Episode 2920 - Lesson 4 - Thursday October 22 - False Prophets in the New Testament

False Prophets in the New Testament Read Matthew 24:23-24. What does Jesus warn us about here? Why should we take this warning so seriously? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Jesus Himself couldn't have been clearer: " 'For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect' " (Matt. 24:24, NKJV). The deceptions that He warns about must be quite persuasive, if, indeed, "great signs and wonders" will be part of it. Supernatural events, in and of themselves, are not evidence of God's working, however persuasive they can appear. We have supernatural enemies. As Paul has warned us: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12, NKJV). And these powers work through false prophets. In fact, false prophets are nothing new. The New Testament refers to the false prophets in Old Testament times (Luke 6:26). In the New Testament false prophets are likened to " 'ravenous wolves' " who are " 'in sheep's clothing' " (Matt. 7:15, NKJV), and we are told that we will " 'know them by their fruits' " (Matt. 7:16, NKJV). Their main work is deception (Matt. 7:17–20). Jesus Himself declared that " 'many false prophets will rise up and deceive many' " (Matt. 24:11, NKJV), and " 'if possible, even the elect' " (Matt. 24:24, NKJV; see also Mark 13:22, 1 John 4:1). According to Ephesians 6:10-18, how can we shield ourselves from any kind of deception? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Living by faith, putting on the "breastplate of righteousness," being girded in the "truth," along with surrendering to the Holy Spirit through prayer, and being grounded in His Word—these are the ways we can be protected from all that would otherwise lead us spiritually and theologically astray. What can you do to arm yourself better against all the deceptions sweeping our world?