Daily Devotional
Do You Spot the Lies?
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:1
May 10, 2021
Ponder This
In the Bible, there is no greater crime than being a false prophet. It’s bad to tell a lie, and it’s worse to teach a lie; but it is evil to teach a lie about God. Don’t let false teachers take you by surprise; when you look for the devil, never fail to look in the pulpit. We must learn how to spot a counterfeit teacher.
Scripture tells us that false teachers are among us and warns us of the dangers of their doctrine.
We can identify counterfeits by their message. There are five tests we should run in our minds as we listen to a preacher:
- Source Test: What is the basis of his teaching?
- Savior Test: Does he believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah?
- Subject Test: Is the primary source of his teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ?
- Salvation Test: Does he teach salvation by grace, or does he try to mix works or baptism or anything else into salvation?
- Sanctification Test: Does he teach, and endeavor to live, a holy life?
Practice This
Use a concordance this week to look up what the Bible says about each of these tests so that you might better prepare yourself to identify false teaching.
For more ways to spend time in God’s Word, check out the devotional books in our store.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
