Discerning False Teaching
(Part Two)
Written by Dale Ebel
First a Word About the Parable of the Sower
(Matthew 13:4–8; 18–23)
The Parable of the Sower is the master key to unlocking the mysteries of Christ’s other parables. Once we understand that when the Good News is proclaimed there will be both genuine and false conversions, the rest of Christ’s teaching falls into place. Consider just a few examples: the wise and foolish virgins (25:1–13), the good and bad fish (13:47), the wheat and the tares (13:24–30), and the tenants who produce fruit versus those who reject the owner’s authority and do not produce fruit (21:33–45).
Christ’s Explanation of the Wheat and the Tares
Matthew 13:36–43 is one of the clearest teachings Jesus ever gave. He identifies Himself as the farmer, the good seed as the true people of the Kingdom, the field as the world, and the tares as those who belong to the evil one. The enemy—Satan—plants these counterfeit believers. At the end of the age, the angels will separate the genuine from the false.
This parable reminds us that among “professing Christians” there will always be false believers. Christ stresses the inevitability of tares, and He—with His angels—will sift them out on the day of judgment.
We are not called to go around uprooting tares. But we are called to be alert to their presence (1 Thessalonians 5:6) and to exercise biblical discernment (Hebrews 5:14).
Notice: Jesus does not imply that tares are prophets or teachers. The focus is on their character and their rejection of the whole counsel of God. This, I believe, explains why some people—sometimes suddenly—abandon the Faith they once professed (1 John 2:19). They take up false ideologies and heretical doctrines. Why? My humble conclusion: they may have been tares all along. I’d welcome your thoughts on this.
Whenever I capitalize Faith, I’m referring to the body of doctrine delivered in Scripture—not simply our personal trust in Christ.
“While the Workers Slept” (Matthew 13:25)
Matthew implies that if believers had been sufficiently alert and informed, the enemy’s tares would not have gained such influence. I have seen this firsthand. During my years as a pastor, Linda and I often had reservations about certain individuals—how they interpreted Scripture, their political persuasion, their understanding of Israel (the apple of God’s eye, Zechariah 2:8), and their theological associations. Many sought leadership for power or control.
We were diligent in screening people with sexual issues, but far less diligent in guarding against doctrinal error, political deception, or unsound teaching. Sometimes I confronted individuals. Other times, to my regret, I lacked the courage. A convicting realization!
A Significant Cultural Shift
We are witnessing a cultural drift toward evil, and this shift has influenced many evangelical churches to abandon the literal, historical understanding of Scripture. I believe God is using this season to expose false believers and their doctrines.
This explains why so-called professing Christians can vote for political platforms diametrically opposed to Truth, attend churches that tolerate false doctrine, or celebrate deviant behaviors under the false banner of “love.” They may be tares—pretenders, the deceitful, hypocrites (Psalm 26:4), or “false brethren” (2 Corinthians 11:26).
Dr. D. James Kennedy once said there is a massive number of non-Christians in our churches. That assessment seems more accurate than ever.
To my astonishment, people I once believed to be biblically solid now embrace heretical ideologies: transgenderism, homosexuality, the rejection of biblical authority, abortion, and the woke social-justice movement. It is perplexing. Again, how do you explain their departure from the Faith?
Important Reminders When Addressing Difficult Topics
1. Beware of Isolationism
Proverbs 18:1–2 warns us against separating ourselves from wise believers. C.S. Lewis continued attending church even when he disliked the music because he wanted to avoid “solitary conceit.” Silence and isolation breed self-deception. Yikes indeed!
2. Beware of Self-Righteous Judgmentalism
Matthew 7:5 reminds us to deal first with the log in our own eye. Humility precedes discernment.
The Danger of False Teachers
2 Peter 3:17–18 warns believers to be on guard so they are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men. Anyone who seriously listens to false teachers runs the risk of being led astray.
2 Timothy 2:14 warns that fruitless debates “ruin the hearers.” I’ve spoken with many heartbroken parents whose children were unprepared to face the heretical teachings of false Christians. “Ruin” means overturned, destroyed, spiritually devastated. This is no small matter.
Many pastors—especially in the Northwest—have embraced Critical Race Theory, Social Justice philosophies, and evolutionary ideologies. These teachings redefine sin as oppression and salvation as overthrowing the “oppressor.” It is pure liberation theology—and deeply unbiblical. Our children and grandchildren are being indoctrinated every day. Are we preparing them to defend the Faith?
The Biblical View of Salvation
The Good News is only “good” when we face the bad news: we have violated God’s Law (1 John 3:4). When I came to Christ, I was convicted that I had broken the Fifth Commandment. Disobedience to my parents was disobedience to God. That realization was the spark that led me to seek the Kingdom.
The Law was my tutor, escorting me to Christ (Galatians 3:24).
Christ’s message centered on the Kingdom of God. Salvation requires repentance (Matthew 4:17) and surrender (Luke 18:23). Sin is choosing one’s own kingdom—pride, gluttony, sexual sin, bitterness, self-determined individuality, money, or control—rather than submitting to the authority of Christ our King.
The penalty for rejecting the Good News is hell (2 Thessalonians 1:8–9). Christ framed salvation as a leadership issue. Sin is refusing to follow the rightful King.
When we repent (Acts 2:38), submit to God (James 4:7), confess our sin (1 John 1:9), and obey (Acts 5:32), we demonstrate true salvation (Philippians 2:12). Genuine believers bear good fruit (Matthew 13:23; 2 Peter 1:10).
A true Christian doesn’t want to “just get in” by the skin of his teeth (1 Corinthians 3:15). He longs to live fully surrendered, advancing the Kingdom, abiding in the Spirit, and loving others with holy tenacity. Hey gang—stay in the ranks! It is so rewarding!
A Question From Our Thursday Morning Group
“How Should I Respond to Pastors Who Replace Israel With the Church?”
My response: I would not place myself under their teaching. They have abandoned the literal, historical, grammatical interpretation of Scripture.
Much of Christendom has allegorized the Bible since the early Greek church fathers (Origen, Augustine, even Luther at points). An excellent three-part examination by Dr. James B. DeYoung in The Prophecy Watcher Magazine (Feb–Apr 2025) clarifies their theological errors.
When pastors abandon literal interpretation, particularly in eschatology, the role of Israel becomes blurred—and often rejected altogether. This leads to the false doctrine of replacement theology.
Even worse, a growing number claim modern Israel is not the biblical Israel. Yet no one questions the origins of America, Iran, Sweden, or Russia. This selective skepticism is antisemitism, plain and simple.
I have a list of heretical pundits teaching such nonsense. Call me and I’ll name them: 503-957-4547.
Christ rebuked the Pharisees for not interpreting the signs of the times (Matthew 16:2–3). The same warning applies today.
Two excellent resources:
- Amir Tsarfati – The Israel Decree (especially the history and lineage in chapter 1)
- Alan Dershowitz – The Ten Big Anti-Israel Lies
I bought about 40 copies of each and mailed them out. Friends, spend a hundred bucks and help move the needle toward righteousness!
A Note About False Teaching
False teachers are not limited to liberals or leftists. Conservatives can be equally deceptive if they reject Scripture’s authority. Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, for example, are completely wrong about Israel and Zionism.
Colossians 2:8 warns against being taken captive by hollow philosophies.
1 John 4:1 commands us to test every spirit.
Q: What About Pastors Who Don’t Teach the Bible Literally?
A: I will not participate with that church.
Romans 16:17 tells us to avoid those who bring teachings contrary to sound doctrine.
2 Peter 3:16 warns that those who distort Scripture invite destruction.
I believe in the historicity of Scripture. The Bible records real events in real space-time history—written for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11).
When Genesis is allegorized, teachers claim “Yom” the Hebrew word for day, means millions of years and that God used evolution. This aligns them with worldly ideologies and undermines biblical authority. We must interpret culture through Scripture—not the other way around.
Evolutionary ideologies have produced atheism, humanism, communism, fascism, racism, and a host of other evils. They bear no good fruit.
I call such pastors culturally driven pastors—in contrast to Word-for-Word, literal-minded teachers.
Applications
- What are the implications of the parable of the wheat and tares?
- Can you identify individuals who might be “tares”? Sobering, isn’t it?
- Write down the biblical ingredients of salvation. Which, if any, surprised you?
- Why did I emphasize the Kingdom of God?
- Which reminder—avoid isolationism or avoid judgmentalism—spoke most to you?
- Why is literal, historical interpretation essential?
- Are you willing to read The Israel Decree and The Ten Big Anti-Israel Lies—and share them with others?
In Christ,
Dale