Prevalence Methods Motivation Characteristics Fruit

False teachers were among God’s people in the O.T. -  Ignored sin - Lam. 2:14  Caused sin - 23:25- 32; 28:15-17; 29:  Promised peace – Jer. 14:13-15; 23:16- 17; 27:14-15;  For gain - Is 56:10-11; 2 Peter 2:1 (NKJV) But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you,...

There WILL BE False Teachers Among us -  Mat 24:5,11,24; Mark 13:22; Luke 21:8; Acts 20:29-30; 2 Cor. 11:13- 15; Galatians 4:17; Ephes. 4:14; 2 Thes. 2:3-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:1-9; 2 Tim. 4:3; Titus 1:11; 1 John 2:18- 19; 1 John 2:26; 1 John 4:1; Jude 1:18; 2 Peter 2:1 (NKJV) But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you,...

“Come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” - Matthew 7:15 (NKJV)“Come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” - Matthew 7:15 (NKJV) “but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.” - Matthew 13:25 (NKJV)“but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.” - Matthew 13:25 (NKJV) “False brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth...)” - Galatians 2:4“False brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth...)” - Galatians 2:4 “By the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,” - Ephes. 4:14 (NKJV)“By the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,” - Ephes. 4:14 (NKJV) “Creep into households and make captives of gullible women” - 2 Tim. 3:6 (NKJV)“Creep into households and make captives of gullible women” - 2 Tim. 3:6 (NKJV) “Crept in unawares” – Jude 1:4“Crept in unawares” – Jude 1:4 2 Peter 2:1 (NKJV) who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

A false teacher is one who advances an erring position, which in the process, jeopardizes the spiritual well being of those who follow them, causing division, and condemning themselves. (Rom 10:17) 2 Peter 2:1 (NKJV) who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

Strongs - Destructive - apoleia, ap-o'-li-a; - ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal) :- damnableStrongs - Destructive - apoleia, ap-o'-li-a; - ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal) :- damnable Vines – “Destructive -... indicating "loss of well-being, not of being,"... (b) of persons, signifying their spiritual and eternal perdition, Mat_7:13; Joh_17:12; 2Th_2:3,...”Vines – “Destructive -... indicating "loss of well-being, not of being,"... (b) of persons, signifying their spiritual and eternal perdition, Mat_7:13; Joh_17:12; 2Th_2:3,...” 2 Peter 2:1 (NKJV) who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

Vines – Heresies – 139 hairesis - denotes (a) "a choosing, choice" (from haireomai, "to choose"); then, "that which is chosen," and hence, "an opinion," especially a self-willed opinion, which is substituted for submission to the power of truth, and leads to division and the formation of sects,Vines – Heresies – 139 hairesis - denotes (a) "a choosing, choice" (from haireomai, "to choose"); then, "that which is chosen," and hence, "an opinion," especially a self-willed opinion, which is substituted for submission to the power of truth, and leads to division and the formation of sects, 2 Peter 2:1 (NKJV) who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

Vines – to "deny" the Father and the Son, by apostatizing and by disseminating pernicious teachings, to "deny" Jesus Christ as master and Lord by immorality under a cloak of religion, 2Pe_2:1; Jud_1:4;Vines – to "deny" the Father and the Son, by apostatizing and by disseminating pernicious teachings, to "deny" Jesus Christ as master and Lord by immorality under a cloak of religion, 2Pe_2:1; Jud_1:4; i.e. The Gnostics – The Calvinist – Anyone teaching ANOTHER Jesus!! Tit 1:16i.e. The Gnostics – The Calvinist – Anyone teaching ANOTHER Jesus!! Tit 1:16 2 Peter 2:1 (NKJV) who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

“But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: [18] how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.” - Jude 1:17-18 (NKJV)“But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: [18] how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.” - Jude 1:17-18 (NKJV) Mock the coming judgment – 2 Peter 3:1-7Mock the coming judgment – 2 Peter 3:1-7 2 Peter 2:2 (NKJV) And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

Jesus was mocked – John 10:20 – “He has a demon”Jesus was mocked – John 10:20 – “He has a demon” Paul was mocked – “You are beside yourself” - Acts 26:24Paul was mocked – “You are beside yourself” - Acts 26:24 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, - 1 Peter 4:14-16If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, - 1 Peter 4:14-16 Why? “I was enraged against them” - Acts 26:11Why? “I was enraged against them” - Acts 26:11 2 Peter 2:2 (NKJV) And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

Satan is a “deceiver” (Jn 8:44; Rev 13:9;20:3,9).Satan is a “deceiver” (Jn 8:44; Rev 13:9;20:3,9). Those who are from Satan “are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. - 2 Cor. 11:13Those who are from Satan “are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. - 2 Cor. 11:13 Flattering people to gain advantage – Jude 1:15-16Flattering people to gain advantage – Jude 1: Peter 2:3 (NKJV) By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

False teachers use every opportunity to deceive their prey. (2 Peter 2:13).False teachers use every opportunity to deceive their prey. (2 Peter 2:13). “Promising liberty” (19) – constructing grace in such a way as to accept the sinful conduct they were desirous of practicing (2 Peter 2:14-19; Jude 4)“Promising liberty” (19) – constructing grace in such a way as to accept the sinful conduct they were desirous of practicing (2 Peter 2:14-19; Jude 4) 2 Peter 2:3 (NKJV) By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

Preying on the weak – (2:18; 3:17,18; Eph 4:13,14)Preying on the weak – (2:18; 3:17,18; Eph 4:13,14) 2 Peter 2:3 (NKJV) By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. Romans 16:17-18 (NKJV) Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. [18] For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Covetousness Their words were designed or molded to benefit them. - (2 Peter 2:3; 3:3; Jude 11, 16).Their words were designed or molded to benefit them. - (2 Peter 2:3; 3:3; Jude 11, 16). Trained in covetousness themselves, they will allure through this "lust of the flesh" i.e. wealth, health, power, influence - cf. 2 Pe 2:14,18Trained in covetousness themselves, they will allure through this "lust of the flesh" i.e. wealth, health, power, influence - cf. 2 Pe 2:14,18 Sound familiar?Sound familiar? 2 Peter 2:3 (NKJV) By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

Sensuality “having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin,...” - 2 Peter 2:14“having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin,...” - 2 Peter 2:14 “they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness,...” - 2 Peter 2:18“they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness,...” - 2 Peter 2:18 “These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.” - Jude 1:19“These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.” - Jude 1:19 2 Peter 2:10 (NKJV) But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness...

Rebellion “... they said, 'We will not walk in it.” - Jeremiah 6:16“... they said, 'We will not walk in it.” - Jeremiah 6:16 “reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. - Jude 1:8-9“reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. - Jude 1:8-9 Many decide their religious beliefs based upon what they want to believe! - (Rom 10:17; 2 Peter 3:16; 2 Tim 4:3,4).Many decide their religious beliefs based upon what they want to believe! - (Rom 10:17; 2 Peter 3:16; 2 Tim 4:3,4). 2 Peter 2:10,11 (NKJV)... and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self- willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,...

2 Peter 2:1 (NKJV)... bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:3-7 (NKJV)... [4] For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell... [5] and did not spare the ancient world,... [6] and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 2 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) then the Lord knows how... to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 2 Peter 2:12-13 (NKJV) [12]... will utterly perish in their own corruption, [13] and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, 2 Peter 2:17 (NKJV)... for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 2 Peter 2:1 (NKJV)... bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:3-7 (NKJV)... [4] For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell... [5] and did not spare the ancient world,... [6] and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 2 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) then the Lord knows how... to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 2 Peter 2:12-13 (NKJV) [12]... will utterly perish in their own corruption, [13] and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, 2 Peter 2:17 (NKJV)... for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

2 Peter 2:20-22 (NKJV) For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. [21] For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. [22] But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."

Matthew 15:14 (NKJV) Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." Luke 6:39 (NKJV) And He spoke a parable to them: "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? Matthew 23:15 (NKJV) Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. Matthew 15:14 (NKJV) Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." Luke 6:39 (NKJV) And He spoke a parable to them: "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? Matthew 23:15 (NKJV) Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

Prevalence Methods Motivation Characteristics Fruit

If They – 8Minimize the Need for Authority 8Depend on human wisdom 8Minimize the need to OBEY God 8Teach that God’s love & grace permits a continuance in sin 8Reject examination Know & Grow in the Truth!

2 Peter 1:10 (NKJV) Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;