Daily Devotions
1 John
"Many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Text: 1 John 4:1
THE PROBLEM OF FALSE PROPHETS
This problem of “false prophets” existed for the longest time. This word of warning of the apostle John must not go unheeded.
1. Warning of false prophets (Old Testament)
a) Moses warned of false prophets.
b) A false prophet is identified easily.
c) His prophetic utterance will not be fulfilled (Deuteronomy 18:15-22).
2. Battling false prophets
a) Elijah battled false prophets in his time.
On one occasion he battled hundreds of false prophets (1 Kings 18).
b) Jeremiah battled false prophets too
He warned Judah of the wicked ways of the false prophets (Jeremiah 23).
c) Post-exilic prophet Ezekiel also fought false prophets.
He wrote forcefully against them (Ezekiel 13).
3. Warning of false prophets (New Testament)
a) The Lord Jesus warned of false prophets too (Matthew 24).
b) The Apostles of Christ actively resisted them.
i) Paul (1 Timothy 4; 2 Timothy 3)
ii) Peter (2 Peter 2)
iii) John (1 John 2-3)
iv) Jude (Jude)
FALSE PROPHETS IN THE WORLD
The intents of the false prophets have been the same through the centuries! The following things must be noted about them: –