“Beware of false prophets!”

Matthew 7:15

Hear the Words of the Son of God and tremble. ”Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” These words were not spoken to vile, profligate men and women of the gutter. They were not spoken to wild, heretical, strange sects and cults. This warning was addressed to respected conservative, fundamentalist, religious leaders and those who followed them

Let me speak frankly. I fear that the vast majority of people have for a refuge a refuge of lies. Their religion is a false religion, based upon a false faith and a false gospel. They have a false peace and a false assurance, which has been given to them by a false prophet. That which they think, hope, and presume is their salvation will prove in the end to be their damnation. Is that not exactly what our Lord tells us? "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:21-23).

“Beware of false prophets!” -- A false prophet is not necessarily an outwardly wicked man. In fact, that is rarely the case. The false prophet does not wear a sign saying, “Beware of me. I am a false prophet.” Oh, no. They come as wolves in sheep’s clothing. They appear to be very nice, sweet fellows. They are so sincere, so concerned, so anxious to see men saved, so intense. That makes them all the more dangerous. Please hear me now. It does not matter how sweet, likable, well dressed, and zealous a preacher is. If he does not preach the gospel of Christ, the gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace flowing to sinners through the blood of the crucified Son of God, he is a false prophet; and all who follow him will follow him to hell. -- “Beware of false prophets!”

In this day of religious darkness, deceit, and delusion, you will be wise to hear the warning I give you as God’s messenger to your soul, and take it seriously. How I wish I could say or do something to jar you in your very soul! May God the Holy Spirit shake your soul, awaken you, and cause you to hear the Word he has written to show sinners the way of life in Christ.

“Beware of false prophets!” -- We simply must not ignore our Lord’s warning. Men and women enter the wide gate and get on the broad road that leads to everlasting destruction in hell by listening to and following the teachings of men who do not preach the truth, men who peach another gospel. These false prophets usually preach half truths; and that is worse than an out and out denial of truth, because people who would never believe a man who openly denies the Bible will believe the half truths of men who hold a Bible in their hand and claim to believe it. By their cunning craftiness and deceit, they turn the ignorant away from the simplicity that is in Christ, pervert the gospel of Christ, and destroy the souls of men, while pretending, perhaps even imagining, that they are doing God’s service. -- “Beware of false prophets!” Amen.