To succeed on earth and make it to heaven, we should beware of false prophets. One of the ways
to identify false prophets is through their disposition to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:3, we are told that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says: “Jesus be cursed”, and that no one can say that Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Spirit. False prophets have a negative attitude to the Lordship of Christ. It is true that false prophets are deceptive. Some are so deceptive that they pretend to say and to do so many good things in the Name of Jesus. However, their actions always portray Jesus in bad light and make His Lordship inconsequential. The state of their heart is described in Matthew 15:8 which says,
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”

You should beware of false prophets and false teachers. There is no gain-saying the fact that the heart of a false prophet is far from the Lord. One way of recognising false prophets is through their fake prophecies. Many false prophets portray Jesus as a liar through their fake prophecies. Many predictions of false prophets, which they make using the Name of the Lord do not come to pass. Consequently, people lose interest in them and may even conclude that Christianity is bogus. Another way to recognise a false prophet is by their unscriptural behaviour. Many false prophets are immoral. Some practice polygamy instead of monogamy. Some have chains of wives and concubines. Infidelity is rampant among many while some drink alcoholic beverages. They also enjoy dirty jokes and obscenity. Some false prophets have so degenerated to the extent of engaging in money rituals and other obnoxious practices. All these attitudes draw people away from the Lord and say, “Jesus be cursed”. Apart from the foregoing, most false prophets are false teachers. Matthew 7:16&20 says false prophets and false teachers are known by their fruits. False teachers disseminate false knowledge, skills and attitudes. Invariably, they produce disciples whose lifestyles do not glorify God. Most disciples of false teachers are outright agents of the devil, many of them are corrupt, immoral and pretentious. Beware of false prophets!

Memorise:
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 12:3

Read:
John 14:26-27

Bible in one year:
Matthew 12:9-13:43
Job 12:13-25

Action Point:
Watch the fruits of a ministry before sowing your time and God-given resources into it.

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Culled from Open Heavens daily devotional for July 29, 2014 by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
Visit www.dailydevotionalsonline.com everyday to read a daily devotional.

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