Post by Jesse Morrell on Jul 23, 2005 0:27:42 GMT -5
Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
Recognizing a false teacher by specific characteristics
By Jesse Morrell
I am not one to see a legion in every pig or a snake in every garden. But through studying the Word of God and observing many modern preachers I can boldly declare in the full confidence and blessing of God that there are wolves disguised as sheep amongst our flocks! Though there are many wolves in the woods and fields of secularism and false religions, I am afraid that there are some who have wondered out of those territories looking for food and have entered into our own pastures.
False teachers can be distinctly defined because their characteristics are obvious enough and are clearly outlined in scripture. Yet it seems that so few believers recognize them in these modern times. The True Shepherd spoke much on this issue, yet it seems to be a greatly neglected subject today as though our generation is exempt and our Churches are not in any danger of false teachers. Wolves pose a serious threat to the flock of Christ so Christians must be wise and on the look out for these types. This message is not one as “the boy who cried wolf” but rather is a serious and sobering warning. Many sheep have been lead astray and have been caught in a deadly trap disguised as a beneficial program. Many Churches have let down the walls of discernment and thus become spiritually broken down cities being trampled upon by the enemy. Our hearts must become as Jeremiahs who said “My heart within me is broken because of the prophets”. (Jer 23:9).
Every single minister must be measured by the Word of God and not by their degrees or popularity. No minister should be exempt from this. No other tool can adequately measure a minister then the Holy Scriptures. We should be so familiar with the truth that when false teaching and false teachers are seen and heard by us they will stick out as black sheep and be automatically recognized. If we do not know the Word of God we will not recognize the lies of Satan. Many modern ministers would certainly be in big trouble if those in the pews actually started reading their bibles as they should. If some congregations would open their bibles certain preachers would have to shut their mouths. They would be caught red handed as the foul, fiendish, frauds that they really are.
Ezekiel’s ministry was sure not to be a popular one when he was told to “prophecy against the prophets…who prophesy out of their own hearts.” (Ez 13:2). It’s time that we also risk our reputations and “prophecy against the prophets” that appear to be helping the body of Christ, but when in the actuality of reality they are gravely hurting the body of Christ. This is not a “naming names” article, there would be too many names to name, but it clearly reveals scriptural characteristics to equip every Christian to individually examine ministers.
While working on this message I awoke in the middle of the night after tossing, turning, and even sweating under the fear and torment of the thought that I myself was a heretic for writing a message such as this. Then I realized that this overwhelming fear was the handiwork of the accuser. I began to rest in the fact that all the points made are backed up by the truth of the Word. It is my hope and prayer that this message hits the devil hard and that it becomes a thorn in his side.
Their appearance:
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matt 7:15)
“Oh I’m not too worried about false prophets. I’m sure I’ll recognize them when I see them” someone might think to themselves. You don't know the nature of deception. Recognizing false teachers is not easily done considering that they have the appearance of being sheep. Does a spy have the appearance of being a government official? If he did he wouldn’t be able to accomplish his purpose. The mission of a deceiver is to deceive. Deceivers will not always appear deceptive, or else they would never be able to deceive anyone. Their lies will always be disguised as truth. Beware because their charm will be enticing and their glamour blinding for those who refuse to be discerning.
The neighbors of caught serial killers always say “I just can’t believe that he could commit such a horrendous act. I knew him personally; he was such a nice guy.” Likewise when a nice, friendly, commercial smile preacher teaches doctrines which are contrary to the Word of God, his followers defend him by saying “Oh but he’s just so sincere and genuine.” Be careful. Appearance can be quite deceiving. “Never judge a book by its cover” and never judge a man by his outward appearance. (John 7:24). He may look like a fellow believer outwardly, but inwardly he is a wolf who is out for himself and not for the flock. While many believe a false prophet is the town nut who has no teeth and walks around babbling spiritual nonsense, which is not always the case. Often they will look better and more successful then everyone else, portraying the image that everyone would want to be like. Their grass many look greener and their water clearer, but they are poisoned with lies and seasoned with deceit.
Their reputation:
“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Lu 6:26)
It would seem that the very ones that the earth respects and adores are the very ones that Heaven rejects and abhors. You must always be cautious when you hear men highly singing the praises of a certain minister and telling you how wonderful he truly is. There is a problem if all men speak well of him. It seems to be often that those whom everyone speaks nasty of are the ones that I find uncompromisingly preaching the Word of God. The top concern of a false teacher is to please man while the interest of a true and faithful witness is to please God. Those who please man often do not please God, and those who please God often do not please man.
The popular minister is not like Christ who was thrown out of the synagogues, who even foretold to those who follow Him “They will put you out of the synagogues” as well. (John 16:2). All of God’s greatest men have been some of the most hated men. Martin Luther who started the protestant movement, John Wesley and George Whitefield who founded early Methodism and sparked some of the great revivals of history, William & Catherine Booth who formed and lead the Salvation Army, were all people that were kicked out of the established Church of their day. If a "good" name or a "good" reputation automatically meant a good preacher, then what about the early Church that was "spoken against everywhere"? (Ac 28:22)
Consider the perception of the people who observed both Jeremiah and the false prophets. While Jeremiah “shouted” "violence and plunder" (Jer 20:8), the false prophets gently spoke of "peace, peace". (Jer 6:14). How odd, how strange, how abrasive, Jeremiah must have appeared to the onlookers. He was wrongly thought of as being negative, condemning, and judgmental compared to the easy, tolerant, smooth talking prophets of his day. Jeremiahs spoke the words that shattered like a hammer. The false prophets spoke soft words that couldn’t prick even the strongest conscience. Their messages may drip honey and their words are smoother then oil but their feet go down to death and their doctrines lay hold of hell.
I am thoroughly convinced that a minister will be rejected by Heaven if he is accepted by the world, “for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? (2Co 6:14) I can not think of a single minister of God in the New Testament that got along with the world. Most of them ended up being martyred. Those who get along with the world must not be getting along with the God who the world has rejected. A false teacher will be allowed to preach even on the vilest of TV channels. You can expect to find their books even in secular stores and hear their messages of “How to never be hurt again” and “Walking in the anointing of wealth” on secular channels like I have seen. A false teacher will have the stamp of approval of the devil, the stamp of approval of the world, but will not have the stamp of approval of Heaven. The only thing Heaven will stamp on them will be the words “Depart”.
The false teachers will reign high and lifted up on the mountains of acceptance while the true and faithful are forced into the desert of rejection, soon to be imprisoned and beheaded. Even the most bizarre "prophetic" words are being well received while the foundational and biblical message of "repent" is entirely neglected and largely ignored. Rather then being salt we have many candy-land preachers who are serving the never satisfied bellies of men. "The prophets prophecy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and my people love to have it so.” (Jer 5:31).
Recognizing a false teacher by specific characteristics
By Jesse Morrell
I am not one to see a legion in every pig or a snake in every garden. But through studying the Word of God and observing many modern preachers I can boldly declare in the full confidence and blessing of God that there are wolves disguised as sheep amongst our flocks! Though there are many wolves in the woods and fields of secularism and false religions, I am afraid that there are some who have wondered out of those territories looking for food and have entered into our own pastures.
False teachers can be distinctly defined because their characteristics are obvious enough and are clearly outlined in scripture. Yet it seems that so few believers recognize them in these modern times. The True Shepherd spoke much on this issue, yet it seems to be a greatly neglected subject today as though our generation is exempt and our Churches are not in any danger of false teachers. Wolves pose a serious threat to the flock of Christ so Christians must be wise and on the look out for these types. This message is not one as “the boy who cried wolf” but rather is a serious and sobering warning. Many sheep have been lead astray and have been caught in a deadly trap disguised as a beneficial program. Many Churches have let down the walls of discernment and thus become spiritually broken down cities being trampled upon by the enemy. Our hearts must become as Jeremiahs who said “My heart within me is broken because of the prophets”. (Jer 23:9).
Every single minister must be measured by the Word of God and not by their degrees or popularity. No minister should be exempt from this. No other tool can adequately measure a minister then the Holy Scriptures. We should be so familiar with the truth that when false teaching and false teachers are seen and heard by us they will stick out as black sheep and be automatically recognized. If we do not know the Word of God we will not recognize the lies of Satan. Many modern ministers would certainly be in big trouble if those in the pews actually started reading their bibles as they should. If some congregations would open their bibles certain preachers would have to shut their mouths. They would be caught red handed as the foul, fiendish, frauds that they really are.
Ezekiel’s ministry was sure not to be a popular one when he was told to “prophecy against the prophets…who prophesy out of their own hearts.” (Ez 13:2). It’s time that we also risk our reputations and “prophecy against the prophets” that appear to be helping the body of Christ, but when in the actuality of reality they are gravely hurting the body of Christ. This is not a “naming names” article, there would be too many names to name, but it clearly reveals scriptural characteristics to equip every Christian to individually examine ministers.
While working on this message I awoke in the middle of the night after tossing, turning, and even sweating under the fear and torment of the thought that I myself was a heretic for writing a message such as this. Then I realized that this overwhelming fear was the handiwork of the accuser. I began to rest in the fact that all the points made are backed up by the truth of the Word. It is my hope and prayer that this message hits the devil hard and that it becomes a thorn in his side.
Their appearance:
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matt 7:15)
“Oh I’m not too worried about false prophets. I’m sure I’ll recognize them when I see them” someone might think to themselves. You don't know the nature of deception. Recognizing false teachers is not easily done considering that they have the appearance of being sheep. Does a spy have the appearance of being a government official? If he did he wouldn’t be able to accomplish his purpose. The mission of a deceiver is to deceive. Deceivers will not always appear deceptive, or else they would never be able to deceive anyone. Their lies will always be disguised as truth. Beware because their charm will be enticing and their glamour blinding for those who refuse to be discerning.
The neighbors of caught serial killers always say “I just can’t believe that he could commit such a horrendous act. I knew him personally; he was such a nice guy.” Likewise when a nice, friendly, commercial smile preacher teaches doctrines which are contrary to the Word of God, his followers defend him by saying “Oh but he’s just so sincere and genuine.” Be careful. Appearance can be quite deceiving. “Never judge a book by its cover” and never judge a man by his outward appearance. (John 7:24). He may look like a fellow believer outwardly, but inwardly he is a wolf who is out for himself and not for the flock. While many believe a false prophet is the town nut who has no teeth and walks around babbling spiritual nonsense, which is not always the case. Often they will look better and more successful then everyone else, portraying the image that everyone would want to be like. Their grass many look greener and their water clearer, but they are poisoned with lies and seasoned with deceit.
Their reputation:
“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Lu 6:26)
It would seem that the very ones that the earth respects and adores are the very ones that Heaven rejects and abhors. You must always be cautious when you hear men highly singing the praises of a certain minister and telling you how wonderful he truly is. There is a problem if all men speak well of him. It seems to be often that those whom everyone speaks nasty of are the ones that I find uncompromisingly preaching the Word of God. The top concern of a false teacher is to please man while the interest of a true and faithful witness is to please God. Those who please man often do not please God, and those who please God often do not please man.
The popular minister is not like Christ who was thrown out of the synagogues, who even foretold to those who follow Him “They will put you out of the synagogues” as well. (John 16:2). All of God’s greatest men have been some of the most hated men. Martin Luther who started the protestant movement, John Wesley and George Whitefield who founded early Methodism and sparked some of the great revivals of history, William & Catherine Booth who formed and lead the Salvation Army, were all people that were kicked out of the established Church of their day. If a "good" name or a "good" reputation automatically meant a good preacher, then what about the early Church that was "spoken against everywhere"? (Ac 28:22)
Consider the perception of the people who observed both Jeremiah and the false prophets. While Jeremiah “shouted” "violence and plunder" (Jer 20:8), the false prophets gently spoke of "peace, peace". (Jer 6:14). How odd, how strange, how abrasive, Jeremiah must have appeared to the onlookers. He was wrongly thought of as being negative, condemning, and judgmental compared to the easy, tolerant, smooth talking prophets of his day. Jeremiahs spoke the words that shattered like a hammer. The false prophets spoke soft words that couldn’t prick even the strongest conscience. Their messages may drip honey and their words are smoother then oil but their feet go down to death and their doctrines lay hold of hell.
I am thoroughly convinced that a minister will be rejected by Heaven if he is accepted by the world, “for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? (2Co 6:14) I can not think of a single minister of God in the New Testament that got along with the world. Most of them ended up being martyred. Those who get along with the world must not be getting along with the God who the world has rejected. A false teacher will be allowed to preach even on the vilest of TV channels. You can expect to find their books even in secular stores and hear their messages of “How to never be hurt again” and “Walking in the anointing of wealth” on secular channels like I have seen. A false teacher will have the stamp of approval of the devil, the stamp of approval of the world, but will not have the stamp of approval of Heaven. The only thing Heaven will stamp on them will be the words “Depart”.
The false teachers will reign high and lifted up on the mountains of acceptance while the true and faithful are forced into the desert of rejection, soon to be imprisoned and beheaded. Even the most bizarre "prophetic" words are being well received while the foundational and biblical message of "repent" is entirely neglected and largely ignored. Rather then being salt we have many candy-land preachers who are serving the never satisfied bellies of men. "The prophets prophecy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and my people love to have it so.” (Jer 5:31).