Beware of False Teaching Among Us - Matthew 14-16

 Matthew 16:5-12 (ESV)

5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Beware of False Teaching Religious Among Us!

We often thing of “false teaching” as coming from the world and the teachers of the world order.   But, in the above passage, Jesus is warning the disciples to beware of the false teaching of the “religious.”   We often can spot teaching that is directly contrary to the Christianity.  That is not the hard work.  The world is often so far off the mark we can easily spot their false doctrine.  But, Jesus is warning us in the above story (spoken to His disciples) to be careful of the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.   These were the religious leaders of the day.   Their teaching had grown out of the Law and the Prophets.  But, they had so twisted the Word of God it was no longer what God said, but rather what they wanted to teach.   Jesus is warning them and us to be careful of those who have good intentions but do not teach what God really wants.   Many wars have been fought over this problem.   Notice what Paul said about the false doctrine when instructing young, pastor Titus:

Titus 1:9-11 (ESV)

9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

Notice what Peter told the church:

2 Peter 2:1 (ESV)

1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Notice what John told the church:

1 John 4:1 (ESV)

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Peter and John were paying attention that day when Jesus warned them to beware of false teachers.  So should we.  They often are right among us.