The one who plots evil will be known as a schemer. The schemes of folly are sin, and a mocker is detested by everybody. ~Proverbs 24:8-9
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruits you will recognize them. ~Matthew 7:15-20
It’s amazing how many people get most of their information from the internet today. Sadly, too many do not check out what they read and are led all over the place in their thoughts and opinions because of what they read. Even the fact checking sites are now under suspicion for not quite being on the up and up. We are becoming sheep without a shepherd, led around more by who we like and what we read, rather than being a people who knows the truth and is able to discern fact from fiction.
“The one who plots evil will be known as a schemer.” It’s probably hard for most of us to imagine why someone would purposely seek to distort and deceive, but it happens, more often than we know. It was the cause of sin at the beginning and it will continue until the father of lies, satan himself is dealt with in the end. While we live on this earth, we must accept the fact that lying, and deception, are going to be a part of the equation and there’s no getting around it.
Jeremiah dealt with false prophets. While he was trying to warn the people about the exile into Babylon and the destruction of Jerusalem, he had to endure the lies of, Priests, no less, declaring Jeremiah a liar and proclaiming that God would, once again defend Israel. Jeremiah had to keep delivering the messages that God gave him for His people, keep enduring the ridicule and wait patiently for God to confirm His message.
The Lord said to Jeremiah: “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall, To stand against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 1:17-19)
The Lord warned His people through Moses, before they entered the Promised Land that there would always be liars, false prophets, sons of satan, who would scheme to lead the people away from the truth. “You may say to yourselves, ‘How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?’ If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of Him.” (Deuteronomy 18:21-22)
It was important that His people be steeped in the truth so that they could not be deceived into believing what was not true. It is the same for His people today. Paul advises the church: “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.” (1 Cor. 14:29) “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. (1 Thess. 5:19-22)
“The schemes of folly are sin, and a mocker is detested by everybody.” How will we know? By testing the fruit. This is not the same as the warning against judging that Jesus gives in Matthew 7:1-5. A judgement is a pronouncement of the penalty deserved. We have no right to decide who will go to heaven or end up in hell. Those decisions belong to the only judge, the creator of life itself. However, we are encouraged to test the fruit produced through the prophesy spoken.
Does it line up with scripture? Does it produce a life fully devoted to following God’s will through obedience? Do the words spoken prove to be true, not because we want to hear them, but because they have been tested and have been found trustworthy? Just as God instructed His people through Moses, and God instructed the church through Paul, we are still responsible to test what we hear today, even if it is on the internet.
Not everyone who speaks to us speaks truth. Not everything we read is true. We are responsible to seek the truth and then live by it, not be led astray by what our itching ears want to hear. For them, the schemers and mockers, the prize is further muddying God’s message and weakening the church. We need to remain students of truth, abiding in Christ and being discerning about what we believe.
“To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the Truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) Hold to His teachings, hold to His truth and you will be free from the deceptions that the mocker sends your way.
Prayer: Father, I will listen to Your truth and check everything else against Your word. May I live as a beacon of hope and a light unto the world, as your faithful servant, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Song: The Voice of Truth
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