(Last Names Starting with “J”)
“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.)
Jackson, John Paul
After you get past the razzle-dazzle of a charlatan, plentiful are the indications of falsehood. But one must get right with God to see, because these things are only profitably known by walking in the light with Him.
Read
False Teacher – John Paul JacksonJacobs, Cindy
Cindy Jacobs is intoxicated with the power of speaking affirmatively about what she thinks is her spiritual heritage in Christ. She has found a way that seems right to her, but the end of it is death for her and those who follow her.
Read
False Teacher – Cindy JacobsJakes, T.D.
Jakes’ doctrine is the usual run-of-the-mill fare of orthodox nominal Christianity one finds everywhere, which vexes the Spirit of God and blasphemes the Glorious Name of the One these people presume and pretend to represent. It is a horrid spectacle daily repeated everywhere in the Name of the Lord.
Read
False Teacher – T.D. JakesJennings, Clayton
Here's the son of a preacher who plays Jesus Christ on stage, while offstage he plays a preacher, though claiming he's still “a messed up guy” (from his website – ClaytonJennings.com). Don’t let the false humility fool you. The “aw shucks” posturing only covers over the arrogance of the man of sin, who pretends, by his knowledge, to be up to the job of playing God. This is the destroyer come in the flesh, a consummate liar. An actor, indeed!
Read
False Teacher – Clayton JenningsJohnson, Bill
“But evil men and seducers will go forward to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13 MKJV). All manias end with a blow-off phase where all sense is abandoned, because people are given over to their lusts entirely. So we know that we are nearing the end of evil men and seducers when they laugh like devils and call that the worship of God.
Read
The Bottom of the BarrelJohnson, Nita
Ms. Johnson presumes to teach believers about humility, not realizing that her example and precepts foster the opposite qualities – pride and presumption. What a good opportunity for all to see her virtue contrasted with God’s! ‘And He said to them, You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15 MKJV).’
Read
False Teacher – Nita JohnsonJones, Stephen E.
Jack, an ungodly man presenting himself as a knowledgeable Christian, is confronted on his presumption and hypocrisy. Having no repentance or justification for his wicked ways, he scours our site and comes back trying to condemn us for what he calls our “very foul Zionist views.” Lacking his own substance, he presents a book written by another fraud posing as a Christian, “Dr.” Stephen E. Jones, to support and enlarge on his charge. (A common sign of a phony is that he or she must appeal to another phony for validation.) We answer his stupidities and more, showing how the enemies of God hate His faithfulness and righteous works, and will tell any lies to dismiss them.
Read
False Teacher – Stephen E. JonesJoseph Hedgecock Follower Defends Selling the Gospel
Joshua, T.B.
Whether he got lucky or it was planned, Joshua’s prophecy of the death of an African leader is a fraud, a monument to his ego and ambition for power. Beware, simple ones, lest you join him in his fate, the fate of all liars and false prophets.
Read
False Teacher – T.B. JoshuaJoyner, Rick
Rick Joyner claims that God has spoken to him. What he reports hearing, however, is from his own imagination, mixing together the Scriptures with devilish concepts.
Read
False Teacher – Rick JoynerJudging Motives and Heart
