Friday, March 10, 2017

FALSE PROPHETS/ TEACHERS

Who are they and how can we protect ourselves from them?
                                                                                                                                                  
One of the responsibilities of a Christian (or leader) is protecting himself or his sheep from predators- who pretend to love him or the sheep but through false doctrines create doubts about the bible to make it look unclear and incomplete. The bible has a lot of warnings about “false Christs” and “false prophets”, who will come to deceive even God’s elect (Matt. 24:23-27). 2Corin. 11:14-15 tells how Satan and his servants will present themselves as light.  There is the need therefore to distinguish between false and true teachers. Rev. 16:13-14; 19:20; 20:10 foretells of even how false prophets will carry supernatural powers like calling fire from heaven. Yet Elijah, a true prophet did same (1Kings 18:36-38). The end time is also prophesied to be full of deceptions (Matt. 24:11). The warnings about false prophets/ teachers both in the old and new testaments, shows that they have been in existence since old times- Jeremiah (5:30-31); Paul (Acts 15:1-2; 20:29-30); Jesus (Matt. 24:10-11, 7:15) and Peter (2Pet. 2:1-3).

Definition
·   A Prophet is a man who is inspired of God and speaks for God. A Teacher is a person who instructs or teaches others in God’s word
·   A false prophet/ Teacher is therefore one who is not speaking on behalf of God (Deut. 13:1-4). Generally, their doctrines are contrary to the word. i.e. they speak out of their human mind or on behalf of a demon.

Characteristics of a False Prophet/ Teacher
·   What they say does not come to pass (Deut. 18:20-22, 13:1-5)
·   They will be numerous and very successful (Matt. 24:11)
·   Their prophesies do not always fail (Deut. 13:1-3, Matt. 7:22)
·   They appear genuine/ pretentious (Matt. 7:15)

How to identify a False Prophet/ Teacher (Matt. 7:16, 20)
·   Their doctrines are contrary to scripture (i.e. false doctrine) (2Tim. 3:16-17; Jer. 23:16-17, 21, 25; Ezek. 13:2-3) and they do not proclaim God’s word but deny it (2Jn. 9-11).
·   They are motivated by money (2Pet. 2:2-4)
·   They tell people what their ear wants to hear (2Tim. 4:3-4)
·   They reject the deity of Christ and His work on the cross (2Pet. 2:1; 1Jn 4:2-3)
·   They appeal to tradition and worldly wisdom rather than base on Christ or scripture (Col. 2:8-10; 1Jn. 2:26-27; 2Jn. 7)
·   The effect of their teachings in the lives of men are:
          i.        It leads to rejection of God’s word
         ii.        It leads to rejection of biblical authority
        iii.        It leads to division amongst the saints (Jer. 23:2,14)
        iv.        It leads to a life of sensuality (2Pet. 2:2)
         v.        It leads to deception of genuine Christians with false doctrine (Mk. 13:22, 1Tim. 4:6; 2Tim. 4:3; Tit. 1:9, 2:1)
·   Their own character includes:
(     i)   Pride (2Pet. 2:10) (ii)  Greed (Jer. 8:10;Tit. 1:11; 2Pet. 2:3,14)  (iii) immorality (Jer. 23:11,14; 2Pet. 2:14) (iv) Though they profess to know God, their deeds deny Him (Matt. 7:22-23; 2Tim. 3:5; Tit. 1:16)

How to safeguard against False Prophets/Teachers
·   Let the word of God be the final authority of what you hear or say. Let the word of God proof all things and not man. Live like the Bereans (Acts 17:11; 2Tim. 3:16-17; Deut. 13:13-14; Jer. 23:16-17; Eph. 5:6; Col. 2:8).
·   Have the Holy Spirit and let Him be your sole guide and counselor to all truth (Jn.14:16, 16:7-14)
·   Do not entertain anyone who denies the deity of Jesus Christ (1Jn 4:3, 2:22) and does not preach the gospel about the virgin birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ or that Jesus is the only way to salvation and to the father (God)
·   Study the word of God thoroughly (2Tim.2:15; 1Thess. 5:2)
·   Always check the fruits of the prophet or Teacher: Is it Godly or Ungodly; does it move you closer to God or otherwise? (1Jn 4:1-3; Matt. 7:16)

Finally

Matt. 7:15, 20. “15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves”. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  Amen!

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