The following is part one of Jan Markell’s Chapter “Religionist Deceivers Rampant,” an exclusive preview of Terry James’ book “Deceivers: Exposing Evil Seducers & Their Last Days Deception.”

Before I expound on the topic assigned to me by Terry James, let me give you a bit of background information. About a year after I was saved at age 11, I got involved in a strong church in the Minneapolis area. I didn’t know a lot about church before that. Because I lived just a few doors down from this church, I was there frequently and soon the youth group became a big part of my formation into a Christian adult. 

This evangelical church had no apostasy. As a matter of fact, its goal was to teach against apostasy and all false teaching. Some called this church a bunch of narrow fundamentalists, but looking back, I am glad they took such a strong stand on all theology that was not sound. That prepared me for a lifetime of ministry; the ministers and teachers there taught me to keep an antenna up at all times. Little did I know that as I moved on further and further into the end times, false teaching would become the new normal. An ominous warning is found in Ezekiel 33:6 : 

Ezekiel 33:6 KJV – “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand”

We are all watchmen. Some are super watchmen, as that is just their calling. None of us want the blood of false teaching on our hands. At least I surely don’t! 

The Bible makes it clear that, near the time of Christ’s return, apostasy will rage: 

1 Timothy 4:1 KJV – “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” 

2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV – “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 I am not sure that anyone during the time when these were written could imagine just how serious the issue of false doctrine was to become. 

In 2001, I began a national radio ministry. It was Christian talk radio that would eventually air on more than 800 radio stations across North America. It would also become a popular podcast destination. I quickly realized that I had a responsibility to talk to this radio audience and school listeners on just what theological minefields they should avoid! I felt I even had to name the blatant false teachers who were devouring the sheep. 

Those who long for the truth loved this, but many others felt I was causing trouble and division. I was even blocked from some networks I wanted to air on, as they suggested such name-calling was not wanted. What a dilemma. In order to hold to truth, I would be banned from some outlets that had listeners who wanted the truth! 

I feel every believer needs to heed Matthew 7:15–20: 

Matthew 7:15–20 KJV – “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

Calling out false teachers is no way to become popular. One is always calling out somebody’s favorite teacher. Yet, as I went on in ministry, I could easily see that many sheep were being eaten by wolves that were preying on them. The sheep were often undiscerning, easily led, and easily fooled—and they just loved the idea of following a pied piper who was joyfully leading them astray. Some leaders did this intentionally, and others just had bad theology that even they didn’t recognize was going to harm the flock. 

Click Here to Read More — Part Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight

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