Wolves in Woollen Suit!

Reading: Matthew 7:15-27

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing,

but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Mt 7:15)

One of the significant warnings Jesus served in His Sermon on the Mount was against false prophets who cannot be identified easily (Mt 7:15). Dr. Francis Schaeffer (1912-1984), that great Christian thinker, said, "If we do not make clear by word and practice our position for truth and against false doctrine, we are building a wall between the next generation and the Gospel!"

The acid test of any doctrine is its fruit, outcome or result (Mt 7:16-20; Lk 6:43,44). An important question we must ask is, Does this doctrine emphasize the Scriptures or just feelings and experiences? Growth in Christian life means growing in faith. The Tabernacle presents a beautiful portrait. There is sunlight in the outer court, candlelight in the inner court and no light in the innermost place or the Holy of Holies. One cannot walk by sight but only by faith in the All Holy Place (2 Cor 5:7).

Apostle Peter had the most exciting experience of being with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration and witnessing the descent of glory on Him and hearing the voice of the Father. But in order to prove Christ's Messiahship he places the "more sure" word of the prophetic Scriptures above all visions and voices (2 Pet 1:16-21). There are simply too many preachers today claiming "infallibility" of their visions and voices and so-called trips to Heaven and they almost threaten people of divine judgment and displeasure if they don't believe them. On the other hand, look at the humility of a man like Paul, with all his visions and revelations. See how many times he says, "I do not know, God knows; I do not know, God knows!" And his boasting was in his "infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, distresses and weaknesses!" (2 Cor 12:1-11). His conclusion was, "I am nothing!" I would rather follow such a man than the many arrogant boasters on modern pulpits.

Our God is a God of miracles, and we do need and have signs and wonders today. But Martin Luther (1483-1546) said, "Any teaching which does not square with the Scriptures is to be rejected even if it showers miracles every day!" Prophesying is a gift of the Holy Spirit but no prophecy should be accepted before it is "judged" as to its agreement with the teaching of the Scriptures (1 Cor 14:29). I believe in visions and voices though I never had one or heard one, but I place them only next to the written Word of God (Jer 23:28,29).