False Leaders (long article, but worth the read)

KNOW THE CHARACTER OF YOUR BIBLE TEACHERS, AND STICK TO THE BIBLE.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

Stewards is oikonomos in Greek, meaning the manager of household affairs; metaphorically, the apostles and other Christian teachers and overseers.

Faithful is pistos in Greek, meaning trustworthy; used of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties. One that can be relied on or easily persuaded, or one who is convinced that Jesus has been raised from the dead.

2 Timothy 3:13-16 "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

Assured of is pistoo in Greek, meaning to make faithful, to render trustworthy; to make firm, to establish, or to be firmly persuaded of.

To avoid deception we are to continue in the assurance of our salvation through scripture study and full knowledge of those who teach us. Timothy was trained by his mother and grandmother, but not everyone has such a wonderful heritage on which to rely, so we must scrutinize our Bible teachers.

2 Timothy 4:3-5 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

Watch is nepho in Greek; meaning be sober or watchful.

Endure afflictions is kakopatheo in Greek; meaning undergo hardship, suffer evil, or suffer trouble.

Make full proof of is plerophoreo in Greek; meaning fulfill or entirely accomplish.

Sharing your faith with others helps clarify your own beliefs. Your testimony reminds you of God's love and grace toward you. As a witness, just testify what you have seen God do in your life. Others' questions might get you searching through the Bible for answers.