28th February 2023

False Prophets

Jesus said: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 7:15

Prophets must speak the true Word of God. There were many times in ancient Israel when people spoke out and led others to believe they were prophets. But they had no revelation from God; God had not sent them. And yet, people expected their words to be fulfilled. Through Ezekiel, God reminded the people about those false prophets. They spoke out of their own imagination.

A prophet’s main function was to serve as God’s representative by communicating God’s Word to His people. True prophets never spoke on their own authority or personal opinion.

This remains a warning today to all preachers and Bible teachers. The image of false teachings as a whitewashed, flimsy wall being destroyed is powerful. In a storm it will fall, providing no defence. False teachings and lies have no place in God’s kingdom. They must be rooted out, like weeds that would choke a garden and keep it from bearing good fruits and vegetables.

Today, our foundation for truth is God’s Word in the Bible. If someone says, “God spoke to me, and God is telling us to do this or that,” it should agree with the clear teaching of the Bible. If it does not, it is false. All the Bible’s teaching, points to Jesus Christ as the One who saves by God’s amazing grace and love, and He calls us to share this good news everywhere. I wonder, in what ways are you sharing God’s news today?

Read

Ezekiel 13:1–16.

Prayer

Lord God, guard me against wrong opinions and faulty thinking about the Bible. Reveal Your Word to me more and more so that I may be Your faithful witness. In Christ's name, I pray. Amen.