Beware of False Prophets Who Come to You in Sheeps Clothing!

If you listen to any of the below false teachers I beg of you to flee from them and their teachings that are damnable heresies produced by satan to deceive the multitudes.

I know I will not win any post of the year with this post and will perhaps lose many friends and relatives over this. It does not mean that I do not love all, I just cannot stand idly by and not say anything. Trust me it takes more love to warn than to just sit back and keep my mouth shut!

“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)

Joel Osteen

Creflo Dollar

Jesse Duplantis

Joseph Prince

Benny Hinn

TD Jakes

Joyce Meyer

Paula White

Fred Price

Kenneth Copland

Eddie Long

Rodney Howard Browne

Brian Houston

Steve Anderson

Marcus Rogers

Kenneth Hagin

Rod Parsley

Steven Furtick

Clayton Jennings

Peter Popoff

Test the spirits… Even if you listen to the above and are offended by what I say or write, test them… We are commanded to “BEWARE”!

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15-20)

The above list of false teachers are wolves in sheep’s clothing, they are deceitful workmen.

Remember what scripture says, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” (2 Peter 2:1-3)

”I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;” (Acts 20:29)

If you follow any of the above, I pray that God will give you discernment and draw you out of them.

God calls us to be good Berean’s (Acts 17:11) examining the Scriptures to see if what preachers and teachers say lines up with scripture.

The Apostle Paul warns those who seeks to be preachers and teachers to be above reproach, to handle the Word of God accurately, and if they do not, if they persist in sin, they must be rebuked in the presence of all so that the rest may stand in fear (1 Timothy 5:20).

I hear all the time that we should not name names publicly, to not “touch God’s anointed”, but this is a fear tactic from satan to discourage someone from speaking against heretics.

The reason I name these people publicly is because they are in the public, they’re not practicing sound teaching, but teaching to suit their own passions and the passions of their followers, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

In fact, the Apostles had no issue with naming names in the Bible (1 Timothy 1:20, 2 Timothy 4:14, 3 John 1:9-10).

Angela, it takes more love for God’s sheep to stand firm, to call out preachers who do not handle the Word of God accurately. It would be so much easier for me to just sit back and say nothing, in fact, I would be much more popular. I could take scripture and blow people’s minds, I could tap into the emotions of people and be as popular as these guys, but I will not sell my soul for the approval of men, for riches and popularity.

I love God and His people too much for that and would rather be hated for telling the truth than loved for telling a lie.

There is so much more, I could go on and on. The main thing is to study the word of God, meditate on it daily, pray for discernment and ask God to lead and guide you in all truths. Know one thing, it is ALL about Jesus, it is ALL about His glory, if it feeds the flesh then it’s not from God. God calls His people to deny self, these preachers tell you to exalt self, that it is all about you, that God wants you to be happy, rich, healthy and prosper in the world.

God wants us to be happy in Him only, to seek Him and the kingdom first even in times of trials. Scripture teaches us to count it all joy when we go through trials and tribulation, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

When they draw people in with this “God wants you to prosper” message, and people turn to God for this purpose (to prosper), then when tragedy or trials come they become bitter at God and turn away. And rightly so because they have been told a lie, this is just one of many reasons why I have a problem with it. But on the other hand, when we tell people the truth that if they turn from their sin and turn to God and deny themselves (Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27) they will be persecuted, hated, and face many trials and tribulations. Then when tragedy and trials come they will expect this and turn to God to strengthen them, to guide them, to encourage them, as they will not be looking to self but to Jesus.

This is a quote from John MacArthur’s book “Hard to Believe” that I believe says it well.

“Christianity, in the hands of some seeker-sensitive church leaders, has become a “get what you want” rather than a “give up everything” movement. These leaders have prostituted the divine intention of the gospel. They have replaced the glory of God with the satisfaction of man.

He goes on to say;

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

“It’s not about exalting me, it’s about slaying me. It’s death to self. You win by losing; you live by dying. And that is the heart message of the gospel. That is the essence of discipleship.

The passage mentions nothing about improving your self-esteem, being rich and successful, feeling good about yourself, or having your felt needs met, which is what so many churches are preaching these days in order to sugarcoat the truth.

So who’s right? Is the message of Christianity self-fulfillment, or is it self-denial? It can’t be both.”

I believe John’s quote is spot on…

Here are some scriptures on some of the cost to follow Christ, it is not a man-centered message but it is the truth.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18)

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19)

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 3:3-5)

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21)

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:13)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

For I will show him how much he (Paul) must suffer for the sake of my name. (Acts 9:16)

strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22)

I can go on and on, these prosperity preachers promise you these things that God never promised, but God does promise us what the prosperity preachers deny which is suffering, trials, tribulations, and persecution which produces endurance and godliness. It is important that we do not draw people in or try to keep them with a health, wealth, and prosperity message that appeals to the flesh.

Of course, the message of the prosperity gospel sounds good to us because this is what our flesh desires. But scripture says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” (1 John 2:15-16).

The word also says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14)

This is an opposite message of what they offer, we are called to count the cost! (Luke 14:25-35