False Teachers and Teachings

"Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 3)

Like Jude, the brother of the Lord, I prefer to emphasize the positive truths of the Word of God, but the fact is that we are also told to CONTEND earnestly for the FAITH (Jude 3) WARN people and REBUKE ERROR (2 Timothy 3:16). Paul said to the CHURCH LEADERS in Ephesus, part of the early church:

"Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to WARN everyone day and night WITH TEARS". (Acts 20:31)

In all my life as a Christian, for the last 23 years (and I am almost 42 at the time of writing), I have NEVER seen any preacher warn people with tears. There is a difference between what is truly apostolic and the kind of self-promoting rubbish that is being palmed off as being "apostolic" today.

People today are so keen on being thought well of by others that they will only speak positive things that will help them to "win friends and influence people". Thus we hear so much praise of wicked men, false prophets, deceivers and charlatans today by evangelists, pastors and teachers who know that this is the best way to attract people.

So who has the unbalanced ministry? Is it the apostle Paul, who warned church leaders night and day for three years with TEARS (Acts 20:31), or is it those who never rebuke error, who believe that Christians really don't need any warnings, and are indifferent to the teachings and practices which are ravaging the church today?

Who today can say with the apostle Paul, "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me." (Acts 20:33,34)? Praise God for those who can.
Paul truly gave us a model to follow, as he goes on to say in Acts 20:35, and in places like 1 Corinthians 11:1, but false prophets and false teachers RARELY would find such a model appealing. Instead,

"by covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words" (2 Peter 2:3)

"they have run greedily into the error of Balaam for profit" (2 Peter 2:11)

You can find some of these people on television networks like TBN. They are part of the deception in the last days.

I am not saying that everyone on TBN is a false prophet or false teacher, but I am saying that they will definitely put a false prophet or teacher on the air if the money is right. Draw your own conclusions.

Its necessary at times to warn people and expose evil. The Bible says:

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." (Ephesians 5:11)

I have made up my mind, even though I am heavily involved as the founder of a small Christians TV network, that I will refuse fellowship with people who are compromising in this area, even though it might mean less influence, less money, and less favour from men for the ministry I am involved in.

It is important for us NOT to make an idol out of religious success. The only reward that counts is the one that Jesus will give us on the Last Day. It is better to suffer loss here than to suffer loss there or face the eternal loss of one's soul. Therefore, I urge you to:

"Test all things, hold fast to what is good, abstain from every form of evil". (1 Thessalonians 5:21,22)