Beware of False Prophets

Today we will be studying about false teachers and teachings.

I believe this is an important topic for study since there are countless heresies and hereticks out there and we need to be ware of them. I encourage my readers to search the scriptures so that they know whether what I teach is true or not and to try the spirits to see if they be from God (Act 17:11, 1Jn 4:1), for I too am only human and can make a mistake when teaching something.

The Bible on False Teaching and More.

Our saviour tells us in Mat 15:8 -9 that there would be  those that draw nigh him with their mouth and honour him with their lips but their heart is far from him. We see there also that there are those that teach for doctrine their own commandments. Rom 16:17 -18 teaches us to mark and avoid those that teach things (divisions & offences) contrary to true biblical doctrine and that they serve not Christ but deceive the hearts of the simple with "good words" and "fair speeches" (Pro 14:15).

We see in 1Ti 1:4 to "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions...", 1Tim 4:1-2 also shows us that in the latter days some will depart from the faith and give heed to doctrines of devils. In 1Tim 6:3 -5 we that those who don't consent to the wholesome words of Jesus and the doctrine according to godliness but instead teach otherwise are proud and know nothing. We are also informed to withdraw ourselves from those that suppose gain is godliness *cough* prosperity preachers (Mic 3:11).

As followers of Jesus we are not to receive into our houses those that do not posses the doctrine of Christ, neither should we bid them God speed (2Jn 1:9-10). Rev 2:14 -15 show two doctrines that Jesus hates, namely the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.

see also: Eph 4:14, Col 2:8, 1Tim 6:20, Tit 1:14, Heb 13:9

The Bible on False Prophets,Teachers, Brethren, etc

Now let's take a look at passages that deal with false prophets and converts. In Deu 13:1-5 God warns Israel not to follow a prophet or dreamer who seeks to turn them unto other gods even if he gives them a sign or wonder that comes to pass. Deu 18:20-22 shows us how we can know if a prophet isn't sent from the  Lord, because what they say doesn't come to pass.

One of the main problems I find with false prophets is that in addition to lying they also teach that it's Ok to sin or that you don't have to repent in order to please God which is in itself a lie (Jer 23:13 -14). We see from Zec 13:2 -3 that the time is coming when false prophets will be slain by even their own parents, whereas today we suffer false prophets to live.

Today we see bible prophecy coming to pass before our very eyes because there are numerous people who deceive people by professing to be Christ (Mat 24:24, Mar 13:22). Though I'm not sure if the false Christ nowadays are able to produce the great signs and wonders spoken of in the prophecy. Mat 7:15 shows us that false prophets don't appear wicked but instead as sheep, though inwardly they are ravening wolves. Luk 6:26 shows us that just because someone is spoken well of it doesn't mean they are a true prophet of God.

We see false teachers are not to be taken lightly because it was because of them the apostle Paul warned everybody night and day with tears (Act 20:29-31). Another way the bible teaches that not everyone that professes Christ is genuinely saved is by the passages that mention false brethren (2Cor 11:26, Gal 2:4).

Although false prophets will be judged for leading people astray they are not the only ones to blame. That's because the people themselves search for teachers who will tell them what they want to hear (itching ears) and they will not endure sound doctrine, instead they will turn to fables (2Ti 4:3 -4, Jer 5:30 -31). They don't want to listen to what's  right / true but instead they desire to hear "smooth things" (Isa 30:9 -11).

2Pe 2:1-3 tells us that the way of truth will be evil spoken of because of these false prophets and that they will make merchandise of the people by using feigned words, their damnation will not slumber. Tit 1:10 -11 is another passage that mention those that teach things they shouldn't on the count of money and Jer 6:13 is another similar passage.

One wicked prophetess we see in the book of  revelation is Jezebel, she teaches and seduces the Lord's servants to commit fornication and eat things offered to idols (Rev 2:20). We see that the false prophet (as well as the dragon and beast) spoken of in the book of revelation has unclean spirits like frogs coming from their mouths (Rev 16:13), and he will be cast in the lake of fire (Rev 19:20). Rev 20:10 to me seems to refute the doctrine of annihilation because the false prophet is still there when the devil joins him after the 1000 year reign of Christ.

see also: Jer 14:15, Eze 13:3, Eze 22:25, Eze 22:28, Mic 3:5-7, 

Zep 3:4, Mat 24:11, Act 13:6, 2Co 11:13 -15, Rev 2:2

Mentioned or Other

False Teachers would do well to read Pro 28:10 and believe it, so that they may repent before they fall into their own pit.

Mat 15:14 seems to reiterate this point, or at least is a very similar verse. When we look at Isa 8:20 we see that one  of the qualifiers of a true prophet of God is that they speak according to the law and to the testimony. 

2Co 2:17 is one of the proof text I use to show that there are alot of folk who corrupt the word of God, please check out my bible perversion posts for more info. It's not enough for someone to profess that they believe in Jesus for there are many kinds of "Jesus" out there in the world. There's the Islamic Jesus, the Mormon Jesus, the Jehovah's witnesses Jesus, etc. Paul address this "another Jesus" in 2Co 11:1-4.

  

By reading Gal 1:7-9 we can know that the alleged angels that talked to Joseph smith and Muhammed were accursed, that is if they actually did see an angel. This is because the teachings of Mormonism and Islam very plainly teach a different gospel than what we find in the bible. Gal 5:20 classifies seditions and heresies as a work of the flesh and we see in verse 21 that the fate of those that do such won't inherit the kingdom of God. Eph 5:5 -6 is a powerful verse which tells you not to be tricked by those that teach the easy believe-ism doctrine.    

It is not God's will for his people to be deceived as 1Th 5:21 tells us to prove all things and hold fast to the good. In 2Ti 2:17-18 we read of two false teachers who said that the resurrection has already occurred. Tit 3:10 tells us to reject hereticks after one or two admonitions. 2Pe 3:3 -6 shows us that in the last days there would be scoffers who hold to uniformitarianism. 2Pet 3:16 and Rev 22:18-19 show the dire consequences for wresting, adding to or taking away from the word of God.

So in conclusion we should beware of false prophets, and not only that we should be studying the scriptures so that we will be able to discern who they are and warn others about them as well.

See also: Pro 21:2, Rom 1:18, 1Co 11:19, Php 1:18, Col 2:4, 

2Th 2:3

Thanks for Reading Please Share!!!!