"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ."
Galatians 1:6-10
The way this whole false teacher business came about was that as Paul was travelling throughout Galatia teaching, a group of false teachers (the Judaizers) followed his every move. When he would stop in a city, some of the false teachers would branch off from the group and would stay behind to challenge his teaching. It was like they were playing a giant game of Wack-A-Mole, trying to crush the churches as they were popping up.
As Christians, we are not free from sin. When we get saved, a bubble doesn't come down and protect us from every sin and temptation. But this is for our good! Romans 5:3-4 says "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;and perseverance, character; and character, hope." The definition of tribulation is: pressure, affliction, distress. When tribulation is "pressing" in on us it develops character, perseverance, and hope. So when we go through trials, no matter how hard it may be, we need to see them as something that betters us. 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." The enemy is always seeking to tear us down. Satan's goal is not to make ys bad or to further his kingdom. Its to make us ineffective in the Kingdom of God. Where we as Christians fail today is when we attempt to fight to fight off the enemy on our own. Psalm 46:1 says "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble." God will fight for us but it is a choice we have to make in those trials.
False teachers don't completely change or make a new religion: They subtly change an existing one. If they made a radical, obvious change people would notice. If they were to change one of the core beliefs such as the divinity of Christ, people would recognize the lie and steer clear of it. False teachers work on trickery and subtlety. The way to see false teachers is this: they always leave a wake of hurt, confusion, and trouble because their work is not of God. Romans 16:17-18 says "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple." We need to be rooted in the word so we can easily spot the fakes and stay away.
God has called believers by His grace and here Paul is telling them not to trade that in for a false teaching. It is easy to see false teachers when you know what you believe. The more you are in the Word, the easier it is to see through deception. When you have a crystal clear understanding of what the whole Word says, you can easily see when a teacher shares a message full of cracks.
Accursed means "Cursed to the lowest hell". That's some strong stuff! When I think of all the false teachers who have led millions away from God, who have hurt people in the name of God, it doesn't seem so harsh any more. These people pervert the truth for their own appetites.
Again Paul has stuck his neck out there and says he isn't seeking the approval of man. He lived his life to please God. Romans 12:1-2 says "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." We are called to live a life like Paul, a life where we live totally for Christ no matter what the repercussions. Paul had it down! He presented himself to God and God renewed his mind. And because of this he was able to share with the gentiles what was good and acceptable. And he had such a close relationship with God he knew the perfect will of God and he lived it. We need to learn from Paul and find God's will and live it.
