'a wolf in sheep's clothing'

'Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. You sell know them by their fruits', Matthew 7.15. Ah! yes. It is our Lord Himself who warns us about the 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. He had in mind those who claimed to speak for God and come from God with the authority of God but were false prophets, seemingly right and true but eventually showing by their behaviour that they were not from God.

There were many such false prophets in the ancient history of Israel. One such famously told an Israelite king that he would gain the victory over the opposing enemy forces. God, however, had said through His own prophet that the king would die as a result of his disobedience. Just as Micaiah had said, the king was killed in battle, despite disguising himself as an ordinary soldier, when a random foot soldier fired an arrow at nothing in particular and it killed the king. Sadly, however, God's prophet had been imprisoned by then for treason. And the false prophet? He died too.

Are there false prophets around today, and if so, how do we know who they are? Our Lord says, 'You shall know them by their fruits', in other words, by their way of life. Do they live up to the standards of the Word of God? There's many a preacher that has shown the fruits of his faith by ending up having affairs with his church members. Do not follow him. Are they honest, working for God's glory not their own, aiming to build the kingdom of God, not their own fiefdom? Do they pour funds into the work of God or into their mansions, private jets, helicopters etc?

But secondly, we are to know them by what they teach. Do they teach the 'faith once for all delivered to the saints'? Do they believe the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, which all true Christians believe? That well-dressed couple standing at your door with a copy of the Watchtower Magazine claim to read the same Bible as you, but do not. Do they believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. Do not listen to them. They are wolves in sheep's clothing and are not Christian at all. Do not listen to them. Those smart-looking Mormons, so clean-looking and decent, do they believe the Bible? Do they teach we need to be born again, do they believe in Father, Son and Holy Spirit? No. They even have their own Book of Mormon to read, instead of the Bible. Those American (and British) TV evangelists that dominate the internet and the airwaves, do they preach and teach simple gospel truth? Look at what they teach - give to me and God will bless you abundantly. No, no. Take care to whom you listen and follow on-line. Not all are true servants of God.

There are many respected Bible teachers on the internet. Ask believers you know and trust to whom you should listen. But more importantly, take heart the words of Scripture. 'Evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it', 2 Timothy 3.13. Look at the lifestyle of the preachers you know. Listen to their doctrine. Have confidence in them because you know them. And be wary of false teachers. Anyone who draws your attention away from Christ and wants you to become their followers rather than His is to be avoided. Remember it is possible to profess faith and yet never be converted. In a day to come, men and women will say, 'We cast demons out in your name' etc and our Lord will say to them, 'Depart from me, I never knew you'. Don't be led astray. Beware wolves in sheep's clothing.