March 13, 2002

BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15, NKJV).

"Teachers of falsehood will arise to draw you away from the narrow path and the strait gate. Beware of them; though concealed in sheep's clothing, inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Jesus gave a test by which false teachers may be distinguished from the true. 'You will know them by their fruits,' He says. 'Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?' (Matthew 7:16).

"We are not bidden to prove them by their fair speeches and exalted professions. They are to be judged by the word of God. 'To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them' (Isaiah 8:20)... What message do these teachers bring? Does it lead you to reverence and fear God? Does it lead you to manifest your love for Him by loyalty to His commandments? If men do not feel the weight of the moral law; if they make light of God's precepts; if they break one of the least of His commandments, and teach men so, they shall be of no esteem in the sight of heaven. We may know that their claims are without foundation. They are doing the very work that originated with the prince of darkness, the enemy of God.

"Not all who profess His name and wear His badge are Christ's Many who have taught in My name, said Jesus, will be found wanting at last. 'Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name? and cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?" And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" ' (Matthew 7:22, 23)...

"A mere profession of discipleship is of no value.. A belief that does not lead to obedience is presumption. The apostle John says, 'He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him' (1 John 2:4)...

"Obedience is the test of discipleship. It is the keeping of the commandments that proves the sincerity of our professions of love. When the doctrine we accept kills sin in the heart, purifies the soul from defilement, bears fruit unto holiness, we may know that it is the truth of God. When benevolence, kindness, tender-heartedness, sympathy, are manifest in our lives; when the joy of right doing is in our hearts; when we exalt Christ, and not self, we may know that our faith is of the right order. 'Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments' (1 John 2:3).--Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing, pp., 145-147.