False Prophets
“Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! Or There! Do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.” (Matthew 24:23-25 NKJV) Amazingly, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said this to His disciples over 2,000 years ago and here in 2007, the truth has not changed.
This past week, I have been bombarded with the rhetoric of false prophets, those claiming to be Jesus Christ and those who use His divine teachings for their worldly gains. Lets examine two examples of false prophets more closely.
This past week, on the Oprah Winfrey show, which is syndicated nationally and internationally, she debuted a second show discussing “The Secret.” On the show, a group of people discuss how one can have the life that they want. One of the panelists on the show identifies himself as a “reverend” and even on this show Oprah identifies herself as a Christian, but says that she prescribes to the tenants of “The Secret.” (She is a false prophet in its purest form) Some false teachings of “The Secret” are listed below:
Involves the laws of the universe and they, in turn, describe the nature of how God works. (“Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” I Corinthians 2:11b, NKJV)
Supports the great spiritual traditions of Jesus Christ “in a more modern form.”(“For I am the Lord, I do not change. Malachi 3:6 NKJV)
Instead of living a life preparing for some ultimate reward, you should live in the now. (“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 NKJV)
The “concepts” of heaven and hell are within us. (“It is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:30, NKJV)
This brings us to the subject of one Dr. Jose Luis De Jesus. He is the founder and leader of Growing in Grace. These are some of things that he and his over one million reported followers believe:
They do not believe in sin, Satan or hell. (“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” I Peter 5:8, NKJV)
The Ten Commandments are good for society, but not for the church. (“Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes… Deuteronomy 8:11, NKJV)
The truth is not in the Gospels. (“Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6, NKJV)
Luis claims that he is the Christ and has done greater things than Christ. (“Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM. John 8:58, NKJV) (And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” John 21:25, NKJV)
As Christians, we have to be diligent in studying the Word of God so that we are able to discern the so-called teachings of false prophets. (“Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.” Malachi 3:18, NKJV) There are three types of false prophets:
Heretics-they blatantly stand against the truth of God’s Word.
Apostates-they know the truth, but turn their back on it. These people will teach “anti-truths” with the full knowledge of God’s truth.
Deceivers-they will not acknowledge the truth of God. They many times are subtle in their “teachings” and can be described as “super religious.” Unfortunately, they themselves are deceived regarding the truth of Christ.
Below, please find some ways to counteract the teachings of false prophets:
Read your Bible! (“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV)
Pray! (“Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV)
Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. (“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26, NKJV)
Surround yourself with like-minded believers-join a church! (“And we will not neglect the house of God.” Nehemiah 10:39, NKJV)
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (I Thessalonians 4:16-18, NKJV)
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