Discerning Truth from Error

1. Is one who teaches error with sincere motives a false teacher? False prophet?

2. Don’t false teachers/ prophets often claim and believe they are led by the Holy Spirit? How are you to discern?

The above questions from the last two posts led to this related question.

3. If two people profess to be taught by the Spirit and yet hold views on some scriptural passage or teaching/prophecy that contradict each other, how do you discern truth from error?

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Here is a summary of what has previously been discussed in the last two posts.

You can not judge error based on the teacher, the vessel delivering the error, no matter how sincere, good, trustworthy they appear. –2Co 11:13-15 We can not judge words/teaching by the presence of signs & wonders!  –Mt 7:21-23 Error can not be judged by someone’s claim to be led by the Holy Spirit, even if in the past they have a reputation of being led by the Holy Spirit, even if an angel appears and backs up their words! . –Gal 1:6-10 A true teacher encourages people to examine/search SCRIPTURE for themselves to see if what is being taught is truth.  Judge the words/teaching by SCRIPTURE. –Acts 17:11

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So if two people go through this process of examining and searching scripture, praying and being led by the Holy Spirit and still disagree? What are they to do? Some would say quit here and agree to disagree – is this biblical?

Sometimes it may be. Some may even say, this is a waste of time, we need only to focus on the great commission!

2 Corinthians 11:4 NASB … For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.

The great commission is important, but if there is a disagreement about a teaching that involves a different Jesus, a different spirit or a different gospel this should be examined carefully. Otherwise which of these is really being preached by a body who has individuals within it holding different views on these?

Amos 3:3 AMPC … Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed?

Consider the following scriptures.

Ephesians 4:12-16 NASB … [Christs’ intention was]for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Hebrews 5:12-14 NASB … For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Notice that both the above passages have to do with maturity and growing in maturity. They imply that ignoring this process of examining and searching the scriptures to see if what is taught is true, not only leaves one open to deception(being tossed to and fro) but leaves the body open as well.

Notice also from Ephesians 4 this process of of examining and searching the scriptures individually and corporately has to do with “unity of faith”. Unity based on something other than a shared view of truth through the Holy Spirit is not unity at all.

So the next step for these two people who do not agree after this process should be to go to the body. This is important not only for the two individuals involved but also for the developing and maintaining the “unity of faith” in the body.

The heresy spoken of in 2 Peter 2 can turn out for good, if we individually and corporately guard against it by this process of of examining and searching the scriptures individually and corporately through the Holy Spirit. This process not only exposes heresy, it reveals those who are “approved”.

1 Corinthians 11:18-19 (NASB … For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.

2 Timothy 2:15 AMPC … Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

1 Timothy 4:16 AMPC … Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
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@Khollandsblog . Tweets: Discerning truth from error and what does this have to do with unity? It’s better to speak the truth and be rejected than to withhold the truth just to be accepted. Unity based on something other than a shared view of Truth isn’t unity at all #PeacePeace https://khollandsblog.wordpress.com/jer6-14-amo3-3/

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Related:
False Teachers and Motives{question 1}
Prophets claiming to be led by the Holy Spirit{question 2}

Prophets claiming to be led by the Holy Spirit

Some think people with sincere motives will automatically know the truth and recognize a lie. This idea along with the previous post, led to this question. 🙂

Don’t false teachers/ prophets often claim and believe they are led by the Holy Spirit? How are you to discern?

There is an interesting account in 1 Kings 13 about a young prophet and an old prophet. It has some valuable lessons in it relating to what we are discussing.

Notice the motives of the young prophet – he was trying his best to obey the Lord – his motives are sincere. He passed the first “test” with flying colors.

1 Kings 13:6-10 NASB … The king said to the man of God, “Please entreat the Lord your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.” So the man of God entreated the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored to him, and it became as it was before. 7 Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.” 8 But the man of God said to the king, “If you were to give me half your house I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place.9 For so it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water, nor return by the way which you came.’” 10 So he went another way and did not return by the way which he came to Bethel.

The old prophet hears of what the young prophet did and goes to find him. How did the old prophet convince the young one to disobey God’s word?

1 Kings 13:14-19 NASB … So he went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak; and he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” And he said, “I am.” 15 Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” 16 He said, “I cannot return with you, nor go with you, nor will I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. 17 For a command came to me by the word of the Lord, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water there; do not return by going the way which you came.’” 18 He said to him, “I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” But he lied to him.19 So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house and drank water.

Notice again the young prophets desire to obey the Lord. His motives tho being sincere did not protect him from seeing that the old prophet was lying.

How did the old prophet convince the young one to disobey God’s word? => “I am a prophet like you”

The “old” prophet probably had a reputation of being a prophet of the Lord. The young prophet trusted that they both had the Spirit of the Lord and so thought it was OK to eat & drink with him.

Notice also that the old prophet claims an angel gave him the word to bring the young prophet back to eat & drink. Giving seemingly further proof that he. the old prophet was speaking for the Lord.

Error can not be judged by someone’s claim to be led by the Holy Spirit, even if in the past they have a reputation of being led by the Holy Spirit, even if an angel appears and backs up their words!

Galatians 1:6-10 NASB … I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! 10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Look what happens to the young prophet who judged by something other than the Lord’s words.

1 Kings 13:26 NASB … Now when the {old}prophet who brought him back from the way heard it, he said, “It is the man of God, who disobeyed the command of the Lord; therefore the Lord has given him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke to him.”

Notice here that the old prophet speaks the truth, a truth he spoke before it came to pass – while he ate & drank with the young prophet.

1 Kings 13:20-22 NASB … Now it came about, as they were sitting down at the table, that the word of the Lord came to the prophet who had brought him back; 21 and he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have disobeyed the command of the Lord, and have not observed the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you, 22 but have returned and eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which He said to you, “Eat no bread and drink no water”; your body shall not come to the grave of your fathers.’

The old prophet speaks both truth and lies
=> his words need to be tested/judged against God’s words every time he speaks.

Another interesting thing to ponder – in death both the body of the young prophet and the old were buried in the same grave  => maybe because the same lie “buried” them both???

1 Kings 13:29-31 NASB … So the prophet took up the body of the man of God and laid it on the donkey and brought it back, and he came to the city of the old prophet to mourn and to bury him. 30 He laid his body in his own grave, and they mourned over him, saying, “Alas, my brother!” 31 After he had buried him, he spoke to his sons, saying, “When I die, bury me in the grave in which the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones.
 

Related:
False Teachers and Motives{previous post}

False Teachers and Motives

There seems to be some confusion about who is a false teacher. Some think all false teachers have bad motives and intend to deceive. This is not necessarily true – some are sincerely deceived!

This led to the following question. 🙂

Is one who teaches error with sincere motives a false teacher? False prophet?

• Some people accept the error because they think the teacher’s motives are sincere => the teacher has gained their trust.
• Some false teachers/ prophets introduce error with the intention to deceive – bad motives.
• Some however are deceived themselves and do have sincere motives

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You can not judge error based on the teacher, the vessel delivering the error, no matter how sincere, good, trustworthy they appear. –2Co 11:13-15

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Motive – to deceive:
2 Peter 2:1-3 NASB … But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
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Sincere Motive but deceived into thinking they are doing the Lord’s will:
Matthew 7:21-23 NASB …  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
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Look at 2 Peter 2:1-3 again
It’s by false words that the heresy is introduced=> we should be judging the words/teaching not the motives …
=> the rest of Matthew 7 implies the same, judge the words

Also note Matthew 7 above
=> we can not judge words/teaching by the presence of signs & wonders!

 

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Paul a true teacher encouraged people to examine/search SCRIPTURE for themselves to see if what he taught was truth. This is the mark of a true teacher. Judge the words/teaching by SCRIPTURE.

 

Acts 17:11 NASB … Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

 

A false teacher when asked about his teaching will often respond with some of the negative traits in 2 Peter 2(greed. pride, false authority …). They will not take the time to examine/ search the scripture and instead  intimidate others from doing so.

 

A false teacher who is deceived(not intentionally trying to deceive)  may be turned and corrected by this process of searching/examining scripture(and prayer). 

 

You may also have misunderstood the teaching and be corrected in this process.

 

Which is why if we think something that is taught or prophesied is an error we should not just ignore it or ‘agree to disagree’.

 

Contend for the faith – because some can be “snatched from the fire”.

 

Jude 1:3-4 NASB …  Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

Jude 1:23 AMPC … [Strive to] save others, snatching [them] out of [the] fire; on others take pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality.

 

2 Timothy 3:13, 16-17 AMPC … But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray others and being deceived and led astray themselves. …
… 16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Clothed with a Garment of Praise

Exodus 15:2 AMPC … The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

Clothed with joy
Covered encompassed on every side –Ps 30:11
A garment of praise –Is 61:3
Equipped with His joy, His strength –Neh 8:10
Radiant –Ps 34:5
Jesus my Strength
My Song –Ps 118:14, Is 12:2
My Shield. –Ps 5:12, Ps 28:7

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Psalm 28:7 AMPC … The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him.
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Lord, let all who trust in You, be glad. Let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love Your name be joyful in You. –Ps 5:11

 

Psalm 30:2, 9-12 AMPC
2 O Lord my God, I cried to You and You have healed me.
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9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit (the grave)? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth and faithfulness to men?
10 Hear, O Lord, have mercy and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper!
11 You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
12 To the end that my tongue and my heart and everything glorious within me may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

From NetBible Ps 30:11

• girded me with gladness = clothed me with joy
• clothed-‘azar[0247] = girded(metaphorical of strength), encompassed, equipped
• joy-simchah[08057] = joy, mirth, gladness, joy (of God)
  *The root denotes being glad or joyful with the whole disposition, the whole heart [08056] [08055]

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Sing to the Well

Sing to the Well!
Karen Holland … 3-1-07

Come, eat, eat the bread of life the word of God —Jn 6:35
Dip your rod in my honey –1Sa 14:27-29
Place the sweetness of my word in your mouth –Ps 119:103
That you may be awake with your eyes open –Ps 119:148
Your love for me kept strong and alive to sing
Sing thru the watches of the night. –Job 35:10;Ps 42:8

Sing, Sing to the well! –Num 21:16-18
Sing though you are thirsty, though you are dry
Though it is dark so dark thru the watches of the night
Sing even when no water is in sight
Let the rivers flow
Living water, streams from the Rock –Is 48:21;Ps 78:16
Sing, Sing to the Rock!
Let His words spring forth
Striking the earth with the rod of His mouth. –Is 11:4

Sing, Sing to the well!
See the waters rise
Abundant drink supernaturally given
Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come –Is 55:1
Sing, Sing to the well!
Drink from the Rock
The Rock, the Christ –1Cor 10:4
Take the free gift of
The water of life. –Rev 22:17

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Image from davidknightwrites.blogspot.com
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Isaiah 12:2-3 NKJV … Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

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Related:
Sing to the Well{article}

A Place Near Me

Image from LifeGateFellowship.com

Behold
There is a place near Me
Where you may stand
There on the Rock. –Ex 33:21

Draw near
With clean hands and a pure heart –Ja 4:8;Ps 24:3-4;Mt 5:8
There on the Rock –Ps 40:1-3
Sing to the Well of Salvation
Spring up O Well!  -Num 21:17

Taste and SEE –Ps 34:8
Living Water flowing
From the Rock of Christ –1Cor 10:4;Is 48:21;Ps 78:16
COME – Draw near in joy
DRINK!
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Revelation 22:17 NKJV … And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 7:17 NKJV … for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Isaiah 12:2-3 NKJV … Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Related:
Sing to the Well{article}

The Apple of My Eye

Psalm 19:8 AMPC … The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright, enlightening the eyes.

Proverbs 7:2 AMPC … Keep my commandments and live, and keep my law and teaching as the apple (the pupil) of your eye.

From NetBible Pro 7:2

• NET … Keep my commands so that you may live, and obey My instruction as your most prized possession.
• NIV … Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
• BBE … Keep my rules and you will have life; let my teaching be to you as the light of your eyes;

The apple of your eye
Your most prized possesion
The light of your eyes
Your focus
Your gaze

Affects your heart
Your life!

O Lord Jesus, enlighten my eyes with Your word to behold Your face. Give me the eyes of Your dove with an undivided heart to fear and glorify Your name. I will be joyful in You, Lord Jesus. Kept as the apple of Your eye! –Ps 86:11-12,5:11,17:8

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Luke 11:34 AMPC … The eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive, focused on God], your whole body also is full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. But when it is bad [spiritually blind], your body also is full of darkness [devoid of God’s word].

Psalm 13:3 AMPC … Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; lighten the eyes [of my faith to behold Your face in the pitchlike darkness], lest I sleep the sleep of death …

From NetBible Ps 13:3

• lighten the eyes = revive to see the face of the Lord shine

Related:
Doves Eyes and an Undivided Heart{prayer}

The Omniscient Lord

Psalm 139:17-18 AMPC … How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, [could I count to the end] I would still be with You.

Image from 365Promises

O Lord Most High to You none can compare –Ps 86:8
Your power and wisdom are without limit –Ps 147:5
Your ways are higher, beyond comprehension! –Is 55:8
Great are You Lord! –Ps 145:3

You have numbered and named every star –Ps 147:4
You have numbered every hair –Lk 12:7
Many are Your thoughts towards me –Ps 40:5
They outnumber the grains of sand! –Ps 139:18

Lord Your omniscience, Your wisdom
Your ability to count the innumerable
Is too wonderful for me! –Ps 139:6

Yet You, the Lord Most High care for me!

Psalm 40:5, 16-17 AMPC … Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered.

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16 Let all those that seek and require You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified!
17 [As for me] I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer. O my God, do not tarry!

Numbered Hair

 
Matthew 10:29-31 AMPC … Are not two little sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave (consent) and notice. 30 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, then; you are of more value than many sparrows.

From Godvine Mt 10:30
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10:29-30 The particular providence of God is another reason for your not fearing man. For this extends to the very smallest things. And if he has such care over the most inconsiderable creatures, how much more will he take care of you, (provided you confess him before men, before powerful enemies of the truth,) and that not only in this life, but in the other also

 

 
Don’t be afraid
Remember the Father’s care
He has numbered every hair
Acknowledge Him in all your ways –Pro 3:6
Trust Him and follow His lead –Pro 3:5
He will keep you always. –Ps 121:5
 

Luke 12:7-8 AMC … But [even] the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many [flocks] of sparrows.
8 And I tell you, Whoever declares openly [speaking out freely] and confesses that he is My worshiper and acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will declare and confess and acknowledge him before the angels of God.

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@Khollandsblog . Tweets: The Father’s care has numbered EveryHair-Acknowledge Him in all Ur ways-Trust&Follow His lead-He will keep U always! https://khollandsblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/13/numbered-hair/

He Knows Your Name

Psalm 33:18 AMPC … Behold, the Lord’s eye is upon those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe], who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving-kindness.

A Song:
In His eyes, In His eyes
You are precious in His sight –Is 43:4,1
In His eyes, In His eyes
So much love in His eyes
Held in His gaze
Ever before His face
On His palms engraved –Is 49:15-16
He knows your name …

Isaiah 49:15-16 NASB … Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.
16 Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

From NetBible Is 49:16

• inscribed[02710] = engraved by cutting, to cut in stone as hewing a tomb in the rock
• *your name inscribed, engraved, cut

Isaiah 43:4, 1 AMPC … Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life. …
… Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

John 10:3-4 AMPC … … He calls His own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out. …
… He walks on before them, and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice.