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NASB | Matthew 7:15 ¶ "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 7:15 ¶ "Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. [Ezek 22:27] |
Bible Question: What are false prophets -- what are their earmarks --how can they be identified? How can we denounce them without being judgmental? |
Bible Answer: We are told in Matthew 24:5 many will be deceived. 24:5 Many will... deceive many. This first major sign is really an important warning. Toward the end of this present age, religious deception will be openly practiced and taught on the earth. Christ is so concerned that his followers be aware of the coming worldwide spiritual deception that he repeats his warning two more times in this particular address (see v. 11, note; v. 24; see article on THE AGE OF THE ANTICHRIST). Fire Bible This deception will come two ways. Lying spirits that attempt to counterfeit the truth. And denial of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. 1Ti 4:1 Both are destructive and deadly. That is why one of the gifts of the Spirit is discernment. Distinguishing between spirits. This gift is a special Spirit-given ability to properly discern and judge prophecies and to distinguish whether or not a message or spiritual expression is from the Holy Spirit (see 1Co 14:29, note; 1Jn 4:1). During the end times, though the Bible warns that false teachers (see Mt 24:5, note) and the misrepresentation of Biblical Christianity will greatly increase (see 1Ti 4:1, note), this gift will be extremely important for the church. Donald C. Stamps and J. Wesley Adams, ed., Fire Bible, (Springfield, MO: Life Publishers International, 2009), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "Study Notes". |