False Prophets

False Prophets

In these verses Jesus exhorts us to be on guard against false prophets, for they are like ravenous wolves; yet they do not come like wolves, they come in sheep’s clothing. A wolf cannot be a sheep even though he comes in sheep’s clothing, and a sheep cannot be a wolf. Therefore Jesus gives us a simple way of recognizing them. He says, “You will know them by their fruits.”

He compares the true and false prophets with trees, and we can know the tree by its fruit. The wolf has nothing to give; he is ravenous. A sheep gives its entire body; both meat and wool. When the false prophets come in sheep’s clothing, it seems as if they have something to give. These prophets prophesy in Jesus’ name, but they seek their own. We can divide “their own” into two categories: honor and money. Or we can say it with two words: earthly things! “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of the One who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” John 7:18.

It is typical for false prophets to gather people around themselves. They cannot be normal brothers among brothers. They want to be the center. They want to be leaders. Regarding those who will say to Him on that Day: “Have we not done . . . many wonders in Your name?” Jesus “will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice unrighteousness!’”

What was this unrighteousness they practiced? Quite simply this: that they themselves became the focal point. You can also easily hear it when you listen to such false prophets. They haven’t got much of God’s Word to proclaim, but they relate all the great things God has done where they have been. When you hear them speak, they speak about tremendous things that occurred through revivals and healings, and it always concerns their own person and what an instrument they have been in God’s hand. They try to hide their vain ambitions under a sheepskin by constantly saying, “All praise be to Jesus!” Everything sounds so wonderful. Yet it is always in other places where they have been that such tremendous things have happened, not where they are. If these things had happened where they are, they wouldn’t have to speak about them, because then you could experience them.

Typically, the important thing for these false prophets is to collect money—of course not for themselves! No, not at all! They wrap themselves in their sheep’s clothing with, “Everything is for God’s cause.” They have many different goals which they, with their oratorical gifts, make sound very important for God’s cause. If you think more carefully about the matter you get the impression that the whole world could be saved if there were enough money. The entire thing becomes a money matter, and yet people continue to give. It is as if this were the only way they could do anything for God. Of course these false prophets do not collect for themselves, but they do live quite comfortably, even though they always lack money. The fact that all these people who give them money do not have victory over sin does not concern them. The only comfort they receive is that Jesus has done everything; we are under His blood. We can constantly hear this expression when they pray, “Jesus, put us under Your blood!” With that they are also saying that they are not there.

The expression “ravenous wolves” is very significant when it concerns such prophets. Jesus is our example; He said to the rich man, “Go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Matt. 19:21.

When we read about the apostles’ work, their messages, and their writings, where do we find that God’s cause depends on money? They had just one thought—to help people out of sin. Therefore Paul gives us a distinguishing mark by which we can see the difference between these wolves who entice the disciples to follow them for the sake of gain and true workers: “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” Acts 20:29-32.

When we read the Sermon on the Mount, we see that it all concerns being free from the Pharisees’ righteousness and hypocrisy, the very people who did all their works to be seen by men. “Sheep’s’ clothing”—a nice, external appearance—is useless when the heart covets and when you are anxious for earthly things as the heathen are. Godliness must be true in the heart’s innermost recesses so that we live before God and not before people. Then we are building our house on the rock.

It is quite natural for the false prophets to oppose the true prophets. Therefore it is necessary for the false prophets to brand the true prophets as false teachers. False prophets argue about whether the doctrine is true or not. They do not argue about whether the life is true or not. They are not interested in life. If you talk about life, they will immediately counter with the words, “You shall not judge!” This is also a very good distinguishing mark. Wolves can never attain to the oneness of the Father and the Son, but they do speak much about it in the midst of fighting, criticizing, and backbiting each other.

Read 2 Corinthians 11 and 1 John 1:1-4, and meditate on them; also Jeremiah 23:15-32.