In this last blog on the subject of false teachers we will concentrate on the practical test that will detect false teachers. According to Matthew 7:16-22, Jesus tells us how we can know if a preacher is true or false. Jesus said, "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (v.16), and, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (v.20).
According to the context, false preachers are known by the fruit they feed on and the fruit they feed to others. If they feed on thorns and thistles and not on grapes and figs, they will feed others the same. Thorns and thistles are false food (false theology and practice) while grapes and figs are good food (sound theology and practice). False preachers are known by their fruits, that is, who they are, what they teach, and what they produce. They are counterfeiters who masquerade around as men who supposedly speak on behalf of God. God's Word is designed to test the validity of those who claim to speak on God's behalf. Jesus is simply teaching His followers that a preacher's production is to be critically evaluated. The fruits of his profession and production are to be carefully evaluated in light of God's Word. If what he says and what he does fails to line up with Biblical truth, he is false. All teaching and preaching, to be considered true, must be consistent with what "Thus saith the LORD."
The purpose of this Blog is to regularly communicate with the members of Grace Baptist Church in general, and the world in particular, expressing my thoughts and convictions about spiritual matters to the glory of God. Promoting the truth about Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
The Danger Posed By False Preachers
In our last blog we noted the "Presence of False Preachers." In this blog we will note the "Danger Posed by False Preachers." Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15).
Jesus states that false prophets do indeed exist, and that they also pose a threat or danger to His followers. There are two interesting characteristics of the danger posed by false preachers and teachers. First, the danger posed by them is deceptive. Jesus says, "they come to you in sheep's clothing." In other words, false preachers and teachers come with the outward appearance of being sheep of God. They give the outward appearance of being true believers in and followers of Jesus Christ. They come in sheep's clothing and can easily deceive because they appear as messengers of light (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
The second characteristic of the danger posed by false preachers and teachers is that it is destructive. Jesus says, "but inwardly they are ravening wolves." While outwardly appearing to be innocent, inwardly they are anything but sheep. They are vicious pretenders who prey on the immature, the unstable, and the gullible. CHURCH BEWARE!
Jesus states that false prophets do indeed exist, and that they also pose a threat or danger to His followers. There are two interesting characteristics of the danger posed by false preachers and teachers. First, the danger posed by them is deceptive. Jesus says, "they come to you in sheep's clothing." In other words, false preachers and teachers come with the outward appearance of being sheep of God. They give the outward appearance of being true believers in and followers of Jesus Christ. They come in sheep's clothing and can easily deceive because they appear as messengers of light (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
The second characteristic of the danger posed by false preachers and teachers is that it is destructive. Jesus says, "but inwardly they are ravening wolves." While outwardly appearing to be innocent, inwardly they are anything but sheep. They are vicious pretenders who prey on the immature, the unstable, and the gullible. CHURCH BEWARE!
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