God’s warning regarding False Prophets is the same throughout Scripture. He warns us that many individuals who claim to speak for Him – do not.
This warning is more important today than ever before. The Bible tells us that deception will increase as we get closer to the end of the age.
We read in the New Testament accounts that deception will become popular and pervasive in the Time of the End.
The main characteristic of the False Prophets is that they say what people what want to hear, not what God has said. The end result of the deception is that the people deceived will perish.
We are taught in scripture to rebuke false teaching and teachers yet today those who stand against false teaching are persecuted and seen as ‘judging’. We ARE called to judge ALL teaching, to examine what we hear and measure it against Scripture. We are to avoid false teaching and false teachers and stand by the Truth.
Titus 1:9 says “.. hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”
The Bible has a great deal to say on this subject so we can avoid being deceived and can encourage and teach others to remain true to His Word too. Here is a small sample of what God has said on this…..
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.” (1Ti 6:3-5 ESV)
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2Ti 3:1-5 ESV)
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:2-5
While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13
Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:5
“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. For there are many who are in subordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” (Tit 1:9-13 ESV)
“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.” (2Th 3:6 ESV)
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (2Co 11:13 ESV)
“If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.” (2Th 3:14 ESV)
“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” (Tit 2:1 ESV)
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