False Teachers: June 22, 2010

Today's Word for Tuesday June 22, 2010

FALSE TEACHERS

DEFINITION

Speaking not according to the fact; untrue; not telling the truth.

SCRIPTURE

"Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers." Philippians 3:2

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Paul continues to warn the believers in the church at Philippi, just as he is warning us, to guard ourselves by rejoicing in the Lord and by reading the scriptures daily and living by them.

Today in this verse Paul is telling us to guard ourselves by watching out for false teachers. Paul was constantly facing false teachers who were savage in their attacks on him. He mentions in this verse his concern about false teachers and how we are to guard against them.

First, he tells us to be aware of false teachers who act like dogs. Both Jews and gentiles of his day called each other dogs as a term of contempt. The word dog was the lowest title possible to convey contempt and ridicule. Dog refers to wild dogs of that day that roamed the forests day and night. They were scavengers who could be vicious and dangerous.

Paul refers to false teachers who are just like wild dogs. They seek out all who will listen and consume them with their false teachings. When one responds to them to defend their true belief in God they will snarl and become vicious and do all they can to destroy one's belief in the truth. In Matthew 7:6, Jesus tells us to beware of false teachers that come to us in sheep's clothing. These are whom Paul is talking about here.

Secondly, Paul tells us to beware of false teachers who are evil workers. There were some in the churches at that time that were teaching that the gentiles had to be circumcised and keep the Jewish laws as part of salvation. These are people who hold to and teach high standards of righteousness, morality and religion. They are absolutely sure that their righteousness and good deeds are what makes them acceptable to God. They think that there is no way God would reject them.

Paul called them evil workers because they taught that it was by what we do through our own works that we come to God instead of by God's saving grace. Jesus died on the cross to offer His free gift of salvation. Any teaching that adds to God's plan of salvation by grace through faith is false teaching.

Paul in this verse also is referring to those who live and teach evil by the way they live and talk about morality, righteousness and religion. These types live immoral, indulgent and extravagant lives and do all they can to mix both a religious and indulgent lifestyle.

False teachers always oppose the Lord Jesus Christ and His salvation by grace alone. By their actions they do not accept God's Son, Jesus. They accept what they choose of His teaching but deny or ignore salvation by His blood. Such false teachers are referred to by Paul as evil workers.

The Congress here in America has taken God out of the public schools. Children are not being taught about God but they are being taught to be anti-God. Immorality, violence, sex, drugs, you name it, is prevalent on school campuses today. Every parent must make it a priority to know what their children are being taught. You must teach your children to beware of false teachings and the evil doers on the school campuses. Parents must make it their business to know who their children are spending time with and what they are doing.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in II Timothy 3:16.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

PRAYER

As the apostle Paul has advised us how to beware of evil and false teachers affecting our lives, we ask You to give us, our family, wisdom and direction how we can put You first place in our lives. Keep us alert to guarding our faith and to beware of false teachers that may try to work into our lives. Keep us reading Your Word and communicating daily with You through prayer