Discernment: Guarding Against False Prophets

Devotional

Day 1: The Fruits of True Discernment

In the journey of faith, discernment is crucial to identifying true spiritual leaders. Jesus warns against false prophets who may appear righteous but are deceitful at heart. He uses the metaphor of trees and their fruits to illustrate that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and vice versa. This teaching emphasizes the importance of examining the outcomes of one's actions and teachings to discern their true nature. In a world filled with voices claiming to speak for God, it is vital to evaluate the fruits of their lives and messages. This discernment is not just about others but also involves introspection to ensure our own lives align with God's will. [00:46]

Matthew 12:33-35 (ESV): "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil."

Reflection: Think of a spiritual leader you admire. What specific fruits in their life and teachings have led you to trust their guidance?

Day 2: The Deceptive Allure of Human Desires

In today's world, many teachings superficially align with biblical principles but ultimately mislead by emphasizing human desires over God's will. This subtle deception can twist scriptural truths to serve self-centered purposes. The devil, as the father of lies, is adept at using scripture to mislead, as seen in his temptation of Jesus. This highlights the need for vigilance in discerning the true intent behind teachings. It is essential to remain grounded in God's word and seek His will above our own desires, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from aligning with His purpose. [04:10]

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (ESV): "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds."

Reflection: Reflect on a teaching or belief you hold. Does it prioritize your desires over God's will? How can you realign it with His purpose today?

Day 3: The Narrow Path of Righteousness

Jesus calls us to pursue righteousness and the kingdom of God, urging us to exercise judgment and discernment. This involves not only evaluating others but also introspecting our own lives to ensure alignment with God's path. The narrow way of God is challenging, requiring us to choose the right path amidst a world that often opts for the easier, broader way. This pursuit of righteousness demands a commitment to living according to God's standards, even when it is difficult or counter-cultural. It is a daily choice to seek His kingdom above all else. [05:30]

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV): "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you are tempted to take the easier path. What steps can you take today to choose the narrow path of righteousness instead?

Day 4: Testing the Spirits for Sound Doctrine

The apostle John and Paul urge believers to test the spirits and be wary of false teachings that deviate from sound doctrine. In a world where people seek affirmations of their desires rather than truth, the danger of accumulating teachers who cater to itching ears is real. This calls for a commitment to sound doctrine and a rejection of teachings that lead to rebellion against God. It is essential to be rooted in scripture and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in discerning truth from falsehood. This vigilance protects our faith and keeps us aligned with God's truth. [10:27]

1 John 4:1-3 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God."

Reflection: Consider a teaching you have recently encountered. How can you test its alignment with sound doctrine and the truth of the gospel?

Day 5: The Church's Role in Communal Discernment

The church plays a vital role in protecting its members from deception. By examining the message, manner of life, and fruits of those who claim to speak for God, the church can safeguard its faith community and remain on the path of righteousness. This discernment is a communal responsibility, where the church provides a protective environment for its members. It is important to engage in fellowship, accountability, and mutual encouragement to strengthen our collective discernment and commitment to truth. Together, we can support one another in staying true to God's word and resisting false teachings. [17:25]

Ephesians 4:11-14 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church community to foster a culture of discernment and protection against false teachings?

Sermon Summary

In today's exploration of Jesus' teachings on false prophets from Matthew 7:15-20, we delve into the critical need for discernment in our spiritual journey. Jesus warns us to be vigilant against those who appear righteous but are inwardly deceitful, likening them to wolves in sheep's clothing. The essence of this teaching is to recognize individuals by their fruits, as a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and vice versa. This metaphor underscores the importance of examining the outcomes of one's actions and teachings to discern their true nature.

The discussion extends to the contemporary context, where ideas like those presented in "The Secret" can superficially align with biblical principles but ultimately mislead by placing emphasis on human desires rather than God's will. This highlights the subtlety of deception, where even scriptural truths can be twisted to serve self-centered purposes. The devil, as the father of lies, is adept at using scripture to mislead, as seen in his temptation of Jesus.

Jesus emphasizes the pursuit of righteousness and the kingdom of God, urging us to exercise judgment and discernment. This involves not only evaluating others but also introspecting our own lives to ensure alignment with God's path. The narrow way of God is challenging, requiring us to choose the right path amidst a world that often opts for the easier, broader way.

The apostle John and Paul echo this warning, urging believers to test the spirits and be wary of false teachings that deviate from sound doctrine. In a world where people seek affirmations of their desires rather than truth, the danger of accumulating teachers who cater to itching ears is real. This calls for a commitment to sound doctrine and a rejection of teachings that lead to rebellion against God.

Ultimately, the sermon calls us to be vigilant, discerning the true nature of those who claim to speak for God. By examining their message, manner of life, and the fruits they bear, we can safeguard our faith and remain on the path of righteousness. This discernment is not just a personal responsibility but a communal one, where the church plays a vital role in protecting its members from deception.

Key Takeaways

1. Discernment in Spiritual Leadership: Jesus warns us to be cautious of false prophets who appear righteous but are inwardly deceitful. True discernment involves examining the fruits of one's actions and teachings, as a good tree cannot bear bad fruit. This calls for a deep understanding of the outcomes of spiritual leadership and teachings. [00:46]
2. The Subtlety of Deception: Ideas that superficially align with biblical principles can mislead by emphasizing human desires over God's will. The devil, as the father of lies, uses scripture to mislead, as seen in his temptation of Jesus. This highlights the need for vigilance in discerning the true intent behind teachings. [04:10]
3. Pursuit of Righteousness: Jesus emphasizes the importance of seeking righteousness and the kingdom of God. This involves exercising judgment and discernment, not only in evaluating others but also in introspecting our own lives to ensure alignment with God's path. The narrow way of God requires choosing the right path amidst a world that often opts for the easier, broader way. [05:30]
4. Commitment to Sound Doctrine: The apostle John and Paul urge believers to test the spirits and be wary of false teachings that deviate from sound doctrine. In a world where people seek affirmations of their desires rather than truth, the danger of accumulating teachers who cater to itching ears is real. This calls for a commitment to sound doctrine and a rejection of teachings that lead to rebellion against God. [10:27]
5. Community and Protection: The church plays a vital role in protecting its members from deception. By examining the message, manner of life, and fruits of those who claim to speak for God, we can safeguard our faith and remain on the path of righteousness. This discernment is a communal responsibility, where the church provides a protective environment for its members. [17:25]
** [17:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:46] - Introduction to False Prophets
[02:51] - The Deceptive Nature of "The Secret"
[04:10] - The Devil's Use of Scripture
[05:30] - Righteousness and the Kingdom of God
[06:30] - Exercising Discernment
[07:48] - The Danger of Misapplied Judgment
[09:10] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[10:27] - Commitment to Sound Doctrine
[11:47] - The Temptation of Itching Ears
[13:12] - The Importance of Truth
[14:42] - Avoiding Deception
[15:53] - The Role of the Church
[16:49] - The Danger of New Teachings
[17:25] - Community and Protection
[18:54] - Example of a False Prophet in Acts
[20:23] - Identifying False Prophets
[21:41] - The Masks of False Prophets
[23:27] - The Deceptive Appearance
[24:10] - The Importance of Discernment
[25:01] - The Danger of False Credentials
[26:11] - The Influence of Social Media
[26:51] - Listening to Their Message
[28:03] - The Allure of Fleshly Desires
[28:53] - The Bondage of False Freedom
[29:27] - The Message of False Prophets
[30:46] - The Exploitation of False Prophets
[33:23] - The Consequences of False Prophecies
[34:34] - Linking Their Manner of Life
[35:30] - The Fruits of False Prophets
[36:15] - The Inconsistency of False Teachers
[36:54] - The Importance of Holiness
[37:40] - Inspecting the Fruits
[38:38] - The Danger of Following the Wrong Path
[39:35] - The Masks and Messages of False Prophets
[40:03] - Consistency with Jesus
[40:50] - The Role of the Church in Discernment
[41:51] - The Call to Follow Jesus
[43:01] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What metaphor does Jesus use in Matthew 7:15-20 to describe false prophets, and what does it signify about their true nature? [00:46]
How does the sermon describe the way "The Secret" aligns with and diverges from biblical principles? [02:51]
According to the sermon, what role does the Holy Spirit play in helping believers discern truth from falsehood? [09:10]
What warning does the apostle Paul give in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 about the behavior of people in the latter days? [10:27]

Interpretation Questions

How does the metaphor of a tree and its fruit in Matthew 7:15-20 help believers discern the authenticity of spiritual leaders? [00:46]
In what ways can the teachings of "The Secret" be seen as a form of deception, according to the sermon? [02:51]
How does the sermon suggest believers should use discernment when evaluating teachings and spiritual leaders? [05:30]
What does the sermon imply about the communal responsibility of the church in protecting its members from false teachings? [17:25]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you encountered a teaching that seemed biblical but later realized it was misleading. How did you discern the truth, and what steps can you take to improve your discernment? [04:10]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of introspection in our spiritual journey. How can you regularly evaluate your own life to ensure alignment with God's path? [05:30]
Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you become more attuned to the Spirit's guidance in discerning truth from falsehood? [09:10]
The sermon warns against accumulating teachers who cater to "itching ears." How can you ensure that the teachings you follow are rooted in sound doctrine? [10:27]
Discuss the importance of community in safeguarding against deception. How can you actively contribute to your church community's efforts to protect its members from false teachings? [17:25]
Think about a spiritual leader you admire. What fruits of their life and ministry have convinced you of their authenticity? How can you apply this discernment to other leaders you encounter? [35:30]
The sermon calls for vigilance in discerning the true nature of those who claim to speak for God. What practical steps can you take this week to examine the messages and teachings you encounter? [39:35]

Sermon Clips

1. "You know, years ago, there was a book that had gained a lot of popularity, so much popularity. It was, I think it was on Oprah's book list. It was like she had the author on the show. And I actually, I remember coming in from work and that was on TV and I saw a clip of Oprah with this author and the book was called The Secret. Maybe you've seen that. It's called The Secret. Now, the main idea of the book, as I understood it, was that your thoughts and your words have power to shape reality." ([00:01:27] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

2. "The emphasis of Jesus in this sermon has been righteousness and the kingdom of heaven. Right? Matthew 6, 33 said, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything you need in life will be added to you. This is the focus that Jesus, this is the heart. This is a message about the kingdom of God and about righteousness and how righteousness and the kingdom cannot be separated and how the only way to live in the kingdom is to have the right type of righteousness." ([00:04:52] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

3. "To avoid deception and from being led astray, we actually have to have righteous discernment. We have to be able to know what's good for us, what's right, what's holy, what's not. Right? Don't you? I mean, you have to be able to know what's good for us, what's right, what's holy, what's not. You don't have to be able to look at things and say, this is good, this is bad. You have to be able to say, this is right, this is wrong. Without judgment, none of this works." ([00:07:48] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

4. "If we, if, if we don't face sound doctrine, if we don't bear with sound doctrine, if we got no tolerance for truth, then what we do is we accumulate these people that, that just make us feel good about ourselves. That, that don't preach sermons. They give talks. I'm going to tell you by the grace of God, I don't ever try to give you a talk. I pray. I listen for what God says. And I want to declare to you the message of God, not some speech that I wrote." ([00:12:17] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

5. "And how I live my life is going to determine where I end up when this life is over. And if I don't embrace the truth, if I don't know how to discern what's right and what's wrong, then what I'm going to do is I'm going to follow a lie. And not because I want to, but because that's the only thing that's left to me." ([00:13:20] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

6. "Jesus wants us to enter the kingdom of God and his righteousness. And he knew there was gonna be false prophets and false teachers who would seek to lead us astray and even cheat you out of your relationship with God. That's the worst. The worst is a person that claims to, serve God, but cheats you out of your relationship with God and makes you have a relationship with them." ([00:38:54] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

7. "Jesus said, beware of false prophets because they look good. They sound good, but inwardly they want to consume you. They're after your soul. Like I said, there's a whole lot more to this, but hopefully you get the idea that you have to pay attention because there are people, whether intentionally or unintentionally, being agents of the devil, servants of unrighteousness, sent to cause you to step off the path and go the easy way, the wide way, right into judgment." ([00:41:18] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

8. "And Jesus said, I don't want that for you. I've got a better way. Follow me and follow those who I send you. If you'll trust me. Right? When it came down to the true prophets, it said, heed the prophets and you'll live. You'll prosper. And so we need to be able to find out who's right and who's wrong so that we can prosper." ([00:42:30] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?