^“Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.” ~ Jeremiah 14:14

 In the Old Testament we were warned of the false prophets and false teachers. They are as wolves in sheep’s clothing come to lead us on the path to destruction. These “pretend truth tellers” are still with us, just as they were here during the time of the early church. The message is the same…..BEWARE!

The warning came again:

^“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.” ~ Acts 20:28-30

We are to be prepared to combat these evil teachings in our times. These same teachings that were happening in the early church that the Apostle Paul talked about.

“For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but they will gather to themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, having itching ears, ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn to myths.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:3-4 

“Having itching ears” means hearing only what you want to hear. 

There are many preachers, pastors, so called evangelists that only preach the good things in life.  “You don’t need to hear all the bad stuff.”  “You should concern yourself with yourself.”

This is especially true today when Christianity itself is under attack. We need to know who and what to believe.

 “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: ² Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:1 

We need to heed the words of the Apostle Paul and preach the Gospel so that the Christian faith could not only spread throughout the world, but to be reinforced right here right now.

Some of our state and local governments around our nation and indeed around the world are trying to intimidate us into kneeling down to the evil that is threatening to overtake us.

Paul is telling us to “reprove” and “rebuke” or scold and reprimand.  It is difficult to accept correction, to be told we have to change, but it can also be difficult to tell others to do it as well.  But no matter how much the truth hurts, we must be willing to listen and to tell so we can more fully obey God.

We believe in Christ today because people like Timothy were faithful to their mission.  It is still vitally important for believers to spread the Gospel.  All of it, both good and bad.  Praises and warnings.  Don’t sugar coat life.  Be real!

Half the people who have ever lived are alive today, and most of them do not know Jesus.  He is coming soon, and He wants to find His faithful believers ready for him.

This pandemic and the evil actions being orchestrated by the anti-Christian movement around the world needs to be put down like a rabid dog.

We as Christians must take a stand for Christ and tell others about His love. Preaching the Word of God is the most important responsibility the church and its members have been given.  Be prepared, courageous, and sensitive to God-given opportunities to tell the Good News.   

We all need to speak up. Take a stand for Jesus!  We need to do this to counteract these “feel good preachers”, counteract these false teachers, counteract the “Doctrine of the Devil.”

“He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To Him all the prophets bear witness that whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins through His name.” ~ Acts 10:42-43