RECOGNIZING FALSE PROPHETS

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

2 Peter 2:1-3

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

In the closing of 2 Peter, chapter 1, we find Peter reminding his brother and sister Christians, those “scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1), that the only true source of prophecy was God, not the humans He used as His messengers.

As we pivot to chapter 2, we see the matter of false prophecy take center stage as Peter provides guidance to his readers (and to us today) regarding how to recognize a false prophet when they try to do their sinful work. Look again at his words from the first three verses of 2 Peter, chapter 2:

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

Here Peter tells the Christians in “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia” that they would experience false prophets in their midst, just as had been the case throughout the scriptures. For it seems that as long as legitimate prophets were chosen and used by God, Satan has also been at work using counterfeit prophets to mislead and misguide the Lord’s people, counterfeit prophets who “exploit” with “fabricated stories” and “secretly introduce destructive heresies” which included “denying the Sovereign Lord”. Unfortunately, these purveyors of false prophecy would win over many who would follow “their depraved conduct” and “bring the way of truth into disrepute”.

All this begs the question, “How can I avoid falling prey to a false prophet?”

You can recognize them in three different ways:

1. You can look at their fruit.

Consider these words of Jesus, delivered during His Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” 7:15-20

Through their sinfulness, false prophets will never bear good fruit because they are like a “bad tree” and it’s utterly impossible for a bad tree to bear good fruit.

Conversely, good trees are ones who are faithful and obedient to God’s Word, will, and way. Anything they say will be completely reliable and trustworthy because what they say is “good fruit” harvested from the Lord who is perfectly holy and righteous in every way.

2. You know the scriptures well.

In the closing verses of chapter 1, we looked at how all prophecies of God have happened and are contained within the 66 books of the Holy Bible. Therefore, there aren’t any new prophecies from God that have, are, or will take place in the future. If God sends guidance, it is only to convey better understanding of what He has already said.

We also saw where there are consequences associated with either adding or taking away from what God has already established. In Chapter 22 of the Book of Revelation, we learn that those consequences included the imposition of plagues and the loss of a “share in the tree of life and in the Holy City”. Indeed, as we see in our passage today, the Lord will “cut down” every tree that doesn’t bear “good fruit” and cast that tree “into the fire”.

In the end translation, Satan knows the Word of God better than most Christian believers do. In order to avoid being deceived by him through false prophets and other sinners, we need to arm ourselves with the weapon prescribed with God’s full armor, the “sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). Know the scriptures well and you won't be duped into believing anything or anybody else.

3. Finally, you will recognize false prophets through the help of the Holy Spirit.

When a person chooses to place their belief in Jesus as Savior, they receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Counselor Jesus promised God would send to lead and guide His disciples after He ascended (John 14:26). If you’re not sure whether or not a person bringing a message from the Lord is legit or not, ask the Holy Spirit. He always will expose any imposters so to protect you against their wicked intentions to mislead.

False prophets are as prevalent today as ever. Thankfully, we have this timely Word from the Lord within the framework of this important message to teach and inform us how to discern deceit when Satan tries to bring it upon Christ believers.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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