Hard, timely words of warning.

Beware.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”(Matt 7:15)

“The basic fault of the false prophet is self interest.” (Barclay) It can be expressed by a desire for gain or an easy life, a desire for prestige, or the desire to advance one’s own ideas and not God’s ideas.”(Enduring Word App)

Because if they do not daily die to self, they are ripe for use of the enemy.

False prophets will love the praise of men more than the praise of God. They will compromise, water-down and change the Word in order to satisfy their addiction to applause. Look for it.

They love the lifting of their name, more than the lifting of God’s. They get drunk on it and the power and influence it brings from the world.

But false prophets are not just egocentric, they are dangerous. They are enemies of the Cross. They are ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing, and they will endanger the flock.

How can we know? How can we spot one? We must test everything.

Test what they are saying with the Word of God. Does it line up? (And if you aren’t reading it for yourself how can you know if it lines up?)

Look at their fruit (Matt 7:16-20). Do you see the fruit of the spirit? (Gal 5:22-23)

Do you see them denying themselves to follow Jesus or do you see self exaltation? Do they look more like the world than the Word?

Oh friend, let’s beware. Let’s keep testing what we hear— even from those who have taught us truth before.

Yes, some have become drunk on the praise of others and are misrepresenting the Word. I am very dismayed to read what Rick Warren has been posting and promoting as of late regarding women pastors (here’s a great message on this https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-hollow-church-audio/id262821087?i=1000613122208)

Let’s test everything so we can walk in truth.

Let’s guard our hearts and minds and our families in these days where so many lies are being hurled at us daily. Let’s diligently be on guard so we won’t be led astray.

readMatthew

Kimjaggers.com