“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” – Colossians 2:8

Since the early church, many people have come preaching God! The Apostle Paul knew that there would be false teachers then, as well as false teachers in the future. I’m sure most of you, if you have been a believer for any amount of time, you have come across a false teacher or two.

Sometimes, false teachers are obvious in their teaching and other times they are very subtle. Paul warned the Colossians that they will try to convince you with persuasive words. They might use worldly sayings as if it comes from God’s word. They may sound philosophical, charismatic, and even intellectual, but if they don’t preach Christ crucified, their message is a false message.

As you continue to learn from God about God, Paul writes, you will begin to be rooted and built up in God. Your faith will begin to grow, and false teachers will be easier to identify in your Christian walk.

Today, we hear and see many false teachers on TV, social media platforms, maybe even in your hometown. You’ll hear things like, “You can become a better version of yourself. You are a little god. You can live your best life now.”

Whenever, teachers preach more on self, than on Jesus, you can bet that teacher is a false teacher. Be careful, not to be drawn away by the “entertainment” and misuse of Scripture to appease what people want to see and hear rather than God’s word and what it says.

The time is coming when people won’t listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear. -2 Timothy 4:3 CEV

Paul writes to Timothy that there will be a time when people won’t desire the truth of God’s word but will look for those who will tell them that their sin is ok. Unfortunately, that “time” has come. More and more preachers are conforming to the world and culture because they are afraid, they will be cancelled. They are afraid they might lose their congregation. Sadly, if that is the case, they have already lost them.

We as believers need to be like the Bereans back in Paul’s day, who searched the Scriptures to see if what Paul was preaching was truth. We need to be in God’s word daily and not just on Sunday’s. We need to be praying for God’s protection from “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” and we need to be actively sharing God’s word to others, making disciples, preparing them to “fight the good fight.”

I heard a pastor once say, “We are in a war, and we are behind enemy lines!”

If that is the case, then let’s put on our armor of God each day and be sober and alert! Jesus is coming back! Let’s be ready!