
by Leonard V Johnson
Now, in this Personal, I’m going to speak with thunder. The Lord GOD Himself speaks His living word as “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” – Ephesians 6:17. All true Christians are advised in His word to take up this “sword,” as part of the whole armor of God ── to rebuke and withstand in the evil day. And this word of God is pictured as a sharp two-edged sword coming out of the mouth of Jesus Christ – the Personal Word of God – Hebrews 4:12. It corrects.
The other day, I was moved by the Holy Spirit to make an important ministerial announcement──in this Personal, I would like to add some additional thoughts –
If you’ve truly been called by Father God and placed within the Body of Christ ── if you’ve truly been converted, CHANGED ── by having received the glorious Holy Spirit, then you should no longer see things as you did before. If so, why is there such bitterness and vile hatred in your heart?
Because if this CHANGE truly took place in you so many years ago as you claim, then you should not be seeing your brethren as this world does. You should know better.
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32) And BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32.
“The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise. 32) He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. 33) The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.” – Proverbs 15:31-33.
And HERE, Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers lies the GREATEST OF DANGERS!
Bitterness ── a terrible spiritual cancer.
Sadly, we have been hearing lately some vile, putrefying, hateful things from a former spiritual mentor ── some very hurtful things that have within them traces of disgust and contempt, and I caution him concerning this.
And it’s NATURAL. Yes, natural, to a person who does not have the Spirit of God within them and about them. Because I want you to realize that self-flattery, narcissism, deceit, pretending, lack of empathy, hate, and contempt are NATURAL for a person who does not have the Spirit of God. For the carnal mind devoid of God’s Spirit is the NATURAL mind – Romans 8:7-8. The people of the world do what is NATURAL for them to do. In other words, according to human nature. So, if the Spirit of God was within and about a person ── they would not be controlled by the flesh, but by the Spirit of God which lives in them – vs. 9.
The apostle Paul went on to say, “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”
It’s a spirit of lust ── with our Spirit of discernment (1 John 4:1), we plainly see the evil that this world cannot see. And, there is a spirit of rivalry that has been at work for a long while ── and if not awakened to righteousness this evil deception will continue until perishment comes. Because he refuses to receive the love of truth, that he might be saved.
Sadly, some actually preach hypocrisy! They say, “I love you!” at the end of their sermons, but they do not show love through their actions. And many yield even further to human nature, resenting any perceived enemy ── and then soon allowing that of HATING any perceived enemy to completely seize them. Also, this self-righteous attitude becomes even more. They begin to feel SUPERIOR to anyone else ── even though they will often deny it. Their work becomes a “holier-than-thou” work. Thus, the CARNAL NATURE at full display – with the unrealized sway of Satan the devil and this demon of lust enticing them to VANITY, rivalry, jealousy, and hatred ── which is a spirit of murder! – 1 John 3:15.
Of all sins ── if I were to choose one, it would be that which commits the most harm ── self-righteousness, for this, even unrealized, puts the self (the self that refuses to look at itself in a spiritual mirror) ahead of the LORD God. Breaking the very first commandment.
Sadly, the self-righteous and narcissists are the hardest of people to bring to repentance and salvation. They are so deceived ── they have come to believe that as long as they don’t “act” upon their thoughts of lust, they’ve not committed sin. Often they will have persecutory delusions that cloud their thinking. They preach up a storm concerning Luke 18:10-14, yet they are the same as this Pharisee!
They proclaim to the world that they have the fruits of the Spirit ── and that you will know those who do not! PAY CLOSE ATTENTION! The fruit of the Spirit ── love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Without love, we are nothing more than a “sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1.
BEWARE OF FALSE MINISTERS
‘Wolves in sheep’s clothing,’ as our Lord Jesus calls them. Are you being misled by an innocent-looking archetype wolf?
Well, the LORD God reserves the strongest judgment for those who claim to be true Christians that are speaking for God, but are actually speaking more about themselves!
When one truly looks through the magnifying glass of God’s living word ── a wool-covered wolf cannot pass himself off as a sheep. We should expect that a false prophet will attempt, with all their heart, to look like a real one ── or what he might think is a real one. Notice what the apostle Paul wrote, under divine inspiration –
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14) And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.
We should expect ── right out of the gate ── a welcoming greeting. Often we see a pleasant elderly gentleman ─ at least at first.
And this masked façade works ── at least for the first 6 minutes. Then, the façade falls away and is replaced with a hateful narcissist and self-righteous person. The pedestal they placed themselves upon begins to teeter. Their rightful “fruits” are exposed for the world to see.
Surely, if this person is preaching in the name of Jesus Christ, that is good fruit. Yes?
No. Not necessarily – according to our Lord Jesus. Notice immediately after telling us to beware of false prophets and to look at their fruits, He continued by saying, “’ Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom [from] heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.’” – Matthew 7:21.
Preaching our Lord Jesus Christ is not conclusive proof of good fruit. But doing the will of God the Father is.
“’ Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? ’ [even preaching the New Covenant!] 23) And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” – vss. 22-23.
Startling as it may seem, as an example, innocent-looking grandfatherly men who are very knowledgeable in the Bible ── may not be recognized by Him as a servant of His. Because they use His name deceptively and falsely! Instead of doing the will of God the Father, they do iniquity.
EVEN INSIDE CHRIST’S CHURCH
Not all false prophets come from outside of our Lord Jesus Christ’s Church! Some were formerly faithful servants of the Church ── but over time their hearts became bitter and callused. Allowing a spirit of lust to enter into them ── and now, they have completely “slid off” the spiritual rail – the ‘straight and narrow’ path.
The apostle Paul warned the flock of Ephesus. He knew that false prophets would soon descend upon them. So he alerted the leaders to the grave dangers that both pastors and the flock would face.
“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29) I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” – Acts 20:28-29, NASB.
And EVEN WORSE – “and FROM AMONG YOUR OWN SELVES men will arise, speaking perverse things [even in secret], to draw away the disciples after them.” – vs. 30.
A faithful minister would always “remember those who rule over them [past or present], who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” – Hebrews 13:7.
The apostle Paul said some would turn from serving the needs of Jesus Christ and His little flock to serving their own self-gratification and interests instead.
Even the apostle Peter warned the Church of the same danger!
“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies [such as removing Moses] even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
2) And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3) By covetousness [a desire for something or someone so much that you lose your contentment in God] they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” – 2 Peter 2:1-3.
Why Do They Have Followers?
Again, the apostle Peter said that many would follow the wrong way. Why do false prophets have a following?
Oftentimes it’s a simpatico relationship. In other words ── they were “wronged” by certain leaders of the Church, therefore you can relate to them. And followers who are craving peace, belonging, and security might gain a sense of those things as well as confidence through participation in the group.
False prophets have followers because the people can often relate to the false prophet having been rejected. The leader of the group provides meaning, purpose, and belonging. Offering a clear vision, and asserts superiority over the group. And, as to the leader, he will often be self-centered in personality, in trait, or behavior ── characterized by an excessive focus on oneself and one’s needs, desires, and INTERESTS, often to the exclusion or neglect of the needs and feelings of others. And true to form ── if you have been hurt by them, it’s somehow your fault, because you must have done something to deserve their wrath, or even, of being ignored. And, it’s your iniquity that has caused this mistreatment. They, however, are ultimately emotionally protected.
One can choose from thousands of different types of “Christianity.” Some are very somber. Others wild. Some are strict, others lenient. You can be bored to death, or entertained, or shouted at ── but all promise that you won’t be “lost” as long as you listen or attend regularly.
Even converted members of Christ’s Church can be led away and fall into this trap. The apostle Paul wrote Timothy –
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4) and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:2-4.
False prophets respond to the itching ears of wayward sheep. The wolves entice them away with words that appeal to “their way” of thinking.
“If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4) he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions …”
As in saying, “No one else is teaching this!” It’s a big red flag! When someone claims exclusivity, it often leans more towards manipulation or a morbid interest in causing controversies.
“ … and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5) and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” – 1 Timothy 6:3-5, NASB.
Why Is There Permitted False Prophets?
Why does the LORD God allow wolves to have access to certain people, or to His flock? Why doesn’t He expose them before they do any harm? Well, our Lord Jesus has His reasons.
A couple of weeks ago, I was reminded to go and read again the Autobiography of Herbert W Armstrong ── especially Volume 1 chapter 19.
Glaring at me in black and white was a truth to this question – why does the LORD God permit false prophets?
“Many times a certain individual has been used to bring us light, or truth, or help, or certain advancement or stimulus to the Work of God, only to lose out spiritually and be discarded, once his usefulness was over.”
Our Lord Jesus is confident that His true sheep will not be led astray (even for very long) by false prophets. And, referring to Himself as the Shepherd of the sheep – “’ And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5) Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.’” – John 10:4-5.
His sheep acknowledge the fact that they are servants of Him – not any ministry. They acknowledge His doctrine – “’ My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17) If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.’” – John 7:16-17.
The little flock is certain to encounter many trials and tests, tribulations ── and false prophets, and even blasphemous pastors among them.
Our Lord Jesus has warned us, “’ For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23) But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.’” – Mark 13:22-23.
Thank Almighty God, the true sheep of His pasture, who seek His leadership and His will, will not be led astray. Our Lord Jesus’ sheep will see the fake wool and run! □