SEVEN CHARACTERISTICS OF FALSE TEACHERS[1]
Satan labors might and main, by false teachers, which are
his emissaries, to deceive, delude, and forever undo the precious souls of men
(Jer. 23: 13).
[1.] False teachers are men-pleasers. Such are not true
teachers; Gal. 1: 10, 1 Thess. 2: 1-4. They preach more to please the ear than
to profit the heart (Is. 30: 10).
[2.] False teachers are notable in casting dirt, scorn, and
reproach upon the persons, names, and credits of Christ’s most faithful
ambassadors. Thus Korah, Dathan, and Abiram charged Moses and Aaron that they
took too much upon them, seeing all the congregation was holy (Num. 16: 3).
[3.] False teachers are venters of the devices and visions
of their own heads and hearts. Jer. 14: 14.
[4.] False teachers easily pass over the great and weighty
things both of law and gospel, and stand most upon those things that are of the
least importance and concern to the souls of men. 1 Tim. 1: 5-7.
[5.] False teachers cover and color their dangerous
principles and soul-deceptions with very fair speeches and plausible pretenses,
with high notions and golden expressions. (Gal. 6: 12; 2 Cor. 11: 13-15; Rom.
16: 17, 18; Matt. 16: 6,11,12; 7: 15.)
[6.] False teachers strive more to win over men to their opinions,
than to better them in their lives. Matt. 23: 15.
[7.] False teachers make merchandise of their followers. “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will
be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies,
even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on
themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of
truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with
fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and
their destruction has not been sleeping.” (2 Peter 2:1–3, NIV)
[1] Thomas
Brooks. Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices (Kindle Locations 3329-3330).
Chios Classics. Kindle Edition.
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