The False Prophet

You must keep in mind that there are no gray areas in dealing with God. Jesus made it clear that one is either with Him or against Him. One either gathers or scatters the flock. The flock includes those who have not yet found their way to the household of faith. These, too, must be precious to those of us who dare to serve in ministry. Without going into all the ramifications of the false prophet I simply want to make one point that reveals the affect of operating in that which God did not ordain.

St. Matthew 7:13-14

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

I once instructed a fellow servant of our Lord to revisit his decision to place a novice over several of his churches. I explained to him that it was very dangerous to place one who has not been discipled over the people of God. The authority alone would be too tempting. Well, he was not persuaded by my counsel and he proceeded as planned. Sometime later it was revealed that money and authority are a very destructive mix in the hands of the unlearned and undisciplined. Furthermore, some of these men did not have the ordination of God. There was no way they would maintain apostolic order once given such power over the people of God.

It is the function of the Apostle to instruct instructors. For many years now I have raised up ministers to glorify the Lord. Needless to say it has been a tedious journey. But we all have come to a place where the journey to the center of God’s will is about to be manifest. I have learned over the years to judge nothing before the time and that nothing is too hard for God. That is why it is disturbing to hear the Master say, “There are many leaders who will not enter into the Kingdom of God because the way is too strait for them.”

15 Beware of false prophets, (St. Matthew 7:15) Pay attention to those leaders who are imposters in ministry. These are they which minister in and without the Body without the ordination or anointing of the Holy Ghost. The term “false prophet” is not to give special attention to the prophet’s ministry but rather is a term used to describe all those who attempt to work unauthorized ministry in the name of God. Most likely here Jesus is referring to men and women who are not even born of God. But I selected this passage because the characteristics are the same for both the impostor and the renegade saint.

These are they which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. They are corrupt in their dealings toward God and man. They have private agendas which they seek to achieve by exploiting the household of faith.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (St. Matthew 7:16) It is quite easy to determine the intent of the Lord here regarding the character of evil men and women working in the Body of Christ. Grapes do not come from thorns, neither do figs from thistles. Every seed produces after its own kind. Those who are corrupt within cannot produce the character of Christ even though they may say all the right things and perhaps do some good deeds. But sooner or later that which is within will manifest in them and their followers.

St. Matthew 7:17-20

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

The Lord takes this principle beyond individual character into ministry itself. Whether they be of the Body or not, the false prophet is spiritually corrupt and can in no wise bring forth good fruit. Not only will we recognize them by the character they walk in, but also by the fruit or type of individuals they produce. SATAN CANNOT PRODUCE CHRIST.

Jesus said of these; Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit (St. Matthew 12:33). This is quite cut and dry. Either a man or woman is holy or they are not. If they are holy, then their influence in the lives of those who truly follow after them will be holy. But if they themselves are corrupt, they will in turn produce followers who are also corrupt in character. It is their fruit that is corrupt; that which is produced according to their influence. Again we must be mindful that influence is not based alone upon what an individual preaches, teaches or prophesy, but that which is lived in the presence of those who are being led.

St. Matthew 7:21

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

The scripture admonishes us to know those who labor among us. It is our responsibility to know the character and message of those whom we allow to feed the flock. Oftentimes in our haste to facilitate ministry, we neglect to explore the ministry we are about to loose in the house. But what is the recourse if we are sitting in the midst of such error. In other words, what is to be done if for whatever reason we find that we have allowed a ministry to go forth that is not of the character of God?

There was a time when I might have quickly said we should allow such a one to finish and then call him to the side and instruct him more perfectly as did Pricilla and Aquilla in their dealings with Apollos. But the truth is Apollos was ministering all that he knew up to the baptism of John the Baptist. He could only take the people to repentance. He needed a revelation of the indwelling Christ.

The key here is that he was not ministering anything that would scatter the flock or create in them negative character. Remember it is the objective of ministers to get the flock to think as they think and to see as they see. Therefore, if the minister is of negative character in ministry, then that character is sanctioned as acceptable in those who hear and submit to his influence. It is our responsibility to stop such ministering considering the soul of the minister as well as the souls of the congregation. You must remain in the Spirit and not allow your emotions to dictate your response. We who are spiritual are capable of delivering such a one in the meekness of the Spirit of God. Regardless of his response, once you stop such ministry, you must consider that even in his offense it is an opportunity for you to plant a positive seed of righteousness in his life.

Let us do all things in the admonition of holiness and the love of the brethren.