Jun 19
9
Beware Of False Prophets
“Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
— Matthew 7:15-16
The Lord Jesus Christ, being the faithful Shepherd that He is, warns us
much about ‘false prophets.’ Though a frightening and uncomfortable
subject, yet it is so very needful. How did He say these false prophets
would come? It is always in ‘sheep’s clothing’, as ‘false brethren,
crept in unawares.’ It is not as out and out imposters, but as one of
us. Judas was suspected by none. And how did our Lord say these false
prophets would be known? “By their fruits.” They will be found out and
exposed, not by out and out false doctrine, but by that which their
so-called ministry produces . . . their fruit. Apparently Judas’
preaching was doctrinally correct or else one of the apostles would have
exposed him.
So, as for trying the spirits, are they gathering or scattering the
sheep? Are the saints united by them or divided over them? Are they
building up or tearing down. It behooves us to try them for there are
many in these last days. And since ‘smooth words and fair speeches
deceive the hearts of the simple’, let us not be simple but wise in our
judgments. Remember, this dire warning is from the Lord our Shepherd,
that we be not led away with the error of the wicked. This will not
produce in us a suspicion of others but only make manifest (clear) those
which are approved and those who are not.
Paul Mahan.