August Newsletter
NEWSLETTER, AUGUST 2025
Jesus Warned Us To Beware Of False Teachers!
And my church family—there’s LOTS of false teachers today—in the churches around America and the world. Now, you might be thinking, “No problem, it’s easy to recognize a false teacher.” Truthfully, it’s not always easy to spot false teaching. Why? Because the devil is a deceiver. In fact, the devil uses truth in his lies. The devil likes to mix in truth with his lies—actually he uses a lot more truth than lies.
For example: In rat poisoning, the poison is only 1% of the mixture—99% of rat poison mixture is good food! But it’s that 1% that kills the rat! And it’s that little bit of false teaching mixed in with truth—that will mislead you and I!
God tells us in many places in the Bible to beware of false teaching. Here’s just a few places. I’m giving you mostly New Testament passages, but there are many in the Old Testament too.
Matthew 24:1-5 and 23-26, “As he (Jesus) sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, ‘See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.’”
Jeremiah 14:14, “Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.”
2 John 10-11, “If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. 11 Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.”
Romans 16:17-18, “And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words, they deceive innocent people.”
Here’s How To Identify A False Teacher/Prophet Or Church:
ONE: You Must Study God’s Word.
If you don’t know God’s truth, how will you know if someone teaches something that is not in line with God’s Word?
2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
TWO: They Preach Doctrines That Are Against God’s Word.
2 Peter 2:1-4, “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed. 4 For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.”
THREE: When They Preach, They Tell People What They WANT To Hear.
2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”
Are they preaching all of scripture and all of God’s truth—Or only what makes people happy—Only what people want to hear.
2 Peter 3:3, “Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.”
Questions:
- Do you go to church, because of what God can give you? — OR do you go to church because you want God himself?
- Do you only want signs and miracles, blessings and prosperity? — OR do you want God himself? A deep relationship with Him, where you grow more like Jesus?
- Do you want to just go to heaven? — OR do you want to live a holy and right life with God?
- Do you want the things of this world? — OR do you want God?
Mark 8:36, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”
God calls us to live holy lives—by His grace for Him!
FOUR: They Display Signs And Wonders.
Matthew 24:23-26, “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. 25 See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. 26 “So, if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it!”
We’re not to run after signs and miracles—We’re to run after Jesus!
There are false signs made in the power of demons in some churches to mislead people away from sound doctrine.
Revelation 16:14, “There are demonic spirits who work miracles…”
Most teachers and people who do these things stop or don’t live holy lives. They’re all about the things they can get—instead of God and His word.
1 John 4:1-6, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. 2 This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet[a] acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. 3 But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here. 4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 5 Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. 6 But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.”
If someone teaches things other than Jesus taught or deny his identity as God, they’re false. Seek after Jesus!
Matthew 6:31-33, “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
We must surrender to God’s will, not our own will.
FIVE: They’re Rich Running After Money Instead Of God.
Titus 1:10-11, “For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. 11 They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money.”
1 Timothy 3:6-5, “Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. 6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.”
Are you content with what Jesus gives you? There’s nothing wrong with asking God to bless you financially—If your intentions are right. God loves to bless us.
But if we are greedy this is what happens:
1 Timothy 3:9-10, “But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”
False teachers, that tell you to give money to God—are actually just wanting your money to make themselves rich! Follow God’s will, tithe to your local church, and ask God for discernment in how you give to other things.
SIX: Deceptive Prophets And Their False Prophecy.
These people are very good at deceiving people—especially those new to the faith—or those who don’t know scripture and sound doctrine.
Matthew 7:15-20, “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”
If a prophecy doesn’t come true—it’s a sign that that person is a false prophet.
Deuteronomy 18:22, “If the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared.”
There’s a big trend these days to seek prophecy. Demons can counterfeit prophecy to deceive people. Test all prophecy—And most importantly study the prophecy in God’s word.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, “This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. 10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.”
Many so-called prophets prophesied that Donald Trump would be re-elected in 2021, but that didn’t happen. They have tons of excuse now—but they’re false because that didn’t happen.
We must focus on God’s word and Jesus!
We must not exalt pastors, politicians, or any person other than Jesus! Jesus is the only one that will not let you down.
Isaiah 55:11, “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
God speaks to us PRIMARILY through His written word! Test Everything By God’s Word.
1 John 4:1, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.”
Everything comes down to God’s Word—because if we know the truth we can spot a lie.
2 Timothy 2:15, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”
Pray for protection and help as you study God’s word for the truth. Remember, the devil likes to mix in truth with his lies—actually he uses a lot more truth than lies. Again, our example: In rat poisoning, the poison is only 1% of the mixture—99% of rat mixture is good food! But it’s that 1% of poison that kills the rat! And it’s that little bit of false teaching that will mislead you in your faith!
Read and trust God’s word!
Matthew 7:24-27, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
So, I want to end by saying this. As Christians we must not support or be a part of any false teacher or organization that promotes false teaching. Sadly today, many people are led into following false teachers through TV, social media and Christian music—YES, Christian Music!
Many false teachers are a part of denominations and organizations that put out wonderful Christian music. Lots of people today start following certain Christian music groups and then are led into the teaching of a false teacher. While some songs these groups put out have falsehood in them, most of these groups have biblical songs. That’s part of their lure to get you following their false teacher. Remember the 1% to 99% ratio.
As a church here at WVC, we’re going to be careful of singing any new songs from organizations or churches where there is a false teacher. Why, if the song is biblical? Because when we sing that new song, we pay that organization a fee for the new song—and that fee goes back to fund that false teacher. So, we’re going to do our best to use discernment and follow God’s written word through the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we move on from here. I encourage you to beware of purchasing music from groups that are connected to a false teacher. Ask the LORD for help in this.
The Bible says this in…
Ephesians 5:11, “Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.”
So, As I Conclude—Here’s A Short List Of False Teachers To Beware Of. I’ll have a message on this sometime later.
Bill Johnson, Steve Furtick, Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer, T.D. Jakes, Andy Stanely, Joel Osteen, Todd Bently, Kat Kerr, Carl Lentz, Heidi Baker, Juanita Bynum, Mike Murdock, Cindy Jacobs, Todd White, Chris Vallotton, Creflo Dollar, Jesse Duplantis, Benny Hinn.
Here’s A List Of Christian Music Groups With False Teachers At The Helm:
Hillsong, Bethel, Elevation And Maverick City.
We love you all!
Pastor Doug and Julie