The Prophetic Word - Day 40: Don’t be led astray by false doctrine.

“I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.”

‭‭Acts 20‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When the disciples asked Jesus what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age, the first thing He said to them was concerning the danger of being deceived:

“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭3‬-‭5‬, ‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Indeed, He had warned in Matthew 7:15 that some teachers would come looking like one thing, but actually being quite another:

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

John also warned that not everyone who seems to be from God is actually of His Spirit.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Peter warned that false prophets would come along and sew seeds of doubt concerning Jesus’ promise to return.

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction. You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬-‭4‬, ‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Over the last few days we have been discussing the importance of not being led astray from our walk with the Lord, by the world, the flesh and the devil.

Now, another avenue of seduction away from our steadfastness in Jesus, is that of false doctrine.

In our opening scripture we see that Paul, in giving his final words to the elders at Ephesus, warned that in his absence, false teachers would try to draw the people to themselves and away from Jesus Christ.

As we have been discussing these last few days there are many ways to depart from walking in fellowship with the Lord. Some of these seductions to go astray, come in obvious ways, others in more subtle ways. But the one way to maintain our steadfastness in our Lord Jesus, is to keep our eyes on Him, not letting any of these things we have discussed, cause us to look away. And remember, the way we keep our eyes on Him is by keeping His word before us and by staying sensitive to the Holy Spirit speaking in us.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

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