Mike Bickle’s Bridal Paradigm & the Gnostic Bridal Chamber

Mike Bickle, founder of International House of Prayer (IHOP), teaches what he calls “The Bridal Paradigm.” He claims that until the global Church sees herself as the cherished Bride (in the way Bickle presents it) and is crying out, “Come, Lord Jesus” in a spirit of lovesickness,  Jesus cannot come back. His “Bridal Paradigm” teaching focuses on the Song of Solomon, and encourages believers to imagine themselves being ravished by Jesus, being the object of His attraction, etc. Sensual songs are written and performed so that people can imagine, dream and feel intimacy with Jesus. The bridal identity of the Church is stressed more than other biblical identities (such as sheep following a Shepherd, servants obeying a King, priests serving under a High Priest, children adopted by a Father, etc.). This imbalance leads to great mischief, especially since there is a lack of sound doctrine otherwise preached in these so called “houses of prayer.” (Read “Love and Death in the House of Prayer” if you want to see how much mischief can be caused by these errors.)  What is preached in IHOPS is generally visions and imaginations, loosely backed up with bits of Scripture ripped from context.

Most concerning to me is that Bickle teaches that the Church is stunted due to not having knowledge of his version of the “Bridal Paradigm.”  Think about that. According to this puffed up man, the global church needs secret knowledge that has been given only to him. That is pure gnosticism, my friends. It is a worship of knowledge, and a belief that by Bickle’s secret knowledge we shall be saved.

In researching gnosticism, I came across what is called “The Bridal Chamber” teaching of the gnostics, and alarms started going off in my mind. This teaching apparently dates back to early gnostic writings (Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Philip), and stressed a kind of carnal knowledge of “the Christ,” or a marriage between “the Christ” and Sophia (“wisdom” which supposedly comes from inside us). You can research this for yourself, as there are plenty of pro-gnostic websites still promoting the ritual of the Bridal Chamber, like this one, which even claims that the spirit of “Sophia” arouses in us a “desire to pray.” How about that?!  It just so happens that Bickle also promotes repetitive, in-house prayer as the means to save the world, in direct disobedience to the Great Commission (which is to be carried out while we pray without ceasing).  Lest you think it is a stretch to connect Bickle to the gnostic bridal chamber ritual, he has gone on record promoting what he calls “chamber experiences.” (Mike Bickle, Song of Songs, 1998)

Further, there is evidence that Bickle’s “divine kiss” teaching, which supposes that we receive the Word through a kiss (source) is exactly like the “holy kiss” teaching of the gnostics! (Pro-gnosis site here, scroll down to “kiss” and take note of how similar this teaching is to Bickle’s, in that a kiss supposedly brings the revealing of hidden knowledge).

I tried to find Christian sites which had drawn a connection between the dangerous teachings of Mike Bickle and the gnostic Bridal Chamber teaching. I found none (which is not to say there are none). I believe there is a spiritual connection, and the same doctrines of demons that were circulating in the Apostle John’s day are still being taught today through deceivers like Mike Bickle. There is nothing new under the sun. Satan uses the same old lies to deceive those who have not received a love of the truth, because he finds that those lies continue to work!  As long as people desire experience over unchanging Truth (another element of gnosticism), they will continue to be led astray by their experiences. They will continue to look down their noses at the “uninitiated” who warn them of the deception, proudly assuming they have secret knowledge which gives them a one-up over others.

People who are drawn in by Mike Bickle’s teachings no doubt think his revelations are “deep” and “exciting.” I give this warning to all such people: Beware that you do not follow satan’s so called “deep secrets” (Rev. 2:24, NIV). It just may be that the teachings appear “deep” because they are, in fact, the “depths of satan.” (same verse in NKJV).

Lessons from Jezebel: Devil Worship Among “God’s People”

And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him (Ahab) to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him. Then he set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. (I Ki. 16:31-32)

King Ahab was supposed to lead his people to serve the only True God, but instead he took into his bosom the wicked daughter of a heathen king, and set up an altar of Baal in the temple of Baal which he had built.

Notice the progression into sin:

1) He walked in the sins of Jeroboam
2) He married a devil-worshiper
3) He honored Baal by building him a temple
4) He made an altar for Baal

His wife took over from there, destroying and limiting the true prophets and replacing them with unholy prophets of Baal and Asherah.

This is what happens when any treaty is made with wickedness. Once an evil stronghold has been established, the altar to satan is quickly erected and the prophets of satan are protected. The true prophets, who are faithful to God’s Word, become outdated and hated, even killed. And all of this in the place where God is supposed to be honored.

Should there be an altar to satan among “God’s people”? Of course not. Yet there are many, many altars to satan in what calls itself “Christianity” today (though the righteous are doing their best to eradicate such altars from the land, which brings the persecution and slander of idolaters against them.)

Hear the lament of the broken-hearted prophet in Jeremiah 23:9-40. (I will be paraphrasing, but you can click the Scripture link to read it for yourself.)

The land is full of adulterers; in His very House dwells their wickedness (10-11).

Is this not a form of antichrist?–the lawless one sitting in the temple of God pretending to be God? (2 Thess. 2:3,4; I Jn. 2:18)

They prophesy by Baal and cause the people to err (13).

“Oh,” the people say, “It must be God who is speaking through our prophets! This golden calf they made must be the One who led us out of Egypt! Now that our senses are tingling and we can see something tangible, let us enjoy this new manifestation of our God!” They do not test the spirits by which their prophets speak (I Jn 4:1), and so they are snared and taken in their carnality.

The false prophets walk in lies and strengthen the hands of evil-doers so that they don’t repent (14).

The only alternative to walking in the truth is walking in lies. Deceived hearts turn them aside, and they are unable to discern that a lie is in their right hand (Isa. 44:20). All who follow them fall into the same dark ditch into which they fall.

Profaneness has gone out from the prophets, making the people worthless. They have prophesied out of their own adulterous hearts (15-16).

Oh yes, they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. (Jude 17-19; 2 Pet. 3:2) Remember the words which were spoken BEFORE by the apostles; forget the words spoken by your false prophets, lest you become divided from the Truth!

These prophets say to those who despise God by following their hearts, “You shall have peace” when there can be no peace to the wicked (17).

And the people with itching ears say, “This wonderful prophet makes us feel so at peace! We like him better than those who challenge us to change.”

They preach their own dreams in His name, bringing up deceits from their own hearts, to cause one another to forget God and His commands (never forget that this is the goal of satan). (25-29)

But we must ask that question God asks, What is the chaff to the wheat? Is not His Word like a fire and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Why should the people of God scurry after the chaff of dreams when we have the very Word of God?

They use their own lying tongues and say, “God said this,” causing people to err by their recklessness (31-32).

Oh yes, they take delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into things which they have not seen, vainly puffed up in their fleshly minds. And by this insistent wandering into what they think is spiritual–but is actually fleshly–they lose their connection to Christ the Head! (Col. 2:18-19) There is no telling how much destruction is caused to others by their proud and selfish recklessness!

They speak the words of men as if they were God’s words, thereby perverting the words of the living God (36).

They make the Word of God of no effect through the traditions they create and sell to their followers as if they came from God! (Mark 7:13)

But what will be their end? Almighty God is against these false prophets, and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God! He will forsake them, forget them, cast them out of His presence, and bring everlasting reproach and perpetual shame on them (39-40).

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Jude 20).

Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them, that the sheep may escape the wolves and cleave to their Shepherd (Eph. 5:11; John 10:11-13).

Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim. 4:2-5)

God bless you!

See also Lessons From Jezebel: Causing Trouble

Charismatic Slavery to the Flesh

In this post, I will attempt to explain why I try to lead people away from ministries that encourage being emotionally-led or seeking after titillating experiences (almost all charismatic movements, including IHOP.) It is not because I am a cessationist (I’m not.)

First, a little personal history.

As an unbeliever, I had allowed myself to be emotionally-led into all kinds of sin. But I had also seen my father live an emotionally-led “Christian life.” He was no different from me except he had a stronger drive to go to church, and he dragged me along (and sometimes up front to have my demons cast out–which never seemed to work). We were both slaves of sin. One day he would turn over the dinner table in a rage over a meal he disliked, and the next day he would be called upon to pray in the sanctuary, his uplifted hands quaking with apparent holiness. It was the height of hypocrisy, and I knew it, but I don’t think he knew it. He kept telling himself he was the righteousness of God in Christ and agonizing to believe it. He listened to dynamic teachings that told him it was so. It was a denial of reality.

My father went to church to get a good feeling that would hopefully get him through the trials of the next few days. Sometimes that worked, and other times it didn’t. When it didn’t, he would rage about how someone else must be quenching the Spirit. Sometimes he was sure that Spirit-quencher was me. My dad’s rage often turned to irrational violence that perpetuated an ongoing hatred between us. I don’t write of it here out of unforgiveness or a need to vent–all has been forgiven long ago, and the love of Christ has more than healed those old wounds. I just want people to understand that an emotionally-led life can never be equal to a Spirit-led life. They are exact opposites. The life my father was living–for all of his Scripture knowledge, church attendance, tongue-talking, and seeking after various impartations of anointing from traveling “holy men”–was a life lived according to the flesh. It was death for him and for everyone around him.

As a new Christian at the age of 28, the only Christianity I had ever known was the emotionally-led kind. My repentance and new birth was accompanied by rapturous joy, which is as it should be for someone whose weight of sin has just been cast into the sea of God’s forgetfulness. Learning to know God as my Father–the first kind and gentle Father I had ever known–was amazing. I sometimes danced to Christian songs while the kids were at school, tears of gratitude streaming down my face. It was a wonderful and pure time, and I am sure that God accepted this sincere worship.

When trials began to come upon me because of the Word (and ALL who will live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL SUFFER), I became very fearful and unstable. Where was my Father? I thought He loved me? I thought I was special to Him? I thought…

And I cried out to Him and asked Him where He was. I am thankful for something He taught me then. He taught me I must learn to trust that He is there BY FAITH. Not by feelings. I was reading the Scriptures hungrily every day, as every newborn babe should do, and I believed them. Do you know that this is worship too–to believe God’s Word?! These words–the very words of God–became like an anchor for my soul. Oh yes, I could still feel the seasickness of the circumstantial waves and taste the bitterness of sorrows in my life. I felt everything just as before, for God has not made us unfeeling creatures. But now I knew that I must trust God by faith in His Word, stand by faith in His Word, and make decisions by faith in His Word. That is life in the Spirit. This was the beginning of a much more stable life for me.

After my conversion, my parents and others were giving me lots of books, many of them by popular charismatic authors. After having a dream that seemed prophetic to me (I had been taught to seek after such things), I was encouraged to publish some writing in a book published by Rick Joyner (part of the NAR with others like Peter Wagner, Mike Bickle, Lou Engle, Bill Johnson, etc.) Another person encouraged me to write and share Christian poetry publicly. But the Lord Jesus was warning me not to seek a name for myself, and for this reason, I declined and even stopped writing altogether for a time. At that point in my life, it was needful for those things that once were a source of pride to me to be counted as loss for the excellency of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:4-8).

I didn’t know it at the time, but what these people were doing was extremely unbiblical. I was a “novice” in the Christian life, by any standard. I may have been utterly ruined by pride if anyone had been able to turn me into some type of superstar in the Church just because I dreamed something or could string a few words together. I had read one poem to about 500 people in my church, and a man approached me afterward and told me I was “just like David.” Through those words, I became dizzy with my own importance. I was like David? God must need me. I’m thankful the warning of Jesus put me back where I needed to be: a simple student and disciple of the only One who is Great. When we learn of Him whose heart is humble, self-importance becomes irrelevant, and the Church’s superstars suddenly appear as they really are–shallow robbers of God’s glory.

Eventually I became confused by the books I was reading. Everyone claiming to speak by the Spirit of God was saying something different, and some things seemed not to line up with Scripture. At that point I committed to reading nothing but Scripture so that I could know the truth straight from God, and no longer be confused by men. I am very thankful that God has given us His Spirit and Word, whereby we can know the Truth and be set free!

After being grounded in the Truth, I became able to discern between the truth and error I had been exposed to in my life. Honestly, it was pretty horrifying to see how far the Church had sunk in apostasy. It still horrifies me.

On the one hand you have so-called “fundamental” churches that teach a false-grace message excusing sin and giving false assurance of salvation; or ritualistic churches in which people get baptized and pay a tithe and have no relationship with God, emotional or otherwise.

On the other hand, you have churches that offer emotionally stimulating services, mesmerizing music, dynamic speakers with amazing stories and catchy phrases, and manifestations of some kind of power that is almost never tested by the Word. In these churches you either check your brain at the door and “jump in the river” of whatever the new thing happens to be, or you get left behind to feel ignored by God. Sometimes these churches promote holiness and obedience, but there is a subtle twist–to obey God you have to obey their latest “prophet,” even if what he is saying doesn’t sound quite right. Suddenly you aren’t complete in Christ. Now you need this other man’s book, you need his Cd’s, you need his interpretations of Scripture, you need his anointing, you need his approval. And pretty soon you find yourself gravely telling other people who test this man’s words by Scripture that they are touching God’s anointed and bringing a curse on themselves. You really believe what you are saying because you are deceived. Your Mediator Jesus has been replaced with another mediator whose dazzling revelations have blinded your eyes.

What was in it for you? How could this happen?

Maybe you honestly wanted to serve Jesus, and this movement assured you that you would be “on the cutting edge” of some great move of God (as IHOP claims.)

Maybe you were told you had a prophetic anointing and there was a special place for you leading others–sounds very alluring, doesn’t it?

Maybe the tears you cried while that hypnotic song played over and over made you feel more spiritual than you felt this morning when you snapped at your child.

Maybe you can forget the frustration of a marriage that isn’t working, a home that needs attention, a job that seems so dead-end, while amazing “prophetic words” are spoken over you, giving you hope that things are about to change.

Maybe the strange manifestion you experienced made you feel like God was there, and you just wanted assurance that He hadn’t left.

Maybe the idea of calling down feathers and gold dust from heaven sounds pretty exciting, while teaching people the gospel (as Jesus commanded) sounds like it involves study and sobriety and being hated. Yeah…lame.

Maybe you’re not sure how you got sucked in, but the roller coaster ride is making you nauseous and you’d like to get off.

I want to encourage you to embark on the same journey I took. Jesus changes not. He will give you all things necessary for life and godliness through simply knowing Him (2 Pet. 3-4). You need no man to teach you; Jesus is the Teacher by His Holy Spirit, and His anointing illuminating the Word to your obedient and humble heart is enough (I Jn. 2:27). Do you believe that?

If you insist on seeking after emotional and spiritual highs, rather than seeking after Jesus (who, by the way, may lead you into some pretty LOW places), you will continue to be tossed to and fro, carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Eph. 4:14). If you insist on making a name for yourself, you may wind up in the entourage of a false prophet who is climbing that same ladder of self-gratification. Jesus taught self-denial, and unless you embrace it, you cannot be His disciple.

Yes, even in the Church, the following Scripture is true:

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Rom. 8:13

An emotionally-led or experience-driven form of Christianity is actually slavery to the flesh. It is death, death, death–no matter how many times it claims to be life. It is not Christianity at all. It is apostasy, and it is anti-Christ.

And what is the fruit of a life lived in the Spirit?

Love, Joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, gentleness, faith, meekness and self-control.

Only Jesus can give you these things.

Testimonies–Freedom From IHOP / International House of Prayer

This post will be a doorway to the testimonies of others who have escaped from the corrupting influence of IHOP–International House of Prayer.

If you are part of IHOP or a student of Mike Bickle, and sense something might be wrong, please read these first-hand testimonies by clicking on the links. May the LORD grant that your eyes be opened to see and understand where you went wrong, and help you get back to the right path. He will do so if you are willing to love Truth more than anything else.

Disclaimer: I may not agree with every doctrine ascribed to at these sites.

1. Blog “Escape From IHOP”–Paul explains that though he spent 1500 hours in the “prayer room,” he did not possess a changed life. His own words: “I was the fruit of Mike Bickle’s teaching, and I wasn’t very good.” I recommend you read the whole site, as he has much insight that will help the humble.

2. Article “IHOP (International House of Prayer) is NOT of God” from The Messanger –this lady’s testimony documents her 3+ years experience with IHOP. Looking back, she says she had become a “mindless drone who repeated everything she heard.”

3. From Stand Up For The Truth, Ariel’s testimony of her time with IHOP. She concludes that IHOP is a cult. She says she has “seen much destruction of families, relationships and marriages of those who have been involved with this movement.” Some videos also demonstrate manifestations attributed to the Holy Spirit that exactly match Kundalini/Shakti practices.

4. From blog Beyond Grace, article “The Mother of all IHOP Casualties” documents the destruction caused in several different families. The testimony author says, “There are many other tragedies associated with this movement…Clearly, this is bad fruit ‐ the worst kind. Where is the proclamation of the gospel in all of their wrangling? It isn’t proclaimed. I don’t know if it’s even alluded to anymore.”

5. From Blog Ihop Ruined My Life, the author explains how she was demonized and tormented while involved with IHOP.

6. From An Unknown Berean’s Blog Showing that IHOP is New Age, the testimony of a person who says she became unable to think, lost touch with reality, was drained of all her financial savings, and even became suicidal.

7. From blog Design of Providence, Ryan answers questions about his experience at IHOP. When the Scriptures showed him their teachings were false, he was accused of quenching the Spirit and not being able to interpret the Bible for himself. It was realizing his completeness in Christ without their “Roman Catholic Monastic Mysticism” that set him free from their damaging influence.

8. From An Unknown Berean’s Blog Showing that IHOP is New Age, the testimony of a man who knew Mike Bickle and his handicapped brother Pat (who was promised a healing he never received) intimately. Author says Mike Bickle does not have a “born again” testimony, but rather is “deceived by his own thoughts of grandeur” and preys upon young, naive believers to follow after him. He concludes that “IHOP is a works based movement that appeals to flesh through the religion of prayer and fasting.”

Dear Reader and possible IHOP enthusiast, in my next post on this subject, I hope to tackle specific teachings by Mike Bickle that contradict the Word of God. But I hope you will take warning from others who have tasted the water from the well of IHOP and found it polluted.

Please know that if you desire sensory experiences that make you feel “more spiritual” than other people, or seem to validate your relationship with God in spite of obvious failures in your life, you will continue to be deceived. Jesus has not called disciples to be led by senses and the flesh, and that is what is promoted by IHOP despite their claims that they promote a Spirit-led life.

God does not give us experiences that lift us over others, but instead has called us to consider others better than ourselves (Phil. 2:3). Though prayer is to be an unceasing part of the Christian’s life, Jesus warned against praying vain repetitions–thinking you will be heard for your many words; He taught a simple way of speaking to the Father that no man can ever improve upon (Matt. 6:5-15). Further, Jesus commissioned us to teach others the Biblical gospel with our words and daily lives–not to “soak in a prayer room!”

For more information, please read Flee From International House of Prayer aka IHOP and Mike Bickle.

Flee From International House of Prayer aka IHOP and Mike Bickle

I don’t do this very often, but today I want to make a public stand against a particular ministry and religious leader. I have no desire to cause division in the Body of Christ, nor am I fueled by some personal agenda to put someone else down (no doubt these charges will be brought against me by some). I am making this public stand out of the fear of the Lord, and a desire to protect people from spiritual harm.

By way of introduction, please read this first– Warning Others About False Teachers –which lays out the Biblical precedent for sounding a clear alarm and publicly naming the names of those leading people astray.

It is my firm conviction that Mike Bickle–founder of International House of Prayer (IHOP)–has been influenced by doctrines of demons (through false prophets like Bob Jones and his own desire to make an elitist name for himself), and is promoting a sensualized form of “Christianity” that subtly glorifies man and feeds the flesh (while claiming to be “of the Spirit,” of course). So much has already been written about this that it would almost be redundant for me to write about it myself.

You can research Mike Bickle and his IHOP organization for yourself, but following are some links that will provide understanding of who this man is, what his religious roots are, and what he is promoting. Please note that I do not necessarily agree with all views expressed by the authors at these links.

1. IHOP–The Perils of Passion — a very good summary of the beginning of this “ministry” and some of its aberrant teachings.

2. Another summary in two parts — What About IHOP Part 1 & What About IHOP Part 2

3. The longest and most comprehensive expose of this man/movement was an open letter written by Ernest Gruen in the 1980’s. Gruen was a pastor in Kansas City during the time that the so-called “Kansas City Prophets” (including Mike Bickle) were leading many away from the truth. Click *here* to read this 130 page report.

4. The Bridal Paradigm –This article summarizes one of the key teachings in this movement, one that perverts and sensualizes the bridal nature of the Church.

I would like to write a few more posts in the near future:

1. A more detailed expose on the so-called Bridal Paradigm, using & documenting Mike Bickle’s own words.

2. A post linking to personal testimonies of people who have, by God’s mercy, come out from under IHOP’s influence.

3. A post explaining what I have personally seen in the lives of those influenced by the IHOP in my area (Richmond, VA).

God bless you as you follow the Lord Jesus Christ, and refuse to follow the voice of a stranger! (John 10:5)

Warning Others About False Teachers

Jesus said:

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. (Matthew 7:15-20)

Jesus desires us to examine a teacher by his/her fruits. Nowhere in Scripture are we forbidden to test a teacher. In fact, Jesus commends the Church at Ephesus for testing those who claimed to be apostles and exposing them as liars (Rev. 2:2). The Bereans were commended for testing Paul’s teaching by the Scriptures they had (Acts 17:11).

Paul wrote:

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned (from the apostles, prophets, and Jesus), and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. (Rom. 16:17-18)

The underlined words are so important. Often a person will spend a long time drinking from the polluted well of false-teaching, and when someone comes along exposing the lie, they will attempt to use this Romans passage to “mark” the truth teller as false! The truth teller is wrongly labeled as divisive. This is a satanic sleight-of-hand designed to keep the deceived in their error. In truth, the divisive person is the one who divides you from the doctrine that was given in Scripture. Such a person is to be noted (or “marked” in the KJV) and avoided.

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Pet. 2:1-3)

Peter wrote that heresies are destructive. They cause people to destroy themselves and others, and they bring the way of Truth into disrepute. They are constructed with deceptive words. That is, on the surface the teaching may sound good. The false prophet may have an appearance as a messenger of light. But he brings deception, causing God’s Word to be seen in a different light than it was intended to be understood.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (2 Tim. 4:3-4)

Selfish desires and itching ears will cause people to love fables over truth. If selfish desires and itching ears weren’t so plentiful, the market for false teaching would disappear. False teachers depend on itching ears that want to hear their twisting of the truth. If nobody listened, they would have to get another job!

The deceived can be very sure of themselves that they are not deceived at all. Pride seems to precede and accompany deception. The proud man will not receive correction. He knows it all already. He delights in thinking he is so spiritual and learned, he cannot be deceived. Woe to such a one. We need to remain humble and teachable, and always examine our hearts in the light of God’s Word, making sure we don’t have any proud ambitions hindering us from obeying the Truth.

Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (Acts 20:30-31)

This passage gives insight into the selfish desire of false teachers to have disciples for themselves. They may say they want you to love and follow Jesus, but they place themselves in between you and Jesus, subtly making it appear that you can only be close to Jesus if you follow what they themselves teach. Paul knew how grave the danger was going to be. How passionately he warned them with tears for three whole years!

Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words… As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught…Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power…Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. (Col. 2:4-10; 18-19)

I’d like to highlight some important aspects of this passage:

1. Deception often comes through very persuasive words. The speaker may have a dynamic and charming personality, or be powerfully convincing. These things are sometimes mistaken for “the anointing” of the Holy Spirit, but they are not.

2. As we have received Christ, so we should walk in Him. And how did we receive Him? By simple faith. We believed the Word of God, repented and began to follow Him. False teachers often have gimmick teachings that supposedly make one closer to Christ. But no one gets closer to Christ by their gimmicks. We draw near to God by faith. God is not far from us, and does not need men’s gimmicks as an alternate mediator. If you did not need that gimmick to be born again, you don’t need it to walk in Him either. We are complete in Jesus. We don’t need that book, we don’t need that new thing, and we don’t need that understanding of Scripture that has supposedly been “restored” by some new voice claiming to speak for God.

3. False teachers often delight in false humility. If you don’t have the Spirit of God, or if you have been grieving Him by your own pride, you may not be able to discern false from true humility. They will say things that on the surface appear humble, but there is an underlying look at me, look what I have experienced, look how spiritual I am, look at how important my personal revelations are.

4. False teachers have a fleshly mind that puffs them up in pride. They love to talk about angels and supernatural experiences. They intrude into things they have not seen. They don’t see themselves in humility, connected to all other Body parts beneath the Head, submitted to the absolute authority of Scripture, and needing the constant nourishment of others. Today, there are scores of such teachers, and the blatant worship of angels is rampant especially in the charismatic church. Followers, wishing to have such ecstatic experiences for themselves, by which to prove their own spirituality, leave the simplicity and humility of Christ to chase something deeper or higher than what others have.

Naming Names

Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. (Eph. 5:11)

These specific false teachers were exposed by name in the New Testament:

Phygellus and Hermogenes (2 Tim. 1:15)
Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Tim. 2:17)
Jannes and Jambres (2 Tim. 3:8)
Demas (2 Tim. 4:10)
Alexander the Coppersmith (2 Tim. 4:14)
Diotrephes (3 Jn. 9)
Balaam (Rev. 2:14)
Jezebel (Rev. 2:20)

False teaching is public. If we don’t name the names of false teachers in our midst, how will others take heed? Our silence is complicity, and it speaks volumes of our character. Though silence about false teaching might be seen as love, it is not love. Love warns of danger. False teaching is the most dangerous thing on the planet. By it, Eve was deceived. And by it, the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one today (I Jn. 5:19).

See also Division in the Church