What are the characteristics of false teachers according to the Bible?

In 2 Peter 2, the Apostle Peter lists several characteristics of false teachers who infiltrate the church. They are marked by self-will, a disregard for godly authority, and a desire for personal gain through deceptive tactics. Peter illustrates them as 'natural brute beasts' made for destruction, reveling in their deceitful practices while promising freedom that they themselves do not possess. They often exploit unstable souls and entangle believers in sin. This understanding emphasizes the necessity of vigilance and discernment in the Christian community, as the motives and methods of false teachers stand in stark contrast to the grace-filled proclamation of the Gospel. Believers are therefore called to hold fast to the truth of Scripture and to be wary of those whose teachings deviate from the foundation of Christ's sacrificial grace.