It’s a horrible
feeling when someone lies to you; especially if the liar is someone that you
held in high esteem. No one likes to be deceived. The word ‘deceived’ means to
catch by guile or to ensnare and the word ‘guile’ implies that someone is
skilled at being deceptive. There are multitudes of deceivers in the world who
are trying to get you to buy their product: whether that product is a
politician; a particular brand of washing powders or a religion. 2 Thessalonians
2:3 says “Let no man deceive you by any means” and 2 Peter 2:3 states about
false prophets that “through covetousness shall they with feigned words make
merchandise of you”.
T.L. Lowery in
Apostles and Prophets Reclaiming the Biblical Gifts states that there are
four areas in which most false ministries will demonstrate their true nature.
The first is by the manifestation of their lives. Jesus said: “Therefore
by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in
heaven. 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? And
then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me” (Matthew
7:20-23). This scripture suggests that a person who does not have a relationship
with Jesus may operate in miraculous powers.
T.L. Lowery states,
“It is important to know that the fruit of the Spirit, not the gifts of
the Spirit, determine the authenticity of a ministry”. The
fruit that a tree produces identifies the tree. Oranges grow on orange
trees--apples grow on apple tress. Likewise, the fruit it produces identifies a
ministry. An authentic minister will live a life separate from sinful behavior.
Paul referred to the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, 23 which include
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and
temperance.
The second sign of a
false ministry is the motive of their ministry. The motivation of a
person’s life will be manifested in two areas: the content of their
conversations and by the way they handle finances. Matthew
12:34 “...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh”.
Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Beware of prosperity preachers. I Timothy 6:5 “Perverse disputings of men of
corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness:
from such withdraw thyself.”
The third sign of a
false ministry is the message of their ministry. Jesus warned that in the
last days “false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and
wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). The major
focus of the message in an authentic ministry is the exaltation of Jesus, not
the marketing of their ministry. False apostles and prophets place themselves as
the exclusive connecting link between the believer and God.
The fourth sign of a
false ministry is the manipulation of people. The Book of Jude says these
false ministries “mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain
advantage (v. 16). Paul dealt with those who used psychological tactics to
manipulate, referring to “the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby
they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14). Paul rebuked the Corinthian
church because it allowed itself to be manipulated and intimidated by false
apostles. In 2 Corinthians 11: 20, he described the behavior of the false
apostles with five expressions in one verse: “You put up with it if one brings
you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts
himself, if one strikes you on the face”.
(1) The false
apostles preached the bondage of keeping the law as a prerequisite of salvation.
(2) The church allowed the false apostles to “devour” their resources. (3) The
false ministries took large amounts of their income and their abilities to
increase their own lifestyle. (4) The false apostles exalted themselves at the
expense of the church. (5) They resorted to humiliation tactics, such as
slapping people in the face.
I can think of
multiple false ministries that are in the world today. One particular false
prophet on You Tube stated that ‘god’ told him to kick an elderly lady in the
face so that she would be healed. Brothers and sisters in Christ, this type of
behavior is not of God. Our precious Saviour was and still is a gentleman.
Jesus would never kick someone in the face in order to heal him or her.
I challenge each of
you to read the Bible daily. 2 Timothy 2:15 encourages us to “Study to show
thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth”. If you hear anyone preach or teach anything that
doesn’t sound quite right, then please search the scriptures for yourself. You
have direct access to God Almighty through the precious blood of Jesus. Pray and
ask God for guidance. 1 John 2:27 “But the anointing which ye have received of
him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same
anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as
it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
Father, thank
You for Your precious word. Thank You for the precious Holy Spirit that guides
us into all truth. Give us the ability to discern good and evil. Make us wise as
serpents and harmless as doves. Protect us by Your mighty power. I ask in Jesus
name. Amen.