What does the Bible say about "false"?
Introduction. Indeed, the Bible acknowledges the existence of that which is false. False presupposes true or right. God's precepts are the standard for determining what is false and what is right. "Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way (Ps. 119: 104, see also vs. 128).
The false way. In the verse to which we alluded (Ps. 119: 104), the Psalmist mentioned the false way. The false way is the way contrary to the right way, God's way. The false way may seem right to man unaided by God's precepts (Prov. 14: 12). The Bible mentions that the true way is sometimes spoken against (cf. Acts 19: 9).
There is false teaching. "But there were false prophets also among the people," writes Peter, "even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies..." (1 Pet. 2: 1). We must "try the spirits," because "many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4: 1). False teachers teach what people want to hear (2 Tim. 4: 3, 4). They often appear righteous but their teaching and life identify them as false (Matt. 7: 15).
False riches. False riches are inferred in Luke 16: 11. Jesus asked, "...who shall commit to your trust the true riches?" False riches, in comparison to true spiritual riches, will not satisfy, protect from harm, nor provide for eternity (1 Tim. 6: 6-10). The materially rich are urged to "be rich in good works" (vs. 18). They are to "lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come" (vs. 19).
There are other things which are specifically mentioned as being false in the Bible. There are "false apostles" (2 Cor. 11: 13-15). "false brethren" (2 Cor. 11: 26), and "false report" (Ex. 23: 1). Let us take advantage of the true and right. Thank God for the genuine and true!
The false way. In the verse to which we alluded (Ps. 119: 104), the Psalmist mentioned the false way. The false way is the way contrary to the right way, God's way. The false way may seem right to man unaided by God's precepts (Prov. 14: 12). The Bible mentions that the true way is sometimes spoken against (cf. Acts 19: 9).
There is false teaching. "But there were false prophets also among the people," writes Peter, "even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies..." (1 Pet. 2: 1). We must "try the spirits," because "many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4: 1). False teachers teach what people want to hear (2 Tim. 4: 3, 4). They often appear righteous but their teaching and life identify them as false (Matt. 7: 15).
False riches. False riches are inferred in Luke 16: 11. Jesus asked, "...who shall commit to your trust the true riches?" False riches, in comparison to true spiritual riches, will not satisfy, protect from harm, nor provide for eternity (1 Tim. 6: 6-10). The materially rich are urged to "be rich in good works" (vs. 18). They are to "lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come" (vs. 19).
There are other things which are specifically mentioned as being false in the Bible. There are "false apostles" (2 Cor. 11: 13-15). "false brethren" (2 Cor. 11: 26), and "false report" (Ex. 23: 1). Let us take advantage of the true and right. Thank God for the genuine and true!