Many false teachers have crept into the church since the time of its inception. Throughout the last two thousand years, numerous attempts have been made to pervert the truth of Scripture. Each attempt failed or succeeded because of the ability of the audience to discern the error involved in the message brought by those in error. While discernment is a gift of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:10), it is bolstered by the ability to rightly divide God’s Word, which simply means to understand it correctly (2 Tim 2:15). With this understanding in tow: we will examine how the modern-day church has slipped away from personal Bible study and the desire to see things the way God wants us to; further, we will demonstrate how this falling away has allowed many false teachings to emerge as acceptable within the professing church; all while focusing on the ‘Wolves of Faith.’ [1]
Jesus told us to beware of ravening wolves who come to us in sheep’s clothing pretending to be prophets (Matt 7:15).[2] He then proceeded to tell us that we may identify these false ministers by their fruit (Matt 7:20). Elsewhere, He explains that we may know what fruit a person bears by what comes out of their mouth (Luke 6:45). Couple this with Paul’s warning about the coming false gospels (Gal 1:8); and it is not hard to see that many have been beguiled because they have fallen prey to ‘Wolves of Faith’ who, from the abundance of their own deceived hearts, preach a false faith gospel with the intent to make merchandise of the deceived (2 Pet 2:1-3).
Luke 6:45
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
Galatians 1:8
“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.”
2 Pet 2:1-3
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 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.”
Indeed, these ‘Wolves of Faith’ have crept in unawares and beguiled many who are unable to discern their true nature (2 Tim 3:6-7). Paul indicated that divers (various) lusts and the bearing of many (piled up) sins is identified as the cause of the inability to identify these false ministers of light (2 Cor 11:15). In short, ‘Wolves of Faith’ prosper because those they beguile desire to hear their sinful messages. Incredibly, this is the prophesied state of the church of the latter days:
2 Timothy 4:3
“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.”
So Many Distractions: Divers Lusts
Not long ago, men had far fewer distractions. Time was spent working, attending church, studying God’s Word, and fellowshipping with family and friends. However, with the advent of television and later the internet, time spent doing anything but work is now expended in front of some type of screen: TV, computer, game console, cell phone, etc. Each of these amount to distractions (diver’s lusts) which invariably cause one to do less of the very important things listed above.
Bible study seems to suffer the most, and this often leads to less desire to be around those who do study. This results in falling away from the desire for the truths of Scripture, which leads to biblical illiteracy. And this is what causes many to fall for deceptions presented by the ‘Wolves of Faith,’ who pretend that the deceived may have their best life now. Unfortunately, once this mindset takes hold of a church, it becomes more and more like the world, which undoubtedly causes some to avoid the church simply because it is just like the world.[3] One could even imagine that some even ask themselves: Why do I need to become part of the church when I can have all they have, right here in the world. [4]
One additional thing to consider is many who do begin to attend some of today’s churches only go because they want to hear a certain message. These often shun the truth when they hear it. Sadly, many of today’s church leaders are all too ready to accommodate them. Indeed, these false ministers have so great an audience because they tell the people exactly what they want to hear.
Paul said this would happen because people would no longer desire to endure sound doctrine, and as a result, they would heap to themselves teachers because they have itching ears (2 Tim 4:3).”[5] However, with the thought in mind that distractions have led to scriptural ignorance, many have no idea that what these teachers say is incorrect according to God’s Word. Therefore, failure to study God’s Word has led to great scriptural bankruptcy and, worse than that, deception. Thus the world is in dire need of ministers of righteousness to share the truth through whatever medium is available. Granted, the odds are stacked against any who would answer the call to preach the truth, as the airwaves are filled with all of the things that tickle the flesh. But God’s Word implores the faithful to be instant in and out of season and preach the only truth (Jesus Christ) that can set men free.
Urgent Plea to Ministers of Righteousness
The rapture is far too close to remain silent about those who have perverted the gospel for the sake of gain (1 Tim 6:5).[6] Indeed, one day very soon, God will send the Son for His bride, and the age of grace will come to an end. Once this happens, it will become very difficult to come to saving faith because, unthinkably, the forthcoming deception will cause that which now flourishes to pale in comparison. Indeed, during the Tribulation, God will even send a strong delusion to those who rejected the truth, those who had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thess 2:11-12). [7]
Because of the nearness of the rapture, three types of people are in danger of eternal damnation if true ministers of righteousness remain silent. The first is the deceived. These are they who, through many false teachers, including the ‘Wolves of Faith,’ may have only ever heard a false gospel. If this is the case, these people are in grave danger as they have never heard the true gospel which Paul speaks of:
1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 50-57
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
Paul then speaks at length about resurrection in verses 5-49. He then adds:
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?’ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Therefore, Paul says the gospel is all about Jesus: He died for our sins; He was buried; He rose from the dead; and He will come one day soon for those who trust in Him. The gospel has nothing to do with our physical blessings here and now. Nothing whatsoever. Instead, we are encouraged to, because of Christ’s resurrection, look forward to our own resurrection if we die before the rapture. Understanding this brings great peace and abundant faith in God.
By the way, encased in this passage is the root of the problem with the word of faith heresy, propagated by the ‘Wolves of Faith.’ These false teachers proclaim divine health, wealth, and carefree living – now. Whereas Paul tells us we will not attain these benefits until we receive immortality or incorruption when we are changed at the rapture (1 Cor 15:51-54; 1 Thess 4:16-17).[8] One thing to consider here is the fact that those who proclaim that they can walk in divine health are now getting sick and even dying.
Scripture rightly divided actually proclaims the opposite of that peddled by the ‘Wolves of Faith,’ Instead of continual blessings, believers can be assured that they will suffer persecution in this life (2 Tim 3:12). And if the Apostle’s lives are any indication of what may happen to any other believer, this persecution may even end in martyrdom. However, Scripture does indicate this suffering is actually ‘not’ a bad thing, for the end result is entering into the kingdom of God:
Acts 14:22
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation [many hardships] enter into the kingdom of God.” [author’s comments]
Psalms 34:19
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” (emphasis mine)
The second type of person in danger of eternal damnation is the deceiver. Paul, when speaking about those who preach false gospels, said, “let him be accursed” (Gal 1:9). This term can be translated as ‘let them be eternally damned.’ This is a weighty punishment. However, think about the reality of preaching a false gospel. When a false gospel goes forth, it may affect great multitudes, especially in the current age of telecommunications, in which a message can literally reach the entire population of the planet in an instant. Undoubtedly, this group will be judged very harshly because they claim to be teachers, and the Lord places a higher standard upon those who share His Word.
James 3:1
“My brethren, be not many masters [many translations read – teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” [author’s comments]
With this in mind, it would behoove every teacher to examine what they teach in accordance with what God says in His written Word. At the same time, it is equally as important to repent of any teachings which have led others astray and turn from those who still propagate falsehood. If this were to take place, many false doctrines would shrivel up and die because they are rejected for the heresy they are.
Finally, a third type of person is in danger because of the false gospels, which now abound, and this is an unthinkable group; those who defend those who preach false gospels. Yes, any minister of righteousness to whom this plea resonates understands this last group all too well. These are they who would rather shut the mouth of the minister of righteousness than the mouth of the ministers of Satan who only masquerade as ministers of righteousness (2 Cor 11:14-15). Incredibly, these completely deceived ones are more interested in validating the message of false ministers than the true message of God set forth in Scripture. This type of person persists in this deep deception for more than one reason. Here are a couple:
First, the deceivers are very good at their craft. After all, some of them have been engaged in deception for the majority of their long lives. In particular, some of the ‘Wolves of Faith’ have practiced their craft of deception for over fifty years. However, those who now propagate the word of faith heresy are second and third generation, as their now-deceased spiritual fathers carried this false fire before them.
Next, this group of deceived ones may be so hardened because they cannot fathom the fact that they have been wrong for so many years. They simply cannot live with the idea that they have squandered so many years listening to and following false teachers. Oh, the heartbreak this type of person must suffer. Perhaps, the best thing to say here is, “Please… turn from those who have beguiled you; repent, and live the rest of your days seeking and following the will of the Lord your God. This is your best option.”
With this sentiment in mind, all three types of people involved here have an almighty advocate standing at the ready to forgive and forget their past actions. God has told us He desires that all be saved and none lost. In fact, He has delayed His coming thus far because He longs for the lost to become found.
2 Pet 3:9
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Ministers of righteousness, please answer the call as issued by the Apostle Paul:
2 Timothy 4:1-5
“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 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 away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (emphasis mine)
Conclusion
This exploration is but a small glimpse into the world of false teachers and how they affect the body of Christ. Hopefully, this endeavor has caused a desire to know more about the ‘Wolves of Faith’ and the other wolves in sheep’s clothing that are in the midst of the flock, decimating those who have no idea that some of these ever-so wily false teachers are capable of being so devious. Their smooth speeches and impressive presentations have deceived far too many for far too long, and it is time to end their reign of deception. After all, the rapture could occur at any moment, and the deceived will perish if they have only heard and believed a false gospel that has nothing to do with Christ’s finished work on the cross.
The best way to bring to an end the deception of the ‘Wolves of Faith’ is to preach the truth. The simplest truth about faith is that God desires that we have faith in Him, that we trust Him with all of our heart. This is why Jesus remarked that the disciple’s faith was little when the storm rocked the boat He slept in (Matt 8:23-27). If they truly had faith in God, they would have known that everything would be just fine as long as Jesus (God on earth) was with them. After all, He had been with them for some time, preaching the truth and performing miracles and signs, which proved that He was the Messiah. Therefore, when Jesus said, “Let us pass over unto the other side (Mark 4:35),” He, the Word of God, had spoken what must come to pass.
While it is important to counter falsehood with truth, it is also important that we shy not away from marking and avoiding those who teach false doctrines (Rom 16:17-18). Many false teachers have persisted and prospered because they are masters at deception and deflection. This means they deceive and, at the same time, establish a fortress for their deception, which is fortified by their claims that men should not judge them and that none should touch God’s anointed. They even enlist the deceived to go to bat for them when the truth spoken by ministers of righteousness begins to reveal their lies. In response to this, I simply say:
- Mark and Avoid:
False doctrine is more deadly than the most venomous snake because it can cause one to forfeit eternal salvation for a temporal one. Therefore, Mark (Identify) and Avoid (Turn away) from them.
- We are to judge ministers by their fruit which is known by their words:
Jesus said: “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt 7:20).
Jesus also said: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
Paul warned: “False teachers are to be accursed” (Gal 1:8).
- When exposing false teachers, we are not touching God’s anointed:
These so-called ministers are not anointed by God anyway. Instead, they work for Satan. Therefore they are Satan’s ministers who only masquerade as ministers of righteousness. They would love nothing more than to have the deceived provide them special protection while they, as grievous wolves, destroy the flock.
Website: In His Commission
—
[1] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Worst Kind of Famine.”
[2] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Rise of Many”
[3] For greater understanding, see the article by Rapsodie Adams, “The Church – The Social Club?”
[4] For greater understanding, see the article, “Heaven or Earth Bound.”
[5] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Return of the Godless.”
[6] For greater understanding, see the article, “Prosperity Gospel: Creator of the Laodicean Church.”
[7] For greater understanding, see the article, “Open Letter to Those Who Miss the Rapture.”
[8] For greater understanding, see the article, “Not Yet.”