Episode 2884 - Lesson 12 - Tuesday Sep. 15 - False Teachers Identified

False Teachers IdentifiedThe New Testament contains several warnings against false teachers in Christian communities. Jesus Himself warned the disciples about this same thing (Matt. 7:15-20). The apostles also called attention to it (Gal. 1:6-9, 1 Tim. 6:3-5, 2 Pet. 2:1-3).Read 2 Corinthians 11:1-15. How does Paul depict the challenges that he is facing with these false teachers?Paul unmasks the work of false teachers. At the same time, he indicates that his ministry is Christ-centered. He compares the church in Corinth to a bride and identifies himself as her father, with the responsibility to present her to Christ (2 Cor. 11:2). He does so because he loves the church (2 Cor. 11:11). So, he was even willing not to be a financial burden to it, even though he had the right to be supported by it (2 Cor. 11:7-12).On the other hand, the "most eminent apostles" (ironically, this likely refers to the false teachers) are compared to the serpent that deceived Eve (2 Cor. 11:3). Like Satan in the Garden of Eden, the false teachers in Corinth are characterized by deceit and corruption (2 Cor. 11:3-4, NKJV). Paul's main concern was that they could lead the Corinthians astray from their sincere devotion and allegiance to Christ.The intruders preached a different message than Paul preached--a different Jesus and a different gospel (2 Cor. 11:4). This shows that not everyone who preaches Jesus is a God-commissioned instrument. In that regard, Jesus Himself said, " 'Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven' " (Matt. 7:21, NKJV). In Galatians 1:6-9, Paul says that whoever preaches a different gospel brings a curse upon himself, but some in Corinth tolerated this kind of error.Paul exposes the false apostles by saying that they are "deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ" (2 Cor. 11:13, NKJV). They disguise themselves as apostles of Christ, just as "Satan disguises himself as an angel of light" and "his [Satan's] servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness" (2 Cor. 11:14-15, ESV). What a tragic situation: professing servants of Christ working as agents of Satan. Paul concludes his thought by saying that their "end will be according to their works" (2 Cor. 11:15, NKJV).Look at how strongly he is reacting to error in the church! What should that say to us, as well?