In the religious realm, there are some men who would have us believe they
are speaking the truths of God's Word but would be more properly identified as
the "false teachers" they are. I know that is a 'label' that some
individuals do not like to hear, but it is a Scriptural one (cf. 2 Pet. 2:1). It
seems the problem some have in calling anyone a 'false teacher' comes from an
apparent misunderstanding about what makes one a 'false teacher,' but it is
rarely a problem of identifying the content of what he is teaching. Right now,
some are arguing that we can only know a 'false teacher' if we know his motives,
but if that were true then we mere humans could never identify one as a 'false
teacher' since no man can know the motives of another unless they reveal it
themselves. [And when is the last time you heard anyone stand up and say,
"Before I begin, I just want everyone to know I have ulterior motives behind the
words I am about to say"?]
I believe honest men will admit that a "false teacher" is not so
hard to identify as some might think, but that will not be the point of today's
study. Today, I would like us to consider some of the tactics of those who are
propagating error. I believe this is an important study because it seems many
unbelievers and even brethren are being led astray by some of the tactics we
will discuss today, and are apparently unaware they have been deceived or, more
correctly, duped.
Some are unwittingly helping foster and propagate error, believing it to
be truth! The apostle Paul warned the Corinthian brethren to forgive and
reaffirm their love for the brother whom they had chastened for wrongdoing, as
Paul himself had already done, "lest Satan
should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his
devices" (2 Cor. 2:6-11). Something as 'simple' as discipline can be used by
Satan to divided brethren unnecessarily and, if that is true, how much more when
he uses false teaching to divide brethren unnecessarily? We would do well to
know how he and his ministers operate so we can more easily recognize them,
expose them, and take precautionary steps to avoid
them.
Device #1: Redirect attention to
the one who questions what is being taught. [This can be done in several ways.]
If the false teacher's doctrine is being questioned, he might say, "You are only teaching the traditional teachings, not
Scripture," or [stated another way], "That's
Another way attention may be diverted to the questioner is by the false
teacher impugning the motives of the questioner and attacking his character.
This, too, is a fallacy of argument which diverts attention away from the
subject of dispute and prevents anyone from reaching a reasoned understanding of
truth. Often, at the same time the false teacher is impugning motives and
calling names, he complains about the questioner impugning his motives [when
only
the doctrine he teaches
is mentioned] and calling him names [even when it is his actual name]. To see
brethren resort to these strategies is an outright shame and should be
disgusting to true believers!
Device #2: Call the
opposition 'extremists.' This is
a favorite tactic in political circles, and one being used more frequently among
brethren. Why? Again, it is an easy way to divert attention away from the
subject of dispute or the false teacher himself, and onto those questioning the
content, application, or consequences of his teachings. If someone disagrees
with a teaching or practice and sound reasons are given, those who teach the
false doctrines [knowing they cannot defend their teaching or
practice from Scripture] will simply label the opposition as 'extremists' who
are on the outer fringes of sanity and reason. This was used by brethren 40-60
years ago when they tried to defend church-supported institutions and I have
found that some brethren today are now using the same tactic when they seek to
defend privately-supported human institutions that are doing the work of the
local church. Why can't we simply discuss the issue and leave the name-calling
out of it? That will never help anyone to reach a sound and reasoned conclusion!
It is a source of division and bitter feelings between brethren,
though!
Device #3: ''I'm still studying
it.'' If I teach on any subject, I would expect that
some might disagree with something I have taught. I might even mistakenly teach
error, though I do not intend to do so or plan on it ever happening. But if
someone ever challenged me about what I was teaching, I would imagine no one
would be satisfied with the response, "Well, I'm glad
you asked, but I'm not going to get into a discussion on this subject because
I'm still studying it." Sadly, I have heard this very
response on a couple of occasions by men who had been propagating error but who also did not want to
take responsibility for what they were teaching, or didn't feel they owed
anyone an explanation about what they had taught; they simply wanted to teach
their errors and go about their merry way, moving on and refusing to answer any
further questions.
Friends and brethren, this is nothing but a "cop out." It is deception,
pure and simple, because while they have been "studying" for decades, they
continue teaching their doctrines the whole time as if they were convicted it
was truth. Only when they are questioned do they suddenly feel unsure, and then
claim the high ground of "not wanting to cause division." Meanwhile, the men who
question them are maligned as "divisive" for simply trying to get a straight
answer. For shame!
Friends and brethren, the tactics we have covered today are not new, and
they will not go away anytime soon. As often as truth is taught, there will be
someone to preach error right alongside it, but the false teacher [God's label,
not mine] will always try to present himself in a favorable light while
simultaneously trying to slander, malign, and impugn those who question him.
Micaiah was called a "troubler of
Israel" by King Ahab - the real troublemaker (1 Kings 18:17, 18); the
Sanhedrin accused the apostles of wrongly blaming them for the death of Jesus,
when they gladly welcomed it at the time (Acts 5:28; Matt. 27:25); and Paul and
his cohorts were accused of turning the world upside down and rebelling against
the Roman government by envious and unbelieving Jews (Acts 17:5-7). Please note
that in all cases mentioned, the false teachers and persecutors were not
interested in sitting down and having a rational discussion so all could come to
a reasoned conclusion and discover the
truth!
We should not be surprised at the tactics of false teachers because Peter
has revealed some of their ways (2 Pet. 2). Our duty is to expose them for what
they are and keep standing for truth.
---Steven Harper