What surprises many people is the fact that false teachers have very large followings, but this should not surprise us in the least. Why? Because the scriptures said this would take place. If the scriptures say that false teachers will have large followings, then why should it surprise us when we see it?

Do we really believe what the scriptures say about this issue of false teachers and their followers? Do we think that God is surprised at the great following that false teachers have? God has told us of it, so why should we be surprised when we see God's word being fulfilled? I believe that I can shed some light on why we are surprised:

1) Our culture and church mindset is numbers conscience, pragmatically motivated and results oriented..

2) We rate the effectiveness of a ministry by its size, so we are ready of mind to accept anything that is large whether it is biblically sound or not.

3) Wholesale unbelief and ignorance of the scriptures contributes to spiritual blindness and lack of discernment about things that are false and things that are true.

4) Non-biblical salvation has replaced biblical repentance, regeneration and redemption. Peter tells us that we should not be surprised at all when we see large followings of fleshy, carnal, lost religious followers following their fleshy, carnal, lost, false teachers.

We are being told today that there is no distinction between false teachers in the camp and the true. We are being told today that we have no right, no business to divide the body of Christ about doctrine. We are being told that doctrine is not the issue and that we don’t have to exercise any discernment in matters of exposing the truth. We are being told that we don’t have ant discernment or should exercise any of it in terms of the motives and behavior and doctrines of false teachers in the camp. Or as Paul Crouch so eloquently stated,

*** Paul Crouch "we should just let God "sort out all this doctrinal doo-doo." Paul Crouch, "Praise-a-Thon" program on TBN, 2 April 1991 "We can't have faith preaching. You can't have confession stuff. You can't do this, you can do that. Who cares? Who cares? Let Jesus sort that all out at the judgment seat of Christ. We'll find out who was right and wrong doctrinally." Paul Crouch, "Praise-a-Thon" program on TBN, 2 April 1991 ***

The idea that the church has no genuine ability or discernment to make a distinction between those who are true and false followers of our Lord Jesus Christ is itself a false teaching.

John 8:43-47 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear [them] not, because ye are not of God. Romans 16:17-19 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all [men]. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 2 Corinthians 2:17 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; (adulterating the word of God) but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him]. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. Galatians 1:6-10 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-14 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 1 Timothy 6:3-5 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. Titus 1:15-16 15 Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 3:10-11 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 1 John 2:3-6 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 4:1-6 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 2 John 4-11 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Go back to 2 Peter 2:3

Peter 2:3
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

• Seven, False Teachers are known for their;

  (a) greed
  (b) false and deceptive words
  (c) exploitation (read II Pet 2:3)

It's important to examine all three of these characteristics of false teachers. First, lets take a look at greed.

(a) The word covetousness is a very interesting word in Greek. It means: A love of money, power or ambition, to defraud, to cheat, a greedy person. A person who is described in scripture as being covetous demonstrates in his or her life a lack of knowledge of God, faith and obedience. Covetousness is also called idolatry (worship of a false god(s). "The man who no longer has fulfillment in the true and living God, seeks fulfillment in himself, and in his possessions. Ultimately he makes himself an idol (false god) and strives to subject everything to himself."

This is one of the reasons why these false teachers in the word-faith movement can call themselves, "little gods," because they have degenerated to the place of idolatrous, self worship. Their damnable claims of being little gods is not the height of any spiritual achievement, but the pit of moral and spiritual degradation and damnation. The believer is commanded by God not to have any associations with these kinds of people and like immorality and impurity, covetousness must be kept out of the life of the church.

Next, we look at how they use false and deceptive words.

(b) We see that false teachers use feigned words. Feigned words means; Fabricated or forged teachings designed to satisfy the hearer's ears. II Tim 4:1-4 (read). It is abundantly clear, according to these verses, that the hearers and followers of these false teachers are doing it out of their own lust, no matter what they say or how loud their denial. God said that the reason why people follow these false teachers is because of our own inward lust. In the process of following these fabricated words, they turn their allegiance from the truth and turn their allegiance to stories, myths, lies.

(c) Next, we see that false teachers use, exploitation. They make merchandise of you, Peter said. The word merchandise means; To engage in trade, to travel, especially in business to traffic in trade. We get our English word, emporium, from the Greek word, merchandise. To make gain from. These false teachers have quite a large network and through that network, not only do they traffic locally, but internationally in their deception as they feast in the wealth of their deceived followers and teach doctrines designed to damn the souls of men and women. This entire issue of the mass accumulation of wealth is another characteristic of false teachers. We will see that in greater detain when we get to verse 14.

The scriptures are abundantly clear about the characteristics of all false teachers. The questions we need to ask are these: Am I truly a follower of Jesus Christ according to His standards? Am I involved directly of indirectly with any false teacher? After hearing the clarity of the word of God, what will I do, now that I am accountable before the true and living God for what I have heard?

Peter teaches in verse 3 that eternal judgment is the inevitable end of all false teachers. None will escape. Peter said of them in verse 3, whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. In other words, the divine sentence from God toward these false teachers is not idle, and their utter destruction in the fires of hell is not lingering in indecision. Judgment will be sure, swift and eternal. What appears to be a lack of time on God’s part in the eyes of the foolish is no lack at all. God will judge the false teacher. All of them!

Verses 1,3-9, teaches the utter and sure destruction that awaits those who are the teachers of these heresies. Peter sites three known facts of previous judgments of God upon those who rejected Him in the past, and they are left to us as a sure reminder to those who live in rebellion against Him that no one in the past escaped God's judgment, neither will these false teachers and followers

1) The fallen angels

2) The old world (the Earth that was deluged with water)

3) The abominations of the sodomites, the homosexuals of Sodom and Gomorrah and all of the coastal cities around them.

Peter 2:4
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

1) The Fallen Angels

These are the angels referred to in Genesis chapter 6 who were those "Sons of God" who wickedly, left their first estate and cohabited with women. God’s judgment was fulfilled in that He cast them down into hell (Tartarus, prison) They were sent into the pit, into the densest darkness, to be reserved for eternal judgment of the lake of fire. Notice that Peter in writing about these three events of judgment, follows scripturally the events in biblical order. The point is this, if God did not withhold His divine judgment against angels who are created higher than mankind, do you think that He will spare false teachers His righteous wrath?

Peter 2:5
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

2) The Old World (the Earth that was deluged with water) Not only did the Lord NOT spare fallen angels who sinned, but He did not spare the old world, the pre-flood world who also sinned.

Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.

God saved Noah and his family, 8 in all. Noah is described here as a preacher of righteousness. For 120 years Noah preached that the people needed to repent and be right with God. He preached judgment to come. When the people refused to obey the message of the Lord, He spared Noah and his family and let loose the deluge, the cataclysmic judgment of water, ALL OVER THE WORLD, and all over the ungodly. It was a cataclysmic and a worldwide flood. The point is this, if God did not spare the greater, will He spare the lessor? God destroyed the world already once. This should remind everyone that God is a God of judgment and that He will judge the false teachers.

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

3) The Abominations of the Sodomites. The next example of judgment was because of the abominations of the sodomites, the homosexuals of Sodom and Gomorrah and all of the coastal cities around them.

God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and their coastal cities into an ash heap! Peter said that God made these cities an example, their judgment was, and is, a patter of judgment to come to those who choose to live ungodly.

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

Lot was declared to be a righteous man. Lot had no association with the lifestyle of the sodomites. In fact, God rescued Lot, who was exhausted day in and day out with the unbridled lust, outrageousness, shameless behavior of the lust driven lawbreakers.

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed [his] righteous soul from day to day with [their] unlawful deeds;)

He lived among them, he observed their filthiness as an outsider. He listened to their perverted talk, and it tortured his righteous soul day after day after day.

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

God will spare His own whose lives demonstrate integrity that the trials of this life bring, and He will also deliver the ungodly to an eternal punishment. These three examples should clearly put fear into the hearts of all men and women, Letting us know that God is a God of judgment and that He will not spare the wicked, or the false teacher.

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

• The eighth characteristic of false teachers is the fact that inspite of their claims to be spirit filled or walking in the spirit, the scriptures teach that they are walking according to and after their own lust.

Jude 16

These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

The word lust in both passages speaks of one who sets his heart upon his own lust which produces, not spiritual growth, but moral and spiritual defilement.

• The ninth characteristic of false teachers is their audacious arrogance!

(read verse 10 again)

Jude 8-9
8 Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

1) They despise lordship (government). This is not human, but divine lordship, of God, Christ Jesus, and of the angelic host.

2) They are self willed, they are risk takers, daring. Their audacious behavior is seen in how they fearlessly speak evil of dignities or glories without trembling. What are the glories? Obviously the Godhead, but of the angelic host, but there is another whom they respect not and that is satan. The context of Jude teaches no only do false teachers reject the lordship of Jesus Christ, but they have no respect for satan, who is a celestial being, whereas, Michael the Archangel, who is greater in power and might than any and all false teachers, would not even dare to speak abusive and to mock satan.

• Angels will not do with greater power and might, what a false teacher blatantly does with no power at all!

But it's all done to give the impression to false followers that the false teacher has some kind of supernatural power, even over God Himself. That's why the height of all blasphemy is for any man or woman to even shape their mouths to say that they are a little god and to act as if they are. Their damnation is just!

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

Peter said that these men and women are animals! They live without reason. They are not rational thinkers, but are governed by their instinct, just like an animal. In other words, they live according to their lust and as far as God is concerned, they are born to die! Their irrational behavior is seen in what they say. Peter said they blaspheme things they are completely ignorant of. They speak lightly of weighty matters, because they are ignorant of them. In their own corruption, they shall destroy themselves.

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

• The tenth characteristic of a false teacher is that he, or they, are sexually immoral.

It was the lifestyle of the immoral to carouse in the night, in secret, but these false teachers are so repulsive that they do their perversion in the broad daylight, shamelessly while they feast with you. Their odious behavior is done openly while they have fellowship with you. They revel in their deception right in your face! They have eyes full of an adulteress (gk) meaning that they lust and desire every woman they see! They never rest from sin, as they bait, lure and entice, not the faithful, not the believers, not the obedient, not Christians, but unstable, unfixed, unestablished people! They covet every woman because they are trained in their hearts towards lust. They are experts in greed, having been trained in it as a man trained in a gymnasium.

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

They abandoned any semblance of the right way and they follow out to the end the way of Balaam, the money lusting, prophet for hire.

• The eleventh characteristic of false teachers is their unbridled lust for wealth.

Going back to these quotations from the word-faith false teachers, just listen to the truth of what Peter said as you listen to the statements of these men and woman.

* * * Fred Price. "to get you out of this malaise of thinking that Jesus and the disciples were poor.... The Bible says that He has left us an example that we should follow His steps. That's the reason why I drive a Rolls Royce. I'm following Jesus' steps." Frederick K.C. Price, "Ever Increasing Faith," program on TBN, 9 December 1990 "If the Mafia can ride around in Lincoln Continental town cars, why can't the King's Kids?" Frederick K.C. Price, "Faith, Foolishness, or Presumption?" pg 34 "You can talk about me all you want while I'm driving by in my Rolls Royce that's paid for, and I got the pink slip on it. Talk all you want. Bad mouth all you want. Don't hurt me in the least. Doesn't bother me. It's a whole lot easier to be persecuted when I'm riding in my car and I got the pink slip than it is when I'm riding in a car and owe my soul to the company store." Frederick K.C. Price, "Ever Increasing Faith" program on TBN, 29 March 1992 John Avanzini. "I don't know where these goofy traditions creep in at, but one of the goofiest ones is that Jesus and His disciples were poor. Now there's no Bible to substantiate that." John Avanzini, "Was Jesus Poor?" videotape God told Avanzini, "I'm gonna have signs and wonders follow your ministry."... "I want you to lay hands over that offering, and I want you to speak hundredfold increase over that offering - that it will be multiplied back to the giver one hundredfold." John Avanzini, "Praise-a-Thon" program on TBN, 5 November 1990 "I felt something hitting me, and I looked up and the people were throwing money. Money was being thrown over the tops of their heads. And I laid hands on that offering and I spoke the hundredfold increase." John Avanzini, "Praise-a-Thon" program on TBN, 5 November 1990 "Proper Thinking Produces Finances." John Avanzini, "It's Not Working, Brother John!", pg 145 "We can believe and receive, or we can doubt and do without." John Avanzini, "It's Not Working, Brother John!", pg 143 "If you don't trust God's prophets, you will not prosper." John Avanzini, "It's Not Working, Brother John!", pg 122 Paul Crouch. "If you're broke, if you're at your wit's end, if you're out of a job, out of work, let me tell ya. Not only are we gonna bless the world and preach Christ to millions and multitudes around the world, but you can be saved, yourself, by planting seed in this fertile soil called TBN." Paul Crouch, "Praise the Lord," program on TBN, 21 July 1992 Robert Tilton. "Not only is worrying a sin, but being poor is a sin when God promises prosperity!" Robert Tilton, "Success-N-Life" television program, 27 December 1990 Oral & Richard Roberts "The seed of giving is the seed of faith! And the seed has to be planted BEFORE we can speak to our mountain of need to be removed!" Oral Roberts, "A Daily Guide to Miracles," pg 63 "Someone will be watching this ministry on the air, who promised a large sum (of money) to God. And you act like you have given it, but you did not pay it. You are so close to lying to the Holy Ghost, that within days you will be dead unless you pay the price God said. And somebody here is getting the message. You're on the edge of lying to the Holy Ghost. Don't lie to the Holy Ghost. The prophet has spoken." Oral Roberts, presentation at the World Charismatic Conference, Melodyland Christian Center, 7 August 1992 Gloria Copeland. "Give $10 and receive $1,000; give a $1,000 and receive $100,000. I know that you can multiply, but I want you to see in black and white how tremendous the hundred-fold return is." Gloria Copeland, "God's Will Is Prosperity," pg 54 "Give one house and receive one hundred houses or one house worth one hundred times as much. Give one airplane and receive one hundred times the value of the airplane. Give one car and the return would furnish you a lifetime of cars. In short, Mark 10:30 is a very good deal." Gloria Copeland, "God's Will Is Prosperity," pg 54 * * *

The deception and greed of these false teachers is so clearly evident that a person would have to be biblically illiterate not to know it.

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

Balaam was MAD! He was crazy! His lust for money drove him out of his mind. He was without reason, as Peter already stated. Even a donkey, a dumb donkey, tried to restrain Balaam’s madness.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

• The twelfth characteristic of a false teacher is that he or they are spiritually dead

Jude 12-13
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

False teachers give nothing because they have nothing to give. Have you ever notice that in all cases where a person follows a false teacher that there is not one shred of biblical growth in the entire life? They may have a lot of God-talk, but that is not spiritual growth.

18 For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

They speak high sounding verbosity without substance. It is excessive spiritual bulk, oratorical flair designed to impress the hearers. The false teaching from these false teachers are nothing more than bait that they use to catch the unsuspecting soul. Not only do they use great oratory, but they use the lust of the flesh as well bring others into the fold of death. They themselves are slaves to wantonness and they lure others to live in that way as well. There are many today who find the truth of the Christian faith very impressive, only to be lured into some false teachers grip. They escaped error only to be lured into it again by those who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

False teachers promise their followers freedom, liberty, not to obey God, but a license to do what one pleases. They promise their followers a liberty and a freedom of which they themselves know nothing of! Rather than being free as false teachers, they are the slaves to their sinful lust. They are slaves of moral and ethical decay.

John 8:34-36 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: [but] the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Romans 6:16 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Titus 3:3 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.

• The thirteenth characteristic of a false teacher is that no matter what the profession they make of knowing Jesus, or even in living temporarily a good life, if they are false inwardly, it will be revealed outwardly in time and become manifest in their rebellion against the holy commandments and in returning to the vomit and muck of their sin.

2 Peter 2:20-21 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it], to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire

Incidentally, nothing in these verses would imply that these were ever Christians, or have lost their salvation, or anything like that. These are false teachers, they will always be false and in time reveal themselves as such no matter what they say. The truth is that unless a person is saved by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, submits to the Lordship of Christ, which will be the supernatural response to salvation, and to abide by the holy commandments of the scriptures, they will return back to the vomit and muck of their sin, no matter what the profession, because profession alone has no power at all.

Since we have spent so much time looking at the characteristics of false teachers, we should look at the characteristics of a genuine teacher of God.

First, a man who is a genuine teacher or preacher from God is a called man. What I mean is that he is called, commanded and commissioned by God.

1 Timothy 2:7 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, [and] lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

Second, a man who is a genuine teacher or preacher from God is a qualified man.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 1 This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Titus 1:1-9 1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4 To Titus, [mine] own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Third, a man who is a genuine teacher or preacher from God will preach the saving message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, not his own message.

Romans 1:14-16 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 10:8-17 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 15:18-20 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: 1 Corinthians 1:17-18 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. Galatians 1:6-12 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Forth, a man who is a genuine teacher or preacher from God shows his diligence to uphold and teach sound doctrine.

Romans 16:17-19 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all [men]. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. Timothy 4:6 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 1 Timothy 4:13-16 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 2 Timothy 4:1-6 1 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; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For 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; 4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. Titus 2:1 1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 John 9-10 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed: