Church
Beware of false prophets
In Acts, chapter two, the Bible speaks of the outpouring of God's Spirit upon all flesh. In this day we are seeing great healings and miracles, and a mighty move of God, to bless.
Nevertheless, the Church must make itself ready to receive from God. God has promised His Spirit, so let's get into position to be filled with the glory of God. This glory brings unto the believer the miracle-working power of God, and that power works in the believer for good toward others.
Christians must be alert in this hour not to receive words of direction from anyone who does not know God, and his Son Jesus, the Christ. God is not hard-up for spokespersons; He has plenty, and from all sorts of backgrounds.
This time that we are living in is filled with many false prophets. We must stay on the alert, so as not to be deceived by the enemy. In speaking of end times, Jesus said to "...take heed that no one deceived you." (Matthew 24:4)
God has not left us without knowledge of how to recognize the false prophet, who would claim a relationship with Jesus, but in reality does not know Him.
Jesus says to us: "Beware of false prophets, who corne to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."
"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matthew 7:15-20)
We must realize that the authority that the false prophet operates under, is Satan's authority. He started lying to God's people in the Garden of Eden, concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; and he hasn't stopped yet. (Genesis 3:4,5)
The false prophet speaks against the word of God, even against God Himself. Yet, in many cases it's done so cleverly and in such a subtle way, that it is not recognized. We must know God's word AND His Spirit so as not to be fooled.
In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus warns us: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
"Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, 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!'
(Scriptures in this article are from the New King James Version.) Many churches today are allowing false prophets to corne in and address the congregation. Now false prophets will confess a great love and concern for the people and a desire to help. They will speak convincing and enticing words with boldness; but...check them out. Check them out by the word! Check them out by the Spirit.
It is of the utmost importance to discover what they have to say about who Jesus is. The question is always: "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" (Matthew 22:42)
What about What about What about What about Heaven and the virgin birth? the Holy Bible? the Blood atonement? being born again? hell?
The Bible says: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (II Timothy 3:16)
The only plan of salvation is in the atoning death of Jesus Christ. God has not given any other plan.
The false prophet might say that good works will earn you entrance into heaven. Not true. And regardless of what the false prophet says, one cannot get into heaven through any false god, nor through any false religion.
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
And that name is JESUS!
Beware of false religions! Some religions, claiming to be Christian, have books other than the Holy Bible as their authority and foundation. Then, there are many who believe some of the Bible, but do not believe that Jesus is God.
Here lies the key. Any religion that does not believe and teach that Jesus is God, is not of God! Plain and simple.
In many organizations there are false teachings about God. As already stated, there is no salvation by good character. You cannot get to heaven by walking straight, loving your neighbor, and living according to the rules of some lodge. Christians should not be in league with those who are walking with the devil.
Isaiah 5:20, tells us: "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness..."
The Bible instructs us: "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret." (Ephesians 5:11,12)
It is time for the Church to recognize, and not entertain, false prophets, false teachings, and false religions.
Paul admonishes us "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting." (Ephesians 4:14)
