False Leaders (long article, but worth the read)

REPROBATE

2 Peter 2:14-22 "Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

Forsaken is kataleipo in Greek, meaning to leave behind or to abandon.

To turn is hupostrepho in Greek, meaning to turn back, or to return.

After knowing salvation through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they become entangled by the cares and sins of this world again like the wheat choked by weeds. Reprobates have made a decision to reject Jesus after having intimate fellowship with Him, and they can't be saved again. They have adulterated their faith and broken their vows to Jesus, and they can not become members of the Bride again. Yet these people are in positions of authority who promise freedom, but lead others into bondage with them.

Titus 1:10-16 "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

Jesus refers to the teachers of the law in similar fashion (See Mark 12:38-40 and Luke 20:46-47).

2 Timothy 3:1-8 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith."

Reprobate is adokimos in Greek; meaning unapproved, unacceptable, rejected, or worthless.

They profess that they know God and they have a form of godliness, but they deny God's authority in word and deed. They might know the Bible and appear highly religious, but they no longer submit to Christ as their Lord and Savior. Not all people who exhibit one or more of these characteristics are false leaders, but they should be confronted with their sins. The key word is 'reprobate'. It is the same word translated as 'rejected' in Hebrews 6:8, referring to Christians who abandon their faith - apostates.