Ever since Jesus warned His disciples of false prophets in Matthew 7:15, “wolves in sheep’s clothing” have promulgated their doctrine. Most of the New Testament epistles addressed the errors of various false teachers such as the Judaizers and Gnostics. But the New Testament warns us things will be much worse in the end times, just before Jesus returns, …and that some Christians would buy into the doctrines of demons:

Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons…

– 1 Timothy 4:1

For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.

– 2 Timothy 4:3-4

It’s essential that we humble ourselves and take these warnings seriously. I never assume I can’t be deceived, and neither should you, for even strong believers have fallen away from the truth.

Some teachers and preachers promote what is foreign and contrary to the “faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (James 3-4). Many fall for their errors because what they have to say sounds appealing and beneficial. What Satan has to say usually is. As a result, the teachings of deceitful spirits and demons are running rampant in many churches today. This should not be a surprise, for the scripture said this would happen just before Jesus Christ returns:

Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.

– 2 Thessalonians 2:3

To protect yourself against false teaching, regularly study the whole Bible. Use the scriptures to continually test, not only what you hear or read from others, but what you currently believe. Don’t rely on your favorite time-honored theological system as the truth standard, whether that be Calvinism, Arminianism, Evangelicalism, or whatever. These formalized systems are correct in most of what they hold, but none are infallible. You won’t know where the errors are if you don’t study your Bible. Do so with an unbiased mindset. Pay close attention to context and meanings of words. Don’t just look up proof-texts for things you already believe. Many proof-texts are taken out of context, and meanings of words can be misunderstood.

While we can recognize false teachings about the character and nature of Jesus, many practical false teachings make it past our guard. Beware of what goes against what Jesus and the apostles taught:

• Avoiding “negative” people instead of loving them and doing them good (Luke 6:27).
• Gratifying your fleshly desires instead of mortifying the flesh (Colossians 3:5-8).
• Seeking earthly prosperity instead of laying up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20).
• Thinking of yourself as better than others (Philippians 2:3, Romans 12:16).
• Putting yourself and your honor before others (Luke 14:7-11).
• Serving yourself instead of humbly serving others (John 13:14-15, Philippians 2:5-8).
• Seeking praise from others instead of praise from God (John 5:44, 12:43).
• Putting your needs above God’s will (Matthew 6:31-34).

Learn from the examples of the apostles.

• They were Christ-centered, not self-centered.
• They didn’t trust in themselves but in God. Their “affirmations” about themselves were mostly negative:
  • “I am of the flesh” (Romans 7:14)
  • “I am the least of the apostles” (1 Corinthians 15:9)
  • “I am weak” (2 Corinthians 11:29)
  • “I am nothing” (2 Corinthians 12:11)
  • “I am the least of all the saints” (Ephesians 3:8)
  • “I am the foremost [sinner]” (1 Timothy 1:15)
• They didn’t follow their heart. They followed God’s will and walked in the Holy Spirit.
• They didn’t seek blessings but the Blesser. They were content with whatever God provided for them (Philippians 4:11-13, 1 Timothy 6:3-11)
• They didn’t seek empowerment but were satisfied with weakness (2 Corinthians 12:10).
• They eschewed self-glory and sought only the glory of Jesus Christ.

As an example, the believers in Corinth were infected by the world’s ideas. According to 1 Corinthians 4, they thought they had everything: riches, wisdom, strength. They were successful by worldly standards, as are some churches today. But Paul admonished them for this:

I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

– 1 Corinthians 4:14-16

Paul had just defined what imitating him meant:

• Be faithful stewards (1 Corinthians 4:2)
• Don’t be puffed up (1 Corinthians 4:6)
• Let the world think of you as fools for Christ (1 Corinthians 4:10)
• Acknowledge your weakness (and rely on God’s strength) (1 Corinthians 4:10)
• Be humble (1 Corinthians 4:10)
• Endure difficulties (1 Corinthians 4:11)
• Work with your own hands (1 Corinthians 4:12)
• Return blessings for cursings (1 Corinthians 4:12)
• Endure persecutions (1 Corinthians 4:12)
• Respond graciously when slandered (1 Corinthians 4:13)

Worldly virtues sound good, but they’re antithetical to the things of Christ. Beware of worldly virtues that may be promoted by your favorite preacher or author. Examine yourself to see if you’ve bought in to Satan’s lies. If worldly virtues seem to make more sense than what Jesus said, you need a heart change. Stop believing it’s all about you when it’s really all about Jesus.