The “death of discernment” in our churches has provided a fertile environment for false teachers to flourish. Too readily, those who profess faith in Christ, will embrace and believe just about anything…purely because it comes with a “christian” label, was found in a “christian” bookstore, or was broadcast on a “christian” TV channel. The bible warns of wolves in sheep’s clothing infiltrating the body of believers, and yet it is alarming how few people take the role of wolf spotting seriously!
Mat 7:15 NIV84 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
Our churches desperately need watchmen; people who will look out for, and expose error and deception. Since the task is not generally a popularity contest, most shy away from it. The two messages by Justin Peters at the end of this blog are great examples of a watchman in action.
We must be diligent and test all that we hear against the written word of God. For years I have had people in the “church” telling me what God has said to them – freely quoting the Lord word for word; putting words in the mouth of God that he has never spoken! Not much has changed since the false prophets of Old Testament times…the same modus operandi continues to this day.
Eze 13:6-9 NIV84 Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, “The LORD declares,” when the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled. (7) Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, “The LORD declares,” though I have not spoken? (8) “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign LORD. (9) My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.
Generally these claims of “a word from the Lord” amount to nothing, yet we rarely challenge them…after all, who am I to doubt or scrutinise what God has told you?! Saying that God said something almost puts them above reproach or scrutiny in the church today – quite the opposite response to what should be happening.
These false prophets can be grateful we don’t live under the Old Testament law!
Deu 18:20-22 NIV84 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death.” (21) You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?” (22) If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.
The following YouTube clips highlight very clearly the error that is being preached and taught in Word-faith circles. It is for this reason that I have decided that our family will not watch ANY programs on “christian” TV. Whilst we may be throwing the baby out with the bath water, the statistical probability is that the preacher you’re watching on TV is a heretic.
I am amazed how often false teachers are quoted on Facebook by professing christians, who have never examined their theology to see if what they preach is scriptural.
I am saddened by the inescapable reality that false teachers are the global face of “christianity” because of their widely broadcast television programs. Far too often I find myself having to explain their antics to non-believers who reject God because of the excesses of TV preachers. How ironic that non-believers can spot phoney teachers, yet many in church circles cannot. That lack of discernment normally stems from experiential expectations – seeking signs, wonders and miracles…which is the playground of the false teacher, who provides the “signs” on cue!
2Th 2:9-12 NIV84 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, (10) and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (11) For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie (12) and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
What a tragedy that those earnestly seeking God will often be swept away by deception because they seek the input of a popular preacher, under the mistaken assumption that because their ministries are large they must be “blessed” and getting it right. I am not saying that all preachers with a large following are false, but I do find myself assessing them in the light of Jesus’ words:
Luk 6:26 NIV84 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.
I hope you will learn from these messages by Justin Peters.
I have also included links to the audio versions of these two messages. This is for the benefit of those who live in countries where YouTube is actually banned! I’m still trying to work out if that is a good or bad thing…
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Satan really deceives the world in the name of religion! I am truly blessed by this post. Thanks for the audio links. You are doing a wonderful job Brother Phil.