Matthew 7:15 (ESV)
¹⁵  “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

False prophets are everywhere.  The world is filled with men and women who claim to be teaching God’s Word, but who, in reality, are teaching the doctrines of men.  The word prophet refers to someone who is God’s spokesman.  He might have been someone who could prophesy of future events, or one who merely revealed God’s inspired Word.

Today, while the miracle of prophecy has ceased (1 Corinthians 13:8), we still have some who claim to be prophets.  They allege to have the ability to tell of future events or to have direct revelation from God, but they are all false prophets and teachers.  This should not surprise us.  Peter warned us that there have always been false prophets and teachers in the world.  

2 Peter 2:1 (ESV)
¹  But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

We must beware of these false prophets.  Jesus said they will not look the part.  They will come in sheep’s clothing but, in reality, they will be ravenous wolves.  Paul also spoke of their deceptive nature.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (ESV)
¹³  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴  And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵  So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

You will find these deceitful workmen in popular churches today.  You will see them on T.V.  They will be persuasive, dynamic, and entertaining, but what they will not do is preach the unperverted doctrine of Christ.  We must beware of them.

Colossians 2:8 (KJV)
⁸  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

How do we guard ourselves against these deceitful workmen?  Paul tells us in the verses below.

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
⁶  Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷  rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

This takes a diligent study of God’s Word.  If we are to recognize false teaching, no matter how believable the false teacher may be, we must be grounded in the truth.  Remember, if we are deceived by a false prophet, that deception is not going to save us in the day of judgment.  Jesus said, “…if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit” (Matthew 15:14).  Beware! 

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.