Daily Devotional
Can You Spot a False Teacher?
“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.”
1 Timothy 6:3-5
June 23, 2024
Ponder This
A young man finished his core curriculum in college, and he wanted to coast a little bit so he could get his diploma and get out of there. So, he started to wonder, “What is a course where I wouldn’t have to do any homework and could just coast through?” His friend recommended bird watching. He said, the professor is old and doesn’t expect much of the students so all you have to do is walk around with binoculars. So, he signed up for the course his friend recommended, but there was a new young professor just out of graduate school who took ornithology very seriously. They studied through each part of the bird and took note of what made various birds distinct so they could spot them well. What he thought would be easy required more than he thought.
We need a course in bird watching. We need to be able to spot and identify the false teachers, the dirty birds of our day. They’re not easily spotted because the devil is a master of deception and a master of camouflage. Our Lord said, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). We need to grow in our discernment of false teachers. They may use the Bible and frequently do. They may have Sunday school, church services, radio programs, revival services, Bible conferences, magazines, books, tracts, miracle-working power, mission societies, and youth activities. Counterfeits often look like the genuine thing.
- What are some passages from Scripture to help us discern false teaching?
- What leads us to be susceptible to false teachers?
Practice This
Pray and ask God to open your eyes to recognize and guard against false teachers.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
