What does the Bible say about identifying false teachers?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• Matthew 7:15-20

  [15] "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. [16] By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? [17] Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. [18] A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. [19] Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. [20] Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.

• 1 John 4:1

  Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

• 2 Timothy 4:3-4

  [3] For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; [4] and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.

• 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

  [13] For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ's apostles. [14] And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. [15] It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

• 2 Peter 2:1-3

  [1] But there also arose false prophets among the people, as among you also there will be false teachers, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. [2] Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. [3] In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn't linger, and their destruction will not slumber.

• 2 John 1:7-11

  [7] For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don't confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist. [8] Watch yourselves, that we don't lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward. [9] Whoever transgresses and doesn't remain in the teaching of Christ, doesn't have God. He who remains in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son. [10] If anyone comes to you, and doesn't bring this teaching, don't receive him into your house, and don't welcome him, [11] for he who welcomes him participates in his evil works.

• Galatians 1:6-9

  [6] I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel; [7] and there isn't another gospel. Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ. [8] But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any gospel other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. [9] As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any gospel other than that which you received, let him be cursed.

• Matthew 24:24

  For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

• Romans 16:17-18

  [17] Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them. [18] For those who are such don't serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

• Revelation 2:2

  "I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can't tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false.

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