Discerning the False Prophets
Scripture: Matthew 24 v 11: (And Jesus said) "Many
false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."
Deuteronomy 13 v 3: "Thou shalt not hearken unto the
words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth
you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul."
1 John 4 v 1: "Beloved, believe not every spirit,
but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are
gone out into the world."
In the discourse concerning Jesus' return and the end of
the world in Matthew 24, Jesus warned us that many false prophets would appear
and deceive many. And it is happening
all around us.
Some years ago Jim Jones declared himself to be Jesus and
persuaded 900 of his followers to drink poisoned orange juice so they could all
die simultaneously and be Raptured together. Only his daughter managed to
escape to tell the world what had happened in Guyana.
The militant false prophet, David Koresh, and his
followers, died in a shoot out with the FBI in Waco, Texas. People who are
gullible are prey for the false prophets of this world and when they are found
out they like to kill their followers.
These days the false prophets are comfortable in churches
where they water down the gospel of Jesus Christ and grow rich on tithes and
book sales of "Feel good" books that condone sin and easy living.
Matthew 7 v 13 - 15: (Jesus said:) "Enter ye in at
the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly
they are ravening wolves."
Jesus is saying the wolves are in sheep's clothing,
meaning they pretend to be Christians but by the fruit of their ministry and
lifestyle they are revealed as false.
But how can the body of Christ discern this fruit?
You need to have a very close walk with Jesus and know
His voice and ask Him to show you by the Holy Spirit whether the person you are
following is truly anointed by God. He will show you how to "try the
spirits" because no false or evil spirit ever admits that Jesus Christ
came to Earth as a fleshly person.
They will speak about The Christ or God or the Lord but
you will hardly ever hear the name of Jesus. Especially in churches where
Interfaith is taking over, the name of Jesus is an offence. All the pastors who
have embraced interfaith have betrayed the sacrifice of Jesus and there will be
gnashing of teeth on the day of Judgment.
In Numbers 3 v 4 two false priests died after they
offered strange fire before the Lord. Interfaith is a strange fire, a mingling
of false gods with the One True and Living Saviour. In 2 Corinthians 6 v 14 God
says be not unequally yoked with unbelievers, which Interfaith is, and in v 17
He says, come out from among them and be separate unto Me.
The Antichrist is rising and with him the Beast and the
False Prophet. This is the counterfeit trinity and the unwary are already being
sucked into many deceptions. I have to speak the truth in love to you in case
you are being deceived and will lose your eternity in Heaven.
You have to have a vibrant personal relationship with
Jesus Christ and love Him and the Father with your whole heart. This will
manifest in fervent love for all true believers. It will also give you a love
for sinners, which you once were. You will have a desire to save them from sin,
death and hell.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit in Christians is found in
Galatians 5 v 22-23: love, joy, peace, long-suffering (patience), gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (self-control; moderation). So do a personal
audit of your life and make sure all of
these are evident. If any are missing pray for the Lord to change you.
The Lord Jesus Christ wants us to be fruitful in bringing
sinners to the Cross and turning them into motivated disciples. New Christians learn
from those who minister to them so always be a blessing to Jesus in your
behaviour.
You need to pray for discernment and wisdom in these days
of growing deception. You can never condone sin or compromise with truth and
righteousness. Live a clean and honourable life before God. The strait and
narrow path means disciplined and moral behaviour which leads to a life few
will find.
Prayer: Father God, we live in troubled times and the
world is reeling under pressure, the church is reeling under falseness, the
only stability is in Your Kingdom sheltered by the Rock of Ages. I pray that
Your true people will stay secure in truth and love and shun all that is false,
especially prophets who pen sweet stories to deceive the gullible. I rebuke
those false prophets and pray for all Christians to resist them. In Jesus'
name. Amen.