For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Not Everyone Teaches God’s Truth

Paul’s defense of his apostleship is defined by his second letter to the church at Corinth as he faces those who would undermine his authority and teaching. He reminds the Corinthian saints the only authority that matters is that which is given by God. There were those within the church that taught things that were not according to the gospel of Christ. Paul calls this teaching a “different gospel.” He reminds the brethren that while his style of preaching did not impress the crowds as a great orator would, his words were the truth. They accused Paul’s preaching as weak because he was untrained in speech and his presence was unimpressive. The people were judging Paul by his physical presence rather than the content of his message. His letters were weighty but his speech was contemptible.

It is common for men to be judged more by their physical presence rather than their hearts. In the early days of Israel, the people chose the son of Kish to be king because Saul was the most handsome man in Israel, head, and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land. Sadly, his reign was marred by rebellion and the kingdom was taken away from him. The Jews of Jesus’ day did not know what to make of John the Baptist. He preached a fire and brimstone style message dressed in camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. Many followed him but many more refused to repent and seek after the coming Christ. Paul’s message to the Corinthians was a reminder that not all men preach the truth but transform themselves into apostles of Christ when in reality they are false teachers. This should not be surprising as Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

The gullibility of humanity is ripe when it comes to the deception of appearance. If a man sees an angel of light he immediately believes he is an angel of God. The Holy Spirit declares that an angel of light can just as well be Satan impersonating a messenger of truth. False apostles and false teachers will not come with shiny red suits, pitchforks and a devious laugh smelling like sulfur. They will manifest themselves as servants of God, smoothly stroking the visual senses of the gullible to accept what they say as truth regardless of what the word of God says. The servants of Satan will disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Many will fall to their damnable heresies exchanging the truth of God for the lie.

Christianity (as it is defined today) is filled with false teachers. There are many men and women who present themselves as servants of God who are in fact disciples of Satan. This means they do not teach the truth as given by the word of God. Presenting themselves as ministers of righteousness, they deceive the hearts of the people to follow a false doctrine of salvation, a perverted system of worship and empty hope of salvation. What they present as truth cannot be found in the Bible. How they teach the message of God comes from selfish desires rather than a need to establish all things by divine authority. Sadly, they lead the masses to a further condemnation in the futility of their hearts.

What must be realized is the truth about false teachers: they exist and they are real. Paul warned the Corinthians to be careful in accepting a man because he presents himself to be a minister of righteousness. Truth is established by the word of God, not man. What a man says must be from the word of God alone. If what a man teaches is not found within the pages of God’s word, it is false. The measure of truth is established by what God says. When a man teaches anything other than the gospel of Christ, he is an accursed man.

A final note must be added by this author. If you believe anything that is written in these articles for any reason other than what can be found in the Bible, you are obligated to challenge, ask, inquire and disagree with scripture to show where the conclusions are false. This charge is made is complete honesty and openness. The author of these attempts to examine scripture is a failed man who learns every day the frailty of his wisdom. No man has all the answers save what is found in the word of God. Let all men be liars and God be true. It is imperative that in the spirit of the Bereans of old, what is taught is examined by scripture whether these things are so.