Topical Bible: Affections: False Teachers Seek to Captivate

◄ Affections: False Teachers Seek to Captivate ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the New Testament, the issue of false teachers and their influence on the affections of believers is a recurring theme. The apostles, particularly Paul and Peter, frequently warned early Christians about the dangers posed by those who distort the truth of the Gospel for personal gain or to lead others astray.

Biblical Warnings Against False Teachers

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, expresses concern over the believers' susceptibility to false teachings. He writes, "I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is not even a gospel" (Galatians 1:6-7). Here, Paul highlights the ease with which false teachers can captivate the affections of believers, leading them away from the true Gospel.

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul further warns, "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:13). This passage underscores the deceptive nature of false teachers, who often present themselves as genuine leaders to gain the trust and affection of the faithful.

Characteristics of False Teachers

False teachers often appeal to the desires and emotions of their audience, using persuasive words and flattery to win their affections. In Romans 16:18, Paul cautions, "For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive" . This verse reveals the manipulative tactics employed by false teachers to captivate and mislead believers.

Peter also addresses the issue in his second epistle, warning that false teachers "will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them" (2 Peter 2:1). These individuals exploit the affections of believers by introducing teachings that are contrary to the core tenets of the faith.

The Impact on Believers' Affections

The influence of false teachers can have a profound impact on the affections of believers, leading them away from a sincere devotion to Christ. Paul expresses his concern for the Corinthians, saying, "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3). This passage highlights the vulnerability of believers' affections when exposed to deceptive teachings.

Guarding Against Deception

To protect their affections from being captivated by false teachers, believers are encouraged to remain grounded in the truth of Scripture. Paul advises the Ephesians to "no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming" (Ephesians 4:14). This exhortation emphasizes the importance of spiritual maturity and discernment in safeguarding one's affections.

The Apostle John also provides guidance, urging believers to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). By testing teachings against the truth of God's Word, believers can protect their affections from being misled.

Conclusion

The New Testament provides clear warnings about the dangers posed by false teachers who seek to captivate the affections of believers. Through discernment, spiritual maturity, and a steadfast commitment to the truth of Scripture, Christians can guard their hearts and remain devoted to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Galatians 1:10
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Nave's Topical Index

Galatians 4:17
They zealously affect you, but not well; yes, they would exclude you, that you might affect them.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Timothy 3:6
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Nave's Topical Index

2 Peter 2:3,18
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 2:14,20
But I have a few things against you, because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Spiritualism.
... appearance of reliability; and their false teachings are ... scenes; and he enlists the
affections by his ... is your home." The Spiritualist teachers virtually declare ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /34 spiritualism.htm

Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
... appearance of reliability; and their false teachings are ... scenes; and he enlists the
affections by his ... is your home." The spiritualist teachers virtually declare ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 34 can our dead.htm

The New Evangelism: and Its Relation to Cardinal Doctrines
... receive"perhaps as good as their teachers could give. ... theologies is not that they
are false, but simply ... with it, whatever appeals to the affections, this was ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the new evangelism and its.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... extra-ordinary prophets, and above ordinary pastors and teachers. ... make it a cloak
for false and dangerous ... iniquity withdraw their minds and affections from the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... to unjust gains, fell off in his affections from his ... they were before, and than their
teachers were, Matth ... in that conceit of conversion that was false, and so ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... to unjust gains, fell off in his affections from his ... they were before: And than their
teachers were (Matthew ... that conceit of conversion that was false, and so ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... voice of infinite wisdom has declared it false, that miracles ... meet with them that
now do not seek after him ... to draw up our hearts, minds, and affections to the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

Footnotes
... Three leading Antinomian teachers were brought before a committee of the House ...
additional power, by antiperistasis from the law, to deceive, captivate, sell as ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

part i
... Meekness and humility overspread it, and involuntarily captivate everyone by ... Or else,
do we not greedily seek for more ... love, and that love is a false one; we ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm