False Prophets and Cults!
Yesterday we talked about the nature of idolatry. What it is. What it means. And how to do we recognize it and turn from it. Today we see how idolatry is often introduced to the people of God, through false prophets. A prophet is someone who brings forth the Word of God. Often they receive God's Word through dreams, visions, or through hearing from God. They often spend lots of time alone listening to God, then bringing God's Word to the community. Prophets never disagree with the bible, or doctrines universally accepted by the orthodox Christian church throughout history.
But today we see the nature and manner of false prophets. The false prophets were even able to do signs and wonders, which helped them deceive the believers. Just because someone does signs and wonders doesn't necessary mean they are from God. Importantly the key telltale sign in today's Old Testament lesson is that the false prophet then leads them to worship other gods. Their motive is always to lead believers astray. Then, again we see that God allows false prophets in order to test our faith. God wants to see if they will really believe the first commandment to love and worship God alone, and no other gods. And the penalty for this false prophet is death. God does not want this kind of teacher to permeate through the community teaching things completely contrary to God's Word.
There have always been false prophets throughout the history of the church. And they have often deceived believers in Christ by doing signs or wonders, or preaching another gospel. Often the false prophets are spell binding preachers, so they lead believers astray by their smooth talking and purporting to be Christian. If we look at all the major cults today, such as Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the New Age movement they all have false prophets who have purported to speak the truth in Jesus' name but not taught in alignment with the bible. Usually Jesus is only a prophet, who is superseded by a greater prophet. Or, Jesus was really just a good teacher anointed by God, but just that. Or, that Jesus only appeared to be God but was really a spirit being that inhabited a human body.(Gnosticism, New Age) All of these cults deny the Trinity, a fundamental belief that has been a unique part of Christianity from the beginning. Often in these cults there is other literature or teachings that are put on the same authoritative level with the bible. Christians believe the Word of God is inspired by God, leads to salvation in Jesus Christ, and is an infallible guide to our faith and life. For an example of why Mormonism parts from orthodox Christian beliefs you can check out this website: http://www.gotquestions.org/Mormons.html
This is why it is so important for every Christian to be a student of God's Word and to be taught by those who use the bible as the sole source and authority for their teaching. They also affirm key doctrines that make Christianity unique from all other religions such as the Trinity (One God revealed through 3 persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit). And, the fundamental truth that Jesus is both God and man. He had to be God to be sinless, and man to come to earth and die for our sins. You can see how this doctrine is critical to all we believe. All other religions will contradict these two doctrines at some point. Hopefully this helps you have a deeper understanding of what you really believe and why. May you continue be led by the One true God: our Father (Creator), the Son (Redeemer) and the Holy Spirit (Sustainer)!
Deuteronomy 13:1-5
Worshiping Other Gods
13 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.
Matthew 8:28-9:1
Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men
28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” 30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” 32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
But today we see the nature and manner of false prophets. The false prophets were even able to do signs and wonders, which helped them deceive the believers. Just because someone does signs and wonders doesn't necessary mean they are from God. Importantly the key telltale sign in today's Old Testament lesson is that the false prophet then leads them to worship other gods. Their motive is always to lead believers astray. Then, again we see that God allows false prophets in order to test our faith. God wants to see if they will really believe the first commandment to love and worship God alone, and no other gods. And the penalty for this false prophet is death. God does not want this kind of teacher to permeate through the community teaching things completely contrary to God's Word.
There have always been false prophets throughout the history of the church. And they have often deceived believers in Christ by doing signs or wonders, or preaching another gospel. Often the false prophets are spell binding preachers, so they lead believers astray by their smooth talking and purporting to be Christian. If we look at all the major cults today, such as Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the New Age movement they all have false prophets who have purported to speak the truth in Jesus' name but not taught in alignment with the bible. Usually Jesus is only a prophet, who is superseded by a greater prophet. Or, Jesus was really just a good teacher anointed by God, but just that. Or, that Jesus only appeared to be God but was really a spirit being that inhabited a human body.(Gnosticism, New Age) All of these cults deny the Trinity, a fundamental belief that has been a unique part of Christianity from the beginning. Often in these cults there is other literature or teachings that are put on the same authoritative level with the bible. Christians believe the Word of God is inspired by God, leads to salvation in Jesus Christ, and is an infallible guide to our faith and life. For an example of why Mormonism parts from orthodox Christian beliefs you can check out this website: http://www.gotquestions.org/Mormons.html
This is why it is so important for every Christian to be a student of God's Word and to be taught by those who use the bible as the sole source and authority for their teaching. They also affirm key doctrines that make Christianity unique from all other religions such as the Trinity (One God revealed through 3 persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit). And, the fundamental truth that Jesus is both God and man. He had to be God to be sinless, and man to come to earth and die for our sins. You can see how this doctrine is critical to all we believe. All other religions will contradict these two doctrines at some point. Hopefully this helps you have a deeper understanding of what you really believe and why. May you continue be led by the One true God: our Father (Creator), the Son (Redeemer) and the Holy Spirit (Sustainer)!
Deuteronomy 13:1-5
Worshiping Other Gods
13 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.
Matthew 8:28-9:1
Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men
28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” 30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” 32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
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