 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
False Teacher?
By Roger A. Scully, Jr.
else is religiously right or wrong. It is important to note that the person who made this statement knows very little of
what the Bible teaches. In fact, by his own admission, he has never read the Bible, but has only browsed a few
passages here and there. Is it not funny that those who know the least of what the Bible teaches are the same who
profess to be experts when it comes to what the Bible says? But, to the question: Is it possible for one to know if
another is wrong in matters of religion, and if so, how?
First, let us take note of the fact that in the days of the Old Testament writers, as well as in the days of the New
Testament writers, they had to face people who were religiously wrong. They knew they were wrong; they addressed
their error and warned others of having to face the same thing.
Jeremiah was among those of the Old Testament who was forced to face the false teachings of others. In 23:16,
17 God said of them, “hearken not unto the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a
vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord…they say…the Lord hath said, ye shall have
peace…no evil shall come upon you.” In verse 21 He said, “I have not sent these prophets…I have not spoken to
them.” Hence, in verse 15 Jehovah said, “I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall.”
These false prophets had such an effect on the people that when Jeremiah spoke the true message of God they
wanted to put him to death, “this man is worthy to die, for he hath prophesied against this city” (26:11). However, the
word of the Lord stood strong, and the message of Jeremiah stood true. In fact, God sent Jeremiah to the false
prophet Hananiah saying, “The Lord hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie” (28:15). Now
notice, the false prophets were speaking in matters of religion, and were claiming to be speaking on behalf of God;
however, God had not sent them, their message was wrong, hence Jeremiah opposed them, knowing their message
to be wrong, because it was in contradiction with that which God had spoken. To know truth is to know error.
In the New Testament we read of the apostle Paul who had to face the opposition of false teachers on numerous
occasions. Paul was “set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil 1:17); hence “warred a good warfare.” Instead of
calling attention to the numerous false teachers he faced in the book of Acts, I call your attention to his writings
concerning false teachers and how they were to be faced. He wrote to Timothy telling him, “As I besought thee to
abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other
doctrine” (1 Tim 1:3). Paul addressed the reason he left Timothy at Ephesus—to charge some that they teach no
other doctrine. Implied in this is Timothy’s ability to know truth (cf. Jn 8:32), and to recognize error (cf. 1 Jn 4:1).
Timothy could not charge them not to teach another doctrine if he was not clear as to what the proper doctrine was.
Nor could Timothy make the charge if he could not determine if a person was right or wrong in matters of religion.
But, because Paul expected Timothy to perform this duty, then we know that Timothy was able to discern right and
wrong in matters of religion. So, in answer to the first question, Is it possible for one to know if another is wrong in
matters of religion, we are forced, based upon Scripture, to answer in the affirmative. Now, to the next question, how
are we able to make such a determination?
We are able to determine if someone is wrong, in matters of religion, if that which is practiced or taught fails to
harmonize with that which the Bible teaches, hence what God teaches. This is how Jeremiah was to know that the
things the false prophets were teaching were false. This is how Timothy was able to know when to charge one to
teach no other doctrine. Notice what Paul wrote to those of Galatia: “But though we or an angel from heaven, preach
any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him accursed. 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 accursed” (1:8, 9). How
was it possible for those of Galatia to know if “another gospel” had been taught? They were to compare it to what
they had been taught from the apostles. If it was different, then they were to reject it, for he who taught such things
was accursed.
John told his readers to “try the spirits whether they are of God, for many false prophets have gone out into the
world” (1 Jn 4:1). The only way this imperative could have been performed was if they had an ability to know truth,
hence to know error.
Though the theory that we cannot say who is right and who is wrong in matters of religion sounds like a good one,
and one that is quite popular, we must keep in mind that we cannot think there to be peace when there is no peace.
The reason that the Bereans searched the Scriptures daily was to be sure the things being taught to them were
correct (Ac 17:11). Had it been different, then they would have been forced to reject what they had been taught, as
well as the one’s teaching it. This applies to individuals, religious groups and even congregations of churches of
Christ. To know truth, is to know error.
