Leadership: False Prophets
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 7:15 (ESV)
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1 (ESV)
False prophets are spiritual spinners. Elijah faced 850 truth twisters, who led God’s people astray.* Jesus faced them throughout His ministry.*
The Book of Jude paints the awful outcomes:
‘They are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness’ (Jude 1:12-13).
False prophets still preach in churches today! Remember the devil quoted Scripture (in Christ’s 40-day wilderness trials)...
Showing that leaders under Satan’s sway can spin God’s Word for personal profit… IF (and only if) we don’t know it, too!
How can we KNOW a person’s heart and goals?
Jesus said, 'You will know them by their fruits' (Matthew 7:16). If this “fruit” is the result of our work, consider church leaders carefully:
Is their “fruit” measured by prosperity, OR the rescued lives they’ve worked to nourish?
Is their “fruit” 99 x 99 (seen in their mega church congregations), OR the 1 lost sheep waiting to be found?
If a church might be compared to a tree, Jesus cursed a lovely tree without fruit.***
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Your Boss said, 'The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him' (John 4:23):****
Not in grand churches or manmade temples, because God's Spirit will NOT be contained. The body of Christ has no roof or walls!
Today, you, yourselves, are priests and temples. You’re airborne travelers through media, extending yourselves unto all nations.
P.S. Beware sweet-talking, star-studded pastors. That wasn’t Christ’s style. It shouldn’t be ours.
* Consider Elijah's amazing contest and battle: 1 Kings 18 NKJV - Elijah’s Message to Ahab - And it - Bible Gateway
* Jesus' most condemning Words in the Gospels: Matthew 23 NKJV - Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees - Then - Bible Gateway
** Matthew 25:31-46: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+25%3A31-46&version=NKJV
*** References and article regarding the cursed fig trees: http://www.gotquestions.org/curse-fig-tree.html
**** John 4:21-24: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4%3A21-24&version=NKJV
Leadership: False Prophets (Part 2)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!