When I began my walk with Christ, I didn’t know where to go or who to trust. I checked out a free school. I explored popular teachers and filtered through various works. Pretty quickly, I grew tired of man’s contradicting interpretations. I didn’t have to deal with that. I decided to be patient and wait for the Holy Spirit to help me (1 John 2:27). One thing Gd taught me is what to look for so that I would not be deceived.
You’re looking for a man who has internalized Gd’s Word. (Though women do some teaching – Titus 2:3-5, Acts 18:26.) Digesting Gd’s Word is necessary because it ensures you can feed it to others (Jeremiah 15:16)(Matthew 4:4)(Rev 10:10). The following is evidence of this.
fears Gd
They may be hesitant to take on this role because they understand how great the responsibility is. When they do take it on, they are serious and don’t offer shallow or ear-tickling instruction.
The Word says that instructors will be judged more harshly than others. Yet, many people are out there claiming to be teachers. It doesn’t seem like they thought about this with much consideration.
The warnings in Matthew 18:6 and James 3:1 should not be taken lightly. People should fear Gd’s wrath! As mentioned here, I haven’t found an instructor yet, so most are imposters, using artificial spiritual intelligence.
walks in holiness
You should see good fruit stemming from this person. Jesus said you will know his people by their fruits. I shared an instant fruit here that doesn’t need to be taught. That alone wipes out most if not all known teachers today. So, the real instructors are nobodies that should be somebodies, so that we can see true holiness.
You also want to see the fruit of the Spirit. Now, teachers may need a rebuke. We’re all susceptible to falling, but these people get back up. They strive for maturity and don’t make a practice of sinning (1 John 5:1-3)(Luke 6:45).
These believers have not only memorized most of Scripture, but Gd’s word infects their conversations; they meditate on it day and night.
doesn’t have doctrinal blindspots
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
If the person has doctrinal blind spots, something is not right. They have no excuse. They “supposedly” know Jesus and have the Scriptures (Acts 18:24-26). Still, we must remain childlike and teachable. If they can’t prove you wrong, run away. It’s their job to correct people, so they must understand the Scriptures. This biblical maturity can be given by Christ himself or learned from real educators (Luke 24:45)(1 Timothy 4:14-16)(2 Timothy 2:1-2). Artificial teachers won’t have this because their doctrinal foundation is diseased. All they can do is pass on the disease to others.
Though, people with healthy foundations can get infected with false doctrine if they don’t guard their hearts from the enemy. Believers can fall off the heavenly chariot and become fake Christians quickly or gradually (Mark 4)(2 Timothy 4:3)(Isaiah 10:22-23)(Matthew 7).
proves their point with power
The Spirit helps instructors speak in power so that it’s hard to resist what they’re saying. At some point, naysayers are only left with the choice to accept or reject truth.
When the Spirit teaches me things, I get a glimpse of the gift. So, I know what a true teacher can do. If I’m a bit resistant, Gd proves his point so that I can’t wiggle out of it. He also makes an over abundance of connections.
Job 6:24 Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong.
We see this in the Scriptures: Luke 21:15, Acts 18:27–28, Acts 6:9-10, Acts 9:22, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 4:12, Titus 1:9. Acts 14:1.
brings Scripture to life
In several instances, we see the apostles connecting Scripture to the present (and even the future). This ensures people know why Gd highlighted the story or event and helps apply the Word to their lives.
It’s a Living Word, so it connects to every age and generation; the ancient books of the bible are not “behind the times.” These mysteries are hidden from others, like modern day pharisees, and revealed to saints.
At that time Jesus said, “Thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You hid these things from the wise and from those who have much learning. You have shown them to little children. Matthew 11:25
explains the Word clearly
I’ve noticed that self-professed teachers skip important details. This demonic teaching leads people astray. When the full truth of the Scriptures isn’t taught, you’re left malnourished. Real instructors know the whole counsel of Gd and can pass it on to others.
Everyone should have a good grasp of Scripture so they can internalize it and defend what they believe. In Nehemiah 8, it says Ezra taught so that everyone could comprehend. Most Christians you meet can’t defend what they do or believe effectively, which means dead teaching.
What’s fascinating is that the Spirit takes people deeper each time the group revisits a book.
a public crier
In Nehemiah 8 and 2 Timothy 4:2 (κηρύσσω), we see that teaching should pluck the hearts. It’s not a lecture, like what you hear at college.
If a teacher (or prophet) is authentic, sometimes, the people in the meeting will cry out in repentance. At times, they may even get angry because their sins are revealed.
Remember, holy teaching saves the teacher and listeners. It must provoke obedience, repentance, and endurance in the faith.
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Timothy 4:16
engages in discussion
It says Paul reasoned with the saints in Acts 20:7, on the first day. He also does that in Acts 17:2 when he’s trying to persuade the Jews. A NT teacher will encourage public discussion with the men, like ancient synagogue worship (Acts 13:15)(1 Corinthians 14:34-35). Open worship is something someone with a gift of teaching would know.
This is done to ensure people understand what is being taught and to kill any doubts and false doctrine babies.
If the instructor doesn’t do this in collective worship, he is ignorant, vain, and not lead by Gd’s Spirit. Some only do this for other events, which makes no sense. You do it any time you teach in a gathering or one on one.
Welp, I think this is good starter knowledge that will help discern a true instructor from an artificial one.
From my perspective, it seems people just know some things. They don’t have a full understanding of Scripture, so they shouldn’t call themselves ‘teachers.’ People also don’t know the difference between prophesying and teaching (1 Corinthians 14:1-5). I prophesy on this site. (I also do the other type of prophesying.) Many boldly teach in ignorance and look foolish when they should just be quiet. That requires humility, self reflection, and admitting you may not be a teacher (1 Corinthians 12:29). But, people don’t want to do that. Respected and non respected educators would have to repent and step away from their positions. This humiliating experience would be too much for them.
But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:12
Is this message too much for you? Time to walk away = John 6:66