False Prophets

Daily Reading: 2 Peter 2

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Peter 2.1-3)

Devotional Thought: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned us, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7.15).   

Peter had a front row seat for Jesus' sermon and warned the Church about them, providing answers to the following questions:

·       Are false teachers a new phenomenon?  Just as there were false prophets who arose in the Old Testament, so also would they arise in the Church.

·       Will false prophets be open about their deceit?  No!  Just as Jesus said, they will come to you in the sheep's clothing of "Almost True."

·       Will false prophets lift up Jesus?  No!  They will, by their teaching and their living, actually deny Jesus' authority.

·       Can Christians be fooled by false prophets?  Yes!  Peter wrote that many would follow their sensuality.  Satan will come at Christians through ungodly appetites teased along by these false prophets.

·       Is the harm of false prophets limited to the Church?  No!  Because of the blatant lies and immoral lives of these teachers, the gospel of Jesus Christ will be blasphemed.

·       What motivates false teachers?  Greed!  As many are fond of saying about today's political corruption: "Follow the money."  If you want to know what a false teacher is all about, just pay attention to his/her financial dealings.

·       Will false teachers get away with it?  No!  Their condemnation has already been pronounced - long ago!

Dale Noel

Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that Satan disguises himself in sheep's clothing and masquerades as an angel of light.  Grant me discernment to recognize false prophets and strength to stand against them.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 65.1-8

1 Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed.

2 O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

3 When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.

4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;

6 the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might;

7 who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples,

8 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.