RPG Adults
WARNING ON FALSE PROPHETS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
1 John 4:1-2
Matthew 7:15-16
“Beware of false prophets, which
come to you in sheep’s clothing …”
WARNING ON FALSE PROPHETS
John spoke at length with repetition on the meaning of the love of God for those who believed. This love is manifested at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh. Love for one another cannot be separated from the love of God. The Holy Spirit indwells believers and they know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus said that love is the greatest commandment.
Love for God upholds the truth, but there are false prophets who forbid obedience to this truth. The Apostle warned against these false prophets in the text. He warned against belief of every spirit. They ought to be tried whether they were of God. The presence of false prophets was a reality in the Old Testament times. It is also true in every generation. These are agents of Satan as he is always active in opposing God. The Apostle here did not give a specific case, but in his ministry he had encountered many of them.
In Acts 8 when Philip had evangelised in Samaria there were many who believed. When the Jerusalem leaders heard about this, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Among the Samaritans there was a false prophet named Simon. He was a sorcerer and bewitched the people of Samaria and presented himself as the great one. When he professed faith in Christ, he had a wrong motive. Thus he offered money to be given power so that he too could dispense the Holy Spirit. Peter rebuked him sharply and told him to perish with his money because he thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Such were the experiences that the Apostle John had in mind when he warned against false prophets. Believe not every spirit but try the spirits.
THOUGHT: Every good tree is known by its fruits.
PRAYER: Lord, grant me wisdom to discern the false prophets.