What Is A False Prophet?
You will know them by their fruits.
Matthew 7:16
The most dangerous characteristic of false prophets is that they claim to be from God and to speak for Him. “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so” (Jer 5:31).
Such leaders nearly always appear pleasant and positive. They like to be with Christians, and they know how to talk and act like believers.
False prophets usually exude sincerity and thereby more easily deceive others (see 2 Tim 3:13). But you can identify false teachers’ true colors by noting what they do not talk much about. They usually don’t deny basic doctrines such as Christ’s deity and substitutionary atonement, the sinfulness of humanity, or unbelievers’ going to hell. They simply ignore such “controversial” truths.
But whenever a false prophet is in your midst, you must not ignore his presence or the harmful effects of his heretical teaching.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 249). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: Actions speak louder than words. False prophets may try to deceive us with their words. They seems nice, and pleasant, and loving. They may even speak some of the truth, but they will avoid the parts that they deny. However, to be reliable, they must speak the whole truth (Rev 22:18-19) and they must live according to that truth. If they are from God, they will bear good fruit. They will walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
Applications: Be discerning about all that you are taught. Remember that scripture is the only absolute truth against which everything else must be measured. Any teachings which contradict scripture; which adds to it, or takes away from it, is false and is to be avoided. Also, be discerning about those who teach. Do their actions reflect a life in Christ? Do they practice what they preach? Or are they hypocrites like the scribes and Pharisees, who appeared clean on the outside, but were still unclean inside?
Prayer Subjects: Pray for a heart to seek the truth. Pray for a longing to read and study scripture. To know and understand God's truth. Pray for wisdom and discernment to recognize the wolves in sheep's clothing and the boldness to confront them with Your Word, the sword of the spirit (Eph 5:17), to turn them away.
Listen to this entry
Matthew 7:16
The most dangerous characteristic of false prophets is that they claim to be from God and to speak for Him. “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so” (Jer 5:31).
Such leaders nearly always appear pleasant and positive. They like to be with Christians, and they know how to talk and act like believers.
False prophets usually exude sincerity and thereby more easily deceive others (see 2 Tim 3:13). But you can identify false teachers’ true colors by noting what they do not talk much about. They usually don’t deny basic doctrines such as Christ’s deity and substitutionary atonement, the sinfulness of humanity, or unbelievers’ going to hell. They simply ignore such “controversial” truths.
But whenever a false prophet is in your midst, you must not ignore his presence or the harmful effects of his heretical teaching.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 249). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: Actions speak louder than words. False prophets may try to deceive us with their words. They seems nice, and pleasant, and loving. They may even speak some of the truth, but they will avoid the parts that they deny. However, to be reliable, they must speak the whole truth (Rev 22:18-19) and they must live according to that truth. If they are from God, they will bear good fruit. They will walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
Applications: Be discerning about all that you are taught. Remember that scripture is the only absolute truth against which everything else must be measured. Any teachings which contradict scripture; which adds to it, or takes away from it, is false and is to be avoided. Also, be discerning about those who teach. Do their actions reflect a life in Christ? Do they practice what they preach? Or are they hypocrites like the scribes and Pharisees, who appeared clean on the outside, but were still unclean inside?
Prayer Subjects: Pray for a heart to seek the truth. Pray for a longing to read and study scripture. To know and understand God's truth. Pray for wisdom and discernment to recognize the wolves in sheep's clothing and the boldness to confront them with Your Word, the sword of the spirit (Eph 5:17), to turn them away.
Listen to this entry
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