I. Constant warfare *Jesus warned about false prophets and every apostle did likewise. Nothing about the new covenant changed the fact that the people of God would always be attacked from within. Throughout the history of Israel and through the pages of the NT and throughout church history, there has been this constant reality of spiritual warfare. There have been the prophets of God on one side (usually a minority) and the prophets of Satan on the other side. God has given pastors and teachers to the church to stand up against false prophets and refute and expose their errors.
II. Distinguishing true and false teachers *It would be easier if the false teaching always came from the world "out there". But it often comes from within the church, as false teachers and false brethren creep in and introduce heresies from inside the church. The defenders of the truth are within the church (pastors/teachers), but so are the enemies of the truth (false teachers). Discernment is therefore absolutely essential. How do we discern the good from the bad? A. By their fruits you will know them. Their behavior. Their conduct.
B. Beware flatterers *False prophets like to flatter people and tell them what they want to hear
C. Beware the "new" *Paul says we should not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. That signifies this new teaching and that new teaching. False prophets "introduce" destructive heresies. They bring "new" teachings.
III. Example of the Judaizers *This was the first major heresy. The Judaizers were the first false prophets to infiltrate and divide the church.
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