For centuries there have been false teachers that have propagated contradictory doctrines. These false doctrines will often infiltrate the church in subtle ways and can catch the church off guard. It is imperative that the church is well grounded in the truth to protect itself from such ‘doctrines of devils.’ The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, “As the repository and guardian of the truth, the church must be aware of the strategies of the truth’s enemies. It is crucial then for the church to understand what God has revealed about these enemies.”[1] Paul addresses these enemies of the truth in his encouragement to Timothy.
Paul begins by stating that the Holy Spirit has prophesied concerning false teachers that would rise up in the latter times. Wiersbe points out, “Paul had warned the Ephesian elders that false teachers would invade the church (Acts 20:28–31); and now they had arrived. The Holy Spirit had spoken in specific terms about these teachers, and the prophecy was starting to be fulfilled in Paul’s time. Certainly it is fulfilled in our own time!”[2] The issue we must address is how to identify such false teachers. In 1 Timothy 4:1-11 we see some identifying markers of false teachers.
False Teachers Depart from the Faith. Paul mentions that in the latter times there would be those who would depart from the faith. There are really two aspects we see here. One, is there are those who were never in the faith. The church is easily infiltrated with unbelievers who act as if they are believers. They say all the right things, they do all the right things, yet they have never truly come to faith in Christ. The church can be deceived by such people. Once an element of trust is established, the church becomes susceptible to false teaching introduced by these ‘wolves in sheep clothing.’ However, perhaps more dangerous are those who are true believers but have been deceived by false teaching. This scenario often occurs with immature believers who succumb to the entrapment of teachers they see on television or hear on the radio. Instead of searching the scriptures they are enamored by a certain personality, and they are drawn into ideas that contradict pure doctrine.
False Teachers are Influenced by Satan. Paul mentions that these false teachers fall prey to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. Unfortunately, most often these who are influenced by Satan are believers sitting in our pews. Warren Wiersbe says, “It comes as a shock to some people that Satan uses professed Christians in the church to accomplish his work. But Satan once used Peter to try to lead Jesus on a wrong path (Matt. 16:21–23), and he used Ananias and Sapphira to try to deceive the church at Jerusalem (Acts 5). Paul warned that false teachers would arise from within the church (Acts 20:30).”[3] Satan will do everything he can to hinder the cause of Christ and the work of the church. He will prey on immature believers and cause them to spread misinformation and ideas in a subtle and deceitful way that causes the church to lose its focus and miss out on God’s perfect plan for the life and ministry of the church. This scenario is very sad and is most prevalent in smaller churches that have a missional mindset. In such a church it does not take much for one or two people being used of Satan to derail what God desires to do. It is imperative that the church stands on guard and deals with such issues promptly. It is also imperative that all believers in the church guards their own heart and stay focused on the truth lest they themselves are influenced by Satan.
False Teachers Lead Others Astray. Paul says in verse 2 that these false teachers will promote lies and hypocrisy. These false teachers are those whose conscience is seared. They do not realize that what they are doing is wrong. They actually believe they are doing and saying the right things. The false teachers themselves are deceived. These false teachers are easily identified as those who have a tendency to rebel against the authority of the church and the God-honoring traditions of the church. Matthew Henry says, “It is done by their hypocrisy, professing honor to Christ, and yet at the same time fighting against all his anointed offices, and corrupting or profaning all his ordinances.”[4] These false teachers are very selfish. Everything is about themselves and their own well-being or advancement rather than about the cause of Christ. Wiersbe says, “These false teachers do not try to build up the church or relate people to the Lord Jesus Christ in a deeper way. Instead, they want to get disciples to follow them and join their groups and promote their programs.”[5] False teachers are obsessed with putting the attention on themselves and creating a following.
False Teachers Ignore God’s Word. In verse 3-5 Paul speaks specifically to some of the false teachings of his day. Whatever the issue may be, false teaching begins with ignoring God’s Word. This is all too prevalent in the church today. There is often a lack of reverence for the Word of God and a lack of concern for what the Word of God says. There are those that are more interested in their own opinions rather than, ‘thus says the Lord.’ They ignore God’s Word because they do not know God’s Word. They do not take the time to study the scriptures the right way. They formulate their own view that is most suitable to them and their agenda. They will twist scripture and misinterpret scripture to fit with their way of thinking. This is why the preaching and teaching of the Word of God is of upmost importance in the life of the church. When do not know and understand the Bible we become open to false ideas promoted by others or even ourselves.
In addition to a description of these false teachers, Paul gives Timothy some clear instructions on how to combat false teachers in the church.
Teach and Preach the Truth. In verse 6 Paul tells Timothy that he needs to warn the church about false teachers, and he needs to teach sound doctrine to protect the church from such false teaching. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, “One of the works of a good minister of Christ Jesus is that he is a faithful conduit of the truth to other Christians.”[6] The best way to protect the church from false teaching is to have a strong preaching and teaching ministry. The preacher should not just skim the surface. He should preach and teach the deep truths of God’s Word to build a strong foundation in the lives of the believers.
Feed Yourself. Paul concludes this session on false teachers by explaining to Timothy in verses 7-11 how he needs to care for himself spiritually. Timothy cannot protect the church from false teachers if he is not preaching the truth. He cannot preach the truth unless he knows and believes the truth for himself. Paul states that bodily exercise is good and important but is profits very little. Spiritual exercise should take precedent. Spiritual exercise is much more needed and much more profitable than bodily exercise. Paul reminds Timothy of his need to feed himself so that he can feed the flock. Wiersbe says, “The “good minister” preaches the Word that he himself feeds on day by day. But it is not enough to preach the Word; he must also practice it.”[7] The best protection a church can have against false teachers is a pastor who is growing himself in the Word and is setting an example by his behavior.
False teaching can easily creep into a church from unbelievers and from believers who are influenced by Satan. The key is to make the preaching and teaching of the truth a priority. False teaching is overcome by a strong pulpit ministry. When there is strength in the pulpit, it makes it difficult for false teachers to have their way. May we protect the pulpit. Pray for our pastor and make the preaching of the Word a top priority.
[1] Litfin, A. D. (1985). 1 Timothy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 739). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 224). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 224). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (pp. 2354–2355). Peabody: Hendrickson.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 224). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Litfin, A. D. (1985). 1 Timothy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 740). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 225). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Pastor Chris Noland 