Don't Be Fooled

Mark 13:22-23 NLT

For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. [23] Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!

This is the same conversation as the one in Matthew but as seen by Mark.

God warned people of false prophets/teachers in the Old Testament, through the prophet He had chosen. When I did a search in my Bible I found 68 references to false prophets in the Old Testament. Here are some of the verses I found, you don't have to turn there but if you're taking notes you can write them down and look them up later.

Deuteronomy 13:5 NLT

The false prophets or visionaries who try to lead you astray must be put to death, for they encourage rebellion against the LORD your God, who redeemed you from slavery and brought you out of the land of Egypt. Since they try to lead you astray from the way the LORD your God commanded you to live, you must put them to death. In this way you will purge the evil from among you.

Usually the putting to death part was by stoning the perpetrator. However, the ultimate punishment comes at the great white throne of judgment. This is when the Devil and his followers will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity.

Isaiah 44:25 NLT

I expose the false prophets as liars and make fools of fortune-tellers. I cause the wise to give bad advice, thus proving them to be fools.

Wisdom not of God can lead to destruction, especially if it is an attempt to mislead God's children.

Jeremiah 5:31 NLT

the prophets give false prophecies, and the priests rule with an iron hand. Worse yet, my people like it that way! But what will you do when the end comes?

When the end comes the goats will be divided from the sheep and God's people will got to live with Him and the devils people will go to suffer with him.

Ezekiel 13:2-3 NLT

“Son of man, prophesy against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the LORD.

Ezekiel also gives us an idea of what will happen to these false teacher/prophets.

[3] This is what the Sovereign LORD says: What sorrow awaits the false prophets who are following their own imaginations and have seen nothing at all!’

Ezekiel 14:10 NLT

False prophets and those who seek their guidance will all be punished for their sins.

All of these verses I have quoted makes it look almost impossible for us to get out from under the teachings of the false teacher/prophets. So how do we guard ourselves from being deceived? How do we protect our minds from these rabble-rousers? What can we do to protect ourselves? First and most important you must know the truth. Where do we find the truth? In God's word. Fill your mind and heart with God's word and when the fakers come you will spot them for who they are.

Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.