False Prophets
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them -- bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
This is a sobering passage, indeed! Unfortunately, many Christians are completely naive about the ways of the evil one. Because they think he will not invade the church of God, they listen without a filter to numerous off-the-wall belief systems. Sadly, many people swallow “hook, line and sinker” the theological heresies which are shouted from the pulpits by those who have a profit motive in mind; they seek profit for their ego and their pocketbook. Keep your eyes open!
It was true in the early church, and it applies today. False teachers are all around us. Who is a false teacher? Anyone who teaches something which is not true is the simple answer. However, to uncover the falsehood, you must be astute enough in the Word of God to see it when you hear it or read it. This is a real problem today. Why do good people, who should know better, choose to believe false teachers?
Besides not being a student of the Word of God, many people allow their friendships to dictate their belief systems. In other words, we are very susceptible to believing what our friends say, over what the Bible teaches. When our relationships with others are more important to us than the truth, we excuse the errors in order to maintain a place in “the family.”
The Bible teaches us that we should not only be discerning, but we should also evaluate what we hear and read. This is a key thought: “Look for the Word of God to validate your experience, rather than relying on your experience to validate what you want to believe.” Keep your eyes open!
This is a sobering passage, indeed! Unfortunately, many Christians are completely naive about the ways of the evil one. Because they think he will not invade the church of God, they listen without a filter to numerous off-the-wall belief systems. Sadly, many people swallow “hook, line and sinker” the theological heresies which are shouted from the pulpits by those who have a profit motive in mind; they seek profit for their ego and their pocketbook. Keep your eyes open!
It was true in the early church, and it applies today. False teachers are all around us. Who is a false teacher? Anyone who teaches something which is not true is the simple answer. However, to uncover the falsehood, you must be astute enough in the Word of God to see it when you hear it or read it. This is a real problem today. Why do good people, who should know better, choose to believe false teachers?
Besides not being a student of the Word of God, many people allow their friendships to dictate their belief systems. In other words, we are very susceptible to believing what our friends say, over what the Bible teaches. When our relationships with others are more important to us than the truth, we excuse the errors in order to maintain a place in “the family.”
The Bible teaches us that we should not only be discerning, but we should also evaluate what we hear and read. This is a key thought: “Look for the Word of God to validate your experience, rather than relying on your experience to validate what you want to believe.” Keep your eyes open!
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January
Building Men Over MembershipsActions and WordsPraying in God’s WillA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouAre You Encouraging Others?Strengthening BelieversSalvation Is SimpleCounterfeit TeachingBe Ready for the End Jesus Understands Your PainLooking ForwardCommitting Others To ChristSharing Your StoryTaking the Time To BlessPraying for UnbelieversA Word of BlessingJesus Cares about YouThe PavementAre You Confessed Up To Date?Fighting Self-Sufficiency With PrayerBe Responsible for Your ChildrenJesus Is Standing with You The Promise of the Holy SpiritBe Aligned in PrayerI Am InnocentAligned PrayersPraying with PowerDealing with ProblemsHandling Stress
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Come and SeeA Childlike FaithDon’t Miss OutWhy Support Israel?Praying For IsraelHow To Honor GodResisting EvilThe Lord Encourages UsJesus Is the AuthorityGod ProvidesLiving Out The Great CommissionMaking SureA Heart of RepentanceSharing Your FaithSubmitting to God’s WillSecure in Your IdentityHow Are You Filled?God Is All-SufficientJesus Is The Only WayPray, Just PrayNo Sin Is Too BigThe Purpose in PainFeed Your FaithStay in Love with JesusIt’s Only JesusRemember Who God IsGifts from the Holy SpiritThis World Is Not Your HomeBe Different
March
Admitting You Are WrongMoney Can’t Buy HappinessMy ConfidenceChanged by Christ Faith and UnderstandingDo Angels Exist?Falling at Jesus’ FeetBorn AgainThe Fullness of JesusExperiencing Christ’s FullnessThe Lord’s ProtectionPraying FriendsA Hand of BlessingBe StillYour Heavenly FatherBlessing Your ChildrenGod Is Our ProviderTime To StopSimply Follow ChristFathers Loving MothersEvery Knee Will BowWhen God Repeats HimselfThe Seven ChurchesTaking Up Your CrossMake Peace With GodGod Gives Free WillGod’s Healing PowerGo All in for ChristAbiding and RestingBelieving God’s WordWhat Hangs In The Balance Of Evangelism?
4 Comments
People are so shallow in their beliefs that they are easily deceived by false teachers no matter who they are. It is much easier to justify what we are doing or saying in our lives than to listen to and follow the Word of God. It's sad that some don't even realize what errors they anre making. Everyone falters but everyone is "save-able" when they turn back to God. SPREAK THE WORD!
I am so thankful that I went through all the discipleship classes at Westside. I too am around Christians that are shallow in their beliefs. They don't understand that you can have an intimate relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. And that real miracles do happen. I put on the armor of God every day to prepare me for that day
nNt
We live in the days of deception, grounding ourselves in the Word of God is our only defense, and the only Truth. Matthew 24: 9-11.
🙠@Richard, John 14:6 NKJV†Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life...."