In search of learning to identify false teachers, we will look at how they exalt themselves today. They often mention how God has spoken to them. There is an underlying tone of having a connection with God that their followers don’t have; therefore, they are to follow them without question. We know that the Bible speaks much about pride. It is a character trait humans promote and hold in high esteem, but a character trait God hates. One attitude that permeates a false teacher is their pride in themselves. They feed off others thinking they are “something special.” In I Timothy 6:4, false teachers are described as proud. The commentator Albert Barnes explains “he is proud,” like this; “That is, he is lifted up with his fancied superior acquaintance with the nature of religion. The Greek verb means, properly, “to smoke, to fume,” and then to be inflated, to “be conceited, etc.” The idea is that he has no proper knowledge of the nature of the gospel, and yet he values himself on a fancied superior acquaintance with its principles.” In other words, he is full of himself.
I Timothy 6:4 “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife’s of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,”
A false teacher will be the opposite of what Jesus Christ teaches us to be by His example. Jesus was humble, and we ought to be humble as well. Jesus was the greatest servant of all, and yet He had every right to exalt himself as King and Ruler of all. Humility will be in short supply for a false teacher. He may say things that make him sound humble, such as “I’m so unworthy of God’s blessings,” but watching and listening to him, you will soon realize that these are only words. If you want to test this, challenge him to give everything up for Christ and see what kind of argument you will get.
Philippians 2:7-8 “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
His job is to convince you to give to his ministry so that you will be blessed. While the Bible teaches us to give a tithe or a tenth of our income to God, plus we are to give offerings, it is never to be done to buy blessings. It is to be an act of love and gratitude for all God has done for us. We are to give to God first and to give freely and willingly. This “give to get” attitude promoted by many preachers is the opposite of what the Bible teaches. While it is true that II Corinthians 9:6-7 teaches that if we give sparingly, we will reap sparingly, that is not the purpose for giving more. A false teacher wants you to give more so he can get more. The world is full of false teachers who own private jets, stay at the most expensive places, and live the most lavish lives of anyone. While it is biblical to take care of and support our pastors well, it would take a pastor who is consumed with self to live this way when millions are dying and going to hell. A true disciple of Christ would desire to spread the gospel and take care of those who have needs.
II Corinthians 9:6-7 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Living a life full of pride is the opposite of what is taught in I John 2:16. The desire of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life are not of the Father. This “pride of life” refers to anything in our lives that tends to promote pride. It will show itself in ostentatious displays of living. It reminds me of a peacock with its beautiful feathers spread open and strutting around for all to see. A false teacher will want to be noticed and convince others he is closer to God than they are and is worthy to be exalted.
I John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
If we want to reach people, they must see Jesus in us. We are to be humble as He is humble. There is no room for pride in the life of a believer, especially in those who represent Him in the pulpit. I challenge you to think about the one you are listening to and giving to: do they live a lavish lifestyle, speak of the things God has told them that is not supported in scripture or act superior to those who follow them? Is there any arrogance displayed? How much are they willing to share with others? Answering these questions will give you a good indication as to the motive of the preacher you are listening to.
Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
Proverbs 11:2 “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”
Proverbs 13:10 “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well-advised is wisdom.”
Proverbs 14:3 “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.”
Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
