Identification Of False Teachers

False teachers, false prophets, and false doctrines have been dangerous to churches throughout church history. Jude provides some indicators to identify false teachers and carefully escape from them. “Yet in like manner, these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.” (Jude 1:8)

1) Dreams: False teachers are generally dreamers. They give funny and crazy dreams to people as God-given. This dream is also converted to a project, with hearers having a part. Hence, many fall into this trap. It could be institutions, towers, gardens, multi-storied buildings, palaces in Jerusalem and even islands.

2) Defile flesh: Holiness is not their priority. Many times, they indulge in carnal pursuits. Affairs and adultery are common sins they fall into.

3) Defy authority: False teachers refuse any human authority. They misquote Paul’s statement to justify their allergy towards authority. (I Corinthians 4:3) Most of the time, they even mock spiritual authorities. Also, they accuse leaders who try to make them accountable as tyrants and agents of Satan. There is no humility in their statements.

4) Deny deity: In their conversations, teachings and songs, they use terms that deny the ‘Deity of Lord Jesus Christ.’ His name is used without reverence or dignity in a derogatory manner. Some claim they visit heaven daily, have coffee with Christ…etc.

5) Darkened mind: Jude states that they are ‘unreasonable’, similar to animals of instinct. God has given us intellect to reason, but they act emotionally like animals who lack intellect. They promote ‘blind faith’ in themselves and mislead people to dubious spirituality.

Do I have the spiritual discernment to identify false teachers?