This study was first taught on July 12, 2011

Topic: Beware of False Prophets: What is the Implication?

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Background
The last time we met, we were counselled by the Lord to ‘strive’ to enter in at the strait/narrow gate; the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, being the strait/narrow gate! We noted that the word ‘strive’ indicates that we should contend with, and overcome those things that are competing to take us away from Jesus, and that are opposed to our entering into eternal life through Him, just as we would, an opponent in a contest. We saw also that to ‘strive to enter into life through the strait/narrow gate’ implies that we do our very best or put all our energies into staying in Christ, so that we can ultimately enter into eternal life. The Lord’s counsel asking us to ‘strive’ to enter into eternal life through Him is based on the following:
1. Entering into eternal life by any other means but by Him is impossible.
2. He is really not as popular as some of us may think, thus, we may find that we are alone when following Him; and may become discouraged and want to stop following Him.
3. In following Him, there are some well founded restrictions; hence, people who don’t like restrictions may have to make tough decisions.
4. Walking with Him kills the flesh; which means that we have to put our oldest and closest ‘friend’ before salvation, to death; which is a very painful thing to do!
5. The Lord’s requirement for entering into eternal life may be unacceptable to many people, even including some church leaders who are teaching error.
6. Not all who find Jesus are able to enter into eternal life because there are forces that pull them away from continuing with Him.
7. The value of eternal life makes it imperative that we fight the good fight of faith and overcome in the end.

We noted also that following and abiding in Christ is not difficult. The issue has always been that the carnal man is unwilling to give up things, which he believes cannot hinder his walk with God; even though he does not know that for a fact! We advised that in our bid to enter into eternal life through Jesus, we first need to sit down and count the cost of following Jesus. Then, when we have made up our minds to follow Jesus, we must contend with forces that seek to oppose our faith in Him: (a) we must resist the devil; (b) we must mortify the flesh; (c) we must overcome the world and temptation; (d) we must submit totally to God; (e) we must do His will and obey His word at all times; and (f) we must keep increasing in our knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. We noted for example, that we should let go of persons we want to marry if God says so; we should be willing to take lesser paying jobs if that is what God wants; and, we should be prepared to give up everything for God in spite of our personal needs, if He asks us to give them up, as in the case of asking us to make financial sacrifices or calling certain persons into full-time ministry. Indeed, nothing should stop us from entering into eternal life through Jesus Christ!

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:15-20
Tonight, we alight on a subject that is a cause for concern in Christendom: the issue of false prophets, and indeed, false ministers! We shall begin by looking at the Lord’s instruction to ‘beware’. We pray that the Holy Spirit would grant us understanding, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
In our study tonight, we shall attempt to define the terms ‘beware’, ‘false’, and ‘prophet’, and see the implications to us, of Jesus’ statement to beware of false prophets.
Matthew 16:6; Luke 12:15; Acts 20:28-31; James 5:17-18; Jeremiah 23:17-18, 21-22, 28; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Peter 2:1; 2 Timothy 3:5-7; 1 Samuel 16:7; Revelation 2:2; Acts 17:10-12; Proverbs 25:2; 1 John 4:1; Proverbs 14:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21.

Conclusion
We are told to beware of false prophets. This is clearly a warning to every believer in Christ, not to be taken in by people who come to them or into town claiming to be someone or something.

The implication of the Lord’s warning to us about false prophets is very much founded, because prophets, and other ministers, are human beings. They could be anyone. Prophets, and indeed ministers of God are supposed to hear from God, speak for God, know the mind of God, and speak, by the Spirit of God. They are also people who preach righteousness, teach the truth that is in the word of God, and are given to prayer. And for every original there is a fake; and for everything that God has made or appointed, there is an imitation by the devil!

To ‘beware of false prophets’ therefore, implies that we exercise caution when people come to us and say that they are prophets or messengers of God; and should engage our thoughts and actions to know or investigate them. It implies that we should tread carefully, when people tell us that they are prophets (sometimes, reeling off their credentials). It also is a warning to us not to be carried away or mesmerized, by these itinerant ministers; neither should we be taken by surprise or unawares by them. Hence, ‘beware’ is a screaming word, saying, “WATCH OUT!!!” “BE CAREFUL!!!” “INVESTIGATE!!!” “PROBE DEEPER!!!” Let us learn from the Bereans who investigated the message of Paul, rather than swallow it hook-line-and-sinker. Let us search these so-called ministers/men of God out—their character, their conduct, and the content of their message. Our investigation cannot be casual and carnal; it must be prayerfully conducted. It is our responsibility to be able to recognize and to avoid false prophets!

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