How to Protect Yourself from False Apostles

What are false apostles? 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 says the following about false apostles: For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

If we are to take a definition from 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, false apostles are deceitful workmen who
1. deceive their followers
2. disguise themselves as Christian leaders
3. imitate the deceptive characteristics of Satan

False apostles are false teachers, false prophets & cult leaders who masquerade as Christian leaders by infiltrating the church of Christ in order to attempt to lead astray and deceive not only unbelievers but also they attempt to deceive the elect or genuine Christian believers.
They are pretenders and imposters. Deception is at the crux of whatever they do. They are fake Christians who “disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” but yet they bear bad fruit (Matthew 7:15-20).
Inwardly false apostles are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Therefore Jesus warned that one of the ways that we can spot false apostles or prophets is by their fruits of which characteristics such as hypocrisy and deception are part of the bad fruit that they bear.

In Acts 20:29-30, Paul warned us to guard ourselves against false apostles by saying “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”.

Therefore it is the duty of every person to guard oneself from deceitful people who masquerade as Christian leaders but yet their deception and work is inspired by Satan who is also able to disguise himself as an angel of light.
1 John 4:3-4 urges people to test every spirit because of false prophets who have gone out into the world. Therefore we should not be quick to trust anyone who claims to be a Christian leader, but we should test and receive insight from the Holy Spirit about the true nature of every person who claims to be a Christian leader.

Below are some of the practical ways in which you can protect or guard yourself from false apostles

1. You Must Know The Word of God
It’s important to consistently study the word of God for yourself (2 Timothy 2:15). Avoid the habit of being “spoon-fed” but instead learn to study the word of God on your own. The disadvantage of being spoon-fed is that you will be given poisonous teachings and doctrines and you will accept them without discernment. Not everything that is spoken from the pulpit is true.
Therefore studying the word of God on your own will bring you closer to God and will enable the Holy Spirit to give you His personal revelation and truth. The only way to spot a fake is to study the genuine thing. Therefore the more you study God’s word, the more you will spot false teachings and false apostles.
The Berean Christians are a good example of people who studied and examined the scriptures to check if what they heard on the pulpit was really true (Acts 17:11).

2. Do Some Research About The False Apostles & Their Doctrines
Jesus warned that MANY false prophets will rise and that these false prophets will deceive MANY people (Matthew 24:11).
Since there are many false apostles that exist, it’s very important to do the appropriate research about the characteristics of false teachers in general and also to research any specific leaders whom you may be considering to follow.
The Bible always encourages people to test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). We are also encouraged to exercise caution, discernment and wisdom in our walk (Proverbs 14:16). Therefore, due to the fact that many false apostles exist, the importance of research, caution and wisdom has become more important than ever (Ephesians 5:15)

3. You Must Have a Personal & Genuine Relationship with God
A genuine born again Christian will eventually discern a false apostle. In every born again believer there resides the Holy Spirit who will reveal any veil of deception and reveal the truth to us (John 16:13). As you engage the Holy Spirit in your daily life, He will guide you from anything and anyone who sets out to deceive you through hypocrisy, deception and false doctrines.
Therefore becoming a genuine born again believer is the most important decision to make in order to be protected from false apostles who exist not only within Christianity, but also for one to be protected from the false prophets of other religions and sects.

The ultimate destiny of all false apostles is that they will face destruction according to 2 Corinthians 11:15. Their end will correspond with their deeds.

DO YOU WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN or A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST???

1. ACKNOWLEDGE: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).
You must acknowledge that you are a sinner and that you therefore need Jesus in your life.

2. REPENT: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3), “Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19)
Repenting means: to change your mind; a sincere turning away, in heart, mind and action;
Therefore God wants you to repent of sinful values and of sinful living. God wants you to decide to
follow Him and to make Jesus the Lord of your life.

3. CONFESSION: “If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)
God is a forgiving God. God will forgive any sin that you have done because Jesus died for ALL your sins and to set you free from the bondage of all types of sin in your life.

4. BELIEVE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
You must believe that ONLY Jesus can save you and restore your relationship with God. You must believe that Jesus is the ONLY way by which you can have everlasting life and escape from eternal separation from God. You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and resurrected from the grave.
“He came to His own, and His own did not receive him, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12)
By faith, You must receive Jesus as Your Lord & Savior and therefore; you become a child of God; you become born again; you become a Christian; you restore your broken relationship with God.

Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW?

We become born again Christians by GRACE through FAITH or TOTAL TRUST in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior (Galatians 3:26) & (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is a FREE gift received through FAITH in Christ.

PLEASE NOTE: You can choose to pray in your own words. This prayer is a sample prayer and it is only an EXPRESSION of your faith, belief & trust in Jesus. Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH or BELIEVING in Christ Jesus as your Lord & Saviour.

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love. I thank You that You died on the cross for me and resurrected so that I may have life through You.
I confess Lord that I have sinned against You and today I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins, past present and future.
I repent of all of my sins and I ask You to cleanse me Jesus.
Thank You for forgiving my sins.
From this moment, come into my life Lord Jesus & take full control of my life. I want to follow You Jesus and I want to follow Your ways. Save me and from today, make me the person You want me to be.
I receive You Lord Jesus right now by faith. I trust You as my Lord and Savior – Amen”

Have you accepted & believed in Jesus Christ as a result of reading this article? If so please acknowledge by clicking the “I Have Accepted Jesus Christ” button below