Post by CoUrTnEy on Jan 10, 2005 13:28:15 GMT -5
This is from another christian message board - but i thought it important to be read here too.
False Prophets
The Word of God is full of warnings of False Prophets and Teachers. This is something that God wants us to take very seriously.
1 Timothy 4
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
The verses from 1 Timothy warns us that in the latter times there will be those who depart from the faith and listen to seducing spirits and the doctrines of devils. This is the spirit of anti-christ. It is amazing to the true believer some of the false doctrines that are taught by many churches and televangelists today. What is even more amazing is the number of people who believe in these false ministers and will support them vigorously.
1 John 4
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1 John 4:5 and 6 gives the explanation as to why there are so many who promote false teaching and why there are so many that follow after the false teachers. They are of the world. Because they are of the world they are under a spirit of error. Those who are of God are under the spirit of truth. The false teachers and prophets do not know the truth, therefore they can not teach it.
Matthew 15
12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Another reason that so many follow after false teachers and prophets is because of signs and wonders which these people claim to be able to manifest.
Mk 8:12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
Many false teachers claim they can heal all manner of afflictions or that they can blow the Holy Ghost onto a person who will become "slain in the spirit"and many other forms of nonsense. But Jesus Christ made clear that the only sign that would be given was that of Jonah.
Luke 11
29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Many of these false teachers can be very convincing to those who do not study scripture and practice discernment.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:24 confirms that these false ones will indeed be able to show great signs and wonders. But this is not though the spirit of God, but through Satan.
There are many today that say that in order not to cause dissention it is necessary to not call out false prophets or to question their teachings. But is this correct? Should one allow false teaching to continue?
Romans 16
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
False teachings are dangerous because they can decieve those who are new Christians or not well grounded in the Word.
What is the solution to identifying false teachers.
2 Timothy 2
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Study and know the Word of God. Do not take the word of man without checking what he says with the Word of God. It is not wrong to question any man's teaching and to check it by scripture. A true teacher will encourage this as it is what God has told us to do.
False Prophets
The Word of God is full of warnings of False Prophets and Teachers. This is something that God wants us to take very seriously.
1 Timothy 4
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
The verses from 1 Timothy warns us that in the latter times there will be those who depart from the faith and listen to seducing spirits and the doctrines of devils. This is the spirit of anti-christ. It is amazing to the true believer some of the false doctrines that are taught by many churches and televangelists today. What is even more amazing is the number of people who believe in these false ministers and will support them vigorously.
1 John 4
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1 John 4:5 and 6 gives the explanation as to why there are so many who promote false teaching and why there are so many that follow after the false teachers. They are of the world. Because they are of the world they are under a spirit of error. Those who are of God are under the spirit of truth. The false teachers and prophets do not know the truth, therefore they can not teach it.
Matthew 15
12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Another reason that so many follow after false teachers and prophets is because of signs and wonders which these people claim to be able to manifest.
Mk 8:12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
Many false teachers claim they can heal all manner of afflictions or that they can blow the Holy Ghost onto a person who will become "slain in the spirit"and many other forms of nonsense. But Jesus Christ made clear that the only sign that would be given was that of Jonah.
Luke 11
29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Many of these false teachers can be very convincing to those who do not study scripture and practice discernment.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:24 confirms that these false ones will indeed be able to show great signs and wonders. But this is not though the spirit of God, but through Satan.
There are many today that say that in order not to cause dissention it is necessary to not call out false prophets or to question their teachings. But is this correct? Should one allow false teaching to continue?
Romans 16
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
False teachings are dangerous because they can decieve those who are new Christians or not well grounded in the Word.
What is the solution to identifying false teachers.
2 Timothy 2
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Study and know the Word of God. Do not take the word of man without checking what he says with the Word of God. It is not wrong to question any man's teaching and to check it by scripture. A true teacher will encourage this as it is what God has told us to do.
