Beware Of False Teachers

The Bible acknowledges that even after learning Bible truth, there is a danger of spiritual contamination from false teachings. The apostle Paul warned: "Look out: Perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8) What a graphic picture this text paints! Like Beasts wanting to carry you off and devour you, false teachers can pose a real danger.

True, Paul took note of what others believed. He once began a discourse by saying: "Men of Athens, I behold that in all things you seem to be more given to the fear of the deities than others are. For instance, while passing along and carefully observing your objects of veneration I also found an altar on which has been inscribed 'To An Unknown God.' " (Acts 17:22, 23) Paul, however, did not regularly feed his mind on the philosophies of Greek orators.

It is one thing to inform yourself about the origins and beliefs of false religions but quite another to feed on them. Jehovah has appointed "the faithful and discreet slave" to provide teaching based on his Word. (Matthew 4:4; 24:45) Paul himself wrote: " You cannot be partaking of 'the table of Jehovah' and the table of demons. Or 'are we inciting Jehovah to jealousy'? " - 1Corinthians 10:20, 22.

Some false teachers may formerly have been true Christians, but at one point they turned from truth to error. (Jude 4, 11) This should not surprise us. After speaking of "the faithful and discreet slave" that represents the body of the anointed Christians, Jesus spoke of the "evil slave.," a class that complains, "my master is delaying," and starts to beat its fellow slaves. (Matthew 24:48, 48) Often, these individuals and their followers have no clear teachings of their own; they are interested only in destroying the faith of others. Concerning them, the apostle John wrote: " If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him." -2John 10; 2Corinthians 11:3, 4, 13-15.

Sincere people who are searching for the truth do well to consider carefully what they hear from different religions. In time, God will bless honesthearted individuals who seek the truth. The Bible says of godly wisdom: "If you keep seeking for it as silver, and as for hid treasures you keep searching for it, in case...you will find the very knowledge of God." (Proverbs 2:4, 5) Having found this knowledge of God through the Bible and the Christian congregation and having seen how Jehovah blesses those who are guided by that knowledge, true Christians do not continue listening to false religious teachings. - 2Timothy 3:14.