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.
