False teachers have arisen and formed schisms throughout the history of the church. They are destined to arise now and in the approaching years. God could have kept them out but did not do so. God observes the stable and solid members versus the restless, ambitious, and dissatisfied. This is why there will be occasional divisions. God will see to it that all are tested and must persevere in the truth.

God allows heresies to occur among His people because He wants to see who really believes Him. God wants to see who loves His truth more than they love fellowship with a nice group of people. God wants to see evidence of those who are willing to follow the message rather than a man. God wants to see evidence of those who are willing to set themselves free from friends who are going in a wrong direction or deteriorating in attitude or conduct. There must be heresies among you because God wants to test His people to reveal who believes Him and who loves Him enough to separate himself and follow truth rather than follow a group into error.

Heresies must occur among the people because they are necessary and to be expected. Factions or differences arise within the ranks and lead those with differing opinions to exhibit different religious practices. These divisions take place to show those who are approved by God. They reveal who loves order and peace and who has faith in the truth and pursues it. False teachers come in a friendly manner while craftily denying God by denying His truth. They move some over to wrong teaching because of covetousness for power and control. This causes many who believed the truth to turn and go after their folly. The tares represent false doctrines and teachings that are sown by the enemy. Those captured by an idea or concept cause others to focus on it and get away from the trunk of the tree. These events work to wear down the minds of the people as loved ones are fooled by the deceptions. Yet those who know the truth stand even in these difficult times.