The Disobedient and False Brethren
I grew up in Church, not understanding the difference between obedient disciples of Jesus and disobedient believers. This left me very confused. I simply thought everyone who called themselves Christians believed the same things and desired to love God and His Word. I find this to be one of the most confusing things in Christianity. I desire to help believers understand the difference so they don’t stumble because of hypocrisy in the lives of others.
John the Baptizer addressed religious leaders who claimed to be holy, yet he exposed them as a brood of vipers.
Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’” Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 3:1-10 NASB® 1995
John addresses them as a brood of vipers because they are not bearing the fruit that comes from a life of repentance.
“Repentance”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Repentance” is the Greek word metanoia (3341), and it means repentance.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: From metanoeo; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision) -- repentance.
HELPS Word-studies: Cognate: 3341 metánoia – literally, "a change of mind" ("after-thought"); repentance. See 3340 /metanoeō ("repent").“Repentance”: 1. remorse or contrition for one's past actions or sins. 2. an act or the process of being repentant; penitence - Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged
Jesus uses the example of a tree to show the difference between healthy children of God, disobedient ones, and false brethren. He teaches that a tree is known by its fruit. It is important to remember that a tree grows through different stages, just as a believer does. There is a clear distinction between someone in a leadership role and a disciple who is still a spiritual baby growing toward maturity. Babies tend to stumble more than adults. However, a fully grown believer who claims to be a leader should not be stumbling around in darkness.
This does not mean that a baby believer should be stumbling in darkness either. Rather, it highlights the difference between a baby believer who still needs spiritual milk and a mature believer who has trained their powers of discernment through constant practice, as described in Hebrews 5:11-6:2.
Those who fill leadership positions should not be stumbling in ongoing sin practices. Obedient believers who are still growing into maturity may not yet know the Word of God well enough to fully discern what is or what is not sin, but you will see them striving to learn, repent, and grow.
This distinction is vital to understand—both for examining ourselves and for making righteous and accurate judgments. Keep in mind that every believer is called to grow into spiritual maturity; this is not optional. To see that all disciples of Jesus must grow to produce good fruit, see Luke 13:6-9.
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
Matthew 12:33-35 NASB® 1995
And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 6:39-49 NASB® 1995
“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? 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. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:15-23 NASB® 1995
Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:20-26 NASB® 1995
From these passages of Scripture, it is clear that there is a distinction between disobedient believers, false brethren, and obedient disciples. The fruit that pleases God is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, as described in Galatians 5. This is how we learn to make accurate judgments: by aligning both our thinking and our way of life with the Word of God, so that we are not deceived.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:22-24 NASB® 1995
Repercussions of The Disobedient and False Brethren
Paul states that people who claim to be children of God but are disobedient to the Word of God cause people to blaspheme the name of God.
You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written. For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
Romans 2:22-29 NASB® 1995
“Blasphemed”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The English word “blasphemed” is the Greek word blasphēmeō (987), and it means to blaspheme, to speak evil of, to slander, to revile.
HELPS Word-studies: 987 blasphēméō (from blax, "sluggish, slow" and 5345 /phḗmē, "reputation, fame") – properly, refusing to acknowledge good (worthy of respect, veneration); hence, to blaspheme, which reverses moral values.
“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!
Matthew 18:7 NASB® 1995
He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
Luke 17:1-3 NASB® 1995
“Stumbling blocks”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Stumbling blocks” is the Greek word skandalon (4625), which means stumbling block, offense, trap, snare
HELPS Word-studies: 4625 skándalon – properly, the trigger of a trap (the mechanism closing a trap down on the unsuspecting victim); (figuratively) an offense, putting a negative cause-and-effect relationship into motion. 4625 /skándalon ("the means of stumbling") stresses the method (means) of entrapment, i.e., how someone is caught by their own devices (like their personal bias, carnal thinking).
These stumbling blocks come in many different forms. Below, we will look at the characteristics of disobedient believers and false brethren, including false apostles, teachers, and shepherds. The sinful practices they engage in reveal character traits that help identify them as either disobedient believers and false brethren or obedient believers.
Characteristics of The Disobedient and False Brethren
In this section, we will examine Scripture that contrasts the traits of obedient disciples of Jesus with those of disobedient Christians and false brethren who live in darkness while claiming to be children of God.
Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Romans 16:17-20 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
Cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned (contrary to teaching in the Bible)
“Dissensions”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Dissensions” is the Greek word dichostasia (1370): Division, dissension, disunity
“Hindrances”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Hindrances” is the Greek word skandalon (4625): Stumbling block, offense, trap, snare
HELPS Word-studies: 4625 skándalon – properly, the trigger of a trap (the mechanism closing a trap down on the unsuspecting victim); (figuratively) an offense, putting a negative cause-and-effect relationship into motion. 4625/skándalon ("the means of stumbling") stresses the method (means) of entrapment, i.e., how someone is caught by their own devices (like their personal bias, carnal thinking).
["4625 (skándalon) is the native rock rising up through the earth, which trips up the traveler, hence, of Jesus the Messiah, to the Jews who refused him" (Souter); "properly, the bait-stick of a trap, a snare, stumbling-block" (Abbott-Smith); "the stick in the trap that springs and closes the trap when the animal touches it" (WP, 1, 46).]
They are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites
Their smooth and flattering speech deceives the hearts of the unsuspecting
Characteristics of Obedient Believers:
The report of your obedience has reached all
Wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil
“Good”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Good” is the Greek word agathos (18): Good, beneficial, virtuous
HELPS Word-studies: 18 agathós– inherently (intrinsically) good; as to the believer, 18 (agathós) describes what originates from God and is empowered by Him in their life, through faith.“Innocent”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Innocent” is the Greek word akeraios (185): Innocent, pure, unmixed, blameless
HELPS Word-studies: 185 akéraios (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "not" and 2767 /keránnymi, "mingled") – properly, not mixed (mingled); not a destructive mixture because not tainted by sinful motives (ambitions); pure (unmingled).
It is especially important to note that Paul was addressing people who had already heard the true gospel—a situation that is not always the case for many believers today. I have personally encountered people who refuse to meet with me, will not speak to me, and even call me names because, when I present Scripture, they are convinced I am teaching falsely.
Sadly, in many churches today, truth is often partially presented, that is, presented with partiality. The hard truths of Scripture are withheld because they do not “tickle the ears” or make people feel comfortable. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to confront truth fully, even when it challenges us or makes us uncomfortable.
I challenge you to carefully examine these Scriptures and avoid making emotional judgments as you read them. First, examine yourself to see if you are truly in the faith. Then, consider whether those you allow to influence your life align with the teachings in the Word of God.
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:6-10 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
There are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
Characteristics of Obedient Believers:
They do not continue to try to please men, but they take on the attitude of a bond-servant of Christ
For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:4 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
Ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
“Licentiousness: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Licentiousness” is the Greek word aselgeia (766), which means Licentiousness, debauchery, sensuality, lewdness
HELPS Word-studies: 766 asélgeia (from aselgēs/"brutal") – properly, violent spite which rejects restraint and indulges in lawless insolence (wanton caprice).
These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever. It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.
Jude 1:12-16 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear
Caring for themselves
Clouds without water, carried along by winds
Autumn trees without fruit,
Doubly dead, uprooted
Wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam
Wandering stars
These are grumblers
Finding fault
Following after their own lusts
They speak arrogantly
Flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage
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. 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.
2 Peter 2:1-3 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
Secretly introduce destructive heresies
Denying the Master who bought them
Many will follow their sensuality
Because of them, the way of the truth will be maligned
In their greed, they will exploit you with false words
They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet.
These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”
2 Peter 2:13b-22 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime
“Revel: Lexicon in Biblehub: The English word “Revel” is the Greek word truphé (5172), which means Luxury, indulgence, revelry
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: From thrupto (to break up or (figuratively) enfeeble, especially the mind and body by indulgence); effeminacy, i.e., Luxury or debauchery -- delicately, riot.
HELPS Word-studies: 5172 tryphḗ (from thryptō, "to break down due to over-indulgence, i.e., living in excessive luxury") – properly, feebleness brought on by self-indulgence (luxury); (figuratively) moral and spiritual breakdown ("enfeeblement") from over-indulging in dainty ("delicate") things, i.e., "dainty living" that deteriorates soul and body.
Reveling in their deceptions
Having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin
Enticing unstable souls
Having a heart trained in greed
Forsaking the right way
These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm,
For speaking out arrogant words of vanity, they entice by fleshly desires
Promising freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption
I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
3 John 1:9-11 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
Do not receive the brethren, and they forbid those who desire to do so, and put them out of the church
(Both of these characteristics are evil on their own, not only when combined.)
Characteristics of Obedient Believers:
They do not imitate what is evil, but what is good
The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
“Good”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Good” is the Greek word agathopoieó (15) To do good, to act rightly
HELPS Word-studies: 15 agathopoiéō (from 18 /agathós, "intrinsically good" and 4160 /poiéō, "to do, make") – properly, to do what is inherently good, i.e., is inspired and powered by God (Mk 3:4; Lk 6:9,35; 1 Pet 2:15,20,36,17; 3 Jn 11). See 18 (agathos).
Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.
2 John 1:8-11 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God
For the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.
”Participates”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Participates” is the Greek word koinóneó (2841): To share, to participate, to have fellowship, to partake
Characteristics of Obedient Believers:
The one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting
I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things. Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so. As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 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 will be according to their deeds.
Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little. What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also. For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face. To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold—I speak in foolishness—I am just as bold myself. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.
2 Corinthians 11:1-30 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
Enslave you
Devour you
Take advantage of you
Exalt himself
Hits you in the face
Characteristics of Obedient Believers:
Preached the gospel of God without charge
If they have to boast, they will boast of what pertains to their weakness.
As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
1 Timothy 1:3-11 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
Have turned aside to fruitless discussion
“Fruitless Discussion”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “Fruitless Discussion” is the Greek word mataiologia (3150): Vain talk, empty chatter
“Unholy”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “Unholy” is the Greek word anosios (462), which means Unholy, profane, impious
HELPS Word-studies: 462 anósios (an adjective, derived from 1 /A, "without" and 3741 /hósios, "reverence for what should be hallowed") – properly, utter disregard of what is sacred, i.e., willful (arrogant) disrespect of the things of God; "impious; wicked" (J. Thayer).“Profane”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “Profane” is the Greek word bebélos (952), which means Profane, ungodly, irreverent
HELPS Word-studies: 952 bébēlos (an adjective, derived from bainō, "go" and bēlos, "a threshold to enter a building") – properly, improper, unauthorized entry – literally, "crossing a threshold" which profanes because of improper entrance. 952 /bébēlos ("profane because of improper entrance") refers to people unfit to access (know) God, because they approach Him apart from faith. See also 949 (bébaios).
Characteristics of Obedient Believers:
Instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,
Nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies
Furthering the administration of God, which is by faith
The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:3-11 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
Advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness
They are conceited and understand nothing
“Conceited”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “Conceited” is the Greek word tuphoó (5187): conceited
HELPS Word-studies: 5187 typhóō (from typhos, "smoke") – properly, to blow smoke, cloud up the air; (figuratively) having a cloudy (muddled) mindset, i.e., moral blindness resulting from poor judgment which brings further loss of spiritual perception.
They have a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words
Out of which arises envy
Strife
Abusive language
Evil suspicions
They have constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth.
They suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
Some longing for it (money) have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Characteristics of Obedient Believers:
They understand godliness is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
They pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
“Righteousness”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “Righteousness” is the Greek word dikaiosuné (1343): Righteousness, justice
HELPS Word-studies: 1343 dikaiosýnē (from 1349 /díkē, "a judicial verdict") – properly, judicial approval (the verdict of approval); in the NT, the approval of God ("divine approval").
1343 /dikaiosýnē ("divine approval") is the regular NT term used for righteousness ("God's judicial approval"). 1343 /dikaiosýnē ("the approval of God") refers to what is deemed right by the Lord (after His examination), i.e., what is approved in His eyes.
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
Lovers of self
Lovers of money
Boastful
“Boastful”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “Boastful” is the Greek word alazón (213): Boaster, braggart, arrogant person
Arrogant
“Arrogant”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “Arrogant” is the Greek word huperephanos (5244): Proud, arrogant, haughty
HELPS Word-studies: 5244 hyperḗphanos (from 5228 /hypér, "beyond, over" and 5316 /phaínō, "shine forth") – properly, over-shine, trying to be more than what God directs, i.e., going beyond the faith He imparts (cf. Ro 12:2,3).
Revilers
“Revilers”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “Revilers” is the Greek word blasphémos (989): Blasphemous, slanderous, reviling
Disobedient to parents
Ungrateful, unholy
Unloving
Irreconcilable
Malicious gossips
“Malicious gossips”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “Malicious gossips” is the Greek word diabolos (1228): Devil, accuser, slanderer
HELPS Word-studies: 1228 diábolos (from 1225 /diabállō, "to slander, accuse, defame") – properly, a slanderer; a false accuser; unjustly criticizing to hurt (malign) and condemn to sever a relationship. [1228 (diábolos) is the root of the English word, "Devil" (see also Webster's Dictionary).
Without self-control
“Without self-control”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “Without self-control” is the Greek word akratés (193): Without self-control, lacking self-discipline
Brutal
Haters of good
Treacherous
Reckless
Conceited
“Conceited”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “Conceited” is the Greek word tuphoó (5187): conceited
HELPS Word-studies: 5187 typhóō (from typhos, "smoke") – properly, to blow smoke, cloud up the air; (figuratively) having a cloudy (muddled) mindset, i.e., moral blindness resulting from poor judgment which brings further loss of spiritual perception.
Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.
Matthew 7:21-23 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
Practices lawlessness
“Lawlessness”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Lawlessness” is the Greek word anomia (458), which means Lawlessness, iniquity, transgression
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: iniquity, transgression, unrighteousness. From anomos; illegality, i.e., Violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness -- iniquity, X transgress(-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.
HELPS Word-studies: 458 anomía (from 1 /A "not" and 3551 /nómos, "law") – properly, without law; lawlessness; the utter disregard for God's law (His written and living Word). 458 /anomía ("lawlessness") includes the end-impact of law breaking – i.e., its negative influence on a person's soul (status before God).
“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:31-46 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat
I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink
I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in
Naked, and you did not clothe Me
Sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me
Characteristics of Obedient Believers:
For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat
I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink
I was a stranger, and you invited Me in
Naked, and you clothed Me
I was sick, and you visited Me
I was in prison, and you came to Me
I encourage you to consider not only those who are physically hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, or in prison, but also those who are spiritually hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, or imprisoned.
Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
Titus 3:10-11 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
Factious man
“Factious”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Factious” is the Greek word hairetikos (141), which means Heretical, factious
HELPS Word-studies: Cognate: 141 hairetikós (an adjective, derived from 138 /hairéomai, "to choose, have a distinctive opinion") – a factious person, specializing in half-truths and misimpressions "to win others over" to their personal opinion (misguided zeal) – while creating harmful divisions (used only in Tit 3:10). See 139 (hairesis).
Such a man is perverted and is sinning
True instruction was in his mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of hosts. “So I also have made you despised and abased before all the people, just as you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality in the instruction
Malachi 2:6-9 NASB® 1995
Characteristics of the Disobedient Brethren:
Turned aside from the way
Caused many to stumble by the instruction
Corrupted the covenant of Levi
Characteristics of Obedient Believers:
True instruction is in his mouth and unrighteousness is not found on his lips
Walks with God in peace and uprightness
Turns many back from iniquity
Preserves knowledge
People should seek instruction from his mouth
There are many more Scriptures to study on this topic, including passages about shepherds and false prophets found in Jeremiah 23, Ezekiel 13, Ezekiel 34, and Zechariah 11.
How to Deal with the Disobedient
In this section of Scripture, we are given specific instructions on how to deal with people who choose disobedience and live their lives contrary to the teaching we have received. I want to emphasize the importance of examining what you have heard. You may think you know the truth, but if your understanding does not align with the Bible, I challenge you to reconsider what you believe to be true.
Jesus gives us clear instructions on how to address all disobedience, whether it comes from a leader or a baby believer. We are called to lovingly bring sin to the person’s attention.
“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
Matthew 18:15-20 NASB® 1995
Scripture gives special instructions for how to address issues involving leaders. Paul is specific about how leadership matters are to be handled. You must first follow steps one and two in Matthew 18 to establish the facts before bringing the situation to another elder for consideration.
Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.
1 Timothy 5:19-21 NASB® 1995
Beware of not falling into sin yourself. Jesus gives us instructions on what to do before we correct someone.
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:3-5 NASB® 1995
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.
Galatians 6:1-5 NASB® 1995
It is extremely important to bring correction in love and without hypocrisy. If these biblical standards are not followed, Scripture warns that we ourselves will be judged accordingly by God.
For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:2 NASB® 1995
The Disobedient Who Refuse to Repent
We need to understand the importance of God’s Word and how to follow it. Scripture gives us specific instructions on how to deal with those who choose to continue in disobedience.
We learned from Matthew 18:17 if someone refuses to repent then we are “let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector”.
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NASB® 1995
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.
2 John 10-11 NASB® 1995
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
Ephesians 5:11-12 NASB® 1995
Many of us have people like this in our families and even in our own homes. To wives, Scripture says this:
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
1 Peter 3:1-2 NASB® 1995
Jesus tells us that He did not come to bring peace to the home, but a sword.
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.
Matthew 10:34-39 NASB® 1995
But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife. But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches.
1 Corinthians 7:10-17 NASB® 1995
The only exception we see in Scripture is that married couples are instructed to remain together, even if one spouse is disobedient to the Word. In every other case, as obedient disciples of Jesus, we must separate from those who claim to be children of God yet refuse to obey the Word of God.
As we see in Scripture, there is a clear process for this. We see in Matthew 18:15-20: First, we go to the person privately to correct them. Then, if they do not listen, we take one or two others with us to establish facts—not feelings. If they still refuse to listen, the matter is brought before the group of believers to whom we are all accountable. If there is still no repentance, we are instructed to treat that person as a Gentile or a tax collector.
References:
“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB® 1995 - New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org”
Lexicon: Biblehub.com
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Biblehub.com
HELPS Word-studies taken from The Discovery Bible, available at discoverybible.com, copyright © 2021, HELPS Ministries Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
"repentance." Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014. 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014. HarperCollins Publishers 22 Jan. 2026 https://www.thefreedictionary.com/repentance
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