The “disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20), the Apostle John, strongly exhorted Christians in the late first century to be careful to avoid gullibility as they encountered anyone allegedly preaching in the name of Christ:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

As ominous and disturbing as those words must have been so long ago, they are to be received today with even deeper spiritual sobriety and alarm.

We live in an age when virtually anyone can construct a platform from which to give their version of the truth, and this is especially the case for those who are claiming to speak for God.  Even in John’s day, there was no lack of ‘Christian’ charlatans who were, in reality, agents of the “father of lies” (John 8:44) who proclaimed their devilish distortions of the Gospel in the name of Christ.  John’s inspired words also suggest that until our Lord returns this will be the case.  There will always be bogus preachers until we enter the New Jerusalem.

As we continue to reflect upon the words of Ezekiel 13, we will discover some critical Old Testament help in recognizing the “false prophets” who feverishly operate among us today. In the first sixteen verses of the chapter, the true prophet of God will reveal to us what the demonic counterfeit looks and sounds like. And then, he will announce the horrible fate that awaits all of them.

This coming Sunday, we will prayerfully consider the ancient words of Ezekiel that, because they are inspired and originate in the mind of our Lord and God, are very timely indeed!