Wednesday 21 August 2013

Beware of False Prophets

Let us take care we give no occasion to the enemy to blaspheme the holy name whereby we are called, or to speak evil of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. These seducers used feigned words, they deceived the hearts of their followers. In their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. The ancient verdict against them is still in force, and their destruction is not delayed. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; they would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

St. Paul warned against false teachers who taught "things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. "Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. We never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness. For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." Through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: they are experts in greed--an accursed brood! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness,

They are double-minded men and unstable in all they do. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Yes, they are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. Shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain. Because the watchmen are blind. They are shepherds who have no understanding; They have all turned to their own way, Each one to his unjust gain, to the last one. "Come," they say, "let us get wine, and let us drink heavily of strong drink; And tomorrow will be like today, only more so." Oh yes when they shall say, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."God will say to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

Let us wake up, don't be fooled, God's word is clear for all to identify these wolves in sheep clothing. By their fruit you shall know them; the ox knows its master, the donkey its owner's manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand." Says the Lord. Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.

Be not deceived God is not mocked. God's usual method of proceeding is shown by examples. Angels were cast down from all their glory and dignity, for their disobedience. If creatures sin, even in heaven, they must suffer in hell. Sin is the work of darkness, and darkness is the wages of sin. See how God dealt with the old world. The number of offenders no more procures favour, than their quality. If the sin be universal, the punishment shall likewise extend to all.

Take heed what you do. God's wisdom and power will surely effect the purposes of his love, and the engagements of his truth;  wicked men often escape suffering here, because they are kept to the day of judgement, to be punished with the devil and his angels; be sober, be vigilant.



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