A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers – Part 18

As we saw in the last part of our series. Jesus taught clearly that the devil is the deceiver behind all deception. Jesus also said that Satan is the “father” of all lies.

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:44

False Belief

Jesus spoke those powerful words in the Temple “to those Jews who believed Him.” That may seem a little strange at first, but not when you consider the shallowness and selfishness of people’s beliefs. Many who claim to believe in Jesus today are the same as those who “followed” Jesus during His earthly ministry. They have what I call “false” or “pretend” belief. They pretend to believe in Jesus, but that falls apart when the bright light of Truth shines on their evil hearts.

What did Jesus say to His “followers” that would eventually lead Him to say they of their “father the devil”? Here’s what Jesus said:

If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32

Those are two of the most popular and quoted statements of Jesus, so why would it have started a problem with those who believed Him? They were offended because of their pride. Here’s how they responded:

We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’? John 8:33

That set up a powerful exchange between Jesus and some of the people of His “followers.” Jesus knew their hearts and why they were really following Him. He called them out on their false belief and spiritual hypocrisy.

Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father. They answered and said to Him, ‘Abraham is our father. Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.’ Then they said to Him, ‘We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.’ Then the Jews answered and said to Him, ‘Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?’ Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.’ Then the Jews said to Him,’ Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.’ Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’ Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. John 8:34-59

Wow! Things got rough fast. Did you see how nasty the supposed “believers” became when Jesus revealed they were really of the devil and not God?

I share that with you as a warning for when you point out false preachers and teachers in your church, denomination, or conference. People will hate you for revealing their lies and partnership with the devil. They may say that you’re the one possessed with a demon. They may pick up stones to throw at you. It’s happening right now to Christians around the world and may happen to you one day. Remember the old saying – “forewarned is forearmed.” Prepare yourself now for the spiritual battles that lie ahead. Many churches, denominations, conferences, colleges, and seminaries are in the throws of those battles right now. If you are not affected by it, you probably will one day soon.

The battle lines were already drawn when Jesus spoke to Jews and their spiritual leaders in the Temple. He just took the cover off so everyone could see the truth. That’s what Christians should be doing today – uncover false preachers and teachers who claim to speak for God, but are really spokespeople for the enemy of Christ.

The Devil Among Us

It’s one thing to point to the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and false disciples – it’s another to say there’s a devil among us. Here’s a conversation Jesus had with His closest disciples.

Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?’ He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve. John 6:69-71

Jesus admitted to choosing “a devil” as one of His closest followers. We know that wasn’t a mistake because of both Old Testament prophecy and the fact Jesus told His disciples multiple times that someone was going to betray Him to the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, ‘Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again. Matthew 20:17-19

This betrayal by one of Jesus’ closest disciples was not a surprise to the Lord. He knew about it when He chose Judas Iscariot. Jesus knew about Judas from eternity. Being betrayed to the religious leaders of Israel was part of God’s Eternal plan for Jesus to die for the sins of those who would believe Him.

John the Apostle made that clear when he wrote about the betrayal in his Gospel account.

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him … I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me’ … When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.’ Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.’ And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What you do, do quickly.’ But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, ‘Buy those things we need for the feast,’ or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night. John 13:1-2, 18, 21-30

Notice that the devil “put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him.” It’s interesting to see how Jesus worded what Judas would do – “He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.” That takes us back thousands of years to the Garden of Eden when God said to Satan – “He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Here we see Jesus referring to how Satan would bruise His heel. He would do it through the betrayal of Judas that would lead to Jesus’ death on the Cross.

Notice also that Satan entered Judas after Jesus handed him the piece of bread. That piece of bread represented the body of Jesus that He would sacrifice for sinners. Judas received the bread and Satan entered him for the purpose of crushing the body of Jesus. We see that betrayal carried out in John 18.

When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons … Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. John 18:1-3, 12

Judas was paid well for his betrayal of Jesus, but soon realized his sinful act.

Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ And they said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it!‘ Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. Matthew 27:3-5

The devil deceives people in many different ways. Some are openly opposed to Jesus. Others hide themselves “among us.” We must always be on our guard for false preachers, teachers, and even those who say they follow Jesus.

Next Time

Jesus told His disciples that the Spirit of God would “guide them into all truth.” We’ll see how that impacts our understanding of how the devil deceives in the next part of our special series, A Layman’s Guide to False Preachers and Teachers.

Free eBook

You can download a free copy of this and previous studies about A Layman’s Guide to False Preachers and Teachers here. We invite you to share it with friends and family as God leads.

A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers Part 1

A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers Part 2

A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers Part 3

A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers Part 4

A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers Part 5

A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers Part 6

A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers Part 7

A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers Part 8

A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers Part 9

A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers Part 10

A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers Part 11

A Layman’s Guide To False Preachers and Teachers Part 12