Is The Church Teachable Today?

Is the Church Teachable today or have we become at ease with what is taught from television and pulpit? Perhaps we have become so smug and so pleased with ourselves that we think we can thumb our nose at God and dare Him to correct us. Many are so caught up in trying to get God to fulfill their fleshly desires they miss God’s all important spiritual message. The following verses very much describe those who call themselves “Christian”.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous (hard, difficult, grievous) times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, ...Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. ......Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth. (II Tim. 3:1-7).

Three of the worst things a born-again child of God can do is: 1. Fail to rightly divide the Word of truth; 2. Fail to try the spirits; and 3. Become unteachable. Failure to rightly divide everything we read or hear concerning our spiritual lives will cause us to fall prey to many deceptions. Failure to try the spirits of preachers, teachers, other believers and people in general will cause many to believe false doctrine and/or place one's stamp of approval on false ministers.

So, again I ask, “Is the Church teachable today?

Non-teachable means we will no longer grow spiritually. Non-teachable means you may stay trapped in false teachings. Being unteachable means you could receive "strong delusions" from God because you do not have a love for His truth. (II Thess. 2:11-12). No longer being teachable means you miss so many wonderful things God has in His Word.

When we are no longer teachable, God leaves us sitting in our obstinate ignorance and moves on. Even though it is hard to fathom, I have met people who thought they had "arrived spiritually", and would not receive teaching or help from anyone, because they didn't think they had anything more to learn. Many children of God are deluding themselves with this arrogant idea whether they will admit it or not. And like it or not, sometimes God sends help, rebukes, warnings and correction, as well as knowledge through those we would rather not admit know more than we do.

The very best thing a Christian can do is realize, we, as God's children, never "arrive" at the place where there is nothing more to learn. We never get so spiritually mature that there is no more room for growth or, at times, correction. Even Peter had cause to be rebuked by Paul (Gal. 2:11-14). We must continually seek truth from God's Word, obey it, and as a result, we will not get too far off the right path and will make headway in spiritual growth. Even memorizing the entire Bible, from cover to cover, would not produce spiritual growth or make one a spiritual expert. You may know how to quote God's Word frontwards and backwards, but understanding what it really mean and applying it to your life is another thing. Spiritual growth comes from learning truth from God’s Word, surrendering to God's plan for your life and living daily in obedience to Him.

Another thing that makes some no longer teachable is they have accepted the false teaching so widespread in the Church today and refuse to read God’s Word and ask Him for the truth. Perhaps it is just easier to accept a counterfeit than to ferret out the truth for oneself. But it is also deadly.

Once before I mentioned God speaking to my heart about counterfeits; what are they and would I recognize such? When most people think about counterfeits, it is usually fake money that is conjured up in their minds. But, in truth, there are a variety of other counterfeit things. People in the clothing business have their designs copied, there are counterfeit diamonds and other precious stones as well as counterfeit gold. Counterfeit leather goods are very popular. Bottles of counterfeit perfumes are sold by the thousands, due to the high cost of the originals.

How many of us can recognize any of these by just looking at them? Most people cannot tell if a dress or suit is made by a well known designer or is just a copy. Counterfeit diamonds are so much like the real thing it takes a machine to tell the difference, even for an experienced jeweler.

Would it surprise or shock you to know there are also counterfeit people, including some that preach and teach the gospel? Do you ever wonder why so many counterfeits? Ever wonder why so many false teachers, preachers and prophets? The price is too high to obtain the genuine. The cost required to be a true minister of God is very high. The original or genuine of anything is always so much more costly than a counterfeit. So it is with the genuine things of God.

"....For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required..." (Luke 12:48).

It is very costly to become the kind of vessel that God will anoint and allow His power to flow through. It is far easier and much more profitable to be a counterfeit.

The devil has counterfeits that are far more difficult to identify than any of the counterfeit items made by man. The devil has a counterfeit for everything God has and the purpose is to deceive humans. What other reason would there be? The devil's counterfeits come in many forms; i.e., religions; preachers; teachers; prophets; evangelists; pastors; believers; miracles; tongues and he even counterfeits the slaying power of the Holy Spirit.

You see, the counterfeit is so very, very close to the real thing it takes an expert to recognize it. As I said before, I don't know any spiritual experts, but I know some who "think" they are. How do we become knowledgeable enough to identify counterfeits? By asking God to show us the truth, staying teachable, trying the spirits and rightly dividing the Word of truth. We must also yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to teach us, by whatever method He chooses, as we increase in spiritual maturity.

Several counterfeit ministers have been exposed for what they really are and the tricks they use, to the surprise and shock of most Christians. That exposure reveals the extent to which Believers are deceived. Can we really say the Church is teachable today when there are so many that will not acknowledge a counterfeit when it is revealed to them?

Why is it so easy for Believers and non-Believers alike to be drawn into deception? Why do they believe counterfeits and error so easily? Because of selfish desires. Their desire for big houses, big cars, money in the bank, success in business, having things their own way, their social standing in the world and feeling good about themselves, are far more important than the things of the Spirit.

"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh (mind the things of the flesh or live for worldly pleasures and gain) cannot please God." (Romans 8:5-8).

Another reason people are subject to deception is the times in which we live. Read on.

" ..the time will come when they (Saints) will not endure sound doctrine; (I believe that time is here) but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (fairy tales, myth, untruths, counterfeits). II Tim. 4:3&4)

The Living Bible says it this way,

“For there is going to come a time when people won’t listen to the truth, but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. They won’t listen to what the Bible says but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas.

Many times, in the Bible, we are told to beware of false prophets, apostles and ministers. We are told they transform (disguise) themselves as apostles of Christ. Do we learn from these warnings in Scripture? We are told Satan, himself, can disguise himself and appear as an angel of light, therefore, his ministers will act like ministers of righteousness. Are we astute enough to recognize them? That warning tells us they will look like Christians, act like Christians (outwardly) and preach like a Christian minister except they will introduce error (deceptive lies) into their sermons. Satan may even confirm their false teachings with counterfeit miracles and possibly make some people fall to the floor as he imitates, what is called, the slaying power of the Holy Spirit. This is simply the power of God or His Holy Spirit present to such a degree that people cannot stand up. (Acts 9:4 & 22:7; Rev. 1:17).

Another scripture says,

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (devouring, voracious) wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits, Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruit ye shall know them.......Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" (Matt. 7:15-20 & 22).

Huge followings, mega church buildings, giant ministries and enormous amounts of money are "not" the fruit of which Scripture speaks.

Some of the evidences of false prophets and ministers are; they lie (Jer. 14:13-16) and handle the Word of God deceitfully (II Cor. 4:2); behind the scenes they do shameful things (Ezekiel 22:26-28; 34:2-10); they are greedy (and seek high offices and the biggest churches; they are destitute of the real power of God and lead men/women from God by presenting a mutilated gospel (II Cor. 2:17; II Peter 2:1; II John 7-11). They also speak presumptuously as they prophecy out of their own spirits (Deut. 18:20-22). These are just a few marks of the false prophet, yet many Christians have not remained teachable, therefore have fallen into deception.

When one desires to try the spirits of false prophets, teachers, pastors, believers or just people, there are many things one can be on the alert for. I believe the same tests can apply to all people, especially those that call themselves Christians.

1. First we would do well to look at their relationship to the world versus their obedience to God.

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." (I John 2:15-17).

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity (hatred) with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4).

2. Do they have true love for their brothers and sister in the Lord?

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35). Also (John 15:12; I John 4:7-21 & 3:11-16).

If they really love the brethren, they will not lie to them, cheat them, rob them, or hurt them in any way. They will certainly not feed them false gospel or prophesy falsely to them. They should even be willing to help them at their own expense.

3. How is their confession of Jesus and His Word?

Are they careful to rightly divide God's Word and preach the true Jesus and His total Word? Or do they preach another Jesus and another gospel? (II Co. 11:3-4, Living Bible). What they preach and how they live must line up with God's whole counsel.

4. How is their general outward conduct and inward condition?

Scriptures for the outward condition:

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:20). "..men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent (uncontrolled), fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (II Tim. 3:2-5). (Also Matt. 7:15-16a; Matt. 6:1-24; & 23:1-33).

For the inward condition:

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." (Matt. 23:25-28).

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man." (Mark 7:21-23). (Also Matt, 5:13-48).

Sometimes it's hard to find out about someone's inward condition, especially those we hear preach. That's why we each need to stay teachable, acquire the discerning power of the Holy Spirit and the ability to rightly divide the Word of truth. We, my husband and I, know one preacher that has been preaching the gospel for about twenty-five years and most people think he is a wonderful man of God, but several years ago he was a guest in our home, and I was discussing with him the writing of letters to my mailing list. I told him I did not know how to write professional letters; all I knew to do was write what God placed in my heart. The next thing I heard really shocked me, for he said, "Zella, trust God and see how far it gets you". See what slipped out of his mouth. "....out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12:34-35). This is a man who is constantly prophesying to people and telling his congregations to trust God when his inward condition is full of hypocrisy and iniquity. I would no longer trust this man's teaching.

If we have a bad or uncertain feeling about something or someone (preacher or anyone else) that may be an inward witness that we should stay away from that thing or not listen to that person or take their advice. We may not even know why we have this feeling, but we should not treat it lightly.

5. Do they produce fruit, if so, what kind?

"Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit." (Matt. 12:33).

6. Do they preach true doctrine and the whole counsel of God’s Word?

"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matt. 15:7-9).

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." (I Tim. 6:3-5).

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned (fake, counterfeit) words make merchandise of (cheat, swindle, fleece) you." (II Peter 2:1-3a).

7. Do they profess doing God's will, but in truth, do not do it at all?

Many Christians, as well as ministers are claiming to do God's will when all the time they are striving to fulfill their own desires.

8. Is their preaching confirmed by the Holy Spirit, Satan or not at all?

After Jesus gave the commission to the Church in Mark 16:15-18, the Bible tells us "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following."

The Bible also tells us,

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matt. 7:21-23). "For there shall arise false Christs, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matt. 24:24; Mark 13:22).

These false Christs are some of the very ones standing in pulpits today, preaching in the name of Jesus and claiming to be ministers of the most High empowered by the Holy Spirit. The "if possible" leaves the possibility undetermined...the only way to try to keep from being deceived is by "rightly dividing the Word and trying the spirits.

All false prophets, teachers, etc., and all who twist and pervert Scripture, add to or take away from Scripture will bring upon themselves swift destruction (II Peter 2:1), and their end shall be according to their works (II Cor. 11:15). The punishment for those who choose to add to or take away from Scripture will be the removal of their name from the book of life. (Rev. 22:19).

9. Are ministers of God good stewards of the money (tithes, donations and gifts) they are entrusted with?

Do they use it wisely or squander it on celebrity style living? Do they use it to spread the gospel or use it to build their own kingdoms? Do they use God's money to build mega church buildings, play grounds, theme parks, virtual reality theaters, etc.

Be not deceived, stay teachable and alert.