies (2 Pet. 2:1); and they entice unstable souls (2 Pet. 2:14; cf. 2:18). As Peter says, many will follow their sensuality (2 Pet. 2:2). iii. Greedy They have hearts trained in greed (2 Pet. 2:14); they love the wages of unrighteousness (2 Pet. 2:15); they look at godliness as a means of gain (1 Tim. 6:5); they flatter people for the sake of gaining an advantage (Jude 16); they exploit people because of their greed (2 Pet. 2:3); and they teach false doctrine for the sake of sordid gain (Titus 1:11). iv. Divisive They cause dissensions (Rom. 16:17); they cause divisions (Jude 19); they are factious (Titus 3:10); and they have a morbid in controversial questions and disputes about words, which result in envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction (1 Tim. 6:4-5). v. Arrogant They speak arrogantly (Jude 16); they exalt themselves (2 Cor. 11:20; cf. Acts 8:9); they seek their own glory (John 7:18); they make confident assertions about matters they dont understand (1 Tim. 1:7; 2 Pet. 3:16); they are conceited and yet understand nothing (1 Tim. 6:4); they speak out arrogant words of vanity (2 Pet. 2:18); they are bold and audacious (2 Pet. 2:10; cf. Jude 8); they revile where they have no knowledge (2 Pet. 2:12); and they reject authority (Jude 8).

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vi. Wicked They produce bad fruit (Matt. 7:16-20); they practice lawlessness (Matt. 7:23); they are slaves of their own appetites (Rom. 16:18); they are hypocrites (1 Tim. 4:2); their consciences are seared (1 Tim. 4:2); they hold to a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Tim. 3:5); they have depraved minds (1 Tim. 6:5); their minds and consciences are defiled (Titus 1:15); they profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed (Titus 1:16); they are perverted (Titus 3:11); they are characterized by sensuality (2 Pet. 2:2); they indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires (2 Pet. 2:10); they despise authority (2 Pet. 2:10); they are self-willed (2 Pet. 2:10); they count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime (2 Pet. 2:13); they are stains and blemishes (2 Pet. 2:13); they carouse (2 Pet. 2:13); they have eyes of adultery that never cease from sin (2 Pet. 2:14); they are slaves of corruption (2 Pet. 2:19); they follow after their own ungodly lusts (2 Pet. 3:3; Jude 16, 18); they are unprincipled (2 Pet. 3:17); they are of the world (1 John 4:5); they are ungodly (Jude 4); they defile the flesh (Jude 8); they reject authority (Jude 8); they revile angelic majesties (Jude 8); they are grumblers and fault-finders (Jude 16); they are worldly-minded (Jude 19); and they are devoid of the Spirit (Jude 19). False teachers, then, are not simply harmless individuals who mean well but are a bit misguidedthey are wicked and arrogant wolves who persuasively deceive the unsuspecting and unstable, breeding destruction and division and robbing the people of God. You will know them, Jesus said, by their fruits (Matt. 7:20). b. The Content of their Teaching The chief mark of a false teacher is that he advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness (1 Tim. 6:3, i.e., the doctrine in the Word of God). These departures from Gods Word are referred to as preaching strange doctrines (1 Tim. 1:3), a different gospel (Gal. 1:6; 2 Cor. 11:3), another Jesus (2 Cor. 11:3), and a gospel contrary to that which [the apostles] have preached (Gal. 1:8). False teachers depart from biblical truth and contradict the teaching of Gods Word in one of two ways: either they add to the teaching of Scripture or they distort the teaching of Scripture. i. Addition to Scripture (supplementing the text) False teachers are described as leading people astray by teaching myths (1 Tim. 1:4; 2 Tim. 4:4; Titus 1:14), worldly fables (1 Tim. 4:7), human philosophy (Col. 2:8), and the commandments of men (Titus 1:14; cf. 1 Tim. 4:3).

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In todays church, this often consists of teachers who claim to be recipients of new revelation, usually through prophecy, dreams, visions, or a word from God. Others simply make dogmatic, extra-biblical assertions without attempting to justify them in any way. In both cases, these additions to Scripture result in a departure from biblical truth. ii. Distortion of Scripture (twisting the text) Peter cautions his readers of false teachers who distort Pauls epistles and the rest of the Scriptures (2 Pet. 3:16); Paul refers to false teachers who teach the Law but dont understand the matters about which they make confident assertions (1 Tim. 1:7); and Paul warns the Galatians about those who distort the gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:7). Many of todays false teachers point to Scripture as the basis of their assertions, but they contradict sound doctrine because they mishandle the Word of God through unintentional eisegesis (reading into the text what is not there) or outright deception. In either case, their teaching consists of a distortion of the objective meaning of Gods special revelation. c. The Consequences of their Teaching According to the apostle Peter, the heresies that false teachers introduce to the church are nothing short of destructive (2 Pet. 2:1). Among other things, these savage (Acts 20:29) and ravenous (Matt. 7:15) wolves cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned (Rom. 16:17); they lead believers away from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ (2 Cor. 11:3); they disturb individuals in the church (Gal. 1:7); they bring people into bondage (Gal. 2:4); they upset peoples faith (2 Tim. 2:18); they upset whole families (Titus 1:11); they give rise to speculation and fruitless discussion which hinder the purposes of God (1 Tim. 1:4-6); they cause believers to fall from their steadfastness (2 Pet. 3:17); and they bring about envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction (1 Tim. 6:4-5). In addition, false teaching weakens the foundation of the life of the church, for true worship and obedience always flow forth from an accurate understanding of truth. As MacArthur writes, then, When a church loses its will to discern between sound doctrine and error, between good and evil, between truth and lies, that church is doomed (MacArthur, Reckless Faith, xvi). C. The Accessibility and Influence of Mass Media 1. In the first century, it wasin one sensemuch easier for the elders of a given local church to protect the flock from false teachers.

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2. In todays culture, however, believers have access to a plethora of teachers from across the nation and world through various mass media, including books, radio programs, videos, audio tapes, the Internet, and television. In other words, in the first century false teachers entered households through the front door (2 Tim. 3:6; 2 John 10), but today they enter less conspicuously through means such as radio waves and the Internet. As a result, more false teaching is available to believers today than at any other time in the history of the church, and its influence is incalculable. As MacArthur writes, Christian television, radio, books, and magazines serve up a preposterous smorgasbord of ideas from the merely capricious to the downright dangerousand the average Christian is woefully ill-equipped to sort out the lies from the truth (MacArthur, Reckless Faith, 20). The believers most effective defense against this onslaught of deception is discernment.

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The Call to Discernment In his first epistle to Timothy, the Apostle Paul reminds his younger disciple that the church is to function as the pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). In other words, the church has been given the responsibility of guarding and upholding the truth of Gods Word. To put it simply, the church has been called to discernment. A. The Responsibility of the Shepherds The New Testament makes it clear that the primary responsibility of upholding the truth and protecting the church from error and false teaching falls on the shoulders of the eldersthose shepherds who keep watch over the souls of the flock (Heb. 13:17). 1. Acts 20:28-31a: Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert. Titus 1:9: The overseer must [hold] fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. 2 Timothy 1:13-14: Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 1 Timothy 6:20-21: O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledgewhich some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith.

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5. 1 Tim. 1:3: As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines. 2 Timothy 2:24-26: And the Lords bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

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The Responsibility of the Sheep Although the elders bear the responsibility to protect their people from false teachers and the errors those teachers espouse, the sheep have also been given the responsibility to distinguish between truth and error. In other words, while it is crucial for believers to place themselves under the spiritual care and protection of elders who are faithful to the Word of God, this in itself is not enoughthey too must cultivate discernment. 1. 1 John 4:1: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 Peter 3:17: You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness. 2 John 7-11: For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. Jude 3-4: Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:9: And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22: Do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.

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7. Hebrews 5:14: But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Ephesians 4:14: As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming. Galatians 1:6-8: 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. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Matthew 7:15: Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Colossians 2:8: 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.

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The Path to Discernment The path to discernment is not an easy one to travel. In order to develop the ability to consistently distinguish between truth and error, both the pastor and his people must cultivate the following eleven characteristics. A. A Sober Awareness of the Destructive Consequences of Deception 1. As long as believers are unaware of the importance of sound doctrine and the ramifications of false teaching, they will lack the motivation to do what it takes to cultivate discernment. The place to begin, then, is to develop an understanding of how biblical truth forms the foundation of the believers worship and obedience and how false teaching is destructive to the spiritual well-being of the church.

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A Proper Recognition of the Personal Responsibility of Discernment 1. The temptation for the average believer is to leave the business of discernment to others: After all, Im not a theologianI just want to love Jesus. The one who loves Jesus, however, takes seriously the biblical commands to cultivate discernment and thereby recognize and reject false teaching when it arises. Every believer is personally responsible to distinguish between truth and error (1 John 4:1; 2 Pet. 3:17; 2 John 7-11; Jude 3-4; Phil. 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:20-22; Heb. 5:14; Gal. 1:6-8; Matt. 7:15; Col. 2:8), and this responsibility must not be ignored. To put it simply, discernment is a matter of obedience.

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C. A Prayerful Dependence on the Divine Source of Discernment 1. As believers seek to cultivate discernment, they must look in prayer to the One who is pleased to grant wisdom and understanding (Prov. 2:1-6; cf. Phil. 1:9). This kind of dependence was modeled in the prayer of Solomon, who cried out to God: So give Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Thine? (1 Kings 3:9) Seeking discernment, then, is not something to do apart from God, but rather in dependence on Him.

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A Clear Understanding of the Antithetical Nature of Truth 1. As Jay Adams notes, Discernment thrives in an atmosphere of absolutes, among people whose minds have been molded to think antithetically (Adams, A Call for Discernment, 30-31). In other words, instead of viewing truth as relative and subjective, one must think in terms of the plain antithesis between black and white, right and wrong, truth and error (see Carson, Gagging God, 347-67). This does not mean that every issue in Scripture is black and white, but it does mean that where Scripture speaks with clarity, a hard line must be drawn (MacArthur, Reckless Faith, 51). Truth is to be embraced, and error is to be rejected.

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An Unwavering Confidence in the Absolute Authority of Scripture 1. The discerning believer recognizes that the ultimate and only authority in matters of spiritual truth is the Word of God. In other words, as the definitive and unrivaled arbiter of truth, Scripture must take precedence over experience, reason, new revelation, and any other socalled source of truth. This kind of confidence in Scriptures authority consistently drives the believer to ask the question, Yes, but what does the Bible say?

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A Firm Grasp on the Sound Principles of Hermeneutics 1. If a believer has confidence in the authority of Scripture, and yet has little or no idea how to study Gods Word, his confidence will not take him far. It is essential for every Christian to understand how to study Scripture in such a way that he is able to arrive an accurate interpretation of the text. A firm grasp on the grammatical-historical method of interpretationwith its emphasis on determining the intent of the original author to his original readers is a crucial step on the path to discernment.

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G. A Relentless Devotion to the On-Going Study of Scripture 1. Discerning believers are faithful to devote themselves to studying the Bible on a regular basis, for as MacArthur writes, No one can be truly discerning apart from mastery of the Word of God (MacArthur, Reckless Faith, 87). Like the federal agent who learns to spot counterfeit money by studying genuine bills, those who continually handle the truth in Gods Word will learn to detect a spiritual counterfeit. The way to discern error, in other words, is to master the truth (cf. MacArthur, Reckless Faith, 79).

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A Growing Knowledge of the Sound Doctrine of Scripture 1. The discerning believer must eventually make the transition from studying individual texts of Scripture to thinking systematically about what is taught in the Word of God as a whole. This involves coming to a clear and systematic understanding of the Bibles fundamental teachings in the key areas of theologyTheology Proper (God), Bibliology (Scripture), Christology (Christ), Pneumatology (Holy Spirit), Angelology (angels), Anthropology (man), Hamartiology (sin), Soteriology (salvation), Ecclesiology (the church), and Eschatology (end times). This kind of theological framework will simplify the task of comparing a given teaching with the doctrine set forth in the Word of God.

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A Basic Familiarity with the Common Characteristics of Deceivers 1. In order to spot a wolf in sheeps clothing, one must be familiar with the common characteristics of false teachers, including their moral character and the content and consequences of their teaching (see notes above). This familiarity will alert believers of what to look for in one who is suspected of being a false teacher.

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A Steadfast Commitment to the Careful Examination of Teaching 1. The prudent believer screens every idea, every claim, every proposal, every opinion through the grid of Scripture. The Bible is his protection from the stings and bites of error. He is open to everything in the Bible, of course, but everything else must be examined carefully in the clear light of Gods Word (Adams, A Call for Discernment, 70). This crucial safeguard involves imitating the noble-minded Bereans, who not only received the Word with great eagerness, but also examined the Scriptures to see whether the things taught to them were true (Acts 17:11). This examination consists of measuring every truth-claim against the yardstick of Scripture. If the teaching contradicts what is taught in Scripture, it is identified as unbiblical and rejected as false.

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K. An Appropriate Allegiance for the Proven Proclaimers of Truth 1. While the authority ultimately rests in Scripture alone, it is helpful to identify various preachers or writers who have proven to be trustworthy in how they handle Gods Word and help other believers understand the truths contained therein. The Lord often uses these teachers not only to instruct believers in the truth, but also to help them discern error in other teaching they encounter. It is worthwhile, then, to seek out these kinds of faithful mentors, but only when it is done with discernment!

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Conclusion A. Throughout her history, the church of Jesus Christ has been inundated with a plethora of false teaching and has fought many battles in her quest to remain faithful as the pillar and support of the truth. With more threats looming on the horizon, believers cannot afford to look the other way or to capitulate to the relativism of contemporary culture. Now is the time for the body of Christ to reaffirm the absolute authority of the Word of God, to renew its commitment to contend for the gospel, and to regain the ability to discern the difference between truth and error.

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