False prophets and teachers are characterized by their deceptive practices and lack of genuine spiritual substance. They manipulate spiritual methods, like dreams and visions, for personal gain, leading to irreverence towards higher spiritual entities. Despite their impressive speech, they fail to embody the teachings of Jesus and are described as 'twice dead trees'—lifeless and unfruitful. Historical heresies, particularly protonosticism, highlight the danger of pursuing private, esoteric enlightenment disconnected from core spiritual truths.