Dr. Tseibu Rutsa
During the first century, when Paul was preaching the Gospel to the Jewish community. He realized that there will be false teachers who would come among them to pervert and twist the truth message of God's word for their own gain.
In Acts 20:28-30, Be on guard for yourselves and for all the believers. For I know that after my departure savage wolves (false teachers) will come among you, not sparing the believers. And from among you men will arise speaking perverse things. Which means they will contradict to the truth of God's word but it will sound correct with their knowledge in scriptures.
Satan's primary target for false teaching is the doctrine of salvation. Because if people are confused about that they have no way of coming to God in the first place and thus remain under Satan's influence and control. He teaches that salvation is by good works, good behaviors, good services, materials supports, good knowledge in scripture etc. He teaches lies about churches, Christian living and The Lord's return and many other things. But his main and first concern is to undermine the heart of the Gospel., which is salvation by grace, through the person and the work of Jesus Christ .And to obey His commandments completely. (Mark 10:17-27, James 2:10, James 4:17)
2 Peter 2:1-2, Peter also wrote there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destruction heresies, even denying the Master who bought them. Bringing destruction upon themselves and many who will follow their sensuality, and because of them the truth will maligned.
False teachers are more interested in popularity than in truth. Their concern is not to serve the Lord and minister to His people but to make a good showing in the flesh ( Gal 6:12) To gain anything benefiting for them. (Acts 20:30) They are in their work for money, and in their greed they will exploit Christians with false words. Peter says because their heart are trained in greed ( 2 Peter 2:3, 14) Since they have no true spiritual life and power to subdue the flesh, the false teachers, pastors, evangelists, missionaries etc are sinful in private life, and some time even in public, having eyes full of adultery, enticing unstable souls, ( 2 Peter 2:14) When you look at these false teachers and their followers are mostly ex-drug addicts, alcoholics, murders, rapist, etc, who are not aware of the true words of God. Hence, its easy for the false teachers to entice them in any way they desire. and they will not totally depart from the truth. But their way of speaking may sound familiar and a person might recognize some parts of their religious roots. I am not against these group's conversion just trying to let you know my points better.
False teachers are very well discipline in thought and life. with that quality they will control the church and group, in many ways they will not allow their members to listen to other teachers, nor allow them to attend other church services. Unless the teachers/pastors allow them to participate . These teachers and pastors will not allow other people to use their pulpit to address their members, even though they travel afar they will still make sure they return for their timing of services, otherwise they'll have someone in their church or group who suppose to be another teacher appointed by these teachers/pastors themselves. The church is belongs to God, its not a family property, when a person is a member of this kind of a church or group. They supports and help their teachers/pastors and not God. However, these teachers will entice the members in such a way that serving and helping them is doing directly to the living GOD.
False teachers can be understood from the following teaching and systems:
1. They will not allow other teachers/pastors or members who do not believed their teaching and practices to be a member in their church. They'll ask them to leave if they do not believed them. Because these people become thorn in their flesh.
2. They will train someone to speak for them all the time.
3. They will have two personalities. Spiritual and non-spiritual depending on the situations arises.
4. They will help people who can return them back with most help.
5. They look for rich and powerful people, and when they have one in their group. They will speak highly of them all the time to control the rest of the members.
6. They demand tithes and offering from whom they prayed and counseled.
7. They demand donations for their welfares with guilty feelings if they refuse to comply with their needs.
8. They will speak for their needs most of the time, and get supports and live like a king whereas their followers are as poor as they can be.
9. They will be very good politicians to control and protect their followers.
10. They will always says I am, I am. Not GOD.
11. They will says demand to do fasting & prayer for such and such days for healing etc .(Un-scriptural)
12. You need to do good things for church and God will heal you etc. Actually he is asking indirectly give to him.
13. When they speak they use the name GOD and the BIBLE verses..
14. They teach their followers to dislike other churches and groups.
15. They demand for their names (membership) to transfer.
16. They make programs in such away that their members have no time for different meetings outside of the church.
17. They speak against all other teachers, church, and groups. But they will have someone who will speak highly about them all the time.( to brainwashed)
18. They will even says if any body leaves the church, group will go to hell
19. They will trained someone who constantly look after the needy people, visiting, praying and sharing things.
20. Any issue arises the teacher will not appear, but his trained leaders will speak on behalf of him/her.
21. There will not be any accountability in money/materials donations. If ask they will be very angry by saying you don't believe us?
22. The members will never know where their collection of money are? What are they really spending for, but there will be always a needs to demand for donations.
23. Their prophecies will not fulfill, but they will says because of their disobedience, or because they prayed God to change it..
24. They are active to help people where there is a stream of financial gain.
25. They drive good vehicles and live in the best, mostly above their followers means, so that they keep themselves above them to control.
26. 26.when they pray for people, their prayer style is different according to the richness of the people.
27. They will have no shame at all.
28. They will do anything to keep their smooth talks alive and keep on controlling their followers.
29. They will not allow themselves to come close with many followers. Because many people will leave the church once they discover the true nature.
30. Those who become close to them and discover will leave the church, group slowly. But will not say much against them.(out of fear or shame)
31. They will behave like an Angel, speak like an Angel. But inwardly they are Satan themselves.
All these issues they will be able to substantiated with Bible chapters and verses from here and there. Scripturally they will be very knowledgeable to answer question and keep supporting their schemes.
But their lives, languages, and their family member behaviors will reveal their true colors.
I know We are living in fulfillment of the 2 Timothy 3:1-9.. and therefore, my fellow nagas, be careful with Bible teachers, church organizations and prayer centers that are flowing into our societies.
Please pray to God so that we are not misled but live close to God daily. And allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to the truth.
Because His coming is very near.
