QS — Biblical Teaching on False and Deceptive Teachers

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Where in New Testament scriptures are Christ Followers admonished to beware of those who claim to be Followers but misrepresent and distort the teachings of Christ?

The New Testament indeed warns about those who distort the teachings of Christ. Here are some relevant scriptures that address these concerns:

Matthew 7:15: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
2 Corinthians 11:13-15: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”
Galatians 1:6-9: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”
2 Peter 2:1-3: “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, … asleep.”
1 John 4:1: “Dear friends, 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.”

These passages highlight the importance of discernment and vigilance in adhering to true teachings. The scriptures advise believers to be wary of those who might mislead them and to test the spirits to ensure they are following genuine teachings.

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What scriptures further speak of being critically aware of false teaching and other forms of error?

Here are more New Testament scriptures that highlight the need to be critically aware of false teachings and errors:

Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”
2 Timothy 4:3-4: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Titus 1:10-11: “For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.”
1 Timothy 4:1-2: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”
Romans 16:17-18: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”

These verses emphasize the importance of staying true to sound doctrine and being vigilant against teachings that lead people astray. They encourage believers to remain discerning and rooted in the truth.

Quick Search (QS) source: Microsoft Edge Copilot, 2025 01 21