Lesson 240: Beware of False Teachers and Prophets

  
Pastor J. W. Binion
Pvt. Edward F. Arthur Camp 1783 SCV
5th Ky. Infantry CSA

My dear ones, the Lord has been laying a subject on my heart. As I have heard it said, there are sayings in the Word that are hard to take. Many persons who claim to be deliverers of HIS Word are not actually focused on HIS WILL, but on their own ego/pride. The following passage of scripture addressed what Jesus thought of that group of people. Read it carefully, think about what Christ is saying, and then pray about the message given us. Matt 7:21 “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” KJV

In addition to the traditional King James Version, I offer another excellent translation of the same passage. Sometimes when we read scripture in different translations we can gain a more complete perception of the message being given us by the Word of God. Matt. 7: 21 “Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. 22 On judgment day many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.” NLT

During the era of the War Between the States preachers from both sides of the conflict offered different viewpoints as to the issues of the day. In today’s society the same thing is happening. We are warned by our Saviour that we must be careful about following the words of certain people. Be aware that not every word that proceeds out of the mouth of men is in keeping with God’s will, nor are those words leading us in God’s ways. We must be careful to examine the actions of those people and dig beyond the surface. Examine the motives of those folks – are they following GOD’s will or fostering their own agenda? What motivates these “prophets”? Is it personal gain, pride, or ego – or are they attempting to follow GOD’S WILL and further HIS kingdom?

Jesus told the people to whom He was speaking, even if they were doing supernatural deeds—prophesying in His name, driving out demons, and performing many miracles, they were not obedient to the Father, continually doing His will. They would be refused admission to the kingdom because Jesus had no personal relationship with them.

Even more searchingly, we are introduced to those who apparently believe themselves to be genuine disciples and can appeal to their charismatic activities to prove it, but nonetheless turn out to have no real relationship with the Lord to whom they appeal. The false prophets of v 15 were deceivers, but these are self-deceived. Acceptance depends not on profession, nor even on apparent Christian activity, but on whether Jesus knew them. Note the extraordinary authority he assumes as judge; to enter the kingdom of heaven depends on his acknowledgment and consists in being with him. Let us be weary of our relationship with HIM and doing HIS will, following HIS plan for our lives – not working from our own personal agenda and ego. Be a blessing to someone and spread the true Gospel of our Lord to a lost world. Your humble servant and chaplain, Rev. J. W. Binion, D.P.Min S.C.V Cumberland Brigade Chaplain, PVT E. F. Arthur Camp 1783 SCV, Brigade Chaplain Southern Guards Brigade, Chaplains of the Confederacy