(Revelation 2:1-7)…..“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
Let me give you some more background on the church of Ephesus. It was a major trade center and the second largest city in the known world during the time of the apostles. Ephesus was known for the temple of Artemis, and its temple prostitution, and was considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world. It was one of the first Asian centers to embrace the imperial cult – the worship of Domitian, who allowed Ephesus the title of “Guardian of the Temple.”
What the church of Ephesus did well was they discerned who and what was evil and they disallowed them in fellowship. In doing so they discerned everyone who was claiming to be an apostle and expelling everyone who was false to the claim. Despite cult worship in the city, the church thrived and grew. There was only one problem, they had fallen out of love with the very One who had saved them from sin. They fell into formalism which is being able to recognize false teaching (doctrine) but have no love. So the problem with Ephesus seems to be that they had righteous behavior without the deep devotion and love Jesus Christ that should accompany their behavior. This then would eventually diminish their love for one another. They needed to fall back in love with their Savior and Lord (John 8:42) (John 14:15,21,23) (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Here are some verses on False Teachers:
(Galatians 1:6-8) (Romans 16:17-18) (2 Timothy 3:8) (2 Timothy 4:3-4) (1 Timothy 6:3-5) (1 Timothy 1:6-7) (2 Peter 2:12-19)