Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. - Matthew 7:15 (NLT)

Watch Out!, Beware!, Be on your Guard!, Be Wary! Depending upon which version of the Bible you read you will see these warnings.   Strong warnings to be sure, but I wonder if our culture has dulled our senses to the very real danger these warnings caution us about?   In an age where many Americans are looking for "something for nothing", or are afraid to stand on principle due to the pressure to be "politically correct", we may be easy prey for those who do not proclaim the truth.

While I know that it is not popular to speak Gospel truth, and many who call themselves Christian would rather hear the Gospel according to what they want to believe, it remains that Biblically there is only One Way to eternal life and that is through Jesus Christ. Don't be misled by the notion that there are many paths to salvation, or that all roads lead to heaven, it just isn't true.

It is also a popular theme with some in America to believe that a belief in Christ will bring financial wealth. This also goes against Biblical teaching; didn't Christ himself say that if you want to be perfect, go sell everything you have and give it to the poor then come follow me? How then can we believe that following Christ will give us a rich and famous lifestyle? Don't put your hope in teaching that would lead you to believe that your financial stability is linked to how faithful you are to any ministry.

Guard yourself against following men who teach that the road to salvation is wide and easy rather than narrow and through Christ. Watch out for those who promise untold riches simply for becoming a believer and following their teaching. Neither is true.   Charles Swindoll, chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary and well known for his work on Insight for Living - a daily radio broadcast, recently gave these suggestions for recognizing false teaching.

1.  False prophets are more interested in gaining popularity than telling the truth. Listen and watch long enough and you'll discover that false teachers care greatly about popularity. They are the ones that say Peace, Peace when there is no peace.
2. False prophets are more interested in receiving than in giving. They are greedy and more interested in getting your money, following, praise, and/or allegiance.   They will exploit you. True teachers will redirect praise and allegiance to Christ.
3. False prophets' personal lives exhibit a seduction to evil rather than an attraction to good.
4. False prophets lead people away from God rather than closer to God.
5. If the teaching will not preach universally then it is not true. For example, if a Believer in a poor third world country cannot have a genuine belief if they are not financially blessed then the teaching is not Biblical.

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them -bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. - 2 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV)

Blessings,