Christian Fellowship
Beware Of False Prophets
Beware Of False Prophets
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.—Matthew 7:15 (KJV)
The Gospel Is Freedom
Measure all teachings against Deuteronomy 13:1-4, whether it is from another teacher or from our own choosing for ourselves. Even Paul tells members of his church in his Epistle to the Galatians to measure his own teachings, to ensure that they measure up against the rest of the Scriptures. The people from Beria (Berians) were especially adept at studying all of Paul's letters and teachings to measure them against the rest of Scripture.
Beware of false teachers and prophets teaching false dogma for it must always be tested. What would you say about modern day prophets and teachers? How would you test their doctrine? These verses also go along with Acts of the Apostles 20:28-31 where Luke is warning to keep a watch on the flock and false teaching. Deuteronomy also instructs us to avoid heresy (choosing for ourselves, or self choice and opinion) but rather, walk after the LORD and fear God.
1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. —Deuteronomy 13:1-4 (KJV)
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. —Acts of the Apostles 20:28-31 (KJV)
Whether we are sharing truth to an unbelieving world or rebuking an incorrectly believing Church, we should go back to these verses time and again. When we read or hear new teachings, or when we receive teaching from anyone, the gospel allows us the freedom to test new teachings for both dogma and heresy; and test if it is true, to validate the teachings in the context of the entire Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation.
- Next entry in the series 'Christian Fellowship': The Purpose Of Man
- Previous entry in the series 'Christian Fellowship': Together In Christ
