Dave's Diary

Prayer

Before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 119:59-60

Lord, help me to consider my ways carefully in light of Your Word
and to adjust my life to align with Your statutes.
 Help me to hasten and not delay to obey your commands. Amen.

Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your awareness to the voice of God, coming to you through His Word.

Reading

Matthew 7:15-23 

This passage really only contains a single command for us to obey as Jesus’ disciples: “Watch out for false prophets“. (v.15) The rest of the passage essentially gives us some tools to help us discern whether someone is a “false prophet” or not.

Very broadly speaking, a prophet is one who communicates in the Lord’s name, as if speaking on God’s behalf. Jesus warns His disciples to be exceptionally discerning about accepting someone as a “prophet”, and their words as being from the Lord. What we believe about the Lord and His will impacts our whole lives, and Jesus wants us to make sure that we do not blindly accept those who purport to be His messengers. If we do, we may find ourselves led away from Him and His will. Instead of being led to “green pastures” of spiritual truth, we might inadvertently find ourselves swallowing untruths which can poison our whole lives.

Today, we have limitless opportunities to be exposed to false prophets because anyone who has an online presence is able to promote their beliefs and teachings. Many people present themselves as “prophets” or “Bible teachers” while in reality they are neither staying true to God’s Word nor speaking on the Lord’s behalf at all.

Such a person may be well-meaning and sincere, and yet present something untrue or misleading by mistake or carelessness. They may be motivated by pleasing people and gaining popularity or prestige, by saying what they know others want to hear. Worst of all, they may actually have every intention of spiritually manipulating people for personal financial gain.

The “diagnostic questions” that Jesus encourages us to ask to help us discern whether someone is a “false prophet” or not are these:

• Are their lives bearing good fruit? In other words, is what they believe so impacting their own lives that they are genuinely growing in Christlikeness – in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)?
• Are their lives bearing evidence of a deep and living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? Don’t be fooled by outward “signs and wonders” which Scripture warns can be empowered by the evil one (2 Thessalonians 2:9) but look for the greater and more genuine sign of a genuine, intimate and life-changing relationship with Christ.

It seems a false prophet might readily be able to build a very convincing argument to deceive people, but the evidence of their actual daily living will be the true proof of whether or not they are to be trusted.

Contemplation

Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn these declarations over in your mind. Keep them in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ: 

• I will guard against ever misrepresenting Christ and His will to others;
• I will guard against swallowing everything I am told “in the Lord’s Name”;
• I will work hard to discern the trustworthiness of those who teach or preach in His Name.

Lord, please deliver me from half truths and untruths, and guide me in Your Way of Truth, today and every day Amen.