Daily Devotional for Sunday, December 15

The Test of False Prophets

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world;'1 John 4:1.

Are you a part of the black market? The answer depends on whether or not you can spot a counterfeit product. According to the International Anti-Counterfeiting Association (IACC) there are 1. 77 trillion dollars in global counterfeit transactions annually. To the unsuspecting consumer, that Otterbox cell phone case or that pair of Ugg boots available at half the regular price, may be a clever forgery. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

John cautions us concerning a counterfeit of a more dangerous kind, namely, false prophets. The only thing more deadly than a wolf in sheep's clothing is a wolf in shepherd's clothing. Paul also warned of fake preachers and pastors, "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:29). Satan operates in the spiritual world and is the father of all lies (John 8:44). Counterfeits are only effective to the degree that they resemble the genuine article; therefore, a false preacher may wear a suit, carry aBible, be well spoken and stand in apulpit. He may speak the language and look the part, but the burning question that must be asked is this: what does he say about Jesus? Some might say, "Does it really matter?" John asserts that it is the only thing that matters. The test is simple. Does his message bear witness to the truth of Jesus Christ? Does he preach Jesus Christ the Son of God crucified and risen again? If not, the preacher is false, and his message is from the spirit of antichrist rather than the spirit of God. He is to be rejected and exposed.

PARTING THOUGHT

Do not become a part of the spiritual black market. Know how to spot a counterfeit prophet.

These days, the greater part of scholarship is not knowing right from wrong but knowing right from almost right.

John Nations