Common behaviors of false preachers
The Gospel has boundaries. Not every one who claims to have come in the name of God, is actually sent from God.
These are the last days and we need to be super cautious because false prophets are in our midst.
1 John 2:4 says that whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
Men/Women of God are not called to please people, but God. See the scripture below.
Galatians 1:10 'Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.'
1 These 2:4-5 also echoes the above scripture. The bottom line is, kingdom service is not about pleasing men, but God.
The gospel is not about wooing people to get what is in their pockets.
Joshua 1:8 reveals that success comes from adhering to God's Word.
According to 1 John 2:6, whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
We'll look at several behaviors of false prophets as outlined in 2 Peter 2:1-19
Please do read the account of 2 Peter 2, for a deeper understanding of the behaviours we are loking at.
1. False prophets/preachers have unbibilical lifestyles
Heb 13:7 says that preachers ought to be emulatable or immitatable.
We should only follow them as they follow Christ. A Christ-like lifestyle is a life as set out in the holy scriptures.
2. They infilitrate the church
This means that they enter the church with an agenda to influence the church to their own ends. They are not there to benefit anyone but themselves.
3. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies (2 Pet 2:1)
We have all witnessed some unbiblical doctriness on the rise these days.
There are funny things some 'men of God ' will tell you to do. If it is not biblical, please resist.
Miracles are free (Matt 10:8)
Which kind of God will ask you to give the best that you own - probably your only source of income - at the expense of your daily needs?
1 John 4:1 says test all spirits.
4. False preachers deny the work of Jesus
They will never lead people to the truth of God's Word. They are not interested in winning souls or revealing the Holy Spirit, the helper of the church.
5. They blaspheme the truth
2 Peter 2:2 Says that many will follow their shameful ways and blaspheme the way of truth. Beware of 'honouring' men while deviating from the Truth of God's Word.
6. False prophets are greedy
2 Peter 2:3 says that they exploit people by covetousness through deceptive words.
Verse 14 says that they seduce the unstable/light hearted. Their greed pushes them into exploiting people who have opened their hearts to seek God.
Matt 18:6 reveals what will befall anyone that causes any of 'these little ones who believe in God to sin.'
7. Their words are almost true
They thrive in deception (2 Peter 2:3)
Their stories are usually fabricated. Deception is somewhat believable.
8. They follow the flesh
2 Peter 2:10 reveals that they follow the corrupt nature of the flesh.
9. They are self willed
(2 Peter 2:10)
They are bold and arrogant. False preachers cannot submit to authority.
10. They don't want to be under anyone's authority
False prophets will split churches just to be on their own. So that they don't answer to any authority.
Take off from any servant that does not submit to an authority.
Matt 11:29 reveals that Jesus is gentle and humble.
So who do these servants take after, when the Word is clear that they learn from Christ. He is gentle and humble in heart.
11. They speak more evil than good
2 Peter 2:12.
False Preachers blaspheme what they do not understand.
12. False Preachers pretend but are like untamed beasts/animals
(Verse 12)
13. They make promises that they can't deliver (Verse 19)
They caution people against doing things, while they are slaves to the masters that they submit to.
14. They are ignorant
15. They love to deceive
Deception is a weapon that is largely used by
16. They cannot cease from sinning
2 Peter 2:14 'With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!
17. They are full of adultery
2 Peter 2:14 reveals that their eyes are full of adultery.
18. They prey on the unstable new believers or rather the light hearted
According to 2 Peter 2:14, they are experts at preying at the unstable believers.
19. They intentionally speak lies
2 Peter 2:18 says that they entice people, led by the sinful desires of their flesh.
20. They speak a lot but say nothing
Their preachings are empty. They carry nothing important in their speech. After all, they can't speak the oracles of God.
21. They make empty promises.
2 Peter 2:19 says that they promise people freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity.
People are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”
22. They make alluring words to woo their followers.
False preachers have a mastery of language. They use this to woo people to follow them on their way to destruction.