In this final article I will answer the question : How to escape the devilish claws of false teachers?

Firstly, Col.3:16, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.” Paul pictures you as a large house with many rooms. The word of Christ is a treasure. “Richly” is literally extravagantly rich. The verb “dwell” is a command that means continually (increasingly) dwell. Every room in the house must become continually filled (extravagantly rich) with the knowledge of the word of God.

Paul also commanded to have your loins girded with truth and be armed with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph.6:14, 17). 

Psa.119:11 says, “Your word I have treasured in my heart.”

Job 23:12, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”

Deut.6:6, “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.”

Prov.2:1, “My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you.”

Become a member in a church where the word of God is faithfully preached. (2Tim.4:1-2).

Secondly, 2Tim.2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” “Be diligent” is a command that calls for urgent and persistent zeal. “Approved” (Gk. dokimos) means approved and accepted. To be disapproved (Gk. adokimos) is to be rejected and cast out. “Workman” is the picture of an agricultural laborer. Interpreting God’s word is hard work. It takes time, effort, very careful study, labors in prayer, and dependence on the Holy Spirit for illumination and wisdom.

Every Christian is responsible to work hard with diligence to interpret God’s word accurately. Why? Accurate interpretation is eternal life. Inaccurate interpretation (distorting) leads to death (destruction, “shipwreck in regard to their faith”). 2Pet.3:16 warned that those who distort the Scriptures do so to their own destruction. To distort God’s word is to distort Christ who is the Word. (Jn.1:1, 14; 1Jn.1:1; Rev.19:13; Lk.1:2). Jer.48:10 warned, “Cursed be the one who does the LORD’S work negligently.”

If you do not know how to interpret God’s word accurately, find a pastor who works hard to interpret God’s word accurately and sit under his ministry. Your pastor must be like Moses who “undertook to expound this law’, (that is, the revealed word of God). (Deut.1:5). Ezra 7:10 says, “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.”    

Lastly, 2Pet.3:18, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” “Grow” is a command that calls for continual and increasing growth. Growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ is rooted in growth in the knowledge of the Scriptures that reveal Christ to us. Note the emphasis : Christ is our Lord and Savior. If Christ is your Lord, you will obey Him (cf. Lk.6:46) and flee from false teachers regardless of the titles they give themselves and their abilities to impress you. Flee from them. Flee from the hell they are going to. Flee to Christ who is your ark of safety.