Section 3G of Preface: Warning of False Teachers, False Prophets and False Spirits

Consider the following scriptures:

Matthew 7:15-20 -- "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits." (NAS)

Matthew 24:11 -- "And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many." (NAS)

Matthew 24:24-27 -- "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance. If therefore they say to you, 'Behold, He is in the wilderness,' do not go forth, or, 'Behold, He is in the inner rooms,' do not believe them. For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be." (NAS)

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 -- "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds." (NAS)

Galatians 2:4 -- "But it was because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage." (NAS)

II Thessalonians 2:9-12 -- "...that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness." (NAS)

2 Peter 2:1-3 -- "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." (NAS)

I John 4:1 -- "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (NAS)

Question:

According to the scriptures above, what are some of the things that Jesus and the New Testament writers warn us about?

1. People who would arise from among the brethren (the group of believers), speaking false things.
2. People who speak false things.
3. People claiming to be prophets or claiming to be Christ that show great signs and wonders to mislead from what is true.
4. People who disguise themselves as apostles or workers for God.
5. Those that come with power and signs and false wonders.
6. Not having a love for the truth and, as a result, being susceptible to believe what is false.
7. False teachers that would arise from among them (the disciples).
8. False spirits.