Watch out
Jesus said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:15-23.
If ever there was a warning that needed to be heeded by Christians in the twenty-first century this is it.
We live in a multi media world that allows anyone to say anything with impunity. We in the west and particularly in North America live in a society with incredible freedoms.
The freedoms we have are very much a two edged sword. While they let us practice our faith. They also let those who teach false doctrine thrive.
Christians need to use caution. Christians need to be reading their Bible and studying it for themselves. Not just relying on what some pastor, evangelist or teacher says. Especially if those people are in the media.
It’s easy for false teachers to hid behind the right to free speech. It’s easy for anyone to take scriptures out of context and twist them to say things that are wrong. That’s why I encourage people to read the Bible for themselves. It’s the only way you will know if there are errors.
I would also urge Christians to find a good solid Bible believing Church. A Church who studies the Bible. I recommend Baptist Churches world wide because they are generally a good stable group.
What I also suggest is that if you support anyone in the media check them out. Ask them for a statement of faith. Check it out against the Bible to see that the scriptures they use to support their beliefs are taken in context. If they don’t give you a doctrinal statement have nothing to do with them. If you think what they say in their statement of faith is wrong ask them for clarification if they don’t clarify it have nothing to do with them.
If you want to support an evangelist or pastor financially also ask them for a financial statement. All good groups will willingly give you one. If they don’t give you one have nothing to do with them.
Ultimately the word to Christians is “beware”. There are a lot of false teachers out in the media today. They talk a good talk but are not staying true to the word of God.
The best advice I can give to Christians other than check them out scripturally, and financially, is to pray and ask God to lead you to good teachers. To a good Church.
Please think about it.
Jesus said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:15-23.
If ever there was a warning that needed to be heeded by Christians in the twenty-first century this is it.
We live in a multi media world that allows anyone to say anything with impunity. We in the west and particularly in North America live in a society with incredible freedoms.
The freedoms we have are very much a two edged sword. While they let us practice our faith. They also let those who teach false doctrine thrive.
Christians need to use caution. Christians need to be reading their Bible and studying it for themselves. Not just relying on what some pastor, evangelist or teacher says. Especially if those people are in the media.
It’s easy for false teachers to hid behind the right to free speech. It’s easy for anyone to take scriptures out of context and twist them to say things that are wrong. That’s why I encourage people to read the Bible for themselves. It’s the only way you will know if there are errors.
I would also urge Christians to find a good solid Bible believing Church. A Church who studies the Bible. I recommend Baptist Churches world wide because they are generally a good stable group.
What I also suggest is that if you support anyone in the media check them out. Ask them for a statement of faith. Check it out against the Bible to see that the scriptures they use to support their beliefs are taken in context. If they don’t give you a doctrinal statement have nothing to do with them. If you think what they say in their statement of faith is wrong ask them for clarification if they don’t clarify it have nothing to do with them.
If you want to support an evangelist or pastor financially also ask them for a financial statement. All good groups will willingly give you one. If they don’t give you one have nothing to do with them.
Ultimately the word to Christians is “beware”. There are a lot of false teachers out in the media today. They talk a good talk but are not staying true to the word of God.
The best advice I can give to Christians other than check them out scripturally, and financially, is to pray and ask God to lead you to good teachers. To a good Church.
Please think about it.
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