This study was first taught on September 6, 2011

Topic: Beware of False Prophets: How to Identify Them (3)

No audio available for this study.

---

Background
Last week, we looked at the remainder of the works of the flesh, which manifest in the false prophet. And as we looked at other translations of the bible to see what these works of the flesh are, we saw that there was more to their meaning than we ordinarily would have known, for example, we saw that ‘hatred’ implies, being hostile, making enemies, or, paranoid loneliness; ‘variance’ implies a contentious trait, quarrelling, getting into rivalry, fighting, or, cutthroat competition; ‘emulations’ implies jealousy, desiring what others have, or, exhibiting an all consuming-yet-never-satisfied desire; ‘wrath’ implies uncontrolled or uncontrollable brutal temper, which manifest as outbursts of wrath or anger, fits of anger or rage, or, angry feelings; ‘strife’ implies selfish ambition, leading to selfishness, rivalries, attempts to get the better of others, or, constant efforts to get the best for yourself; ‘seditions’ imply complaint and criticisms, which can lead to conflict, and divisions; ‘heresies’ suggests a situation where everyone else is wrong except those in your own little group, which give rise to false and wrong doctrines, or simply, party spirit, developing into sects with peculiar opinions, or factions; ‘envyings’ is translated envy, or the vicious habit of personalizing everyone into a rival; ‘drunkeness’ means uncontrolled drinking, or, uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; and, ‘revellings’ implies wild parties or partying, carousing, or, orgies.

We noted that these are traits which are locked deep within the heart of the unregenerate man, and concluded that false prophets manifest them. Hence, the false prophet is involved in sectarianism, subversion of the gospel, the delivery of destructive doctrines which aim at turning away people from the ways of God. They exhibit an uncontrollable temper, and can even kill or send hired assassins after those they consider rivals. They encourage revelries and wild behaviour in the name of praise and worship. We saw that some false prophets had in fact been believers in Christ, who refused to be led by the Holy Spirit. As a result, they went from among us, and began to teach a heretic message that agreed with their flesh. Thus, we said that this should serve as a warning to those of us who are still in Christ, to stand fast, and hold on to the doctrine of Christ by yielding to the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us to help us.

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:17-18
Tonight, as we conclude on our study on false prophets, we shall be looking at one last identifier of the false prophet as indicated in our scripture text. We ask as always, for the Holy Spirit’s help, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Our scripture text mentions that a fruit helps identify what kind of tree we have; hence, a good tree produces good fruit; and a bad tree, produces bad fruit. In other words, a good tree cannot produce a bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce a good fruit. Thus, we can identify a false prophet from his pedigree, his teacher, his mentor, his spiritual father.
John 15:1, 4-6; 8:38-44; 2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 12-16; Genesis 3:1-6; Ephesians 4:4-6; Galatians 1:6-7; 4:16-20; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Acts 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:5-9; Ephesians 6:10-18; Matthew 4:3-11; 16:21-26.

Conclusion
The false prophet can be identified by his pedigree. The source or pedigree of every false prophet is the devil, also called Satan, Lucifer, that Old Serpent, etc. By looking at the pedigree of the false prophet, which may also include, a denomination, a church, a church leader, etc., we can easily identify him.

For instance, we have seen that the devil is a murderer, a hater of truth, and, a liar; so is a false prophet. Also, we have seen that the devil used the serpent to beguile Eve by misleading her in the word of God, so does the false prophet use subtlety to beguile his victim and lead them to believe another ‘Jesus’, a different ‘spirit’, and another ‘gospel’. The devil transforms himself into ‘an angel of light’, so does the false prophet transform himself into ‘a preacher of righteousness’, getting people to depend on what they can see, rather than on faith, to depend on what they can get which is physical, rather than Christ; and to depend on their feelings, rather than on the leading of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, as the devil is a prowler, so are false prophets; for they are usually itinerant, going from place to place seeking whom they might devour. They can even be very eloquent in quoting Scriptures, but lack the ability to live a godly lifestyle.

Our conclusion on this subject is the same as was made by our Lord Jesus, almost 2,000 years ago: BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS! Know how to identify them, and, with all that is within you, avoid and run far away from them!

---

Back to all Bible Study Outline List