Beware the Dogs[1]

I found it necessary to write and exhort you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. For certain men, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into promiscuity and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. – Jude 1:3b-4 HCSB

People come into our lives claiming to be great teachers, spiritual gurus, or possessors of inside knowledge of the spiritual realms. How do we tell who’s real and who’s not?

False teachers worm their way in. Their attack rarely comes openly. It is a slow insidious process. Their message emphasizes grace and forgiveness to the point that allowances are made for sin. But to do this is to turn from the Master who said “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”[2]

Salvation does not preclude judgment.[3] There is a choice of paths before each of us, and one of the paths can lead to our destruction[4]. Following the popular “grace and light” path will cause you to end in ruin[5], chains of spiritual darkness[6], judgment and possibly, eternal fire.[7]

Because they can’t support their views scripturally, false teachers will instead try to make false claims of authority while themselves refusing to submit to authority. They love to talk about angels and demons, but end up arrogantly blaspheming because their study is not done in a humble desire to change.[8] No created being possesses more knowledge of the heavenly realms than the angel Michael. Yet even he shows both cautious respect for his enemy and submission to the authority of his Lord.[9]

These false teachers self-destructively resist their God-planted consciences.[10] And because they recognize the falsity of their claims, they become jealous of those whom God has chosen to place in positions of authority and rage against them.[11]

Because all this is done under the mask of hyper-spirituality, they are subtle, hidden, sub-surface reefs that require great vigilance to spot. What you are most likely to first notice is dissatisfaction with your own spiritual growth under their ministry. You may at first think that it is your fault; that you are simply not strong enough in the faith; but it is actually a result of the emptiness of their teaching.[12]

Eventually, you will discover that with all their claims to spiritual disciplines, like fasting and alms, they have no self-control.[13] They are driven by their passions and cannot stick to one thing for very long. These people are wandering stars. Use them as guides and you will quickly find yourself in a very dark, cold place.[14]

You can quickly identify them by their discontent. They will grumble that they have not been properly recognized or that too many limitations and rules have hampered them. They will resent anything that reins in their desires, and they will use flattery in order to gain a following.[15]

Jesus warned of these wolves[16]. Brothers and sisters, beware![17]

[1] Philippians 3:2
[2] v. 4; John 14:15; Revelation 2:14-16
[3] Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:5-6; 1 Peter 4:17; Revelation 3:19
[4] Proverbs 14:12; 16:25
[5] v. 5; Matthew 7:13-14
[6] v.6; Romans 1:21-22
[7] v.7
[8] v.8
[9] v. 9
[10] v.10; Romans 1:18; Psalm 15:1-2; 19:1-4
[11] v.11; 1 Timothy 5:17; 6:3-5
[12] v.12; 1 Timothy 1:3-6; 2 Timothy 3:13
[13] Colossians 2:16-23; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:5
[14] v.13
[15] v.16; Romans 16:17-18
[16] Matthew 7:15-23
[17] Ephesians 4:14; Hebrews 13:9; 2 John 1:8-11