[Mat 7:15-20]] RNKJV*
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
It seems these days there are at least ten websites warning that a preacher is false for every preacher that speaks. This is in part because as one seeks truth they begin to see a lot that is wrong, but in larger part men love to say others are wrong and I am right, listen to me. There is much talk of the great apostasy that is coming; or is already happening depending on how one sees it. This comes from the words of apostle Paul when he said
*[[2Ti 4:3]] RNKJV* For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
This saying of Paul is true and speaks well to a great deal of what calls itself christian, but it did not start with prosperity message, or the acceptance of psychology, its roots go back much further. The scriptures answer this question and its answer is true regardless of our opinions.
[[Act 20:28-32]] KJV*
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
And the second witness of John.
*[[1Jn 4:3]] KJV* ...and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
So the falling away took hold long ago. In almost a mirror reflection of the way Israel went after Idols in the place of YHWH as soon as Moses and his steward Joshua where gone; so the church went after the ways of man as soon as Jesus and his apostles where gone.
So how do we know what is right? What is truth and what is the doctrine of devils? Jesus gives us the basic principle.
*[[Mat 16:22-25]] KJV*
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
So it is with all doctrines of devils; an exaltation of the self, both of those who preach it and those who receive it. Jesus says that the self must be put away and die. Any teaching which says I must do something to receive the blessings of God, or that because I've trusted him I am greater than other men is a doctrine of devils.
So what does the truth sound like? The truth determines to know nothing in us except for Christ in us, and our redemption into the life of God through his crucifixion.
It does not seek after the temporal things but the eternal things; knowing that temporal things will be added whenever there is a need.
The truth does not teach one to know God , for the Spirit of God dwells within every believer, instead the truth encourages one to have faith not in self but in our Savior.
The Spirit leads into all truth through the tearing down of every stronghold of the self.
This is why Paul says God has chosen the foolishness of preaching. My words can not teach you but the Spirit speaking through me uses my words to confirm his truth in you.
The fruit by which we can know them is this; do their words produce a trust in Jesus, that forms the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, or does it teach us to do, speak, or act from self which can only produce the works of the flesh in us.
LET GOD BE TRUE AND EVERY MAN A LIAR.
