The Warning Against False Teachers and Destructive Heresies

According to the New International Version, there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. The Contemporary English Version adds that these teachers don't really belong to the Master who paid a great price for them, and they will quickly destroy themselves.

The Stealthy Nature of Deception

The scriptures warn that false teachers will also sneak in and speak harmful lies to you. As noted in the New Living Translation, they will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. This threat is further described in the King James Bible, which states that they privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

To understand the variations in how these warnings are presented, consider the following data:

Translation	Method of Teaching	Consequence for Teachers
New International Version	Secretly introduce destructive heresies	Swift destruction on themselves
New Living Translation	Cleverly teach destructive heresies	Sudden destruction on themselves
King James Bible	Privily shall bring in damnable heresies	Swift destruction on themselves
GOD'S WORD Translation	Secretly bring in their own destructive teachings	Bring themselves swift destruction

The Predator and the Prey

Lions hunt gazelles. They’re what they like to eat, and they are good at catching them. Bears hunt salmon. They’re what they like to eat, and they are good at catching them. False teachers hunt Christians. They’re what they like to eat, and they are good at catching them.

False teachers are the same way – they’ll collect just about anyone they can, but if possible, Satan really likes to use them to devour Christians. Nothing makes the ol’ serpent more pleased than to try and take a bite out of the body of Christ. He knows he can’t destroy the head (Jesus), but if he can snatch some precious lamb from Jesus’ flock, he’s pretty pleased with his meal for the day.

The Necessity of Staying Alert

You are on the menu. Don’t forget it. Gazelles stick close to the herd for a reason, and everyone watches out for danger together. We need to be the same. This aligns with the biblical warning that “...for false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.” (Mark 13:22).

Jesus reminds us of the value of staying alert just a few verses down. “What I say to you, I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’” (Mark 13:37). Keep your head on a swivel for temptation and never forget that evil is always hungry. Solomon, David, and Peter are all reminders that temptation comes even for the strong ones. You aren’t immune, and neither am I.