“You’re a false prophet!” I get that a lot. And if you’ve been in the ministry for any amount of time, you’ll get the same said of you. They said it about Jesus too.
Let’s be clear – quoting scripture does not give you the authority of scripture. It’s something you have to live. This is what I mean by that. Let’s say, for example, that I am sitting at a table with three other ministers. Let’s say also that all four of us disagree on almost every conceivable Biblical idea. Who’s right? How would you go about discerning that?
I don’t believe in the relativity of truth – there is absolute truth. So the easiest answer would be to say, “Compare the ideas with scripture.” But here’s a problem: some of the people who quote scripture the loudest can sometimes be completely wrong. I’ve been in this same discussion time and time again.
Critic: Brother David, you’re a false prophet!
Me: How so?
Critic: Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
Me: You’re right. Jesus did say that. But how does that apply to me? What makes me a false preacher?
Critic: I have discernment and you are a false preacher!
Me: Ok. But, using scripture, can you specifically tell me what I’m saying or doing that makes me a false prophet?
Critic: I just gave you a scripture. Are you arguing with God’s Word?
Me: Yes, you’re using scripture, but you haven’t shown how that applies to me.
Critic: Now you’re just twisting things.
Me: But you’re not making a valid point.
Critic: God’s Word isn’t valid? I’m using more scripture than you. You haven’t used any scripture at all.
And the conversation continues. But using more scripture doesn’t make one right about Biblical truth. I’d rather use one scripture properly than one-hundred scriptures out of line. But you can see how anyone wishing to call someone else false will use the Bible inappropriately to shove their point home.
So back to my illustration. I’m sitting at a table with three other ministers. We’re all quoting scripture. We’re all effective in ministry. We’re all well-studied. I’m not sayng that there is no such thing as wrong and right. I’m simply saying that being wrong about certain things doesn’t make someone false.
Would you consider Peter, a disciple of Jesus, a false prophet? Yet he was wrong, and Paul corrected him. They disgreed with each other. But that error in Peter’s doctrine didn’t make him a false preacher. It’s perfectly fine to bring correction, but not in the way most people do it. Well, didn’t Paul correct Peter; didn’t he put him on blast? Yes, and there are other instances where Paul spoke out against people. But even he knew it was wrong to disrespect an office of ministry to the Lord.
“And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee,thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.”
Acts 23:1-5
Paul spoke out against Ananias. But as soon as Paul realized the postion of Ananais, he apologized. Paul knew it was wrong to speak out against people in authority. He apologized.
It amazes me to see people who make ministries of criticism: they criticize the church, they criticize specific men and they criticize doctrines with which they disagree. But is that what God called us to do? We are called to preach the gospel, not police ministries. Exposing false doctrine that teaches Christ was anyone but God the Messiah is one thing, but an entire effort to tear down everyone with whom you disagree is another. We are not called to professionally disagree. We are called to preach the gospl.
You cannot get rid of darkness by yelling, “It’s dark!” – you can only get rid of it by turning on the light. Preach the solution and you’ll rarely even hae to mention the probelm. Of course, we are to preach on sin. But I am spceifically referring to this idea: complaining about what you believe to be false isn’t the preaching of the gospel.
People have entire websites blogs, YouTube channels and even actual organizations dedicated to “Exposing” the lies. And it’s a big waste of time. Those “ministries” have so little fruit. Ever know someone who attended a critics convention? Do they actually draw people? Are they actually raising disciples? And I mean actual disciples, not just people who agree with them and share a common spirit of criticism. Are they able to bring strength, direction and correction to the lives of people? If not, they are not building the kingdom. We’re called to defend the faith, not offend the lies. Simply preach truth. Be the light and darkness will flee. If you actually do have truth, then all you have to do is preach it, and darkness will be dispelled.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
- John 8:32
Just because you have a scripture saying THAT there will be false prophets, doesn’t mean that everyone you use that scripture against IS a false prophet. Don’t waste your time on things that aren’t essential to a personal walk with Jesus. God is much bigger than our small thinking. I’m not saying that you can never disagree with someone. I’m not even saying that you should never bring correction to someone or something (That’s what I’m doing right now).
If you’re looking for things to criticize in ministries, you’ll always find something. People who spend their time “exposing” preachers never really do something for God themselves. Just preach Jesus, do your best to get along with all men and women of God and let God sort it.
You’re going to find something Biblical you disagree on with just about anyone. Does that make everyone false but you? Or perhaps if they are similar enough to your beliefs, then maybe they are true? How many things do they have to get wrong before they are false? One? Two? Seven?
I’m sure every believer has something they believe and teach that isn’t Biblically accurate. That would just fall under the lines of maturity. This is where people get hindered. When one believer disagrees with another believer, there is typically a response that comes across as “You’re wrong about a doctrine. Therefore, you are wrong about your entire walk.” But remeber Paul and Peter – they disagreed on some key issues, but both were still godly men with fruitful ministries. Spiritual maturity isn’t the ability to criticize; it’s the willingness to live peaceably with Christian beliefs that don’t reflect yours.
But this is the truth: there are false prophets in our world. So what are we to do about it?
When it comes to speaking out against those who you believe to be false, this is the criteria and approach scripture teaches:
Motives – Leave that to God – Philippians 1:15-18
Methods – Leave that to peace – Mark 9:40
Message – Expose it if they teach that Christ isn’t the messiah – 1 Corinthians 12:3
So what if there is disagreement on doctrine? There will always be disagreement – even among true believers. But what is central? We preach Christ, His identity as God, Him crucified, His resurrection and salvation exclusively through Him. Other than that, no other doctrine is worth the sacrifice of unity in the body of Christ.
When judging a false prophet, the question is not about the methods or even mortives (leave that to God) but the overall message. Buhdists are false prophets. Thos who believe the full Muslim faith are false prophets. New age teachers are false prophets. Homosexual churches are false prophets. Preachers who don’t teach the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ are false prophets. But even in those cases, it is far more effective to attack the ideas, not the people. Remember Paul’s example at Mars Hill? We should be all things to all men, so we can present the only truth to every man.
Think About It,
David Diga Hernandez
Discussion Add a Comment