2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Judges 18-19 GW; 2 Peter 2 GW
False teachings don’t promote love.
God is love. Jesus came to earth because of God’s deep affection for us. Belief in Jesus begins an adventure in learning to love. Applying Jesus’s teaching to your life, without a doubt, will make you a better lover. You will learn how to forgive people who hurt you. Truth and grace will become familiar to you. As you begin praying for your enemies, your perspective changes. Mercy becomes something people recognize in you. Each day you follow Jesus, transformation occurs. Slowly, you will fulfill God’s purpose for your life, loving God and loving others.
Counterfeit prophet’s message isn’t the same.
False prophets want you to worship them. Ultimately, they want to become God. As my husband would say, it’s the Eve problem. Why did Eve eat the apple?
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5 NIV)
Eve’s eyes were open to her sin. She did not become like God. False prophets, like the serpent in Eve’s story, lead you astray with their cunning words.
Beware of smooth talkers.
Just like the serpent fooled Eve, false prophets try to fool us. Their message is similar to Jesus’s, but it’s not the same. Imposters master flowery language that doesn’t say much but can easily mislead you. Anyone who promotes anything other than loving God and loving others is leading you astray. Don’t listen to a word they say.
Jesus left us with one commandment: Love God, love others (Matthew 22:37-38 NIV). If whoever you’re listening to isn’t promoting love, stop listening.
Don’t fall for flowery language. Look for evidence of God’s love. Learn to recognize false prophets. If they aren’t following Jesus, you’ll know by their fruit; love isn’t part of their message.
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Lord, thank You for teaching us how to love. Thank You for going first in loving us and providing a way for us to connect with You. Forgive us for falling for flowery words from false prophets. Today, give us eyes to see, ears to hear the lies people tell. Let us light up the world as we love You and others. All the glory is Yours. IJNIP. Amen
Question for reflection
Who is a false prophet in your life?
