In 1 Timothy 6:3–10, Paul warns the church about false teachers whose teaching does not agree with the words of Jesus or produce godliness. The sermon emphasizes that false teaching can often be recognized by both its message and its fruit. False teachers twist Scripture, redefine what God has called good or evil, and often appeal to culture, emotion, or personal experience rather than submitting to the authority of God’s Word. Their lives are also marked by pride, controversy, envy, dissension, slander, suspicion, constant friction, and greed. Because false teaching can sound convincing and even spiritual, believers must carefully test everything they hear—whether from a preacher, podcast, social media clip, or other source—against the whole counsel of Scripture.

Paul then contrasts the empty promises of pride and greed with the true gain  ...