DECEPTION – PART 1 (False Teachers) Matthew 7:15-20 Mark Kring, Senior Pastor February 17 & 18, 2018

1. 7:15 False teachers find ears willing to listen mostly among

those who are discontent with God’s ways (Isaiah 30:9–10). 2. 7:15 The most dangerous characteristic of false teachers is

that they claim to speak on God’s behalf (Jeremiah14:14). 3. 7:15 When an enemy is seen for what he is, we are on the

alert and are prepared for the assault. When an enemy poses as a friend, our defenses drop. 4. Scripture speaks of three kinds of deceitful teachers:  Heretics—openly reject God’s Word and teach the

opposite of God’s truth  Apostates—once followed the truth, but have turned away

and try to lead others away  False teachers (deceivers)—give the appearance of

established truth 5. 7:16 There is no need to be deceived; there is always

evidence. 6. 7:16 Christians can be taken in by false teachers when they

are lazy and careless about the Word of God. 7. 7:16 A maturing believer who has discernment will be able

to spot the false teacher (Hebrews 5:13-14). 8. 7:16 The Bible shows three specific evidences of false teachers:

Fruit of Doctrine  They speak from delusion, not by God’s direction

(Jeremiah 23:16).  Their teaching does not stand up under scrutiny of Scripture’s

light (Isaiah 8:20).  They tell people what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Fruit of Teaching False prophets/teachers carefully avoid things that are offensive to proud, fallen nature, which leads to the following:  Rejection of the accuracy of God’s Word  Rejection of ‘biblical authority’  Division & scattering of God’s people (Jeremiah 23:2)    

Fruit of Character They prey upon the weak (2 Timothy 3:6-7; 2 Peter 2:14). They are notorious for their greed. They are notorious for their lack of humility. While they delight in having authority, they refuse to submit to it (2 Peter 2:10).

9. Jesus needed to use God’s declared Word against Satan’s

deception (Matthew 4). So should you!

QUOTES “Satan is the counterfeiter. He has a false gospel, preached by false ministers, producing false Christians. Satan plants his counterfeits wherever God plants true believers.” ~Dr. Warren Wiersbe “Nothing is more difficult to counterfeit than virtue.” ~John Calvin, 1560

GREEK WORDS Pseudoprophētēs (psyoo-dop-rof-ay'-tace)—a spurious prophet, - religious impostor; false prophet Prosechō (pros-ekh'-o)—to hold the mind towards, pay attention to, be cautious about, give (take) heed

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