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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Watch out” To “watch out” means to be vigilant or to be on the lookout for a possible danger. We shall reflect on the fact that we need to watch out for false prophet and their fruits so that we are not misled. Who is a prophet? A prophet is a person inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak or reveal the will of God to God’s people.

Beloved in the Lord, we are being called upon to watch out or be alert so that we are not deceived by false prophets. Jesus said ” “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:15-16) Dear friends how can we decipher between a real sheep and a wolf in sheep’s clothing or how can we know the difference between the fruit of a genuine prophet and a fake prophet?

Beloved in the Lord we need to pray for discernment from the Holy Spirit constantly. Peter wrote “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21) Discernment is the ability to judge well and act based on the truth or fact. We need the power of the Holy Spirit and the knowledge or understanding of Scripture to be able to perceive the thoughts and judge the attitudes of people who claim to be prophets.

For a Christian to be able to develop the ability to be discerning even as he or she is sustained by the Holy Spirit, the believer must devote his or her time to the constant study of Scripture. It is for this reason Jesus said ““If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32). The importance and development of our discerning ability through Scripture is captured in Hebrews 4:12-13, when the author wrote, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13) We must yearn for this great gift and grace of judging the thoughts and attitudes of people through the power of the Word of God. Today, many Christians have become victims of charlatans and fake prophets in our time. Many have been misled and continue to be swayed by fake prophesies because they lack the knowledge of Scripture and the discerning ability to judge the thoughts and attitudes of these fake prophets.

Our era is not different from the era of Jeremiah when God said to him,  “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.” (Jeremiah 14:14) Today we have all manner of fake prophets whose Prophesies do not concern God’s Word and will for His people and their salvation. Prophecies in the 21st Century have turned into predictions of the winner of presidential elections, football tournament qualifiers and winners, prosperity and problem-free assurances and enemy discovery enterprises. Prophesies are no longer drawing the hearts and minds of people to God but are only limited to the existential needs and canal desires of people. Jesus said alerts us unequivocally, “Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:16-20). Let us watch out through prayer and knowledge of the Word of God so that we can recognize fake prophets and their deeds.

In summary, we have discovered that we need to watch out for false prophet and their fruits so that we are not misled. We have learnt how to be discerning in recognizing fake prophets through prayer and constant study of the Scripture. Shalom.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit grant us the discerning ability through our knowledge of Scripture to recognize and expose fake prophets by their fruits. Amen.