Too many among God’s people today are in love with men instead of God.\u00a0\u00a0Thus, they love to hear what men say, but they are not at all interested in what God has to say.\u00a0\u00a0This is the trend that leads people to false teachers.\u00a0\u00a0This mindset is what turns people from the word of God to the words of men.\u00a0\u00a0Such warnings as we read of in the New Testament are not being heeded today.\u00a0\u00a0Paul warned: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision”\u00a0<\/em>(Philippians 3:2).\u00a0\u00a0Yet, today we find those who love the bark of a false teacher.\u00a0\u00a0We need to make sure that we are aware of those who would spoil us through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (Colossians 2:8).\u00a0\u00a0Instead of awareness, many are waiting with open arms to be taken captive of the devil through the smooth words of false teachers.\u00a0\u00a0We need to cry out and stop the mouths of those who are carrying away so many with their corruptions of the word of God.<\/p>\n When Paul wrote his single epistle to Titus he had many things to say.\u00a0\u00a0One important task that Titus had was to set things in order in local congregations and appoint elders (Titus 1:5-9).\u00a0\u00a0Within this context Paul told Titus:\u00a0“For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.\u00a0\u00a0One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.\u00a0\u00a0This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth”<\/em>\u00a0(Titus 1:10-14).\u00a0\u00a0Today, we need to heed to the same instruction.\u00a0\u00a0We must stop the mouths of false teachers for they are liars who are turning people away from the truth.\u00a0\u00a0Why aren’t we rebuking false teachers?\u00a0\u00a0Moreover, why aren’t we exposing those who will not repent of their errors?<\/p>\n False teachers creep in among the flock secretly (II Peter 2:1 and Jude 4).\u00a0\u00a0Sometimes those who are seeking to draw away disciples can even arise from among the flock (Acts 20:28-31).\u00a0\u00a0Some will have a form of godliness (II Timothy 3:5).\u00a0\u00a0The point is this; the false teacher is often the one we like.\u00a0\u00a0They are the ones who seem to be the “nice guys” in the group.\u00a0\u00a0Sometimes they are the ones who are always studying and they seem to know God’s word.\u00a0\u00a0We cannot forget that some understand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm (I Timothy 1:7).\u00a0\u00a0There are also those who are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (II Timothy 3:7).\u00a0\u00a0False teachers often seem as though they are good workers in God’s kingdom.\u00a0\u00a0Paul said: “But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.\u00a0\u00a0For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.\u00a0\u00a0And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.\u00a0\u00a0Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works”<\/em>\u00a0(II Corinthians 11:12-15).<\/p>\n The word of God demands that we mark and avoid false teachers (Romans 16:17-18).\u00a0\u00a0We need to forewarn others who may be in the path of those who are false (II Timothy 4:14-15).\u00a0\u00a0Consider the following passages:\u00a0“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.\u00a0\u00a0For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.\u00a0\u00a0For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.\u00a0\u00a0Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.\u00a0\u00a0But they shall proceed no further:\u00a0for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was<\/strong>“<\/em>\u00a0(II Timothy 3:1-9).<\/p>\n When Hymenaeus and Philetus taught error Paul took the action of marking them:\u00a0“But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.\u00a0\u00a0And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some”<\/em>\u00a0(II Timothy 2:16-18).\u00a0\u00a0We too must take this action to stop the mouths of false teachers so that those in their path can be forewarned.\u00a0\u00a0If we don’t many can be lost to false teaching and those who did not forewarn will be held accountable (Ezekiel 3:17-21).<\/p>\n The next time you hear someone speak favorably of one who teaches error, consider these words:\u00a0“Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.\u00a0\u00a0Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.\u00a0\u00a0Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord”<\/em>\u00a0(Jeremiah 23:30-32).<\/p>\n False teaching will always cause souls to be lost.\u00a0\u00a0Both those that teach and follow error will be condemned by God (I Kings 13).\u00a0\u00a0There is always going to be those who are willing to twist the Scriptures causing people to be led away (II Peter 3:16-17).\u00a0\u00a0It is important therefore to realize, there will be those who use Scriptures in a way in which they are no longer the truth (Galatians 1:6-8).\u00a0\u00a0Those who do so are false teachers who are just lying in wait to deceive anyone they can (Ephesians 4:14).\u00a0\u00a0Paul warned: “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived”<\/em>\u00a0(II Timothy 3:13).\u00a0\u00a0We can avoid this through our knowledge of the Scriptures (II Timothy 3:14-17).\u00a0\u00a0It is very difficult for a false teacher to creep in among a militant group of brethren who know the truth and the identifying marks of false doctrine.<\/p>\n It is easy to turn away and ignore those who teach error.\u00a0\u00a0We have already seen that we are to avoid false teachers.\u00a0\u00a0Yet, we cannot close our eyes and ears to the point of unawareness.\u00a0\u00a0God instructs us to not allow any man to deceive us (Ephesians 5:6).\u00a0\u00a0We need to know about the errors that are taught and we need to be prepared to defend the truth when they come our way (Philippians 1:17; I Peter 3:15; Jude 3).\u00a0\u00a0Let us all study to know the truth, but let us also be mindful that many are waiting for the opportunity to lead us astray.\u00a0\u00a0When we do happen to come upon those false teachers, let’s do all that we can to stop their mouths.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Brian A. Yeager The Apostle Paul told Timothy:\u00a0“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.\u00a0\u00a0For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[478],"class_list":["post-60137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-false-teachers"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":67736,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/preach-the-word\/","url_meta":{"origin":60137,"position":0},"title":"Preach the Word","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 21, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by\u00a0Jefferson David Tant \"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":38546,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-are-endless-myths-and-genealogies\/","url_meta":{"origin":60137,"position":1},"title":"What are endless myths and genealogies?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 20, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Regarding I Timothy 1:4-6: In verse 4 what are the myths and endless genealogies being talked about? And in verse 6 and verse 3 who are the \"some men\" or the \"certain men\" who are teaching false doctrine? Thanks. Answer: \"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":43413,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/are-there-five-doctrines-of-angels\/","url_meta":{"origin":60137,"position":2},"title":"Are there five doctrines of angels?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 25, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I told someone in our Bible study recently that \"eternal security\" is a doctrine. She said no, that doctrines are doctrines of angels, about five or so in number. What do you think about this? Answer: Doctrine means \"teachings.\" \"For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":39814,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/difficult-times-and-difficult-people\/","url_meta":{"origin":60137,"position":3},"title":"Difficult Times and Difficult People","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 22, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Doy Moyer Predators prey on gullible people when they think they spot an opportunity. This is one of the points of II Timothy 3:1-9. The difficult times in this context, though spoken of as future, included the time in which Paul was writing (note the present tense in II\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":21774,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/its-obvious-you-have-little-to-do-but-bash-other-religions\/","url_meta":{"origin":60137,"position":4},"title":"It’s obvious you have little to do but bash other religions","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 24, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Regarding \"Should Christians Help Support the Salvation Army?\" It is obvious that you have very little to do but bash other religions. Maybe I should do one about yours. No, that would make me just as un-Christian as you! Answer: Quite a broad generalization based on one sermon outline.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":92246,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/becoming-your-enemy\/","url_meta":{"origin":60137,"position":5},"title":"Becoming Your Enemy","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 19, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Micky Galloway Paul wrote the Galatian letter to those who had been influenced by Judaizing teachers who had bound, as necessary to salvation, certain aspects of the Law of Moses. Paul indicted some of them, \"Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the Law; ye are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60137"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60137\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}We Need to Silence Those Teaching Error<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2004\/03\/stoppedMouth.jpg\")
Let me state first that false doctrine will always exist.\u00a0\u00a0In fact, there will be many who teach false doctrine (Matthew 24:11; 24, II Peter 2:1-3, and I John 4:1).\u00a0\u00a0However, we have the ability to make known the identities of those teaching false doctrine (I Timothy 1:19-20).\u00a0\u00a0We err when we think there is nothing we can do about false teachers.\u00a0\u00a0Even worse than that error, we slip further when we take no interest in exposing false teachers to stop their mouths.<\/p>\nFalse Teachers Need to Be Exposed<\/h2>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n