Can You Spot A Fake?

There are special agents assigned to the US Treasury department who are experts in identifying counterfeit currency. These members of the Secret Service can spot an authentic bill from a fake in an instant. They gained this ability over intense specialized training. Their time was not devoted to learning all about counterfeit techniques. Although valuable information to have, the focus of their training was learning exactly what authentic US currency looks like. They spent countless hours studying each and every detail exhaustively. Their training makes it very difficult for a counterfeiter to fool the discerning eye of the agent.

False teachers are counterfeiters of Scripture. Can you spot a fake? Can you recognize sound biblical doctrine from false teaching?

A few years after Pentecost, around 67 AD, the Apostle Paul wrote his second letter to his beloved protégé, Timothy. In 2 Timothy, Paul addresses the subject of false teaching and warns Timothy of the dangers that lie ahead that could disrupt the unity of the church.

We’re going to look at 2 Timothy Chapter 3, verses 1 through 7, but to establish context let’s review Chapter 2.

Through his own experiences, the Apostle Paul is keenly aware of the presence of false teachers who will attempt to disrupt the unity of the church and the Gospel message Timothy is charged with preserving. Paul encourages Timothy to be strong in his understanding of the Gospel and Scripture so that he will be well equipped to present the word of truth.

Although Paul is hopeful that false teachers will repent, he also realizes that many will not. With this in mind, he begins Chapter 3 with a greater focus on the characteristics of false teachers who will oppose the church.

(2 Timothy 3:1-7) But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

In verses 2 through 4 Paul presents a list of characteristics that paints a graphic picture of false teachers. Clearly he was very passionate about this topic.

He begins and ends the list with misplaced love. False teachers are lovers of self, lovers of money, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

When asked by the Sadducees which of the LORD’s commandments was greatest, Jesus replied that “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

The second sin we’ll mention is well represented on the list. Proud, arrogant, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, unappeasable and swollen with conceit are all signs of pride.

In the Book of Romans, Paul writes “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” (Romans 12:3)

Abusive, heartless, slanderous, brutal, treacherous and reckless are more aggressive outward traits that have self-love and pride at their root as well. These represent malice and ill-will towards others and certainly violate God’s command to love thy neighbor.

If you knew someone who fit the characteristics Paul outlined, would you want to be friends with him? Would you want him leading your church? I would not want to be in the same room with this person, let alone be led by him. So then, why are so many led astray and influenced by false teachers?

The answer is in verse 5. “Having the appearance of Godliness”. False teachers hide their deceit beneath a façade of Godliness. They claim to be preaching the truth that will set us free when in fact they are enslaving us with lies.

I am reminded of one of my favorite childhood movies, The Wizard of Oz. The Wizard was presented to the people as this huge and powerful figure, dazzling us with illusions of power. But eventually the veil of deceit was lifted as we were told to “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!”. We saw that the wizard was not real. We saw that the wizard was created by a power-hungry man with no real power at all.

The Book of Genesis records the serpent in the Garden of Eden as the first false teacher, and throughout history many have followed, all with the same goal. To separate man from God.

The blatantly obvious and extreme examples of false teachers in modern history are easily identified. The world categorizes these men as Cult Leaders. Jim Jones and the People’s Temple. David Koresh and the Branch Davidians. Marshall Applewhite and the Heaven’s Gate cult.

I believe a greater danger lies in the false teachers who are more subtle in their teaching.

Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church. Charles Taze Russell and the Jehovah’s Witnesses. L. Ron Hubbard’s Church of Scientology. Benny Hinn. All of these men have reached millions of naïve victims with false teaching. All of these men claim to be Christians. Satan uses these men to weave a net of deceit in the world that goes unnoticed and unchallenged by most people.

Scripture has a lot to say about false teachers. Following are references to just a few:

(Deuteronomy 4:2) You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.

(Proverbs 30:6) Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar

(Matthew 7:15) Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

(1 John 4:1) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

At first glance false teachers give the appearance of Christians. They come disguised as angels of light teaching the word of God. They use Scripture as a tool to lure followers into Hell. They proclaim salvation via a life of works. They redirect your focus to the teacher rather than to God’s Word. Their teaching omits the true Gospel of salvation by faith alone.

There was a sense of urgency in Paul’s writings to Timothy. Paul exhorts Timothy that end times will bring times of difficulty. We too must heed Paul’s warning and be on constant vigil watching for false teachers who will attempt to disrupt the unity of the church.

Can you spot a fake? Are you strong enough in your theology to identify and protect your family from false teaching? What are we to do?

STEP ONE: Identify False Teaching. Spot the fake.

How does a Secret Service agent determine if currency is authentic or counterfeit?

1. He holds the bill up to the light. If we suspect false teaching we must hold it up to God’s light. Will His light illuminate the words of the teacher or shine through them proving them to be without substance?
2. A Secret Service agent will examine the bill closely for irregularities. We must compare what we hear to Scripture. Examine it carefully. Does their word align with God’s Word?
3. When you present a large bill to a cashier, they use a special pen to help spot a fake. It would be nice if we could run a special pen across someone’s forehead to see if they are a fake wouldn’t it? Well, our special pen is our Bible. The Bible is our special tool. God’s Word will shine through and illuminate counterfeit or fake teaching.

STEP TWO: Equip and protect ourselves against False Teaching

In the Book of Ephesians we are commanded to lead our families, loving and protecting them as Christ loved and led the church. It is our responsibility as leaders of our family to protect them as well as ourselves against false teaching.

Our sword in this battle is the inerrant truth of Scripture. Our greatest ally is God.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All Scripture is God Breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God many be well-equipped for every good work.

What steps can we take to equip ourselves and our families against false teaching?

1. Prayer is the single most important thing we can do. Ask God to lead and guide you in your battle against false teaching. Pray with your family. Ask others to pray for you. Pray that God will convict you to spend more time in His Word.
2. Daily reading of Scripture. Clothe yourself in God’s Word. Read your Bible every day. Don’t just read Scripture, study it. Strengthen your knowledge of Scripture and theology. If you don't already own one, get and use a study Bible.
3. Join a small group study. Small groups have done so much for my growth as a Christian.
4. Seek advice and counsel from Godly men. Talk to your Pastor. Attend conferences and seminars. One-on-one discipling is an amazing way to strengthen your knowledge and understanding of scripture and theology.

STEP THREE: Avoid false teachers. The Apostle Paul taught us how to recognize false teachers. In verse 6 his command to us is to “avoid such men”. In the English language, avoid is used as a passive term. Avoid sweets. Avoid discussing politics at a party. It’s a suggestion. A recommendation. We get the word avoid from the Greek word apotrepo (appa tre’ poh). The Greek have a much stronger definition of the word. It literally means to shun. To shut out. To turn away from. Paul isn’t suggesting we make our best effort to avoid false teachers. No, he is commanding us to shun them. To cast them out of our lives. To turn away and flee if necessary. If you are given a counterfeit $20 do you keep it? Do you put it in our pocket and deal with it later? No. You refuse it. You give it back and want no part of it. The fake $20 is worthless to you. False teaching is worthless to you as well.

Now, what if we share some of the characteristics Paul listed? For me, reading 2 Timothy 3 led me to self-examination. When I read that list I felt convicted because I was guilty of many of those sins. Does that make me a false teacher? No. But it poses the issue of credibility. Our best defense against false teaching is to lead by example. Our lives need to be a living testimony of our walk with God. If we exhibit sinful characteristics, we are viewed by the world as hypocrites. Hypocrisy in the church is a major reason non-believers list as to why they do not seek a relationship with God. To me, this threat to the unity of the church is no less than that of false teaching.

Before we can identify and protect ourselves and our families from false teaching, we have to take a hard look at ourselves. We must be working towards perfecting our own walk before we criticize others.

In Matthew 7:5, Jesus tells us to “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.”

If we continually struggle with sin issues we must address them using the same steps I just outlined. Sin makes us weak. Sin puts holes in our armor that leave us vulnerable to attacks from Satan. Pray that you will overcome the sin. Seek advice and counsel. Find an accountability partner. Sin loves idle time. Fill your idle time with God, not sin.

There are only two shepherds. There is Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and Satan, the False Shepherd. If we are not in daily communion with our Good Shepherd, the False Shepherd is always ready with his wolves to come down the hill and devour us. If we do not consciously make an effort to keep ourselves in the green pastures of Jesus we may fall victim to the worldly influences around us, which are controlled by the False Shepherd.

Is God Speaking To You?

Let’s say a lumber company bought a forrest and hired you to do an inventory of the trees. Soon you have questions. What kinds of plants do they define as trees? How old should a seedling be before it’s counted as a tree? You refer to the employee handbook you were given, but some parts of it are hard to understand. You pick up your cell phone to call your boss, but you have no signal. You are isolated. You have no way to communicate with your boss. You are left to figure it out on your own.

As Christians, we’re given a handbook to get us through our lives. God gave us the Bible, and thankfully, God will never leave us isolated and alone.

How does God communicate with us? In the beginning, God spoke to man directly and through prophets, ultimately speaking to man through His Son, Jesus. He also spoke through man by creating Scripture. One of my favorite passages illustrates this beautifully.

“All Scripture is God-breathed, and usefull for teaching, reproofing, correction and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be well equipped for every good work”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

These forms of communication are referred to as Special Revelation. This is the theological term that describes the knowledge of God and spiritual matters as they were revealed to us by supernatural means.

Another form of communication is called General Revelation. General revelation refers to the knowledge of God and spiritual matters as they are revealed to us indirectly by observation of nature and human conscience. We see evidence of God in the perfection of the universe. One can see God’s hand in the detail of a small flower and the miracle of how huge trees grow from a single seed. Human conscience is man’s ability to reason right from wrong, and to feel emotions.

Romans 1:20 tells us “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

Psalm 19:1 says “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands”

General revelation is there for all of man to see. Everyone can see how a tree grows from a tiny seed. The primary purpose of Special Revelation and General Revelation is to lead man to Christ and to glorify God. But there’s another way that God speaks to us.

When God speaks to us today, He does so through the person of the Holy Spirit. It is very unlikely we would hear God speak to us today in audible form. Certainly He could if He chose to, but chances are far greater He will speak to us through what He has already revealed to us through Scripture and through the person of the Holy Spirit. I’d like to share an example of how I believe God recently spoke to me.

A few months ago I was praying about a sin issue that had me concerned. I didn’t want to fall prey to temptation and was asking God to help me to avoid the snare Satan lays out for us. One of the passages I was praying through was 1 Corinthians 10, verses 12 and 13:

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

During a lunch break at work, I was walking though a small grove of eucalyptus trees nearby and enjoying the fresh air. As I was walking I happened to look down at my feet just as I was about to step on a small rattlesnake nestled in a patch of dry leaves. Now, as any of you who know me well might be aware, this wasn’t my first encounter with a rattler. While hiking a few years ago, I had a similar encounter to which I reacted in a way that would not be considered very manly. Let’s just say there might have been a little yelp emmitted that some have compared to that of a little girl’s squeal as I lept backwards away from the snake.

Suprisingly though, this encounter was different. I was startled to see the snake at my feet, but there was no fear. I felt calm. Rather than feel fear, I stood there (safely out of striking distance) and admired the beautiful coloring on it’s skin as the snake patiently waited for his lunch to wander by.

I believe that in that moment God was speaking to me. The message I took from that encounter was to not fear temptation because as stated in the passage from First Corinthians, there is no temptation that can overtake me that is not common to man. I felt reassured that God is faithful. He will never leave my side, and will always provide me with a way out.

The rattlesnake represented Satan lying in wait for me. The snake deserved my respect, and if I was careless and provoked it, I would most certainly have gotten bitten. But if I gave it a wide berth, and avoided the snake, I was safe. With God as my shield, Satan was powerless against me. I endured my encounter with the snake. God provided me with a safe way out.

Am I reading too much into this encounter? Maybe. Was God really speaking to me at that moment? I don’t know. But what I do know is that if I had not been praying to God about this matter, and if my heart and mind were not open to receive Him, this event would have been nothing more than a passing moment in my day.

I believe God guides and speaks to us more than we may realise. Buy sometimes you have to be still to hear Him. You have to allow Him to reveal Himself to you in the ways He chooses.

God will never leave us stranded without communication. He gave us an Employee Handbook of sorts when He breathed out His Word through Scripture. But having a Bible isn’t enough. We need that extra line of communication. We need to be in constant fellowship with Him and to be walking in the Spirit.

We can speak to Him any time we choose through prayer, and He will always hear us and He will always answer us. His answer isn’t always immediate, and sometimes it might require us to be still and observant to receive it. But through faith in Christ we know He is always there by our side to guide us back onto the narrow path.

Can You Find Your Way Out?

Last fall Marissa and I took the kids to a pumpkin patch in Ramona. It was a large farm, and along with a selection of pumpkins, there were goats, pigs and horses the kids could pet. They had this really cool corn canon that they would load up with an ear of corn. After you took aim and pulled the trigger a blast of compressed air shot the ear of corn about 50 yards into the air. The boys found this to be a blast as well!

One of the most popular activites there was a huge corn maze which is layed out over about two acres of land. I took the kids into the maze and we had a great time navigating around trying to find our way out. Several times in the maze we were faced with decisions on which way to turn. The wrong choice was met with a dead end, and we’d have to backtrack to find the correct path.

Halfway into the maze there was a set of stairs leading up to a platform that was about 10 feet tall. Standing on the platform I could survey the entire maze and easily see which paths led to the exit. With that vantage point of looking down upon the maze and seeing the entire picture, it was no longer confusing and the pathways became clear. With that new perspective, I could guide my children out of the maze.

When we only see just a few feet ahead of us, we have no idea what lies ahead. We are forced to guess which path to take. Our Heavenly Father has our lives layed out before Him. He has the perfect view from above and all we need to do is to turn to Him and He will lead us through our worldly maze, bringing us safely out into His arms to receive our eternal reward.

When we try to navigate our journey on our own, it’s like hiking without a compass. We only see what lies directly in front of us. We’re short-sighted. We will always follow the well-worn path based on the logic that if everyone else used it, it must be right. We rely on the world to guide us, not our compass.

Any good Boy Scout will tell you that you never hike without a compass. Of the 10 essential items each scout takes with him on a hike, a map and compass are near the top of the list.

Fortunately for us, we have an internal compass in the person of the Holy Spirit, and our map is His Word as He reveals it to us with Scripture. As a Father guides His son, our Heavenly Father guides us along our path. For me, when I need guidance from my Heavenly Father, I usually turn to the Book of Proverbs.

June 5, 2008 is the day I became saved in Christ. A few months before that day, Marissa gave me my first Bible. My introduction into reading the Bible was going through the Book of Proverbs. Since the LORD providentially gave us 31 chapters in Proverbs, each day of the month I would read the chapter number matching that day’s date and share a verse with her.

It was while reading Proverbs that the veil of mystery surrounding the Bible began to lift for me. Passages that first read like riddles began making sense. I began to embrace the Bible as a handbook on how to lead my life.

I would like to share one of my favorite Proverbs with you, Proverbs 3:5-8.

(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
(6) In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
(7) Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
(8) It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.

It was verses 5 and 6 of Proverbs 3 that came to mind when I was standing on that platform overlooking the corn maze. Our LORD has a much better view of our lives than we do. He sees the whole picture. He knows where our next turns will be. Without the Lord we will wander aimlessly about the maze, guessing which turn to make in hopes we’ll eventually make it out safely. But if we turn our lives over to Christ, our paths become straightened. Our choices are made with wisdom we receive from the Holy Spirit. We know how our journey will end, and it gives us hope.

Verse 7 reminds me that I do not have all the answers. My nature is to be the fix-it person. In my marriage, my work and with my friends, I like being the problem solver. I like being the go-to person that helps find resolution. Before I was saved, if I had a problem myself, I would look inwardly and try to fix it myself. For me, asking for help was a sign of weakness.

Later I learned it was a sign of pride. Pride was a thorn in my flesh. Still is. Satan loves pride. But when I remember to turn it over to the LORD; to pray to my Lord and Savior and ask him for his divine intervention, peace falls upon me. I feel my Father’s hand on my shoulder reassuring me that He is watching over me.

On the Boy Scout list of 10 Essentials, water is listed at the top. It sustains us. It refreshes us when we’re weary. The LORD is our Living Water. Praying is like a cool drink of water after a long hike. When I put my LORD first in my life and am aligned with Him, it is as written in verse 8 "healing to my flesh and refreshment to my bones".

There is so much wisdom and fatherly advise packed into Proverbs. I love how the dialog is written as a father speaking to his son. Proverbs give me advice on how to lead my life, how to honor my marriage and how to lead my family. It helps me to love my neighbor, to develop a good work ethic and to avoid sin. For me, Proverbs was a gateway to the teachings of the Bible. There is nothing in our lives we can not find guidance for in Scripture. It really is my handbook for life.