Discerning false teachers and prophets is an important skill for Christians. The Bible warns us that false teachers will arise and we need to be able to recognize them so we are not deceived (Matthew 24:24, 2 Peter 2:1). Here are some key ways the Bible says we can identify false teachers and prophets:
They teach doctrine contrary to the Bible
A major sign of a false teacher is that they will promote doctrines and ideas that contradict or add to the clear teachings of Scripture. For example, denying the deity of Christ, denying the Trinity, teaching salvation by works rather than grace, or promoting extra-biblical revelations. Deuteronomy 13:1-3 warns us that if a prophet or teacher promotes worshipping other gods, they are to be rejected. 1 John 4:1 tells us: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Any teaching that contradicts the Bible indicates a false teacher.
They deny Jesus Christ came in the flesh
1 John 4:2-3 states: “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.” A denial of the incarnation of Jesus Christ in human flesh is a clear sign of a false teacher. This includes groups like the Gnostics and Docetists who taught that Jesus only appeared to be human but was not actually in bodily form. True teachers will affirm the full humanity and deity of Jesus Christ.
They promote sexual immorality
Jude 4 warns us that false teachers creep in who turn the grace of God into sensuality and deny Jesus Christ as sovereign Lord. 2 Peter 2:12-19 describes false teachers as being arrogant, sensual, and lacking self-control. Their speech is inflated with empty words and they exploit others with sensuality. False teachers often twist Scripture to justify sexual sin and immorality. This could involve anything from adultery, homosexuality, polygamy, sexual relationships outside of marriage, to child molestation. True teachers promote the biblical standards of morality and sexual ethics.
They are motivated by greed
Titus 1:11 says false teachers teach things they should not teach in order to gain dishonest gain. 2 Peter 2:3 says false teachers exploit people with deceptive words to make them greedy for money. They see churches and ministries as a means for siphoning money from people to enrich themselves. Good teachers may require financial support, but false teachers excessively pressure people for offerings and make merchandise of the Gospel message.
They seek personal glory and fame
False teachers are often motivated by a desire for prestige and prominence. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for loving the place of honor at banquets, the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces (Luke 11:43, 20:46). False teachers want to bolster their egos and pride. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 and 1 Timothy 4:7 warn about those who promote controversies, quarrels and speculation to bring attention to themselves rather than promoting godliness and the words of Christ.
They promote division and cause confusion
Romans 16:17-18 exhorts believers to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the teaching they have been taught. Titus 3:9-11 says to avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law. False teachers often draw followers after themselves to promote controversies that divide the body of Christ. They also may discourage people from serving with other churches or ministries that disagree with their particular teachings.
They often perform signs and wonders
Matthew 24:24 states that false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead people astray. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 says the coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by false signs and wonders. Though supernatural feats may draw attention and create intrigue, we should beware of those whose focus in on the signs and wonders rather than teaching the truth of Christ. False miracles, healings, prophecies should not overshadow the message of the cross.
Their predictions of future events do not come true
In giving instructions about testing prophets in the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 18:22 states: “When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken, the prophet has spoken it presumptuously.” The Bible tells us prophecy should be tested. If someone makes consistent errors or vague prophecies that can be interpreted in multiple ways, they exhibit the traits of a false prophet and we should not listen to them.
They have bad character and lack spiritual fruit
Jesus said false prophets would be known by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20). Despite outward appearances, their lives do not exhibit the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Rather than acting with humility, integrity and self-sacrifice, they show themselves to be focused on the flesh, not the Spirit (Jude 1:19, 2 Peter 2:10).
Their followers exhibit cult-like behavior
While healthy churches encourage people to think for themselves, cults often exercise excessive control over people’s lives. False teachers promote total allegiance, unquestioned submission, information control, rigid legalism, and manipulation tactics. Their followers are expected to sacrifice relationships, jobs, education, money and even their health to serve the interests of the leader. These are unhealthy dynamics of a cult-like system, not true biblical discipleship.
They are not recognized by the wider Body of Christ
The teachers who are recognized as orthodox and biblical by the wider Body of Christ across history are more likely to be genuine teachers of truth. False teachers tend to make claims to new revelations or promote fringe interpretations not accepted by the church through the ages. 1 John 4:5-6 says: “They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
They do not affirm Jesus as Lord and Messiah
1 John 4:2-3 tells us: “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist.” While false teachers may refer to Jesus as a teacher, prophet or healer, they will deny or undercut His true identity as Lord and Messiah as revealed in Scripture. They attack the biblical Christ. But true followers of Jesus affirm Christ’s deity and messianic identity as revealed in the Bible.
Their lives do not back up their teaching
Jesus said that we will know false prophets by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20). False teachers can speak with convincing words that appear spiritual, but how they actually live gives insight into their true nature. Scripture tells us to avoid those who merely profess faith but deny it by their actions (Titus 1:16). Good teachers will exhibit integrity between their words and their deeds. False teachers pretend spirituality while living in carnality.
They do not accept criticism and accountability
False teachers often consider themselves above criticism and correction. They may point to their claimed revelations from God or inspired teachings that supersede earthly accountability. Healthy leaders on the other hand recognize their own fallibility. They submit to peers, governing structures above them, and most importantly Scripture itself. A lack of accountability is a sign of pride and dangerous authoritarianism, not true leadership under Christ.
They are excessively authoritarian
While God gives leaders authority in the church, false teachers tend to abuse this authority to control people, manipulate outcomes, and further their own interests. Healthy leaders recognize that their authority is for serving others, not selfish gain (Luke 22:25-27). False teachers demand obedience, using pressure tactics, threats, shame and condemnation to dominate people’s decisions and behaviors. This excessive authoritarianism enables exploitation, abuse and coverups.
They major on minor issues
False teachers strain out a gnat but swallow a camel, as Jesus said of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:23-24). They focus extensively on minor issues but avoid the weightier matters that are more important. For example, focusing on dress codes or terminology while ignoring mercy, justice, faithfulness and the love of God (Matthew 23:23). They bind people’s conscience to matters Scripture does not clearly address but neglect the heart issues that God cares about most.
They add excessive rules and regulations
Building on the previous point, false teachers add man-made rules and regulations that go beyond Scripture. Rather than emphasizing freedom in Christ, they promote strict legalism down to meticulous details that suffocate joy. Colossians 2:20-23 warns against human commands and teachings that appear wise with self-imposed worship, humility and ascetic practices but do not truly restrain sensual indulgence.
They isolate people from outside influences
Cults will often discourage or prohibit examining teachings from outside sources. They portray outsiders as dangerous or tools of Satan to keep people trapped in the system. True teachers have nothing to hide and recognize there is truth throughout the wider Body of Christ. Isolation and information control are tactics to suppress questions, prevent challenges, and control people’s access to the truth.
They display arrogance and lack of accountability
False teachers act as “lone rangers” who are not accountable to oversight and operate above correction. James 3:1 warns not many should become teachers because of the stricter judgment they face. True teachers follow Scripture’s qualifications for leadership including being self-controlled, gentle, not quarrelsome, and able to teach sound doctrine (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:9). They submit to the authority of Scripture and spiritual leaders above them.
They twist Scripture for their own ends
Rather than interpreting Scripture faithfully and applying it accurately, false teachers manipulate verses and meaning. They cherry-pick passages out of context, impose foreign ideas, play word games, and utilize other convoluted interpretations methods to make the Bible appear to agree with their aberrant doctrines. We must pay careful attention to handle God’s word properly. (2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Peter 3:16)
They emphasize experience and emotion over truth
False teachers prey upon people’s experiences, emotions and desires. Truth becomes fluid based on what people want to hear and what feels good. False prophets speak visions from their own minds to tickle people’s ears rather than speaking God’s words (Jeremiah 23:16, 26). In contrast, true teachers anchor their ministry firmly in the solid revelation of Scripture, not subjective experiences.
They are impatient, impetuous and hollow
Isaiah 28:9-13 describes false teachers as mockers who rule with drunkenness and stumble in judgment. They preach rules but stumble over them themselves. Rather than being “sober-minded, dignified and self-controlled” as church leaders should be (1 Timothy 3:2), they are driven by pride, deceitfulness,fleshly pleasures and a lack of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14-16, Jude 1:19).
They focus on outward appearance over inner heart condition
Like the Pharisees Jesus rebuked, false teachers focus on external appearance rather than inward purity and holiness. They neglect matters of the heart like justice, mercy, ethics, integrity, attitudes, intentions, and service to God. They strain out a gnat while swallowing a camel (Matthew 23:23-24). Jesus confronted those whose washing of hands and cups failed to reflect clean hearts and right treatment of others (Matthew 23:25-26).
They thrive on recognition and followers
False teachers need attention and followers to stoke their pride and validate their “ministry.” Drawing people after themselves gives them a sense of importance and fuel for their ego (Acts 20:29-32). In contrast, true leaders point people to Jesus and His word, not themselves. They raise up others rather than gathering groupies under themselves. Humility and self-denial mark their character, not arrogant self-promotion.
They falsely claim apostolic authority
Some false teachers wrongly claim to be apostles or special messengers with new revelations or authority equal to Scripture. However, the qualifications and appointment of New Testament apostles during Christ’s time was unique. Modern day leaders do not share the apostles’ unique commission, miraculous signs, or authority to expand the faith with new revelations. Revelation 22:18 warns strongly against those who seek to add to God’s final word in Scripture.
They slander sound doctrine and those who teach it
False teachers malign teachings that reprove their errors and expose their practices. Rather than heeding correction, they attack those who bring it and label them unloving, divisive, demonic, and worse. By claiming sound doctrine is legalistic and demonic, they legitimize accepting their warped theology. But as Scripture shows throughout, we must keep false human philosophies separate from sound biblical doctrine. (Colossians 2:8, 2 Timothy 4:3, 1 Timothy 4:1)
Summary
In summary, Scripture gives many warnings about false teachers and prophets who will arise and spread destructive heresies. The Bible calls us to exercise discernment, test claims against its revelations, and avoid those who contradict its teachings, distort its message, or live contrary to its standards of truth and morality. Examining a teacher’s doctrine, motivations, character and impact can reveal whether they authentically represent Christ or lead people away from Him. We should measure all leaders’ teaching against the solid foundation of Biblical truth.