Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

2 Timothy 3: 5b-9

How should we respond to people within the church who are false teachers? As usual, Paul is direct – we are to avoid such people. This isn’t to say that we are to avoid people who are far from God, but we should avoid fake leaders who have found their way inside the church. Don’t buy their books, listen to their podcasts or sermon. Stay away.

Why? I know a couple of women in my extended family who, in their later years, sent thousands and thousands of dollars to some of those who promised a great return on their sacrificial financial gifts. They were misled and there were consequences.

Paul goes on to describe false teachers as those who are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” and they “oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.” But there is hope because, like the men who opposed Moses and his ministry, they will ultimately fail.

How do we protect ourselves and discern between the good and the false? Let’s learn more tomorrow.