How to Identify False Teachers

May 19, 2002

Many religious sects have sprouted like mushrooms in the past two decades alone.  These groups have easily commanded a significant following, owing to their aggressive campaign of mass appeal.  Other sects have been claiming exclusive right to Heaven, drawing thousands of people to their sides. 

In the light of these developments, Pastor Nicky Joya talked about how people can avoid false leaders who are using the Word of God for their own personal edification.  Citing the verses of Matthew 23:1-12, Pastor Joya listed some characteristics of false spiritual leaders.

A. False leaders are obsessed with power and control. (Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples: "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 1-2)

  1. The meaning: The Pharisees and the scribes have set themselves as the official "voice of God".

  2.  The motive: control of people's lives.

  3.  The marks:  You know if spiritual leaders desire to control others when:

• They say that they are the source of God's divine revelation.

• They resort to extra-Biblical sources of authority to manipulate others.

• They resort to brain-washing techniques.

• They misinterpret the Scriptures to say what they want the Bible to say.

• They prevent people from studying Scriptures on their own.

B. False leaders live inconsistently. (So you must obey them and do everything they tell you.  But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 3)

C. False leaders are without love and compassion. (They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 4)  

D. False leaders are hungry for prestige and eminence. 

  1. A false leader is occupied with personal elevation.  (Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi'. 5-7)

  2. A true leader is pre-occupied with other people's edification. (The greatest among you will be your servant.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 11-12)

According to Pastor Joya, true leadership:

A. Means not having to resort to manipulative tactics, but faithfully declaring God's Word accurately and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform believers into the kind of people God wants them to be.

B. Necessitates lives that are maturing and worth emulating.  God has set non-negotiable guidelines for appointing Church leaders. Members must see to it that their leaders are living according to this standard.

C. Requires love and compassion.  Leaders must not only exhort their people to obey God but assist them to obey Him.

D. Demands a total pre-occupation with other people's edification.

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