The Bible warns over and over about false teachers and false prophets and those who will claim to be Christ. They will deceive many with powers and signs and wonders.

Mark 13:22  “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew SIGNS AND WONDERS, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”

It warns that the Antichrist that will come in the end times will deceive with signs and wonders.

2 Thessalonians 2:9  “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan WITH ALL POWER AND SIGNS AND LYING WONDERS,”

It may seem hard to imagine that people will be so deceived. No one wants to be deceived, or to think of themselves as easily fooled. But just look for a moment at some of the signs and lies already being accepted by many that claim to be bible-believing Christians (inspite of clear teaching within the bible.)

DECEPTION:   Slain in the Spirit-a Christian falls down and shakes or thrashes around uncontrollably, or even  “drunken in the spirit” and these SIGNS are attributed to the Holy Spirit.

TRUTH:  The bible nowhere records any believers behaving this way and actually attributes this sort of behavior to Demon-possession. A believer is told to be sober, and of good behavior, and things within the church are to  be done decently and in order, not disorder and losing all self control. (Matthew 17:14-18, Mark 5:2-5 )

DECEPTION: Word/faith heresy- This is the claim that believers have the POWER to speak things into existence, either good or bad, as though they are little gods, thus glorifying man.

TRUTH: God ALONE has the power to speak things into existence. We are to look to him ALONE for all our needs, and to him ALONE is the glory. (John 1:1-3, Psalms 136:4, Isaiah 2:17)

DECEPTION: Female Pastors- the teaching that God ordains women to teach and have authority over men within the Church.

TRUTH: God commands women to be silent within the church, NOT to teach nor to usurp authority over a man, and even to learn from her own husband at home. (1 Timothy 2:11, 1 Timothy 2:12, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35)

DECEPTION: Physical healing of disease promised to all believers in the atonement.

TRUTH: Through the atonement, the condemnation of sin is removed, and the Holy Spirit brings new life to the  believer, but within the flesh, sin still remains, along with its effects: the corruption and vulnerability to   sickness, disease and eventually physical death. True physical healing is not promised until this corruptible  puts on incorruptions at the resurrection. Only then will we be free from sickness and disease.( 1 Corinthians 15:53 , 1 Corinthians 15:50)

DECPETION: Believers are to SEEK after an experience from God. Believers exalt the manifestations of the Holy  Spirit, elevating him above the word and above the Lord Jesus Christ.

TRUTH: The Holy Spirit will never exalt himself or speak of himself but will glorify Jesus through the word of  God.( John 16:13, Psalms 138:2  “…thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”)

The bible makes it painfully clear why people are deceived. It tells us that it is because “ RECEIVED NOT A LOVE OF THE TRUTH.” They didn’t love the truth of the word as much as they loved the signs and wonders of their “RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE.”

2 Thessalonians 2:10  “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

 1 John 4:1  “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21  “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

Jeremiah 6:16  “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

When someone begins to teach some new thing, some better way, some new or modern approach to worship, you can be certain pride is at its foundation. They are those who will “throw off” the restraints of conservative worship, labeling it as legalism. “WE WILL NOT WALK THEREIN,” is their attitude, because they believe they have become wiser than their teachers and elders having found a “better way”.

The bible is clear that “there is nothing new under the sun.” These are the same old lies of the Devil, in a different package. 

This is often the case with young people, zealous to serve the Lord, but not yet mature enough to see the wisdom of the old ways. That is why the qualifications for a Pastor include this:  1 Timothy 3:6  “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.”

The two greatest avenues of change pursued by these are generally: alternate bible versions and contemporary music. These may not seem like issues at all for many people and both are widely accepted in the “Christian” community. But these can easily be the slippery slope that leads to compromise and apostasy.

Contemporary Music and Alternate Bible versions are both widely accepted by the saved and unsaved; the Liberal churches as well as the conservative use them. Often they become the bridge to unbiblical ecumenical alliances. Common musical interests help form bonds of the false fellowship with those we should be evangelizing. This often leads to confusion of who is teaching who. The vague language and doctrinally ambiguous message of the alternate bible versions make it easy to overlook differences in beliefs smudging the lines of biblical separation. With no clear doctrine, because of the multitudes of differing interpretations within the new versions, who can say what truth is? If there is no truth, then we open ourselves up to false teaching. 

We have all seen bible believers, once strong in faith and doctrine, seduced by false teachers and led astray. Eventually, they leave the Church and in time either fall away or join themselves to a false Church. Pride and sin is always the cause, but they almost always begin with the same warning signs: Music and versions. Be careful of what you accept as a new and better way.

Romans 16:17  “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences CONTRARY TO the DOCTRINE which ye have learned; and AVOID THEM.”

Be careful!

As Christians we are warned to avoid those who teach doctrine contrary to what we have learned from the scriptures. There are many, out there leading many astray. The Christian bookstore, TV and internet are full of these false teachers. They may even call themselves by the same name as we claim, but these are grievous wolves entered in among the flocks.

Before you run out and buy their books, or follow their teachings, find out what they actually believe. Their books may sound good, or part of their message may agree with what you believe; you may not even notice anything wrong initially, but little by little, their evil communications will corrupt. False doctrine is like leaven, it will leaven the whole lump.

Acts 20:29-31 “ For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”

Genesis 3:5  “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and YE SHALL BE AS GODS, knowing good and evil.”

              That lie never seems to get old, as the Devil seduces more and more. Many false teachers today, promoting  that same lie promise that you too can be “AS GODS,” having super-natural powers beyond  human limitations, if you have enough faith. They promise the power to “speak into existence” either good or bad. Yet, God’s Word alone has that power. Hebrews 11:3 “ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,”

               They bring railing accusations against the Devil, claiming the power to command demons and “bind Satan.” Jude 1:9  “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

              They promise health and wealth and freedom from restraints. 2 Peter 2:18  “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”

              Both newly saved and unsaved alike are drawn in by the thought of being “AS GODS” and led further away from God, into error. Don’t believe everything you hear, but search the scriptures and see if these things really are so, prove all things, hold fast that which is good. The Bible warns many times about deceivers who would come promising such things. Don’t be deceived.

 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10  “Even him, whose coming is after THE WORKING OF SATAN WITH ALL POWER AND SIGNS AND LYING WONDERS, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, that they might be saved.”

2 Peter 2:2  “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  And through covetousness shall they WITH FEIGNED WORDS MAKE MERCHANDISE OF YOU: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Many Christians today have bought into the idea that doctrinal truth doesn’t matter- that showing Christian love and charity and expressing worship toward God are evidences of walking in the Spirit. But, according to the bible, you can’t have one without the other. You cannot walk in the Spirit without walking in truth.


The Holy Spirit is described as the “Spirit of Truth.” His job is to guide us into all truth, and teach us. According to the bible, even the act of worship is inseparable from truth-
John 4:24  “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”


We cannot walk in the Spirit or have true spirituality apart from the truth. All of the good things we do, apart from truth are only works of the flesh. If we refuse truth and accept false doctrine, we are NOT walking in the Spirit, no matter how we may like to think that we are. We are actually quenching the Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God within the believer desires to teach us truth. The Spirit simply will not behave contrary to the word of God, or fail to accomplish his purpose.


John 16:13  “Howbeit when he, the SPIRIT of TRUTH, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”


He also will NOT draw attention to himself. His job is always to point to Christ THROUGH the truth of the word.


John 15:26  “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the SPIRIT of TRUTH, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:”
How important is the truth to you?


3 John 1:3  “For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.”


Can it be said of you that you walk in truth? If not, it’s time to get serious about the truth of the word.


Ephesians 5:8  “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and TRUTH;) 10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

Jeremiah 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. When someone begins to teach some new thing, some better way, some new or modern approach to worship, you can be certain pride is at its foundation. They are those who will “throw off” the restraints of conservative worship, labeling it as legalism. “WE WILL NOT WALK THEREIN,” is their attitude, because they believe they have become wiser than their teachers and elders having found a more modern.

The bible is clear that “there is nothing new under the sun.” These are the same old lies of the Devil, in a different package. 

 This is often the case with young people, zealous to serve the Lord, but not yet mature enough to see the wisdom of the old ways. That is why the qualifications for a Pastor include this:  1 Timothy 3:6  “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.”

 The two greatest avenues of change pursued by these are generally: alternate bible versions and contemporary music. These may not seem like issues at all for many people and both are widely accepted in the “Christian” community. But these can easily be the slippery slope that leads to compromise and apostasy.

Contemporary Music and Alternate Bible versions are both widely accepted by the saved and unsaved; the Liberal churches as well as the conservative use them. Often they become the bridge to unbiblical ecumenical alliances. Common musical interests help form bonds of the false fellowship with those we should be evangelizing. This often leads to confusion of who is teaching who. The vague language and doctrinally ambiguous message of the alternate bible versions make it easy to overlook differences in beliefs smudging the lines of biblical separation. With no clear doctrine, because of the multitudes of differing interpretations within the new versions, who can say what truth is? If there is no truth, then we open ourselves up to false teaching. 

We have all seen bible believers, once strong in faith and doctrine, seduced by false teachers and led astray. Eventually, they leave the Church and in time either fall away or join themselves to a false Church. Pride and sin is always the cause, but they almost always begin with the same warning signs: Music and versions. Be careful of what you accept as a new and better way.

Romans 16:17  “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences CONTRARY TO the DOCTRINE which ye have learned; and AVOID THEM.”

Be careful!

As Christians we are warned to avoid those who teach doctrine contrary to what we have learned from the scriptures. There are many, out there leading many astray. The Christian bookstore, TV and internet are full of these false teachers. They may even call themselves by the same name as we claim, but these are grievous wolves entered in among the flocks.

Before you run out and buy their books, or follow their teachings, find out what they actually believe. Their books may sound good, or part of their message may agree with what you believe; you may not even notice anything wrong initially, but little by little, their evil communications will corrupt. False doctrine is like leaven, it will leaven the whole lump.

Acts 20:29-31 “ For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”

Genesis 3:5  “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and YE SHALL BE AS GODS, knowing good and evil.”

              That lie never seems to get old, as the Devil seduces more and more. Many false teachers today, promoting  that same lie promise that you too can be “AS GODS,” having super-natural powers beyond  human limitations, if you have enough faith. They promise the power to “speak into existence” either good or bad. Yet, God’s Word alone has that power. Hebrews 11:3 “ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,”

               They bring railing accusations against the Devil, claiming the power to command demons and “bind Satan.” Jude 1:9  “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

              They promise health and wealth and freedom from restraints. 2 Peter 2:18  “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”

              Both newly saved and unsaved alike are drawn in by the thought of being “AS GODS” and led further away from God, into error. Don’t believe everything you hear, but search the scriptures and see if these things really are so, prove all things, hold fast that which is good. The Bible warns many times about deceivers who would come promising such things. Don’t be deceived.

 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10  “Even him, whose coming is after THE WORKING OF SATAN WITH ALL POWER AND SIGNS AND LYING WONDERS, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, that they might be saved.”

2 Peter 2:2  “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  And through covetousness shall they WITH FEIGNED WORDS MAKE MERCHANDISE OF YOU: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Romans  16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences  contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

False  teachings may seem insignificant and easy to overlook. Many accept false  teachers, even when they recognize that some of their doctrine is false,  believing that as long as “most” of it is true, that it’s good enough. But we  are warned to m...ark them and avoid them because ultimately these false 
doctrines diminish faith, stunt growth, damage testimonies, and may even
cripple  the Christian’s walk.

2 Peter 3:17 “ Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye  know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of  the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”

-Teachings of losing one’s  salvation keep the Christian forever walking in the flesh and not the Spirit,  concentrating on dead works to maintain their standing before God.

-False  teachings of lasciviousness disguised as liberty keep the Christians behaving  carnally, damaging their witness and discouraging others
from repentance and  faith.

-When false promises of healing or guaranteed results promised  through agreeing in prayer do not produce the desired effects deceived believers  often attribute the failure to God.

-Wrong teachings on God’s will or his  sovereignty paint an unflattering picture of God and cast doubt upon his  goodness and mercy, driving the unsaved even further from him.

Much like  any lie, overlooking one false teaching, paves the way for more. Unwilling to  stand for one truth, many know that standing for another
truth will, shine a  light on their hypocrisy and so they fear to stand for any.
Truth no longer  absolute eventually becomes relative, leaving the believer open
to any  deception. And so false doctrines spread like a cancer, consuming
believers. 

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in
sheep's  clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

2 Corinthians 11:13-15  “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into  the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an  angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his
ministers also be  transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end
shall be according to  their works.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that  which is good.”

1 Corinthians 15:33  “Be not deceived: evil  communications corrupt good
manners.”

I was recently reminded of this truth, when I  naively thought that I could visit
a “Christian” activity at a church that I  knew was not completely in line with
bible believing Christianity.  Although I have recognized for many years the  importance of separating from false doctrine, I was deceived by my own pride to  think that I could go and be objective, discerning and unaffected by whatever  they said and did. 

While I easily recognized the unbiblical  philosophies of their teaching, and feigned spirituality of their fleshly  worship, I was unprepared for the depth of their own deception. Seeing the  sincerity of their belief in the false, and their
presumptuous claims as from  God, I was saddened almost to the point of
discouragement to think that so many  were so sincerely deceived. To see them so earnestly promoting their misguided  beliefs and leading so many others to
believe that this was what Christianity is  all about, made me heart
sick.

Seeing these things made me realize why it is that  it is so hard to show the unsaved the truth, when there are so many imposters  out there offering a “Christianity” that is worldly, and appealing to the flesh,  presenting sin as liberty and ungodliness as gain.

2 Peter 2:17  “These are wells without water,  clouds that are carried with a
tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved  for ever.
18 For when they speak great swelling words of  vanity, they allure through
the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness,  those that were clean escaped
from them who live in error.
19While they promise them liberty, they  themselves are the servants of
corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the  same is he brought in
bondage.”

It’s no  wonder so few desire the real thing- the genuine Christianity that calls us to  be holy as God is holy- that demands separation from the world, and sin and  false doctrine- that calls us to suffer and sacrifice and live for the Lord  instead of for ourselves- to be a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a  peculiar people who have been called out of darkness and into his marvellous  light.

Even worse than the effect it had on me, is the  thought that my presence there may have been perceived by others as approval and  a partaking of such
ungodliness.

Romans 16:17  “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark  them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have  learned; and avoid them.”