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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