Pastor Terry Cheek Th.D.

www.theinspiringword.org

Thanks for returning to another publication of our article “The Inspiring Word”.

For this publication we will continue our study of the Lords Sermon on the Mount. In June, we looked at Matthew 7:13-14 where we considered the only way to heaven and eternal life. For July let’s begin looking at how the Lord exposes a fraud. From Matthew 7:15-23 we understand that false prophets are Satan’s diplomatic representative. That’s right, they are sent with a purpose of luring people down the broad road that leads to destruction. Let me say this before we get deep into false prophets (preachers and teachers). I’m not talking about folks who honestly hold a different opinion of a few verses of scripture. This isn’t about name calling someone who disagrees with you. There are passages and verses that have been discussed for centuries and no firm conclusion has been found. Until God gives revelation there will be no firm conclusion either. This isn’t a false teacher. A false prophet, preacher or teacher is someone who knowingly and willingly misleads someone to destruction. With that understanding let’s move ahead.

We first see they “come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” On the outside the false prophet looks genuine. They know what to say and what to do to fit in and make a grand first impression. They do all they can to gain acceptance and win over the true people of God. That should get your attention! False prophets don’t go after the babes of faith they go after the mature and those who are confident in their doctrine and theology. Those who feel they have it all together and don’t have anything to worry about. That’s why Jesus is talking to His followers, He knows they will be targets and He wants to warn them. He wants to warn you too!

It may be difficult to see through the clever words and appearance but we can see them by their fruits. The ultimate test of anyone is their doctrine and lifestyle. Are they a person of conviction and integrity? False prophets do not have the “fruit of the spirit” read Ephesians 5:9 and pray over it for wisdom and discernment. After all Jesus did say “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” We all will reap what we sow. If our heart is right there may be difficult trials to overcome but in the end, we will be stronger for them. The false preacher or teacher will bring those difficulties and the end result will not be strength it will be weakness. Thornes and thistles should remind us of the curse in Genesis 3:17-18. These folks are dangerous and we need to be cautious but not to the point of driving folks away. Don’t let the fear of a false preacher or teacher lead you to isolation. Prayerfully seek God’s word and the Holy Spirits guidance for discernment and use it humbly and wisely for Gods glory.

Let me bring something in front of the Christian. The Lost! Often the Lost are impressed with acts that are nothing more than spiritual illusions. The lost will be drawn into a world of deception which feels like a spiritual event but is nothing more than an emotional, motivational, smoke and mirrors show to draw money or make a social impression of some charismatic man or woman, falsely in the name of God. The lost will be led away into Hell by these folks and if a church isn’t inattentive, it like Ephesus can be permanently ruined.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is simple. Jesus has no smoke and mirrors. He is the straight gate and the narrow way and because of false teachers there are few that find it. The true church has an opportunity to show people Jesus Christ in our lives, our words and our deeds. We are not saved by works but we are saved for works. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ should produce works that lift Him up and if we lift Him up we know He will draw people to Himself! Our job, lift up Jesus!