Sei sulla pagina 1di 2

Jesus warned his followers to Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly

are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). The apostle Paul warned the people of the newly formed church to be on the lookout for those claiming to be friends but who were really enemies: I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:29-30 NASB) There are many who claim to be Christians today who are in the business of leading people into false belief in order to take advantage of them. Televangelists constantly promise financial peacefor a sacrificial donation to their ministries. Faith healers claim that they have been gifted by God to heal others, but if you do not get healed it is because you did not have enough faith; not because the faith healer really does not have the gift of healing. There are many false claims, false doctrines, false theology, and false promises. These are not new issues faced by todays church. In the New Testament, the Pharisees and Scribes were Jewish religious leaders. However, instead of leading people to a closer walk with God, they had begun to abuse their privileged status as Gods spokesmen. They were now motivated by their own selfish gain. Jesus bluntly revealed that their problem was a heart problem: And He said to them, Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN. [Isaiah 29:13] Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. He was also saying to them, You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition." (Mark 7:6-9 NASB) Jesus first identified them as hypocrites. They were acting a part. They were not truly what they portrayed themselves to be. They were fakers and deceivers. They said they loved God, but that was not true. Jesus said that they worshiped God in vain. This meant that their hypocritical worship was uselessnot really worship at all. These false teachers were not shepherding people into a closer relationship with God. They were actually misleading those who were seeking God. These hypocrites were teaching that, in order to know God, people had to adhere to rules and regulations that these false teachers had made up themselves. They were constructing their own religion that had little to do with God, His Word, or His love. Instead of submitting themselves to God, they were ignoring God, and His will, and following their own lusts and desires. They had hijacked the truth and replaced it with mans deception. Many are guilty of doing the same thing today. Instead of studying the Bible, praying, and submitting to the leading of the Holy Spirit, they fabricate false doctrine designed to bring them the things they desire. They pursue money, power, prestige, or some other selfish motive. They masquerade as representatives of God, pretending to carry out His work. All the while they are simply serving themselves and storing up wrath for themselves in the day of wrath, when Gods judgment is revealed (Romans 2:5).

The cure for this problem is simply knowing, and following, the Truth. If Christians know God and His Word, false teachings will be easy to recognize. We should spend enough time in prayer and Bible study to know Gods character, His promises, His warnings, and His commandments. This will take time, and effort, but the rewards are eternal. Know the Truth and lies will become obvious.

Potrebbero piacerti anche