November 2nd
Beware of False Prophets
2 Peter 2:1-3
2:1 BUT ALSO [in those days] there arose false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among yourselves, who will subtly and stealthily introduce heretical doctrines (destructive heresies… 2 And many will follow their immoral ways and lascivious doings; because of them the true Way will be maligned and defamed. 3 And in their covetousness (lust, greed) they will exploit you with false (cunning) arguments… AMP
Recently I have been hearing about preachers yielding to familiar spirits and Christians taken in by the spectacular i.e. they were “wowed” by the spectacular.
Familiar spirits will operate this way: when they manifest through a false prophet, the familiar spirits will reveal things about you to the false prophet, because familiar spirits are familiar with you. For example, the familiar spirits will tell the false prophet your name, where you live, how much money you have, or where you keep your diamonds, etc. So Christians who get so taken in by the spectacular think it is from God. Of course God knows all about you, but familiar spirits know something about you too.
I heard this recently – a person went to visit a holy man in India (not a Christian holy man). That holy man knew his name even without being told beforehand. How did he know? Familiar spirits not only operate through Christian preachers but also through other “holy men”.
In the above scriptures, Peter said that false prophets and teachers will
a) preach heretical doctrine.
I was told of some preachers saying, that when they go sit on John G. Lake’s tomb they expect to get the same anointing as he did. And in prayer, they will ascend and descend between heaven and earth. These are bizarre ideas!
b) they will exploit you
For example they will tell you to give them what you have or they may tell you to give and God will give you business ideas, or they may try to sell you some stones or water or other objects saying these objects are anointed.
Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). AMP
How do you avoid being trapped by false spirits operating through so-called prophets or teachers?
#1.
John 7:17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. NKJV
Always seek to do God’s will, live God’s will, and you will know what is from God and what is not.
#2.
A true shepherd watches over his sheep and he can distinguish between sheep and wolves in sheep’s clothing. A true shepherd under the guidance of the Holy Spirit will “smell” a wolf prowling around. Find a good Word based church. The pastoral team watches over the members by praying much in the spirit; praying in the spirit reveals what is true and exposes what is false.
#3.
Learn to follow your heart (spirit) before you give majorly, consult your spouse; if he or she doesn’t feel good about it, don’t commit to giving a big amount. Go away from those meetings and pray at home with your spouse. If God really wants you to give it will still be in your spirit and your spouse will bear witness to it. At least your spouse will not really object to it. Develop how to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit now! Learn the methods and ways the Holy Spirit would guide us.
#4.
1 John 4:1 BELOVED, DO not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. AMP
We test the spirit by the Word and by our spirit; the Holy Spirit will bear witness with our spirit. Develop your faith in the Word of God – the Word of Faith. Knowing how to walk by faith will establish you not to be swayed by the spectacular. The things of God are supernatural but not necessary it is spectacular. For example, the leading of the Holy Spirit is supernatural but it can be so subtle that it is not spectacular at all. The inner witness can be very subtle and we can miss it but it is supernatural and may not be spectacular.
#5.
Beware of preachers using ministry or reaching the lost as a pretext to lure you to serve or to give. Check the motive and purpose of what they want to do. Analyse any proposal as you would in any investment.
#6.
By their fruits we will know them; check their track record. If they leave a trail of destruction or misleading of others, then you should know that this person or the things he does is not of God.
Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves. [Ezekiel 22:27.] 16 You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. 18 A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. AMP
The devil will counterfeit what is of God and what is true. You won’t counterfeit something that is not true. For example the US dollar is genuine but there are also counterfeits.
Jesus said, “…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”, free from the counterfeits (John 8:32 NIV).