“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).

The letters contained in the New Testament are filled with warnings about false teachers who lead people away from God. The demonic forces driving these false teachings want nothing more than to drive people away from God’s grace. So these teachings should be obvious, right?

Not always.

False teachers can be extremely helpful people. They have practical wisdom when it comes to how to navigate relationships, how to make financial plans, and how to figure out your purpose in life. So how do you know a false teacher when you see one?

Don’t just consider what you are being taught. Consider where you are being led.

For example, if you listen to a financial podcast that helps you be a great steward of your finances, that’s awesome. But if the podcast is leading you to approach finances from a place of worry and fear, that’s not where God wants you to be.

Or if you find a book that helps you make sense of your personality type, that’s a good thing. But if it leads you to a place where your identity is not defined by God’s grace, that’s not where God wants you to be.

Have some of these voices slipped into your life? Watch out for them, and don’t let anything compete with the beautiful gospel of grace.