“Watch out for false
prophets! They dress up like sheep, but inside they are wolves who have come to
attack you. … You can tell who the false prophets are by their deeds. Not
everyone who calls me their Lord will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only the ones
who obey my Father in heaven will get in.”
Matthew 7:15, 20-21
The
meaning of ‘prophets’ in this sense is more teachers, rather than tellers of
future events. The term prophet was used
interchangeably in that day with an instructor of scripture. Unless one is familiar with scripture or
searches out what is being taught to verify it’s meaning, it can be quite easy
for a false teacher to lead them astray.
Generally speaking, a false teacher’s fruits are mentioned in at least
four places in the New Testament. There is mention of controversies [1] and divisions [2] that arise out of their teaching, a destruction of
the people’s faith [3]
and the teacher’s self-destruction through his own heretical teaching [4]. These false
teachers seek self-aggrandizement as they look to increase their own power,
influence, stature and reputation among
the people. They seek not to do the
Lord’s will, but rather their own for personal gain. On the final day the wheat shall be separated
from the chaff. [5]
At this time I shall make a new push for believers to
spend time in God’s word. How else can
you truly know that which is true and that which is just to the left of the
truth. Too many Christians today do not
walk their talk. It’s a problem, for they
send a mixed message to a world that is dying in their sin. Know what God is saying, don’t rely on being
spoon-fed. Listen to a trusted source,
such as the pastor of your church. Prove
out what you are told by digging into the issue yourself. Don’t allow yourself to be fooled by false
teachers who are only out for themselves.
In
the end those who live in obedience to God shall enter heaven. Don’t look to the left or the right, but
place your focus squarely on Christ. He
alone is the truth. Until Christ
returns, walk with the King and be a blessing!
[1] 1 Timothy 1:3 “When I was leaving for Macedonia, I asked you
to stay on in Ephesus and warn certain people there to stop spreading their
false teachings.”
[2] 1 Timothy 6:3-4 “Anyone who teaches something
different disagrees with the correct and godly teaching of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Those people who disagree are proud of themselves, but they don’t
really know a thing. Their minds are sick, and they like to argue over words.
They cause jealousy, disagreements, unkind words, evil suspicions, … “
[3] 2 Timothy 2:18 “Keep your mind on Jesus Christ! He was from
the family of David and was raised from death, just as my good news says.”
[4] 2 Peter 2:1
“Sometimes false prophets spoke to the people of Israel. False teachers
will also sneak in and speak harmful lies to you. But these teachers don’t
really belong to the Master who paid a great price for them, and they will
quickly destroy themselves.”
[5] The wheat is useful; the chaff is worthless
and is thrown away.
Resources:
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language; The Reformation
Study Bible; The Asbury Bible Commentary and Barnes Notes on the Bible.
Translation used: Contemporary English Version (CEV).
