How do we know if someone is a False Teacher or Preacher?
Q: Recently some Christians told me to to "steer clear" of certain pastors who are ones I've always enjoyed hearing, (Joyce Meyer, TD Jakes, Steven Furtick). Why are they being called false preachers and false teachers? I want to know, so I dont follow or listen to any who actually are false teachers 👀.
A: Those caring believers told you the truth.
They just didnt explain "why" to you.
Those who put forth doctrines of demons and teach heresy do so subtly like their father Satan in Eden. He has never stopped, and so those who belong to him [such as false teachers] seek out to deceive those who are new in the faith or hardly really know or hardly ever read the Bible. These new or weak believers wrongly think that anyone who "claims to be" a Christian are one and anyone given a platform on tv or online must be one -- but they are not. Scripture is the test.
False teachers and false preachers (book authors included) fail the test of what are called The Essentials of Christianity. These unsaved ones subtly craftily distort what Scripture actually says and like Satan "appear as" one of the light. They decieve those who dont know better or those who want their ears tickeled; to be told things they want to hear vs what is truth. They lure in people who are focused on the flesh and carnal desires [over truth and righteousness].
My exhortation and encouragement is to know the essentials. Memorize them. Then, understand why those ones (and in general those who are) false preachers. Stop listening to them immediately and turn to biblically sound ones. Then read the Bible daily and grasp the true doctrines it teaches (not just seeing it as a book of historical stories or occasional wisdom). Go through the true basics and foundational teachings of the Scriptures to start maturing in the Word, which will help prevent you being bamboozled by charlatans again.
God bless.
R
