False Prophets and the Righteous

False Prophets and The Righteous

I believe the Lord wants me to look at this subject of “false prophets” according to the Scriptures, for there can be many different ideas on what constitutes a false prophet or a false prophecy. And I am going to begin with 2 Peter 2:1-22 and how they are described there:

1. They secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

2. Many people follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.

3. In their greed they will exploit you with false words.

4. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones.

5. They are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant.

6. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you.

7. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children.

8. Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray.

9. They have followed the way of Balaam, who loved gain from wrongdoing.

10 They speak loud boasts of folly. They entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.

11 They promise them freedom but they themselves are slaves of corruption.

12 For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

13 “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

Then in Matthew 7:15-20; Matthew 24:11,24; Luke 6:26:

1. They come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

2. You will recognize them by their fruits. And every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.

3. Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

4. False christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

5. “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” False prophets are usually well liked.

Then in Jude 1 we have a description similar to 2 Peter 2 of ungodly men:

1. They pervert the grace of God into sensuality and deny Jesus Christ, (which can be in actions and words, or in actions only).

2. They defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme angels.

3. They blaspheme what they don’t understand, and they are like unreasoning animals, and they are destroyed by their instincts.

4. They walk in the way of Cain who murdered his brother because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s deeds were righteous.

5. They abandon themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error who was leading people into sexual sin and idolatry.

6. They are shepherds feeding only themselves.

7. They are wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame, wandering stars, for whom utter darkness has been reserved.

8. They are the ungodly who commit ungodly deeds.

9. They are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires.

10 They are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

11 They are scoffers following their own ungodly passions.

12 They cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

Now, let’s compare those descriptions to these descriptions of the righteous:

1. They behave in the world with godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom, but by the grace of God.

2. All who desire to live a godly life will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

3. They are being trained of the Spirit of God to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and they are living self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while they wait for our Lord’s return.

4. They, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

5. They are not hearers only of God’s word, but they are doers of the Word of God. They are righteous before God.

6. They are not slaves to sin, but they are slaves to God and to his righteousness, who obey the Lord in practice.

7. They walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

8. They put on the new self in Christ Jesus, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

9. They are filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

10 They pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness..

11 They flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

12 “Let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.”

[2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Timothy 3:12-13; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 2:5; Romans 2:13; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Ephesians 4:17-24; Philippians 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 John 3:7]

Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer 

Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1897

Music by W. J. Kirkpatrick, 1897

Oh, to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,

This is my constant longing and prayer;

Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,

Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh, to be like Thee! full of compassion,

Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,

Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,

Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,

Holy and harmless, patient and brave;

Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,

Willing to suffer others to save.

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,

Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;

Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,

Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,

Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;

Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;

Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrYhiK2nQBg 

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