July 2 - False Prophets Are Deceptive - Devotional

Gracetoyou.org ^ | 2008 | John Macarthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“‘Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves’” (Matthew 7:15).

False prophets are most dangerous because of their deceptive nature. We can easily recognize and defend against an enemy that poses for what it is. But when that enemy appears as a friend, it is much harder to defend against.

Heretics and apostates make no claim to biblical truth and are recognizable. But deceivers disguise themselves as true shepherds. They give the appearance of orthodoxy and claim to teach the truth, but their intent is to deceive and destroy God’s people.

Paul explains this phenomenon: “Such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds” (2 Cor. 11:13–15; cf. 2 Tim. 3:13). Such false prophets are demonically deceived, convinced that their perverted, distorted views are correct. They are so steeped in falsehood that darkness seems to be light, blackness white, and error truth.

This calls for genuine discernment. But how is this best done? It’s by realizing that such men show themselves by what they do not say—they seldom affirm the great doctrines of the faith, but rather ignore them. In our day of confusion and indifference, we need to pray and vigilantly “test the spirits to see whether they are from God. . . . Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:1, 2).

Ask Yourself

What constitutes false teaching today? Why do such philosophies continue to find room to work in hearts and minds, even of believers? What can we do to keep them away from our churches?

From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.

[metmom]

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[metmom]

Studying God’s Word Ping

[evets]

Thanks! (Also see chapter 2 Peter 2)
4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

[silent majority rising]

Sounds like he was talking about the Democratic Party.

[evets]

And false prophets in Jude 1
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

[ViLaLuz]

There are so many sociopaths out loose these days. No doubt many make their way to the pulpit. It’s power they’re after.

[metmom]

Same spiritual basis.

[caww]

Deception is one of the tools, significantly so, in the enemies tool box. Often used to create doubt which in turn creates instability. ...just as it did in the Garden.

Staying close to God's word and remaining close in your relationship with Him indeed will prevent being “fooled” by the Father of lies.

May our discernment be sharpened like a sword and ready to defend all that is true....and dispel falsehood.

[silent majority rising]

I wasn’t joking. There are many prophets. Global Warming Prophets, Climate Prophets, etc. We shouldn’t listen to any false prophets. It is a waste of time and harmful...

[Psalm 73]

Thanks for the PING.

The Epistles are chock full of warnings from the Apostles, who knew a thing or two about false prophets and false doctrines.

Our small group did an informal study (no guide but the Holy Spirit) on 1, 2, 3 John and Jude last year. Sadly, it was the first time I did a "deep dive" into them and was fascinated by John's focus on false teachers.

[metmom]

I didn’t think you were and I wasn’t either.