Warning and Wisdom: A Conversation About False Teachers

Paul’s Ponderings Interview | August 2025

In this interview with ChatGPT, I reflect on the challenging subject of false teachers. This comes after my recent study of Jude and pastoral experience, In this I seek to offer biblical insight, personal wisdom, and a pastoral heart to help believers navigate the dangers of false teaching—and stay grounded in truth.

ChatGPT: What first opened your eyes to the danger and presence of false teaching in the church? Was there a specific moment, experience, or passage that helped you see its seriousness?

Paul:
For me this became an issue when I started to see certain teaching bring harm to people and “shipwreck” the faith of others. For the most part, I’m a big tent guy. I understand that given 2,000 years of church teaching and doctrine, there are going to be differences in interpretation and understanding.

To me, teaching that’s lined up with the Bible is teaching that calls people to faith in Jesus and looks forward to His return to make everything right. So I’m slow to call something heresy.

That said, I do think there are teachings and teachers that are harmful. And I’ve seen the damage firsthand.

ChatGPT: In your view, what distinguishes a false teacher from someone who simply holds a different (but still orthodox) theological perspective? Where do you personally draw that line?

Paul:
The line I draw covers two areas.

First, based on Matthew 7:15–20, I look at the life of the teacher. A person can have orthodox theology, but if their lifestyle is abusive, dishonest, or unfaithful, they are still a false teacher. Why? Because their actions damage the faith of others.

Second, based on Jude 1:3, I look at their Gospel message. If a teacher misleads people about the hope of the Gospel—especially by feeding fleshly desires for health, wealth, or power—that’s a false message. It’s a misrepresentation of God and His Kingdom.

ChatGPT: As a pastor, how have you seen false teaching impact people in real life—either in your church or in the wider Christian world? What kind of spiritual damage does it cause?

Paul:
Yes, I’ve seen the damage. I’ve seen people doubt their faith because they didn’t receive what they were told God had promised them. Then they were told it was their fault—because of sin or a lack of faith.

That breaks my heart. Instead of seeing God as a source of help, they began to see Him as someone who withholds help because their faith wasn’t the right type of faith or they had unbelief in their hearts. In my book this is spiritual abuse.

I’ve also heard stories of people misled by prophets and teachers into bad marriages, terrible financial decisions, or worse. People who lost family members because they trusted someone claiming to speak for God.

It’s heartbreaking because they put their trust in someone they believed was godly—and ended up wounded and disillusioned.

ChatGPT: What are some biblical markers or habits that help protect people from falling for false teaching? How can everyday Christians grow in discernment?

Paul:
The first thing I’d say is: get good study tools.

The Bible is written for us, but not to us. That means we have to put effort into understanding it in its original context. Even with great translations, things get lost because we live in a different time and culture.

I recommend two key resources:

• A good Study Bible
• A solid One-Volume Commentary on the entire Bible

These will help the average Christian understand the text much better.

Second, double-check what a teacher says. Acts 17 praises the Bereans for doing this. We should always go back to Scripture to test what we’re being taught.

Third, take accusations of abuse or dishonesty seriously. Don’t just defend a leader because they “preach truth.” Jesus had harsh words for religious leaders whose behavior hurt people. When there are victims, don’t brush it under the rug—listen, investigate, and remember that Jesus sides with the oppressed.

When in doubt, side with the victims.

ChatGPT: How has your preaching changed (or been shaped) by your awareness of false teaching? Are there things you intentionally do now to guard or guide your congregation as you preach?

Paul:
First, I’ve learned that it’s not my job to name and call out specific false teachers. I’m grateful for those in the Church who do that—it’s needed—but I’ve felt God calling me to just preach and teach the Bible faithfully.

Second, I try to emphasize doctrine more. One reason false teaching thrives is because people lack a clear understanding of basic Christian doctrine. It’s not enough to “use Bible verses”—false teachers do that too. People need to know what the Bible actually teaches.

Third, I encourage people to double-check me. I want them to know it’s okay to ask questions and search the Scriptures themselves. I often say (borrowing from Dallas Willard):

“Only 80% of what I know is correct—but you have to figure out which 20% is off. If I knew, I’d fix it.”

That keeps me humble and helps equip the congregation to grow in biblical discernment.


ChatGPT: What final word would you give to someone who has been hurt or confused by false teaching? How can they begin to heal and rebuild trust in Jesus and His Church?

Paul:
I’m so sorry that happened to you. That teaching—or that teacher—was not from God.

Please give faith in Jesus another chance.

One of the best ways to begin healing is to be in a healthy Christian community. You need people who encourage you as you follow Jesus, and a teacher who will listen to your questions without pretending to know it all.

That kind of community matters deeply. It’s one of the ways God rebuilds trust, restores hearts, and leads us back to truth.

Final Thought:
False teachers are real—and they’re dangerous not just because they twist doctrine, but because they harm people. But the good news is that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, continues to lead His people into truth, love, and life.

If we commit to studying the Word, walking in community, and keeping our eyes on King Jesus, we’ll be far less likely to fall—and far more ready to stand.

Living in Light, Love, and Truth: Encountering the Word of Life

A few years ago, researchers studied how much it costs when people avoid hard conversations. They discovered that the average employee wastes about $1,500 and an entire workday for every crucial conversation they refuse to have. Multiply that across an organization, and the costs skyrocket.

Why? Because avoiding conflict doesn’t make it disappear—it just redirects it. Instead of resolving issues, people complain, stew in frustration, or distance themselves from one another. Sometimes the tension drags on for months, costing thousands of dollars.

What about the church? What’s the cost of conflict when believers avoid hard conversations? We lose unity. We stop praying for each other. We withdraw instead of serving together. And sadly, churches shrink because unresolved tension drives people away.

This isn’t new. The letters of John were written to churches struggling with conflict. False teachers denied that Jesus was truly human, which split the community. Some left, and those who remained faced deep questions about truth, love, and fellowship. Into that moment, John writes words of hope, clarity, and invitation.

Why John’s Words Still Matter
Tradition holds that 1, 2, and 3 John were written by the Apostle John between 70–90 AD—the same John who wrote the Gospel. Unlike a typical letter, 1 John reads more like a sermon written for broad circulation. An intriguing thought I came across in my study is the possibility that 2 and 3 John served as cover letters for it.

John’s goal was simple: to call the church back to the truth about Jesus and to the practice of love. His message is as relevant now as it was then. In a fractured world, we need wisdom to help us live faithfully as disciples of King Jesus—walking in truth, walking in love, and shining as light in our communities.

A Life-Changing Encounter
Have you ever had an experience so profound you couldn’t keep it to yourself? The birth of a child, an achievement you worked years to reach, or an encounter with God that changed everything? These moments demand to be shared.

That’s exactly where John begins. His testimony isn’t abstract theology—it’s rooted in what he personally experienced:

“We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life.” (1 John 1:1–2a, NLT)

John piles up sensory words—heard, seen, touched—to drive home his point: Jesus was real. He wasn’t an idea or a myth. He was flesh and blood, the eternal Word of God who stepped into history. John and the other apostles walked with Him, ate with Him, and saw His miracles firsthand.

Christianity rests on this reality: Jesus came in the flesh, lived among us, died for us, and rose again. Our faith is not built on speculation but on eyewitness testimony.

That means our relationship with Jesus isn’t something we sustain in isolation. We encounter Him as we gather with others, as we pray for one another, as we serve together. We meet Him in Scripture, where the Spirit reminds us of who He is. And we see Him in the faces of “the least of these” when we serve with love.

A Proclamation of Life
John doesn’t just describe his experience—he shares it:

“We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3, NLT)

John couldn’t keep silent. He knew Jesus is eternal life revealed—the very life of God made visible. And this life wasn’t for him alone. It was meant to be proclaimed and shared.

This challenges us. Too often we think proclaiming the gospel requires eloquence or formal training. But John reminds us that proclamation is simply testifying to what you’ve seen God do. Have you experienced His forgiveness? Share it. Have you found hope in a dark time? Tell someone. Has God provided when you didn’t know how things would work out? Point it back to Him.

Proclamation isn’t about being polished; it’s about being personal. Someone in your life may be waiting to hear how God’s life has touched yours.

Fellowship and Joy
Why does John proclaim this truth? His purpose is clear:

“We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.” (1 John 1:4, NLT)

John longs for believers to experience fellowship with God and one another. This isn’t just social connection; it’s a deep, Spirit-filled bond rooted in Christ. Gary Burge puts it well: “Christian fellowship is triangular: my life in fellowship with Christ, your life in fellowship with Christ, and my life in fellowship with yours.”

When we walk in truth and love, our lives interlock with God’s life and with each other. Out of that fellowship flows joy—not circumstantial happiness, but deep, resilient joy that God Himself completes in us.

If your joy feels faint, perhaps it’s time to lean back into fellowship—with God in prayer and Scripture, and with His people in community. Joy is often restored when we stop isolating and start connecting again.

Encountering the Word of Life Today
John’s words still invite us today:

1. Encounter Jesus personally. He is the eternal Word of Life who came in the flesh.
2. Proclaim what you’ve experienced. Share how God is at work in your life—it may encourage someone else to believe.
3. Pursue fellowship. Life with God is meant to be shared with others. Joy grows in community.

The big idea is simple: Encountering the Word of Life leads us into fellowship with God and others and fills us with lasting joy.

So here’s the challenge: Who in your life needs encouragement or hope? Take one step this week to share Jesus with them—whether through your story, a prayer, or an invitation into Christian community.

Encountering the Word of Life changes everything—our faith, our relationships, and our joy. Let’s live in that reality today.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

God’s Perfect Timing?

   

Words have meaning. This is the basis of all communication.

As a pastor, one of my callings is to communicate. That means I want to be thoughtful about the words I use, because words can either clarify or confuse. My goal is always to communicate clearly about God and what it means to follow Jesus.

That’s not always easy. People have different levels of understanding, and the level of precision changes depending on the context. I don’t use the same theological precision in a sermon or a blog post as I would in an academic paper or lecture. Preaching and writing devotionally aim for clarity, not footnotes.

Recently, I was reminded how important word choice is. I was with a group of pastors, and we were sharing sermons and series ideas. I shared my series on Nahum: The Justice and Comfort of God. The big idea of one sermon, drawn from Nahum 2, was:

God will not let injustice stand forever—He brings down the oppressor in His perfect time.

One of the pastors asked me about that phrase “in His perfect time.” It’s a fair question. Because when you are the one experiencing oppression, abuse, or violence, God’s delay doesn’t feel perfect. It feels like abandonment.

That question pushed me to wrestle with the language I chose to use. Is “perfect” really the right word to describe God’s timing?

The Tension of God’s Timing

I wrestled with this thought in the first sermon of the series. Nahum 1:7 declares:

“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”

That’s a beautiful promise. But it’s also hard to believe when life isn’t good. When you are being oppressed. When hardships stack up. When there seems to be no end in sight to the violence and oppression that you are experiencing.

If you lived under the Assyrian Empire, a people known for their brutality, you probably weren’t saying, “God is good.” You were wondering, “Where is God?”

That’s the tension of faith. God is our refuge—not because He shields us from every evil, but because of His promises to rescue, restore, and provide. His covenant love means He is faithful to His people even when circumstances scream otherwise. Finding refuge in God is like finding a cave in a storm: the rain and the wind don’t stop, but you are sheltered because you know that the violence and abuse are not the final word. Yet, even as I type this I recognize how flimsy a promise is when you are in the midst of hardship and trouble.

At the same time, Nahum 1:3 reminds us:

“The LORD is slow to get angry, but His power is great,

and He never lets the guilty go unpunished.”

That slowness is good news when we are the ones in the wrong. But when we are the victims of evil, we want God to act quickly. This creates a tension: God’s patience feels like delay, even neglect.

So when I say, “God brings down the oppressor in His perfect time,” I don’t mean it’s easy or comfortable or aligned with our schedules. I want to communicate the reality that: God’s timing is purposeful, trustworthy, and at just the right time. 

In the back of my mind, when I wrote the sermon, I had Romans 5:6, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly” (CSB), in mind. So, it was this sentiment that I wanted to communicate when I chose to use the word “perfect.”

Why “Perfect” Still Fits

I’m open to rethinking words if they don’t serve well. But here’s why I think perfect is still the right word for God’s timing.

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1. Perfect reflects God’s character.

God is holy, just, and wise. Everything He does flows from His perfect nature—including when He chooses to act.

What looks to us like slowness, delay, or silence is not a mistake on God’s part. He knows more than we do. He sees the end from the beginning. He acts with perfect knowledge and wisdom.

The psalmist affirms this:

“As for God, His way is perfect” (2 Sam. 22:31; Ps. 18:30).

2. Perfect captures God’s patience and justice.

Nahum reminds us that God did not act on a whim. He gave Assyria time to repent. The prophet Jonah preached to Nineveh a century earlier, and they did repent—for a while. But their repentance did not last, and they returned to violence, idolatry, and deceit.

God’s judgment on Nineveh was not impulsive. It was deliberate. From our perspective, it may have felt too late. From God’s perspective, it was the right moment—when His justice would be unmistakable, and when His people would be delivered.

Peter says it this way:

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9)

God’s delay is not neglect—it’s mercy. But when the time comes, justice is certain.

3. Perfect offers comfort to believers.

Those who suffer under oppression need to know that God has not forgotten them. His timing may not align with ours, but He is never late.

Paul reminds us that God acted in history “at just the right time”:

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Rom. 5:6)

God’s timing in salvation is the ultimate model of perfection. Christ came at the moment chosen by God—neither too soon nor too late. If His timing was perfect in bringing salvation, we can trust His timing in bringing justice.

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Living with the Tension

None of this makes suffering easy. The Psalms of Lament are filled with cries of “How long, O Lord?” They give voice to the frustration of waiting. They remind us that God welcomes our questions and even our protests.

And yet, many of those same psalms end in trust:

“But I trust in your unfailing love;

my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing the LORD’s praise,

for he has been good to me.” (Ps. 13:5–6)

The laments teach us how to hold tension. We can cry out honestly, even desperately, while also affirming that God’s love is unfailing and His ways are good.

That’s why I still believe perfect is the right word. Not because God’s timing feels perfect to us, but because it flows from His perfect character and leads to His perfect purposes.

Trusting God’s Perfect Will

Nahum’s message is heavy: the downfall of Nineveh, a city of violence and deceit. But woven through the judgment is hope: God sees, God cares, and God acts. His justice is never absent, even when it feels delayed.

For us, the cross of Jesus is the ultimate picture of both judgment and mercy. At the cross, God’s justice fell on sin, and His mercy was extended to sinners. The timing of that event was not random—it was perfect.

If God’s timing was perfect at the cross, then I have to believe that it was perfect when God finally brought judgement to Nineveh.

So when I say, “God brings down the oppressor in His perfect time,” I am not denying the pain of waiting. I am affirming the deeper truth: that God is sovereign, wise, and good. His timing may not feel perfect, but it cannot be improved upon.

Final Thought

Laurie Braaten, in his commentary on Nahum (New Beacon Commentary: Nahum-Malachi) wrote:

“God’s people are called to live as though God’s justice prevails now, and trust that if not now, then in the final judgment the oppressors will receive their deserved punishment and the people of God will be vindicated.”

That’s the call for us: to live as though God’s justice is already here, even as we wait for its fullness.

Words matter. And I still believe perfect is the right word to describe God’s timing, because God’s will and God’s timing flow from His perfect love, His perfect wisdom, and His perfect justice.

So let’s keep trusting, even in the waiting.

Violence Is Not the Answer

 

The Way of Jesus and the Non-Aggression Principle

The world has a long history of using violence to silence opposition. Whether through governments, movements, or individuals, there has always been the assumption that the quickest way to victory is to overpower your enemies.

But if we follow Jesus, we must ask a different question: Is violence ever the way forward?

For years, I described myself as a libertarian, and one of the ideas that shaped me was the Non-Aggression Principle (NAP). Walter Block, a libertarian thinker, explained it this way:

“Libertarianism asks one and only one question: Under what conditions is the use of violence justified? And it gives one and only one answer: Violence can be used only in response, or in reaction to, a prior violation of private property rights.”

This principle continues to be one of my core principles: the proper use of violence is in defense of life and liberty. I think this principle, rather than complete pacifism, is the most compatible with Jesus’s teaching.

Jesus taught that rather than responding to people and situations that we don’t like with violence, that we respond with love and prayer.

The lessons to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38–44), are not negotiable for followers of Jesus. These lessons are how we live out the Kingdom of God in the world. On the cross, Jesus forgave those who crucified him, breaking the cycle of violence by not fighting back and surrendering in love to his enemies. His resurrection vindicated that way of life.

While I would still consider myself to be a Christian Libertarian, I lean, just like J. R. R. Tolkien, towards Christian Anarchy. 

Christian Anarchy is not chaos or lawlessness—it’s about living under the reign of King Jesus rather than trusting in the coercive power of the State. It’s about recognizing that Christ’s Kingdom does not advance through swords, guns, or political decrees, but through sacrificial love and faithful witness.

In that light, the Non-Aggression Principle is a helpful starting point, but the way of Jesus calls us to go even further. For the libertarian, violence may be justified in self-defense. For the Christian, violence is always suspect, because it puts our trust in force rather than in the cross. This doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for violence when it comes to protecting people, in fact I would consider it a loving act, but it does mean that our default position is not violence or “fighting fire with fire.” 

Here’s the challenge:

• If we think it’s acceptable to silence people—Nazis, communists, supremacists, or anyone else—through violence, then we are not living in the way of Jesus. 
• If we embrace coercion as a political tool, we are not protecting liberty, we are abandoning the Kingdom ethic.

Violence does not create peace; it only multiplies hostility. Coercion cannot bring freedom; it only tightens chains.

The Kingdom of God offers a better way. It grows not through domination but through service, not through aggression but through self-giving love. This is the radical alternative of Christian Anarchy: refusing to put our hope in the violent power structures of the world and instead trusting the crucified and risen King.

Violence is not the answer. Jesus is.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

When the Days Grow Shorter

Finding Light and Joy in the Changing Seasons

September is a time of change. Already the trees around Austin show hints of color, and the morning air carries a chill that reminds us summer is slipping away. Over the course of the month, we’ll lose more than 80 minutes of daylight. The days grow shorter, the nights longer, and for many of us that shift can feel like a slow slide into gloom.

I’ll be honest: I feel it too. The long, bright days of summer lift my spirit, and when the darkness settles in, I can struggle. Some of you know this feeling well—whether it’s Seasonal Affective Disorder or simply the heaviness that comes with winter, the shortening of days often brings with it a shortening of joy.

But what if we could learn a different perspective?

In Scandinavia, where winters are long and dark, people have discovered ways not just to endure the season but to embrace it. They talk about hygge (Danish), koselig(Norwegian), and mys (Swedish)—words for creating warmth and coziness with candles, blankets, good food, and close company. They also practice friluftsliv, “free air life,” a way of finding joy in the outdoors no matter the weather.

Imagine that: instead of dreading the shrinking daylight and dropping temperatures, people lean into it. They light candles, gather friends, share meals, and bundle up for a walk in the crisp air. They create space for joy by focusing on light, warmth, and relationships.

That perspective has a lot to teach us. As Christians, we know that darkness doesn’t have the final word. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned”(Isaiah 9:2). Jesus himself said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

What if we allowed the darker months to remind us to look for the Light of Christ? What if we used this season as an invitation to slow down, to nurture relationships, to dress warmly and breathe the fresh air God still provides?

For me, a few practices have made a big difference. Last year I decided to leave our outside Christmas lights on throughout the winter. It may sound simple, but it was a joy to come home and see our house lit up with cheery colors in the darkness. That little bit of light lifted my spirit.

Another practice I’ve picked up—though not as regularly as I’d like—is coloring. I have a few adult coloring books that I pull out in the winter. The act of slowing down, choosing colors, and creating something beautiful helps me shift my focus and find calm.

And then there’s Teddy. Since getting a dog, I’ve had to take him on walks—usually three short ones a day. What started as a responsibility became a gift. Being outside, even for just a few minutes at a time, really helped my mood last winter. Teddy has been my unintentional teacher in friluftsliv.

Maybe your version looks different—lighting a candle when you read Scripture, inviting a friend over for coffee, or bundling up for a short walk. The details aren’t what matter. What matters is cultivating practices that remind us that even in dark seasons there is beauty, joy, and the presence of God.

Darkness doesn’t have to mean despair. It can be the pathway to a different kind of light. Just as the Scandinavian people embrace winter with warmth and joy, we too can embrace the changing season as a reminder of the deeper light and hope found in Christ.

So as the days grow shorter and the nights longer, let’s not see this as something to endure but as an opportunity to live differently—to create space for light, love, and the presence of Jesus in our lives.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.