Watch Out for False Teachers

I would now like to speak about something very important: the danger of false teachers and false prophets. From the time of the Apostles until now, there have always been people who claim to speak in Christ’s name but lead others away from the truth. The Orthodox Church takes this warning seriously.

Jesus Himself warned us. He said: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15–16). A true teacher of Christ will show humility, holiness, and love—not greed, pride, or division.

The Apostles also gave warnings. Saint Paul told the elders in Ephesus: “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:29–30). This shows that false teachers may even arise from within the Church.

False teachers distort the Gospel. Paul said to the Galatians: “If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:9). The true Gospel is the one handed down by Christ to His Apostles, preserved in the Church through Scripture and Holy Tradition.

Many will come in Christ’s name. Jesus warned: “Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray” (Matthew 24:5). We must not believe everyone who claims to speak for Him but test their teaching by the Scriptures and the faith of the Church.

The test of true teaching is Apostolic faith. Saint John tells us: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). The Orthodox Church keeps us safe because it guards the Apostolic faith passed down from the beginning.

False teachers seek gain, not salvation. Peter warns: “In their greed they will exploit you with false words” (2 Peter 2:3). If someone preaches for money, power, or self-glory, they are not serving Christ but themselves.

Our safeguard is Christ and His Church. The Church is the “pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). By staying rooted in the Scriptures, the sacraments, and the Apostolic faith, we remain safe from deception.

False teachers and prophets will always exist, but Christ has given us His Church to protect us. We are called to be watchful, to test everything, and to hold fast to the true faith handed down by the Apostles.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

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