Memorize: My sheep hear my voice, and i know them, and they follow me; John 10:27.
Devotional Reading Matthew 24:1-35
We currently live in an age where many people are seeking miracles. They are attracted by the hype of visions and prophetic messages, some will not attend a church except they give visions and perform miracles. While visions and miracles are scriptural, not all of them are from God. There are many false visions and fake prophesies that were born out of the desire to exploit innocent careless individual’s, including many Christians. Jesus warned us in one of his teachings to beware of false shepherds or prophets, Matthew 7:15; Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Some of these false shepherds know how to talk gently, some may even quote scriptures, but they are not of God, we must ‘beware’
Some of these false prophecies have destroyed marriages, broken peaceful homes, killed businesses, mislead destinies, and terminated good dreams.
Jesus warned us about them in Matthew 24:11; And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many.
There has been much harm done and havoc caused by these false shepherds. Similar thing happened during the time of prophet Jeremiah. Lamentations 2:14;
“Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.”
The land was filled with self-declared “prophets.” These men claimed that they had heard from God, and were speaking for him. Their messages sounded genuine. But were they right?
Jeremiah knew that he actually was hearing from God, and the other “prophets” were not genuine.
It became his responsibility to declare the truth, and what God told him. He also knew that this assignment would not make him popular.
These prophets had delivered statements that people wanted to hear. But their messages were not from God.
In fact the messages were false. They were deceptive, pointing people in the wrong direction. Their oracles were “misleading.” The Hebrew word here describes how people were being seduced by the messages of these false prophets.
God called Jeremiah to warn his people and give them the truth. To help them realize how they had been seduced, deceived and misled.
These same problems occur today in our time as well, and how critical it is to remember that many deceptive messages are being spread throughout the world which many have fallen victim of.
Many who claim to speak for God are false shepherds. We need to be careful, and guard against their deception.
Matthew 24:24; For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
I pray for you today that God will protect and preserve you from false shepherds and false prophets in Jesus name.
Prayer point: Omnipotent God, please protect me from false shepherds and prophets in Jesus name.
Key dose: Know God yourself, be Vigilant and flee from false prophets / shepherds.
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor (IHPCT)