Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

False Teachers and Shared Platforms

Have we stopped to ask why the false teacher is willing to be platformed alongside those otherwise doctrinally sound? What motivation could they have? What is in it for them?

False teachers do not share platforms with sound teachers to reason from Scripture together. They share platforms with sound teachers to make themselves appear trustworthy and to further lead precious souls away from the truth and exploit them. They may agree with everything the sound teacher says and give an appearance of fidelity to the truth. But their intentions are not pure.

You may believe you are sharing the platform with them to rebuke and correct them, while they share the platform with you to use you to gather more followers to prey upon. They don’t readily reveal their false doctrines or their true motives. They agree with you. They affirm what you say. They gaslight. They are master deceivers. They show unity. When they walk away, they’ve gained more vulnerable souls to “care for”—exploit—and lead away with their false teachings.

Sharing platforms with false teachers is not wise or for the benefit of the lost. It is leading them to those who intend to devour them.

“Unity without the truth is hazardous. It is not simply an amicable arrangement but a betrayal of Christ.” ~ J. C. Ryle

An Honest Comparison: Parents and Children

Would we share a platform with someone who we knew had dangerous intentions toward children? Even if they looked kind on the outside? Even if they shared some of our same morals and political views? If a person flattered our children, played kindly with them, and outwardly agreed with the parents—while secretly intending to exploit or harm them—would a wise parent share a platform with them giving the appearance that this person is trustworthy with children? What does that communicate to that vulnerable child?

Of course not. It doesn’t matter how polite or agreeable that person seems in front of the family. Allowing such a person access to our children would not be love; it would be negligence.

“The devil does not tempt unbelievers and gross sinners to run into false doctrine, for they are already his own; but he employs this stratagem against those who have escaped his snares.” — John Owen

The Parallel

Why then would we share a platform with those whose teaching is antithetical to the Gospel and who prey on the vulnerable—those who lead precious souls after false gods and a different Jesus? If a person’s stated methods or intentions toward the lost are to point people away from the true Gospel, granting them the credibility of a shared platform is the spiritual equivalent of inviting a hidden predator into the nursery.

“To pursue union at the expense of truth is treason to the Lord Jesus.” — Charles Spurgeon

Discernment and Evangelistic Integrity

If our mission is to evangelize the lost, we should not share a platform with those whose mission only appears similar. If someone’s goal is to gather crowds but they are not pointing to the same God or the same Gospel message, then platform-sharing becomes complicity in their deception—not a ministry to the lost.

“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

“Sound doctrine is the life-blood of the church. A careless attitude toward it is not humility but betrayal.” ~ R. C. Sproul

A Final Word

Platform-sharing can give false teachers credibility, access, and opportunities to exploit. Protect the flock. Care for the vulnerable as a parent cares for a child. Evangelize with courage—but with discernment and integrity.

“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you exhorting that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. 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 sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4 

Grace and peace, y’all.

Soli Deo Gloria

April J. Buchanan