False Prophets

“False Teachers”

How do we go about knowing when we are talking to someone who really is a child of God? Jesus warned us that “false Christ’s and false prophets” will come and will attempt to deceive even God’s elect (Matthew 24:23-27; see also 2 Peter 3:3 and Jude 17-18). The best way to guard yourself against alse teachers is to know the truth. To spot a fake, study the real thing. Any believer who “correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) and who makes a careful study of the Bible can identify false teachings. Jesus said “a tree is recognized by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33).

 1) What does this teacher say about Jesus? In Matthew 16:15-16, Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and for this answer Peter is called “blessed.” In 2 John 9, we read, “Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son; beware of anyone who denies that Jesus is equal with God, who downplays Jesus’ sacrificial death, or who rejects Jesus’ humanity. First John 2:22 says, “Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son.”

2) Does this teacher preach the gospel? The gospel is good news concerning Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). As nice as they sound, the statements “God loves you,” “God wants us to feed the hungry,” and “God wants you to be wealthy” are not the complete message of the gospel. As Paul warns in Galatians 1:7, “Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” No one, not even a great preacher, has the right to change the message that God gave us. “If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:9).

3) Does this teacher exhibit character qualities that glorify the Lord? Speaking of false teachers, Jude 11 says, “They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. A false teacher can be known by his pride (Cain’s rejection of God’s plan), greed (Balaam’s prophesying for money), and rebellion (Korah’s promotion of himself over Moses). Jesus said to beware of such people and that we would know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20).

These are all good ways of knowing who you are talking to and when to know when to walk away. Please remember God will not lead you astray as people will, God’s children do not make false predictions or tell you they know when Jesus will return, for the Word tells us no man has these answers. Only God himself knows of this return. Always remain true to God’s word the bible, don’t let others lead you astray. If you feel you are being taught wrong in the House of Worship, don’t stay, find a home where you will know His Almighty presence.

Father, I come to you in Jesus name and I ask for guidance and wisdom as I try to follow the path that you have set for me. I ask Father that I never give advice unless it’s of you that Father you will give me the answers to peoples questions..Help me to know when I am not qualified to answer, or when I just need to get into prayer and study before answering. Thank you Father for you divine forgiveness as I ask for you mercy and forgiveness today, I love you and thank you in Jesus Name, Amen!