2 JOHN 7-13: A Christian's Guide to Discerning False Teachers

Welcome to YourJesusJourney.com! Listen up, because today's study guide is what I call a rubber-meets-the-road kind of guide. Back in the day, when John wrote his letter, he warned folks in the church to be dead serious about who they let into their homes to teach. Back then, if a false teacher showed up, they had to actually knock on your door. Pretty obvious, right?

Well, fast forward to today. We're getting hammered, bombarded with false teachers coming straight into our head, heart, and homes, and most of the time, we don't even see 'em coming! They're not knocking; they're slipping in through your phone, your podcasts, your TV shows, and a whole lot more.

So, consider this your wake-up call. It's time to get your guard up and start doing some serious training. We need to get better at figuring out who's worth listening to and who deserves a firm, "NOPE, you're not teaching at my place." This ain't gonna be easy, but it's crucial. So buckle up, buttercups, because it's time to quit being passive and lazy and start learning to discern who you let into your life.

Setting the Scene 2 John 7-13: Don't Let 'Em Fool Ya!

Today, we're digging into a tough but crucial section of 2 John, specifically verses 7-13. The Elder, John, gets right to the point here, laying out a serious warning.

He kicks it off in verse 7 by saying, "Many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist." John is talking about guys who were twisting the truth about Jesus, claiming He only seemed human. This was a huge deal. If Jesus wasn't truly a real, flesh-and-blood human being, then His death on the cross for our sins wouldn't mean a thing. John wanted folks to know Jesus really did come "in a real body"—He was truly human, born, living, and dying like us, but without sin. This truth is the bedrock of our faith.

Back then, hospitality meant opening your home to travelers. While good, this also meant fakes could get in, spreading lies. Smooth talkers could sneak in bad ideas.

So, when John says in verses 10-11, "If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work," he's not telling them to be rude. He's telling them to be smart and protective. He’s saying, "Don't give a platform to people messing with the truth of Jesus." Welcoming a false teacher means you're endorsing their wrong message, becoming "partners in their evil work." It's about keeping the Gospel pure and making sure no one gets led astray. John's urgency shows the serious danger of false teaching—it can wreck faith and pull people away from the real Christ.

He wraps up in verses 12-13 by saying he has more to tell them face-to-face, looking forward to a time when their "joy may be complete." Even when dealing with tough truths, John's ultimate goal is the true joy of God's people.

Your RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD Guide: Is Their Jesus the Real Deal?

When someone talks about Jesus, listen closely. These questions can help you test what they're saying against what the Bible teaches.

Question 1: Who is Jesus, really?

The Bible teaches that Jesus is God in the flesh. He wasn't just a good man, a prophet, or a wise teacher. He was God, who became fully human, living among us without sin. He's eternal, He wasn't created, and He's part of the one God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

• What the Bible says:

  • Jesus is God: "In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God... So the Word became a human being and lived among us." (John 1:1, 14 NLT)

  • He always existed and created everything: "Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see... He existed before all things, and he holds all creation together." (Colossians 1:16-17 NLT)

  • God calls Him God: "But to the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever!'" (Hebrews 1:8 NLT)

    
    

• If someone says: "Jesus was a created being," or "He was God's first creation," or "He was just a man who became a god."

  
  

  • Red Flag! The Bible says Jesus is God, not made by God. He always was.

  • Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus was Michael the Archangel before He came to earth, and that He was God's first creation. They don't believe He's God himself. This goes against verses like John 1:1, 14 and Colossians 1:16-17.

  • Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) believe Jesus was the spirit brother of Lucifer, and the first spirit child of a heavenly Father and Mother. They believe He became a god, but that there are many gods and we can all become gods too. This is way different from the Bible's teaching that there's only one true God (see Isaiah 43:10 NLT: "Before me there was no God, nor will there be any after me.") and that Jesus shares that unique identity.

  • Muslims respect Jesus (Isa) as a highly important prophet, born of a virgin, who performed miracles. However, they firmly deny He is God or the Son of God, and they reject the idea of the Trinity. For them, believing Jesus is God is seen as idolatry.

  • Buddhists might see Jesus as a wise and compassionate teacher, similar to a Buddha figure or an enlightened master. They generally don't see Him as divine, unique, or a savior in the Christian sense, but rather someone who offered good moral advice or insight into the human condition.

Question 2: What did Jesus do to save us?

The Bible teaches that Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, and then willingly died on a cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He took our punishment. Then, He physically rose from the dead three days later, proving He conquered sin and death. Salvation—getting right with God—is a free gift you get by trusting in Jesus and what He did, not by earning it with good deeds. It's "grace through faith."

• What the Bible says:

  • He died for our sins: "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." (Romans 5:8 NLT)

  • Salvation is a gift, not earned: "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT)

  • His sacrifice was once for all: "Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God." (1 Peter 3:18 NLT)

    
    

• If someone says: "Jesus died, but you also need to follow a bunch of rules, or do special rituals, or achieve certain levels to be saved," or "Jesus didn't actually die on the cross."

  
  

  • Red Flag! While good works follow salvation, they don't earn it. Jesus' sacrifice was complete, and His death and resurrection are central.

  • Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus' death paid a "ransom," but that you still need to be obedient to the Watchtower organization's rules and teachings to be saved. This adds works to grace, which contradicts Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5 (NLT: "He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.").

  • Mormons believe Jesus' atonement covers general sins, but to reach the highest level of heaven (exaltation, where you can become a god), you must also follow all Mormon teachings, be baptized in their church, go through temple rituals, and obey their specific prophets. This adds a lot of "works" to what the Bible says is a free gift through Jesus alone. (See Galatians 2:16 NLT: "Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law.")

  • Muslims believe Jesus did not die on the cross. They believe someone else was crucified in His place, or that He was lifted to heaven before dying. Therefore, they do not believe He died for sins. Salvation in Islam comes from faith in Allah and following Islamic law, not through a sacrifice.

  • Buddhists do not have a concept of sin or salvation through sacrifice. Their goal is to achieve enlightenment or freedom from suffering through their own efforts, meditation, and understanding the Buddha's teachings. Jesus' death and resurrection are not part of their path.

Question 3: Is Jesus the only way to God?

The Bible is very clear on this. Jesus Himself said:

• What the Bible says:

  • "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NLT)

    
    

  • "There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 NLT)

    
    

• If someone says: "Jesus is a way, but there are other ways too," or "Our prophet or organization is also necessary to truly get to God," or "All religions ultimately lead to the same God."

  
  

  • Red Flag! The Bible is exclusive about Jesus being the only path.

  • Jehovah's Witnesses teach that while Jesus is central, salvation is heavily tied to being part of and obedient to the Watchtower organization. They believe only they truly understand the Bible and God's will. This goes against the direct statements of Jesus and Peter that Jesus is the only way (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).

  • Mormons believe Jesus is central, but they also teach that you need to follow Joseph Smith, their prophets, and participate in their temple ordinances to achieve the highest heaven and eternal progression. Their claim of being "the only true and living church" also suggests an exclusive path through their organization, not solely through Jesus.

  • Muslims believe Muhammad is the final and greatest prophet, and that Islam is the ultimate and complete religion. For them, salvation comes through submission to Allah and following Islamic teachings, not exclusively through Jesus.

  • Buddhists do not have a concept of "God" in the Christian sense, or a single path to Him. Their path is based on the Buddha's teachings, and they do not view Jesus as the exclusive or necessary way to ultimate truth or enlightenment.

General Red Flags to Watch Out For:

• Denying the Trinity: If they don't believe God is Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit, co-equal and co-eternal, that's a big warning sign. The Bible shows them distinct but united. For example, when Jesus commanded His followers to baptize, He said, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19 NLT)

  
  

• Adding New "Scripture" that Contradicts the Bible: The Bible (Old and New Testaments) is God's complete and final Word. If someone brings a new book of scripture that changes or adds to the core teachings of the Bible, be very cautious. The Bible warns against adding to God's word (Revelation 22:18 NLT: "And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of this prophecy: If anyone adds to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book.").

  
  

• Salvation by Works: Anytime salvation isn't purely by God's grace through faith in Jesus' sacrifice, but requires you to do specific things (beyond what the Bible says about faith leading to obedience), that's a problem.

  
  

• Only Their Group Has the Truth: If they claim their organization or leader is the only way to correctly understand God or be saved, be very skeptical. The Bible teaches that the church is one body of believers, not just one specific organization or denomination. (Ephesians 4:4-6 NLT: "For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.")

  
  

The reason all this matters is simple: If you trust in a "Jesus" who isn't the real Jesus of the Bible, then you're not putting your faith in the one who can actually save you. It's like going to a mechanic who claims he can fix your engine but only works on bicycles. He looks like a mechanic, talks like a mechanic, but he can't actually solve your problem.

So, listen with a discerning ear, always compare what you hear to the Bible, and pray for wisdom. God wants you to know the truth about His Son!

Share the Truth. Guard Your Own.

You've just read something vital for every Christian trying to stand firm in their faith. Don't keep this information to yourself. The devil is always sending fakes to confuse people, and our brothers and sisters need to be ready.

Here's the mission:

• Share this guide! Email it, text it, post it online to your Christian friends and family. This isn't just a friendly suggestion; it's a command from the Lord! False teachers are out there trying to pull people away from the true Jesus.

  
  

• Teach it! Don't just hand it over. Sit down with someone, talk through these questions. Help them learn to spot the fakes themselves. This is about equipping people for battle.

  
  

• Print it out! Make copies. Keep one in your glove box, one at work, one at home. Hand it out to anyone who needs to be reminded of the real Jesus and how to protect their faith. This knowledge is too important to gather dust on your phone.

  
  

This isn't just about knowing stuff; it's about protecting ourselves and others from lies that can lead people away from the truth of Christ. Let's make sure everyone we know can pass the "Jesus Test." Get to work!

There's more to this STUDY GUIDE

BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN FURTHER FOR:

• Questions to chew on and discuss (or for your journal)

• A Journey Group Discussion Starter (use in your small group time)

• Modern Day Application Ideas

Want to watch the video version of the Daily Bible Podcast Episode that corresponds to this study guide? Here you go!

Questions for you to chew on and discuss:

1. How do we spot twisted ideas about Jesus today, and what's the modern way we might accidentally "encourage" them?

   
   

2. How do we balance being friendly with protecting ourselves and our groups from bad teachings?

   
   

Journey Group Discussion Starter: Ever encountered a teaching that didn't sound right about God or the Bible? What was it, and how did you figure out it was off?

JOURNEY GROUPS

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN

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EXCITING DREAMS TAKING SHAPE

From road life to dream home base! 🚚➡️🏡 After years of traveling, God led us to an incredible spot in Arizona to build a ministry hub & bless others. You won't believe how it happened! ✨ Watch our new video to see the first glimpse! 👇

For the past three years, Kaila and I have been living life on the road, exploring and serving wherever God leads us. It's been an incredible journey, but carrying everything we own and constantly navigating started us dreaming of something more: a home base. A place to lighten our load, simplify, and most importantly, create a space where we can truly bless others. This video is the first glimpse of that dream!

As full-time traveling missionaries and founders of YourJesusJourney.com, we live on a modest income, relying on the generosity of others to support our three-fold ministry vision: helping people understand the Bible in context, finding Christian friends, and equipping disciple makers. So, you might be wondering, how are we able to pursue something this ambitious? About a year and a half ago, Kaila’s beloved dad passed away. With his passing, Kaila inherited their expansive family home and horse property on the breathtaking North Shore of Lake Superior, in beautiful Ontario—the place she grew up, where she rode her first bike and horse, and learned to drive. After much prayer and seeking God’s guidance, we decided to sell the property. What you see here came as a result of that incredible blessing, and all the work unfolding in the next year or two will also be funded by it.

Ultimately, it’s all God’s money, God’s land, and God’s resources—we simply want to be faithful stewards, investing what He’s entrusted us with to serve our family, friends, and help countless others experience God and the lessons of the Bible in a whole new way. We prayed and searched high and low, from Texas to Idaho, and God consistently drew us back to this breathtaking location in Northwest Arizona. Imagine: a spot overlooking the world's densest Joshua Tree forest, just minutes from the Grand Canyon, with epic mountains in our backyard! Our deepest desire for this place is to be a haven for renewal. A spot where our kids can visit, Kaila's mom can stay, and friends can gather. But even bigger than that, it's a launchpad for new ministry—a place to invite people to rest, recharge, share meals, grow friendships, and truly be renewed in the desert sun. We're already dreaming of leading hikes, teaching Bible lessons, and hosting retreats.

There’s a lot of exciting work ahead, but we're stepping out in faith, trusting God every step of the way. We’re so excited to share this new chapter with our family, friends, and all of you! If you want to learn more about our ministry, please visit YourJesusJourney.com. And if you have any questions, or just want to send your prayers or encouragement, please fill up that comment section or reach out directly at YourJesusJourney@gmail.com.

We've journeyed through the Bible, verse by verse, for over 15 books now! We take each passage and break it down into easy-to-understand chunks of plain English. Along the way, we uncover fascinating historical details and explore the cultural context, truly bringing the scriptures to life in a way that resonates. Forget dusty footnotes and words that send you reaching for a thesaurus – we make God's Word approachable and meaningful for everyone. And because we know you're eager to dig even deeper, make sure to subscribe to the Daily Bible Podcast and catch the video podcast each day that complements these blogs!