Matthew 7 – False prophets

“Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

I have known many false prophets in my short life time and I have to tell you, for the most part they are genuine, sincere people.  I have never met anyone who wants to be evil or is purposefully trying to lie to people.  Usually, for one reason or another, they have seen the gospel of Jesus Christ, not liked something about it, and turned away.  However, they believe they are leading people toward the real truth.  Writing that scares me because I know many people who would argue that I have been a false prophet and done the same thing.

I would draw the line by asking is what the person teaching leading toward Jesus.  If we are traveling toward Jesus we can disagree along the way.  If someone has rejected Jesus, then we are no longer on the same journey.

I believe that anyone in church leadership should be worried about being a false prophet.  The minute it is no longer a concern is the minute you should step out of ministry.  Ministry is a tremendous responsibility.  God has entrusted us with caring for people’s souls.  When I am not pursuing Jesus, I cannot care for my own souls much less anyone else.

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A Prayer

God of life,

Speak to us today. Tell us your will. Reveal your words to us. Enable us to speak words from you to all we encounter this week. Let us be a reflection of your light to our world. Let us be a guide and a signpost pointing to you. Help us when we falter, rebuild us when we fail, heal us when we are broken. Spoke to us in our need. Speak to us even when we do not want to hear. Guide our words even when we forget to ask. Remind us constantly to turn away from ourselves and toward you.

Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.

Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.

Christ, the blessed One, gives to all
Wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call,
Wonderful words of life;
All so freely given,
Wooing us to heaven.

Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.

Sweetly echo the Gospel call,
Wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all,
Wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior,
Sanctify us forever.

Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.

Thank you God. Amen.

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