Character Traits of False Teachers

1.      False teachers enjoy arguing and speculating.  ( I Timothy 1:4, 4:7, 6:20, II Timothy 2:14-18, Titus 1:14)

  

2.      False teachers do not build up the flock. ( Ezekiel 34:1-6, I Timothy 1:4, II Timothy 2:14)

  

3.      False teachers are concerned about their positions. (I Timothy 1:7, III John 1:9)

  

4.      False teachers can be very conservative. (I Timothy 4:1-5 and Colossians 2:20-23)

  

5.      False teachers can be very liberal.  (II Peter 2:18-22, II Timothy 3:6)

  

6.      False teachers will rarely challenge God’s people and call upon them to turn from their sin. (Jeremiah 8:11, 23:21-22, II Timothy 4:1-4)

a.       Focus on sins of other people.

b.      Preach forgiveness without repentance.  No doctrine of sanctification.

c.   Preach against sins that are not in the Bible.  

7.      False teachers take. They do not give. (Jeremiah 8:10, Ezekiel 34:1-6, Micah 3:1-3, 11, I Timothy 6:3-5, II Timothy 3:6)

8.      False teachers flee when there is danger. (John 10:11-14)

  

9.      False teachers abandon sound doctrine.  (I Timothy 1:3, 1:10, 4:1-7 6:3, II Timothy 3:10, Titus 1:9-16)