(Last Names Starting with “Z”)
“They’re a sorry bunch–pseudo-apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers–posing as Christ’s agents but sham to the core. And no wonder! Satan does it all the time, dressing up as a beautiful angel of light. So it shouldn’t surprise us when his servants masquerade as servants of God. But they’re not getting by with anything. They’ll pay for it in the end”
(2 Corinthians 11:13-15 MSG).
What is a false teacher and how does one qualify for this list?
False teachers are those who presume to teach in their own authority (as did the scribes), often in the Name of the Lord, when He has not sent them. Though they have knowledge of Biblical truths, they are, at best, in delusion, presuming to turn others to the Kingdom of God when, in fact, they are building the corrupt kingdoms of men. At worst, they are deliberate charlatans, seeking to deceive, steal, kill, and destroy, using Biblical truths to do so.
A teacher I follow is not listed here. Does that mean they aren't false?
This list is not meant to be an exhaustive one. What is important is that one learns to discern truth from error.
“Then you shall again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God, and him who does not serve Him” (Malachi 3:18 MKJV).
No person rightfully takes upon himself the role of a teacher or any other ministry of God without God’s power and authority. In a world full of teachers, preachers, elders, deacons, speakers, writers, evangelists, pastors, prophets, and apostles, rare are the true ministers representing the Lord Jesus Christ. Many are the false, and very few the true, even as in Noah’s day.
I heard the truth for the first time from a teacher listed here on this site. How is that?
Though false teachers lead astray, the Biblical truths they teach can lead to Christ those whom God has called and is choosing. The truth quickens those being given the gift of faith. However, faith manifest in the one who receives the truth does not certify as God’s representative the one who speaks some truth. The child of faith who walks in obedience to Christ will soon enough part ways with those who mix truth with error.
This is God’s commandment:
“Therefore come out from among them and be separated, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing. And I will receive you and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18 MKJV).
How can a teacher be false when they teach true things found in the Bible?
False teachers mix the holy things of God with their carnal thoughts, creating a false form of godliness. They can’t do otherwise, because they haven’t taken up the cross and submitted themselves to Christ’s righteousness. They are still in their sin nature, living unto themselves, teaching doctrines and commandments of men.
And because false teachers haven’t submitted themselves to Christ’s righteousness, they can’t lead others there. A false teacher is one who may speak truth, yet points his hearers in another direction.
An example of this would be that of a “Tijuana taxi,” or any predator of tourists who says, “Yes, I know exactly where such-and-such a place is, and I’ll take you there. On the way, I’ll tell you all you want to know about it. Please, get in.”
Guess what? He gets you there after a half-hour drive, but didn’t tell you it was only a block away from where you began with him. Meanwhile he charges you for the time or mileage.
And though he filled you in on what the place is all about, what he doesn’t, can’t, and won’t tell you is that you need a membership to enter. He drops you off at the gate, and you find out your trip was for naught.
Isn’t that just like the churches and spiritual leaders one encounters in a multiplicity of places and forms? They have truth, and they may even get you into the wedding feast, but never with a wedding garment.
Therefore, while the truth spoken is to be believed (no matter who speaks it or what affiliation the speaker may have), false teachers are not to be followed. Teachers sent of God are to be followed, as with the example given by the apostle Paul, who said by the Spirit, “Become followers of me, even as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). A false teacher leads into the emptiness of self-righteousness and death, but a true teacher leads to the fullness of Christ and life.
After reading what's written here, I still can't determine if the teacher I follow is true or false. Is there anything else I can read that may help?
See also
Diabolical Doctrines,
The True Marks of a Cult, and
Teachings. Indeed, our entire website will help you to forsake the error and to walk in the path of truth.
(Click on the links below for a short summary of each teacher along with a link to their listing.)
Zacharias, Ravi
False teachers who preach Jesus Christ don't resemble Him at all. They may talk about Him, but they look like the world, appealing to its credentials and ways in order to attract converts and followers. It's a twisted bait and switch where you get what you want, but not what you need.
Read
False Teachers – Wayne Cordeiro & Ravi ZachariasZambrano, Angelica
The works of men try to outdo one another by making a greater sensational splash. Now Angelica Zambrano makes her grandiose entrance into the Heaven and Hell visitation sweepstakes, with much at stake. For her, she can become famous and well-supported. For you, you can believe outrageous lies that bring the real torments of Hell to those who believe the false and satanic Christ she presents.
Read
False Teacher – Angelica ZambranoZender, Martin - The Destruction of an Idolater
Martin Zender’s paradise is revealed to be hell when his idol turns on him. This is the fate of all wicked idolaters who love themselves while insisting they love and serve God, caught in their own trap of pride and seeking the praise of men.
Read
False Teacher – Martin ZenderZender, Martin - The Fruit of His Doings
The Scriptures say to mark the perfect man and note the upright, for his end is peace (Psalm 37:37). It is safe to follow such a one. But it isn't safe to follow a mocker and scorner like Martin Zender, who reaps bitter fruits with the promise of more to come, because he hardens himself in evil. Woe to those who follow him.
Read
False Teacher – Martin ZenderZender, Martin - The Gospel as Ridicule and Entertainment
The self-proclaimed “World's Most Outspoken Bible Scholar” professes to have all the answers for “freedom-seekers,” but the only freedom he imparts is from God's ways and His righteousness. He has mistaken carnal knowledge of the Scriptures for Life, feeding others the bitterness and cynicism he labels “theotainment.” While rejecting the illegitimate church systems of men, he has more importantly rejected the Lord Jesus Christ, wrongly equating being anti-church with being Christian. He ridicules the ridiculous and the holy alike, making no distinction because he cannot see any, but we have come to make them known in the Light of all men.
Read
False Teacher – Martin ZenderZender, Martin - The Wicked Despise Haters of Evil
My, how the wicked come to the defense of evildoers, not because they care about anyone or anything besides themselves – they are compelled to speak up for their own justification. The advent of light threatens their darkened hiding places. Here is what God says of them: “But these, as unreasoning natural brute animals having been born for capture and corruption, speak evil of the things that they do not understand. And they will utterly perish in their own corruption” (2 Peter 2:12 MKJV).
Read
False Teacher – Martin ZenderZopoula, Daniel - A Blasphemous Charade
A visit to a local church leads to a unique correspondence, where you can see how the man of sin will huff and puff and bluff, without being able to convince or convict a man of God or those chosen and kept as His sheep. On the contrary, his magic not working on children of light, he is exposed as an empty sham, whose arrogance is his downfall.
Read
False Teacher – Daniel Zopoula
