How can we guard our hearts and minds against false prophets?
The answer is clear: Love the Truth
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:10
I saw a video of a well-known preacher in America. He had two bottles of grape juice on a table he had on stage. As he stood on stage in front of what looked like a full church, he was talking about communion and how the communion wine was the blood of Christ.
The well-known preacher then took a small knife and seemed to cut his hand and squeezed his hand so that his blood would go into the cup with grape juice he had poured. I didn’t see the blood. Then the preacher had another man cut his hand with a knife and squeeze it in the same fashion and squeezed his blood into a separate cup of grape juice, again I saw no blood.
They then both poured their glasses into one glass so that the grape juice and the idea was that their blood was all mixed together into one glass, which had each of their symbolic blood in their cups, and poured them into one cup and both drank from the glass. He said the blood was mixed with God’s blood.
I was surprised that none of the audience got up and left. I did notice the applause was weak after this act.
He used the scripture: After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11:25
Communion is symbolical and it is not literally the blood of Christ. Jesus said, this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.
He changed the scripture when he said it and added a clause. He said drink all of it. The video is full of false teaching so be careful and remember that if you choose to watch it.
See video here: A Covenant Combines Two Into One
I have known of this preacher for many years. He is what they call a Prosperity preacher. A name-it-claim-it gospel preacher. Prosperity Preachers believe they are supposed to be rich, that we all can be very rich because God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He believes he has power to do things given to him by God. They love money and earthly riches.
Not so.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:12
Be careful people: “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.” Matthew 24:24
Though this was not a great sign. I mean anybody could’ve done this act, but it still reminds us that we will be seeing false Christs and False Prophets arise and many will be deceived. I do not understand their wonders and signs yet, but beware. It’s just around the corner. No matter what you see, if it’s not Christ-centered, it’s not from Christ.
This pastor is difficult because he talks about Jesus a lot, he reads the bible. It can be difficult to decipher the truth when listening to him. He talks the lingo. He talks about being born again. He mixes truth with error. I am a very strong Christian and one who knows the word very well. When I listen to him, it is like a battle. There is truth mixed with error. I am not an expert on False Teachers, but I do recognize the truth when I hear it and when it is lacking.
Take this as a warning that preachers can sound very good, very sound, very right. Follow Jesus and love the Truth. Knowing Jesus and following Him and not following after the miracles and after any man is what will keep you safe.
Follow Jesus. He tells us many times to do so:
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19
But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Matthew 8:22
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. Matthew 9:9
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
Mark 2:14
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. Mark 10:21
And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. Luke 5:27
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. John 1:43
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me John 10:27
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John 12:26
Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. John 13:36
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. John 21:19
Jesus never told us to follow a human.
I don’t have all the answers nor can I know all the ways someone can be deceived.
And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:26&27
We all have to be aware and trust God to reveal to us the Truth. We have to seek Him and trust Him and not look to any man as our savior.
We have one Savior, that is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2:5 He said, “I and My Father are one.” John 10:30 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12