Jesus said "Learn from me." (Matthew 11:29)
Matthew 7:15-20 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
False prophets were common in Old Testament times. They prophesied only what the king and the people wanted to hear, claiming it was God's message. False teachers are just as common today. Jesus says to beware of those whose words sound religious but who are motivated by money, fame, or power. You can tell who they are because in their teaching they minimize Christ and glorify themselves.
False prophets plague the church today. To recognize false prophets, the ordinary Christian must examine the way they live, their message and their witness for the LORD. Does their behavior and character conform to Christ and His teaching? Do they exhibit their love for Christ by obeying His Commandments? (Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." And again in Mark 16:15, And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”) Or do they proclaim only what people want to hear that makes life easy and pleasurable while ignoring the demanding and difficult requirements of discipleship?
A false prophet is not a true believer in Christ. In 2nd Corinthians 6:14 Scripture tells us, "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? Again in 2nd Corinthians 6:17-18 The Bible tells the Christian, "Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you." I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
True Christians are reminded in 1st Corinthians 2:15-16 “But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ."
True believers are encouraged to be Discerning believers.
Pastor Stan Smith
Scriptureteaches.org
