Anyone remember Adrian Rogers?
Here’s one of his messages on false prophets.
(2 Peter 2:1-3)
Know them by their manner.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways… (v. 2)
Pernicious is a word we don’t use much today. It literally means “unbridled lust.” The center, sum and substance of their message is themselves.
They call themselves prophets, but they’re living in sin. Note their methods, manner, and way of life. Are they above reproach?
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none of them doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants therefore as Gomorrah. Jeremiah 23:14
Success in ministry does not necessarily mean they’re doing God’s work. Statistics are no proof that something is of God, because “many will follow” (2 Peter 2:2). Some people love the sensual rather than the spiritual. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father, which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Many people lead double lives. They are counterfeits.
Yes. And how many said about Jesus...”Him? He’s just a carpenter from Nazareth.”.
How many turned and walked away when He said, “You must eat my flesh and drink my blood.” Nowadays they would call Him Dracula or Hannibal Lecter.
His own right hand man denied Him three times.
And so forth and so on.
Well, good luck to them, eh?
Cast not your pearls.