ESOCS Devotional 18 April 2022
TEXT: MATTHEW 7:15-27
MEMORY VERSE: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Prophets are God’s mouthpiece. They communicate heavenly decisions to the church and its members. They also speak of the will of God to the world. Prophets are expected to speak the words that God puts in their mouths (Deut. 18:18), and not to speak a vision of their own heart (Jeremiah 26:16). Prophetic messages come through dreams, visions, trance, songs etc. Thus, those who are gifted to dream dreams, see visions, or enter into trance must make sure that what they see, hear, or speak truly and clearly comes from the Lord.
This text sounds as a warning to all Christians not to be swayed by the antics of men of falsehood. Their means of identification is their ungodly characters and demands. They are among us. They have the ranks and occupy positions. They speak in the name of God and perform miracles. But when you come closely to examine them, you find that they stink with ungodliness and they hold strongly to their ungodly characters (vs. 15-20). Examples of the marks of false prophets are those who are given to immorality and fraud, among other misbehaviours in their prophetic ministry.
The point when a man identifies his error is the right point for him to turn to God with penitence and receive forgiveness. Each one of us must consider and ensure that we maintain the truth: the right way of doing what we have to do and eschew all forms of deceit and falsehood. The God we serve knows it all and He does not tolerate sin. To those who receive and believe Him, He gives the Spirit of truth to guide and lead them: that they may be able to carry out their ministry according to His will. Jesus will deny those who practice sin in the course of their ministry (vs. 2-23). They will never be part of the kingdom of God.
We should therefore, understand that the strength of our faith and the assurance of our hope is in the truth. Our hope is to make heaven and enjoy eternal rest and peace in the kingdom of heaven (vs. 24-21).
- Will those who patronize false prophets attain the kingdom of God?
- Father, keep me away from false prophets, in Jesus Name.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 2:27-35; Psalm 39:1-13; I Corinthian 7:12-20
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ESOCS Devotional 18 April 2022
