Please Read Act 20:17-38
“For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Act 20:29-30 NKJV)
As Paul gives his parting message to the Ephesian church, he warns them about the dangerous and unavoidable reality of false teachers. He contrasts this poignantly with his own ministry among them, while he is innocent of their blood because of his tireless preaching and teaching, false teachers want nothing more than to spill that very blood with their own teeth. False teachers will enter among the flock of God not as loving and careful shepherds, but as hungry predators looking for a meal. They will preach and teach doctrine that, fundamentally, serves to draw men and women away from their Lord.
The church stands on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Word and has received the charge of shepherding over the flock of God in submission to Him. The church has the authority of Christ, but it is a delegated authority, wielded in submission to Him, for His glory and for the good of His sheep. No man takes that authority upon himself and no man is allowed to use it for his own good and glory. Thus False teachers are worse than bad teachers, because while a bad teacher may muddle or confuse what should be clear, a false teacher gives glory to himself and leads the sheep to their doom. A bad teacher lacks skill or wisdom but a false teacher’s core motivation is to bring glory and honor to their own name which means they utterly lack the humility necessary to point to the Risen Christ as Lord and Savior.
“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,” (Jer 14:14). You cannot build a temple to Satan on the foundation of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. No matter how pious or inviting the message seems, following a false teacher will lead to death and destruction.