---

In Matthew 7:15, Jesus warns,

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

False prophets are real. Not everyone who claims to speak for God truly belongs to Him. That’s why the Apostle Paul instructs believers in Thessalonica to…

“test all things and hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Paul repeatedly warns the early Church about the danger of false teaching; not only from other religions, but also from within Christianity itself.

In his letter to the Galatians, he writes:

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed… For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6–10, NKJV)

Paul emphasizes that this so-called “different gospel” is not another gospel rather a perversion of the truth. Notice that Paul is addressing Christians who have been led astray by people calling themselves Christians. False teaching, therefore, is not just an external threat but can also manifest itself internally.

Paul also warns his spiritual son Timothy:

“Remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.” (1 Timothy 1:3–4)

Later, Paul adds:

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” (1 Timothy 4:1–3)

Here Paul warns that as time goes on, some within the faith will turn aside to “deceiving spirits” and “doctrines of demons.” He even identifies some of the false practices that will emerge.

The New Testament is crystal clear: false teachers and false doctrines are not only outside the Church but within. Therefore, Christians must remain alert and discerning.

Paul’s instruction to the Thessalonians still applies today:

“Test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

We must do the same. As followers of Christ, we cannot blindly accept everything a pastor, teacher, or leader says. Just because they claim to have to “book, chapter, and verse” does not mean that their interpretation of these things is accurate. Our goal in testing these things should always be to receive the same message the original audience would have.

Paul urges Timothy to “rightly divide the word of truth,” reminding us to be watchful of those who handle Scripture carelessly. Using it to support their own ideas rather than allowing their beliefs to be shaped by it. We must ensure we are not twisting Scripture to fit our theology, but instead shaping our theology to fit Scripture.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:5

It is our duty to examine every teaching, practice, and doctrine by the Word of God. If it aligns with Scripture, we are to hold fast to it. If it contradicts Scripture, we must reject it completely, knowing that anything not from God ultimately comes from Satan.