How to Recognize False Teachers (1:19-2:3)

In the first part of his second inspired letter Peter explained that his teaching about Jesus is true because it is based on eyewitness testimony and because it agrees with the words of God which the prophets delivered. But how can we know what is truly a message from God instead of merely the words of men? In the next section of his letter Peter tells us that we can recognize a false teacher by comparing him to a true prophet.

Chapter 1, verse 19 through chapter 2, verse 3 says, “We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit. But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not slumber.”

The first characteristic of false teachers that Peter mentions is that they work in secret. Peter is not saying that the followers of Christ should disregard prudence in teaching those who do not yet believe in Christ, nor is he saying that the affairs of the church should always be open for everyone to see. But within the church if teaching must be concealed, then it is very likely that something is wrong. In chapter 1, verse 19 Peter compared the word of the prophets to “a lamp shining in a dark place.” The purpose of all teaching should be to illuminate, not to veil or conceal. For example, the Apostle John records what happened when the authorities questioned Jesus about his activities: “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, these know the things which I said.” (John 18:20-21) We should be very wary of any teacher who is afraid to speak openly.

Another characteristic of false teachers is that they spread destructive heresy. In chapter 1, verse 4 Peter wrote that the purpose of Christ’s promises was to enable us to “participate in the divine nature” (NIV), and to “escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (NIV) Does the teaching we receive help us to become more like God? Or does it excite evil desires? Peter calls Jesus the “morning star.” The Apostle John wrote, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4) Jesus himself said, “Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24) True teaching will always draw us toward light and life. False teaching will take us toward darkness, sensualism and destruction.

A third way to recognize false teachers is that they deny “ even the Master who bought them.” In contrast to this, Peter calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ. (1:1) A teacher must always be willing to give Jesus His rightful place. The Apostle John writes, “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?...” (I John 1:22)

Another characteristic of false teachers is that they follow “immoral ways.” On the other hand, in chapter 2, verse 5 Peter gives the example of Noah whom he calls a “preacher of righteousness.”. One question we need to ask about any teaching is what effect does it have on those who listen? Does following the teaching help us to be righteous? Or will it lead us to do things that will give the followers of Christ a bad name? Peter points out that because of those who follow the immoral ways of a false teacher “the way of the truth will be maligned.” In regard to false prophets Jesus said, “By their fruits you will know them...” (Matthew 7:16)

Peter gives us a fifth test to apply to teachers. He writes that a false teacher is motivated by greed. Such people do not care about the truth but think that godliness is a means to financial gain. (See 1 Timothy 6:3-5) In contrast to this the Apostle Paul wrote, “For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness), nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:5-7) Are those who wish to teach us trying to benefit us or benefit themselves?

False teachers invent the things they say. Their words deceive. This is a sixth way in which they may be recognized. In contrast to this Peter writes that a true prophet never makes up his message. In chapter one, verse 21 he writes, “For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.” This is why it is so important to compare all teaching to what God has already revealed in the Bible. It says in the book of Acts, “Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11) If it was commendable to examine the words of an Apostle to see if they were true, we should examine the words of those who wish to teach us even more carefully.

Another way in which false teachers may be recognized is that they exploit those who listen to them. A true teacher, on the other hand, is willing to suffer personal loss to benefit those he teaches. Peter reminds the followers of Christ that Jesus became their master because He bought them. In other words He gave up his life in order to save those who believe in Him. Jesus said this about Himself, “For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) If a teacher is not willing to humbly serve those he teaches, then we should be very skeptical about his message.