“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-16 KJV)
Imitations are so dangerous that Jesus emphasized guarding against them. Yet, people ignore his warnings and chase after those who say, “I am Christ.” Our adversary’s goal is to replace God. He has said in his heart, “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God” (Isaiah 14:13). So, he sends false prophets and false christs to deceive as many as possible. But Jesus said, “Take heed that no man (person) deceives you” (Matt. 24:4).
The real problem is: the adversary and his servants disguise themselves to resemble Christ, but the counterfeit will always have flaws. “Looking like” and “being like” are the issues. The wolf may dress himself to look like the sheep, but inside he is still just a ravenous wolf. He neither cares about the sheep nor the truth. He has his own, selfish agenda . . . to destroy God’s kingdom. Christ, on the other hand, has only one objective . . . to give you life to it’s fullest extent. For He promised, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26). The safeguard against deceptions is to believe Christ.
How do we recognize false prophets and deceivers? First, we must know the Crucified and Resurrected Christ described in the Bible. Second, we must know the Scripture. Studying the counterfeit will only trap us, but studying the truth – the authentic – will protect us from the deceiver. Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). So, knowing the truth and continually practicing the truth will set us free! Knowing the truth will empower us to identify the deceivers!
Any person who spins a scheme that changes God’s truth is a deceiver. The Bible warns such a person: “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19). In this New Year, let us know the truth and practice it.
Dear Father, thank you for allowing us to know you through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. According to your promise, guide us into all truth. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in knowing and practicing truth,