Last Days: Are We Being Deceived ? - 1

We are living in unusual times—things many of us have never seen before in our lifetime. We’ve witnessed global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, wars in Ukraine, and rising tensions in places like Iran and many countries. These are not normal seasons; they remind us that something is changing in our world.

Note: This blog is part of a two-part series to help us understand this important topic, so that we may be ready for God’s coming and be part of His kingdom.

Everyone has an opinion about what’s happening—different teachings and prophecies are everywhere. But one thing is clear: Jesus is coming soon. You would have heard this again, but his coming is delayed to give us Grace to come to him. Even now, His words are being fulfilled, and the signs of the last days are unmistakable. See the scripture and what we see now in the world.

[Matthew 24:4-7 NIV] 4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

From the scripture its very evident we live in last days.

Jesus gave many warnings about the last days, but one that feels especially relevant—for both believers and non-believers—is this: how do we tell what is real and what is counterfeit?

We live in a time where counterfeits can look incredibly real. And Jesus warned us clearly—false prophets and false teachings will rise and deceive many.

[Matthew 24:10-11 NIV] 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

Who Are False Teachers? 

Before we understand who false teachers are, we must first understand what a true teacher looks like in God’s eyes. Without us understanding who is true, finding a false will be difficult.

Who is a True Teacher?

Paul and Peter describe a true teacher as someone who is firmly rooted in God’s Word. Scripture is not just something he teaches—it is the foundation of who he is.

[Titus 1:9 NIV] 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

[1 Peter 5:2-3 NIV] 2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Qualities of a true teacher

• He holds firmly to God’s Word, no matter the situation—Scripture is his guide and standard.

• He encourages and corrects others based on the truth of the Bible.

• He has a servant’s heart and walks in humility.

• He does not seek personal name or dishonest gain.

• He is eager to serve, reflecting the character of Christ in his life.

• He is a faithful steward, leading responsibly and setting an example for those under his care.

• He is a witness of Christ in his life.

• His sole goal is to full fill God’s will on his calling.

Who is a False Teacher?

Paul teaches Timothy how to identify false teachers. They were already present in the early church, and we continue to see them even today, more as we stand in last days.

A false teacher is someone who speaks in the name of Jesus, but lives and teaches in ways that follow the world. God’s ways and the world’s ways are not the same, it’s Quite opposite.

In 1 Timothy 6:3–5, Paul says that anyone who does not agree with the true teaching of Jesus is proud, lacks understanding, and creates confusion and division. Such people even treat godliness as a way to gain money.

[1 Timothy 6:3-5 NIV] 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

Marks of a False Teacher

There are three clear ways to recognize a false teacher:

1.        Not rooted in Scripture / Bible [1 Timothy 6:3 NIV] 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching

• A false teacher does not truly follow the teachings of Jesus. Their message is not based on the Bible.

• Instead, their focus is on worldly success—especially wealth and blessings—while ignoring sin and failing to lead people toward true repentance.

• They teach what people want to hear, not what God has truly spoken.

• They are people-pleasers. Their goal is to attract and keep followers, so their message is filled with promises of blessings while avoiding correction. But a message that speaks only of blessing and ignores sin is not truth—it is false teaching.

• God’s blessings are never separate from obedience. We often desire the blessing, but ignore the calling to obey.

• When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, His promise was clear (Exodus 19:3–5): blessing was tied to obedience. [Exodus 19:5 NIV] 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,

• The condition is clear: full obedience comes before the blessing. But today, many seek the promise without the commitment.

2.        Spiritual pride - [1 Timothy 6:4 NIV] 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions

False teachers are often proud in their attitude rather than humble.

• They argue over small and unnecessary matters.

• They create division, jealousy, and conflict among people.

• They are more interested in winning arguments than sharing truth. Paul says they are “conceited and understand nothing.” Their teaching does not bring peace or growth—it brings confusion (They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions)

• They are not rooted to word, instead looking to be like a “Boss” for the church to look at matters to solve. This creates this “envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions “

• This leads them to sinful works and not able to rescue people from the Sin.

• In this situation, what happens when genuine unsaved people come to this place, they get drenched with hate and never want to deal with a “Church” or a “Pastor” or a “Elder” as all the Church and workers are tagged bad.

• The Church belongs to God, Pastors and elders are only His servants. Christ alone is the Head of the church. When leaders (Pastors / Elders) forget this and act as if the church belongs to them, they begin to dominate rather than serve—misleading people and taking a place that belongs to God alone. When they focus on the other things of world, we lose the essence of Christ to give way for False things to creep to Church.

A true believer grows in humility and love of God and love for God’s Word, but a false teacher grows in pride and self-importance.

3.        Desire for financial gain - [1 Timothy 6:4 NIV] 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

• False teachers use faith as a way to gain wealth.

• They often teach that following God will automatically bring money, success, or material blessings.

• Some even say that giving money will guarantee more wealth or miracles. But this is not true godliness. “who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”

• God does not need our money—He desires our hearts. True godliness is about knowing Christ, living by His Word, and preparing for eternal life.

• As 1 Timothy 4:8 reminds us, godliness has value not just for this life, but for the life to come.

Four Wealth-Driven Dangers to Watch in False Teachers

Paul gives a serious warning in 1 Timothy 6 about the danger of making wealth the centre of faith. False teachers often build their message around material gain, but Scripture clearly shows why this is dangerous.

1.        Wealth does not bring contentment  - [1 Timothy 6:6 NIV] 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

• The word contentment means "an inner sufficiency that keeps us at peace in spite of outward circumstances."

• Contentment is an inner peace that comes from God, not from what we own. A person who depends on wealth for happiness will never be satisfied. Money may give temporary comfort, but it always creates the desire for more.

• Have you seen rich people be content in that place? What begins as a pursuit of wealth slowly turns into greed. It shifts from money to status, recognition, and control—and it never truly ends.

• True Godliness has nothing to do with money or wealth or worldly blessing.

• Godliness always gets the contempt to stay satisfied with what you have, it longs to have a presence of saviour, do his works, satisfy him and his desires and not on worlds gains.

• True contentment comes from godliness in the heart, not wealth in the hand.

• Paul reminds us in [Philippians 4:11 NIV] 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

2.        Wealth is not lasting - [1 Timothy 6:7 NIV] 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

• Everything we gain in this world is temporary. We come with nothing, and we leave with nothing.

• No matter how much wealth we accumulate, it cannot follow us beyond this life. As Job 1:21 says, [Job 1:21 NIV] 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

• Whatever wealth we amass goes to our Heirs, if not then to Government or perhaps charity or the church. We always know the answer to the question "How much did he leave?" Everything!

• The greed for wealth always makes our heart blind to purse more and more. It’s money / fame etc.

• So, is it sinful to pursue wealth?

  • It depends on the condition of your heart. If wealth becomes the main reason you follow God or seek His blessings, then it is sinful. When money and worldly gain take God’s place and become your focus, they turn into idols.

  • If your heart is set on God, and in His sovereignty He blesses you with wealth, then it is not a sin. Abraham, Job, and many of the Old Testament patriarchs were wealthy—but wealth was never their reason for seeking God. It was always God first, and everything else came after. Their possessions were secondary, never their focus.

• In the early church, believers would lay their money at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:34–35). This was not an act of disrespect, but a reflection of their attitude toward wealth—it showed that money was surrendered, not held onto, and placed under God’s authority rather than above it.

3.        Our needs are simple - [1 Timothy 6:8 NIV] 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

• God reminds us that our basic needs are simple—food, clothing, and shelter. Yet the world constantly pushes us to want more.

• We live in a time where we know the price of everything, but the value of very little. Surrounded by comfort and luxury, we often forget how to be satisfied with what we already have.

• True wealth is not found in accumulation, but in learning to live simply and depend on God. A heart that is focused on Him is not controlled by endless desires.

• Ask God to examine all luxury and take that away to be used for his goodness and his kingdom.

4.         The desire for wealth leads to sin - [1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV] 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

• The real danger is not wealth itself, but the desire for it. When a person is determined to become rich, it becomes a trap. It leads to bondage with and no freedom in Christ.

• Instead of bringing satisfaction, wealth creates more cravings. Instead of helping, it can slowly destroy. Paul describes it as a path that leads to ruin and destruction.

• This becomes even more dangerous when faith is used as a way to gain wealth. A person may appear spiritual, but their true motive is personal gain. Such a person is not a true shepherd, but someone serving for reward, not out of love.

• Another warning is this: using religion as a means to gain wealth. While God’s workers are worthy of their support (1 Timothy 5:17–18), their motive must never be money.

• Anyone who serves primarily for financial gain becomes a “hireling”—someone who works for pay, not out of love, care, or a true calling.

• The question we must ask is not, “What can I get?” But “What can I give?”

Final Warning: Flee from False Teaching and Worldly Gain

What is Paul’s advice to believers? His instruction is clear:

[1 Timothy 6:11 NIV] 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

• We are not called to entertain or tolerate such teachings—we are called to flee from them. Just as we would run from danger, we must stay far away from anything that leads us away from truth.

• In the last days, deception will be real—but so is the truth. Our calling is to pursue true godliness and remain firmly rooted in Christ.