The Current Danger of False Teachers- Shortly after Covid-19 #lockdown, I began receiving prophetic videos from trusted family and friends. There were so many it seemed as though God was sending a distress signal through the CHURCH. I knew instinctively in my spirit that He was trying to get mine and anybody else’s attention willing to listen!
S.O.S
This S.O.S. seemed to say “Save Our Souls,” which caught my attention from the beginning. BUT… I also noticed how much it became a distraction when God tried to get my attention in other ways. I knew I needed to seek the Lord for answers. This had me praying and reading God’s word! It was important to hear what Jesus Himself told the Disciples since they needed direction as much as we do today. HE gave them sound advice.
Sound Advice
An Age-Old Problem
The early church struggled with the danger of False Prophets and Teachers as much as we do. We can find examples of both in the old and new testaments of the Bible. The O.T. mentions them in 2 Kings 3:13; Isaiah 44:25; Jeremiah 23:16; Ezekiel 13:2,3; Micah 3:5; and Zechariah 13:2. This issue has clearly been around for thousands of years. In fact, the Prophet Elijah had such a problem with them in 1 Kings 18 and 19 that God used him to put the prophets of Baal to death for leading the people astray. Before doing it, he asked the people a question that we need to ask ourselves today.
"How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." 1 Kings 18:21
The Current Danger of False Teachers and Prophets in the Church Today
"But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves." 2 Peter 2:1
Imitating the Saints
Sometimes it’s tough, even for Believers, to discern a counterfeit. There is an uncanny resemblance between an authentic and a false prophet. The Apostle Paul spoke of the activity of the coming anti-Christ in the last days. – “This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9
Knowing that Satan disguises himself to confuse and fool us, we must be prepared to resist the false teachers and prophets of today! – “But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14
5 Ways to Spot False Prophets
- False prophets don’t believe Jesus is the only way. – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
- They don’t completely trust in the Bible. – “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21
- They don’t believe in repentance and/or hell. – Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Acts 2:38a
- False prophets are unwilling to call out sin. – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
- They teach the gospel of prosperity. – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
How to Stand Strong in Faith
- Build a close relationship with God through prayer. – Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” 2 Samuel 7:18
- Study God’s Word. – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105
"Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ." Colossians 2:8
~A final word: "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:10-12
