Warning
The Apostle Peter wrote his second epistle (letter) for the purpose of revealing, resisting, and overcoming the infiltration of false teachers into the church. Nothing has changed in over 2,000 years. We have false teachers in the church today.
Peter was one of the 12 called to follow Christ in His early ministry (see Mark 1:16, 17), and was later appointed to apostleship (see Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:14–16). 2 Peter 1:20 warns,
“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
Deception
In a world of competing voices, the Bible warns people not to be deceived. This isn’t just a call to stay informed—it’s a life-or-death command to guard your soul from those who distort the gospel of Jesus Christ and so that you do not become a “false-assured Christian” who by definition is a person who believes they are a true Christian but in reality is not, according to Scripture. They have false assurance of salvation. They are not truly saved. Matthew 7:21-23 says,
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
The Bible contains numerous references to false teachers, with warnings found in both the Old and New Testaments.
In the Old Testament, prophets cautioned against those who led people astray. Isaiah 9:16 says,
“For those who guide this people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are brought to confusion.”
Ezekiel 34:2 says,
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?”
Also see Jeremiah 10:21; Ezekiel 34.2; Isaiah 3:12 and 8:20; Jeremiah 2:8 and 23:1; and Malachi 2:7-8.
In the new Testament, Jesus condemned false teachers, particularly targeting the legalism and hypocrisy of some religious leaders of his time. Matthew 23:13 says,
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”
In Matthew 16:6, Jesus warned against false teachers:
“And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Also see Matthew 5:19, Luke 11:42-52, and Matthew 15:14.
The Apostle Paul who wrote down the Holy-Spirit inspired word of God also warned against false teachers in 1 Timothy 6:3-5:
“If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.”
See also Acts 20:29-31; Romans 16:17-18; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4. The Corinthian church had been undiscerningly tolerant of Jewish deceivers in their midst. Read Ephesians 4:14.
False preachers are not just in error; they are dangerous. Scripture gives us a blueprint for how to identify, avoid, and guard against their influence.
8 Additional Truths to Know
Truth #1: Jesus Also Warned About Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing – (Matthew 7:15)
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
False teachers often look and sound like godly shepherds, but Jesus unmasked them as predators. Their aim isn’t to lead. It’s to destroy.
Truth #2: The Apostle Paul Warned the Church Leaders (Acts 20:30)
“and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.”
The danger is not just external. Paul warned that false teaching can arise from within the church. It often comes subtly, cloaked in religious language.
Truth #3: They Preach a Distorted Gospel (Galatians 1:8)
“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!”
Changing the message of salvation—adding works, denying grace, or promising wealth—is not a small error. It’s a deadly deception.
Truth #4: They Misuse Scripture to Mislead (2 Peter 3:16)
“as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”
Just quoting Scripture doesn’t make someone trustworthy. Twisting truth is the enemy’s oldest tactic—used even by Satan himself in the temptation of Jesus (see Matthew 4:6).
Truth #5 Their Motivation Is Often Greed (2 Peter 2:3)
“and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
Prosperity gospel preachers often fit this mold—turning godliness into a business. Scripture is clear: financial exploitation in the name of God will be judged.
Truth #6: You Can Know Them by Their Fruits (Matthew 7:16)
Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?”
Truth #7: Teachers Will Be Judged Strictly (James 3:1)
“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.”
Truth #8: The Church Must Be Discerning (1 John 4:1)
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Discernment is not skepticism. It’s a prayerful, Scripture-based testing of every message. The Bereans who studied the Bible intently were praised for this (see Acts 17:11). And this is why it is critical not to take Scripture out of context when applying interpretation to the text; that is known as pretext, taking Scripture out of context.
- To be a whole Christian, it takes a whole Bible.
- The Bible is not silent about false preachers. From the Old Testament prophets to Jesus and the apostles, the warning is consistent: many will claim to speak for God, but not all are sent by Him.
- If you’re a believer, your responsibility is clear—know God’s Word, examine everything by it, and never be deceived. Souls are at stake, and truth is too precious to dilute.
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The Urgency of Salvation
Trusting in one’s own goodness is dangerous. It can lead to self-righteousness or despair. Proverbs 16:25 reminds us,
“There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”
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Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org unless noted otherwise.