Responding To False Prophets
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 7:15
In Jude’s brief letter to believers, the apostle firmly warns against false prophets and tells us how to respond to them. “Keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21-23). Our primary response to false teaching is simply to be right with God in the first place, to make sure we are in fellowship with Him and receiving His blessing and power. Then we can “have mercy on some, who are doubting” (v. 22, nasb)—believers who doubt their faith because of false teachers need reassurance.
Another necessary response might be to “save others, snatching them out of the fire” (v. 23, nasb)—unbelievers bound for hell after hearing false teaching need to be rescued before it’s too late.
Finally, Jude tells about a third response to false prophets: “On some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh” (v. 23, nasb). We sometimes must confront false prophets and their followers, doing so with a special dependence on the Lord and being careful not to get contaminated by their false teachings.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 250). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: Just because someone claims to preach the truth, doesn't mean that they are preaching God's truth. False teachers will have the outward appearance of trustworthy men, but inside their hearts, they are like wolves looking to destroy people by leading them down the wide path, through the wrong gate. The true shepherds must protect their flocks, feeding them with the truth, herding them to away from danger, and driving away the wolves who seek to devour them.
Applications: Act as one of Christ's undershepherds. Protect the flock. Obey the command that Jesus gave to Peter before ascending to heaven, "Feed my lambs ... Take care of my sheep ... Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). Help your brothers and sisters study and learn God's word so they would recognize false teachings. Guide fellow believers towards the narrow path and away from the path to destruction. If necessary, confront and repel false teachers so that would not pollute the church with their instruction.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for a heart to care for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray that I would study doctrine to recognize and avoid false teachings. Pray for wisdom and discernment in discipling others to follow Christ.
Listen to this entry
Matthew 7:15
In Jude’s brief letter to believers, the apostle firmly warns against false prophets and tells us how to respond to them. “Keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21-23). Our primary response to false teaching is simply to be right with God in the first place, to make sure we are in fellowship with Him and receiving His blessing and power. Then we can “have mercy on some, who are doubting” (v. 22, nasb)—believers who doubt their faith because of false teachers need reassurance.
Another necessary response might be to “save others, snatching them out of the fire” (v. 23, nasb)—unbelievers bound for hell after hearing false teaching need to be rescued before it’s too late.
Finally, Jude tells about a third response to false prophets: “On some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh” (v. 23, nasb). We sometimes must confront false prophets and their followers, doing so with a special dependence on the Lord and being careful not to get contaminated by their false teachings.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 250). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: Just because someone claims to preach the truth, doesn't mean that they are preaching God's truth. False teachers will have the outward appearance of trustworthy men, but inside their hearts, they are like wolves looking to destroy people by leading them down the wide path, through the wrong gate. The true shepherds must protect their flocks, feeding them with the truth, herding them to away from danger, and driving away the wolves who seek to devour them.
Applications: Act as one of Christ's undershepherds. Protect the flock. Obey the command that Jesus gave to Peter before ascending to heaven, "Feed my lambs ... Take care of my sheep ... Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). Help your brothers and sisters study and learn God's word so they would recognize false teachings. Guide fellow believers towards the narrow path and away from the path to destruction. If necessary, confront and repel false teachers so that would not pollute the church with their instruction.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for a heart to care for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray that I would study doctrine to recognize and avoid false teachings. Pray for wisdom and discernment in discipling others to follow Christ.
Listen to this entry
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