Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). The problem is a lot of people don’t know truth when they see it. They settle for a mixture of truth and falsehood that is far deadlier.
In the Old Testament, there was a man–a strange sort of prophet–who earned his living telling fortunes and putting hexes on people’s enemies. His name was Balaam, and he lives in infamy because of his strange mixture of truth and falsehood. Balaam’s name has become synonymous with false teachers.
Balaam caused Israel to stumble because he enticed Balak, the king of Moab, to send women to tempt the men and introduce them to their gods in the name of religion.
When teaching has a mixture of truth and falsehood, people often by into it, not knowing that the pollution is damning. How do you know the difference? Balaam’s teaching–along with a wide array of religious choices today–was marked by some tell-tale signs. To be forwarned is to be forearmed:
1) Teachers who keep Balaam’s error alive today are strong, forceful personalities with a charismatic manner. Consistently they claim new spiritual insights. It was Balaam’s reputation as a spiritual guru which first sent Balak’s men to seek him out. "If it works, it must be OK, " they reasoned, as people still reason today.
2) The false teaching of Balaam appeals to the good side of human nature. Who wants to believe that a loving God sends people to hell? Don’t we like to believe that a loving God couldn’t possibly reprov us for what we are doing?
3) Balaam’s error usually allows the devotee to do what he or she wants to do, usually giving him a great deal of sexual latitude, something which traditional churches will not tolerate.
4) The teaching of Balaam rejects tradition and the teaching of the Bible, in favor of a new creed or new insights which (if you care to research) are as old as Balaam himself.
5) Balaam’s teaching is a strange mixture of truth and error. One of the features of New Age literature and the writings of cult leaders, is that they quote long passages from the Bible, usually lifted out of context.
6) Teachers in the spirit of Balaam usually become wealthy of Balaam’s way and warns God’s people against being deceived by their charming ways. Jesus was right that the truth sets you free. But make sure you use the Bible as a standard for truth, and when anything contradicts its clear teaching, beware. The spirit of Balaam is alive and well today.