Warnings Regarding False Prophets (1 Kings 13:1-26)

Wayne Galloway
06/09/14 - N/A

Series: Additional Studies

Introduction:

1.  Truth has its counterfeits and men will lie to you for various reasons. 2.  The devil is a known deceiver.  He is a liar and the father of lies (Jn. 8:44). 3.  And sometimes, even with the best intent we can be taken in, as was this young prophet. 4.  Innocence is a marvelous thing, but it may lead to naiveté and often it is found in those who are youthful because they have not been through the experiences of the older who have been burned by liars, taken advantage of and bruised by those they have trusted. 5.  Many of you will soon go away to college.  You are going to find yourself in new and unfamiliar circumstances.  You are going to be exposed to people and ideas that you have never heard before. 6.  Some of the things that you are going to hear will sound attractive, reasonable and correct.   But they will call into question beliefs and concepts that you have come to regard as the truth. 7.  Be very careful in your evaluation of things.

Discussion:

I.  Moses warned Israel (Deut. 13:1-11).

A.  Ask, “In what direction is this taking me?”   You do not have to have all the answers.  You do not need to know how to answer every argument.  Sometimes you just have to ask, “In what direction is this headed?”

1.  A prophet, a dreamer of dreams gives a sign or a wonder and it comes true.

2.  Are these not the marks of a true prophet?  Consider Deut. 18:21-22.

3.  “Let us go after other gods . . .”

4.  Hear arguments about drinking—“Scripture doesn’t condemn taking one drink.” So . . .  Why is the person arguing this?  Are they breaking down barriers in order to allow freedom to drink?  And where is that taking you?  Closer to the Lord or away from Him?

B.  There is seduction involved in such tactics.

1.  Seduction often involves relationships (Deut. 13:6).

2.  There is the desire to fit in.

3.  The desire to be loyal to friends, family, role models, those we respect.

4.  Sometimes there is a generational component to the seduction.  “Let’s do differently than our fathers” (v. 7).

C.  Often seductions are lurking in new circumstances (Deut. 18:9).

1.  “When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you.”

2.  It is going to be a time for the testing of your senses regarding good and evil (Heb. 5:14).

II.  Sometimes our desire for peace leads us to listen to the wrong message (Jer. 14:13ff).

A.  We want to hear smooth things (2 Tim. 4:3-4).  Some things we want to hear.

B.  Read 2 Tim. 2:14-19; 3:1-17.

C.  Sometimes what we would like to hear is not what is beneficial (Jer. 23:30-32; La. 2:14).

D.  We may like to hear what is flattering (Ezek. 12:24).  Cf. Ezek. 13:10-11; 22:28.

E.  False prophets comfort in vain (Zech. 10:2).

III.  Jesus warned about false prophets.

A.  In Matt. 7:15-23.

1.  Their description (15).

2.  Known by their fruits (16-20).

3.  Verses 21-23, in my judgment, also refers to the false prophets.

a.  They prophesy.

b.  Cast out demons and perform many miracles.

c.  Practice lawlessness.

4.  This stands in contrast with hearing and acting on “these words of Mine” (v. 24ff).

B.  Mk. 13:22-23—“False Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.  But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.”  Cf. Matt. 24:24.

C.  Matt. 24:11—“Many false prophets will arise and mislead many.”

IV.  Other N.T. references.

A.  Acts 13:6—the Jewish false prophet, Bar-Jesus (Elymas) sought to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus away from the faith.

B.  2 Cor. 11:2-4,13-15—They disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.

C.  2 Thess. 2:9-12—Not receiving a love for the truth, allows for delusion, and taking pleasure in wickedness.

D.  2 Pet. 2:1-3—False teachers = false prophets.  In their greed they will exploit you.

E.  1 Jn. 4:1—We must test the spirits to see if they are from God.

F.  Rev. 2:2—The church at Ephesus put men to the test.

G.  Revelation speaks of the false prophet who deceives as thrown into the lake of fire along with the devil (16:13; 19:20; 20:10).

Conclusion:

1.  Be careful what you believe.  Be careful who you believe. 2.  Hold to the revelation in Scripture. 3.  Evaluate what men say by what they do. 4.  You will know them by their fruits.