I have struggled with this question for quite some time, and I covet your insight on this. We all know I Cor. 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned.” That said, how can these false teachers understand scripture if they are not spiritual? How else can they twist the scriptures around to deceive many? Matthew 7:18-20 may have the answer, but I’d like an informed opinion.
That’s the problem isn’t it? And the reason false teachers fool so many people is they are convinced they’ve interpreted the word correctly. Lacking the Holy Spirit they have it all wrong and don’t even realize it. I think Matt. 7:18 explains the problem pretty well. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.