False Prophets

Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves. Matthew :15

And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. Matthew 24:11

Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. 1 John 4:1

Just for fun the other day I looked at a couple of popular Televangelists web sites to see what prophecies they were giving. This year it seems that the Evangelists that I looked at were all prophesying about this being the year that the door is open for us. As with most of their prophecies it was left up to us to walk through that door and they really didn’t say what would happen if we did walk through it. The prophecies were vague and as usual with modern day Televangelists placed all of the burden on us to do what our Father is supposedly saying to us.

Here is my issue with such prophecies.

Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament), Hebrews 13:20

I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. John 15:5

Beware of prophecies that place all of the burden on us. Jesus repeatedly tells us that He will Shepherd us, that He is our strength, and that He will lead us into the paths of righteousness. Our Father will lead us through whatever doors that He has, we are never left alone. Our Father never sits back and allows us to do it on our own. What type of Shepherd would Jesus be if He left it up to the sheep to decide whether or not they were going to follow Him?

But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. John 16:13

So when you hear a prophecy, and the Bible clearly tells us that we should eagerly desire prophecies, make sure that they line up with the Truth that sets us free. Prophecies should be clear, specific, and always place the glory on our Lord and His success at insuring we are victorious through His strength. If they are vague and place the burden on us, beware of them!

Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching). 1 Corinthians 14:1