For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15, NIV)

These are perilous times for the church of Jesus Christ, then again there have always been perilous times since the church was founded.

Throughout church history various false creeds, cultists, and legalists have crept in, seeking to overthrow the faith of those who are weak, ignorant, or otherwise vulnerable. In various places in the New Testament followers of Jesus Christ are warned about false workers, people who can lead the unwary astray.

People who know me very well are familiar with my spiritual journey, with some learning that I was in a Bible cult many years ago. I say “Bible cult” because though many of the tenets of the Christian faith were espoused and we used the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, the condemnation and hostility shown to people outside of our group as well as to errant followers contradicted scripture.

Thankfully, my stay in this group was short-lived — just eight months — but the damage was already done. When I left, I left the Lord as well and lived a rebellious life for the next 7 1/2 years. When I returned, I eventually got sucked into a legalistic fellowship where I remained for just over five years. After church hopping for two or three years, I finally found a fellowship that taught the word and encouraged people to read the word on their own.

In retrospect, I realize that God protected me even during the most difficult times of long ago. Through personal Bible reading I saw that I was choosing the wrong path and prayerfully asked God to redirect my ways. Many years later I am able to look at God’s intervention with thankfulness and am now better equipped to clearly separate truth from error almost immediately.

False teachers are many and I see them on the scene today. Kenneth Copeland and Kenneth Hagin are some of the “easier” to see leaders who are leading people astray today, but there are other visible (mostly televangelist) preachers who I avoid as well.

Beyond naming names there are two hallmarks of a false teacher which can be identified by those seeking the truth.

1. Listen to what they say and what they teach.
2. Watch what they eat. They eat sheep!

False teachers aren’t content with spreading their lies, they want to consume you in the process.

I have great sympathy for people ensnared by those who would lead them astray, able to understand why some people remain — misplaced devotion. Cultists, legalists, and other disciples are usually the most devoted to their beliefs, but devotion is no substitute for the truth: lots of people around the world are devoted to their religion or god, but our devotion should only be to Jesus Christ, not to a religion, church, or personality.

If you know of someone who is ensnared, your words may not do much good. However, your intercessory prayers can help move mountains and I cannot think of any bigger mountain than one put up by a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

God is in the habit of calling people out, and those that are His will be able to separate His voice from the false teacher. For the rest of us, remaining diligent is important as the next wave of false workers is certain to appear as sure as the tide rolls in.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

When some people come to faith in Jesus Christ, they are soon pulled off to another direction, far from the liberty and grace that God has given to them. Cults, unsound doctrine, and false movements can pull the unsuspecting away from the truth, making shipwreck of their faith.

At the age of 18 I came to believe, putting my trust in God through the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ. What I didn’t understand was the finished part — there was nothing I could do to repay God for my sins, but I didn’t know that at the time.

Soon, I was pulled in by those whose motives were selfish and whose doctrine was a lie — I became entangled with a group of “believers” who everyone else was calling a cult. Never mind that we read the Bible or that we agreed with most of what other Christians believed, but the legalisms and twisting of truth soon distorted everything. Liberty was traded in for works and even then our works were never quite good enough.

Thankfully, I moved on after eight months but the residual impact of my experience  lingered. I ran far from the Lord and even when I returned several years later, I found myself repeating earlier mistakes — I got caught up yet again with those who were quick to entangle me.

Many years have gone by and I am far removed from those who espouse false teachings.  I no longer am attracted to the sort of movements that can destroy my faith as Biblical wisdom has replaced man-inspired doctrine. Yes, reading the word of God and waiting upon Him for guidance has taught me much about grace and liberty, twin pillars of the faith that guides me today.

If you are caught up in a movement that isn’t inspired of God, then please take my advice: flee from that entanglement and ask God to show you the way through His word. Extracting yourself can be painful, but the wisdom God wants to impart to you will be like the balm of Gilead — soothing to your soul.