Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1 KJV)

I refer to this time as The Age of Cunning Voices. People from all walks of life are claiming to be God’s messengers; yet much of what is being said doesn’t agree with the truth—as it is in Yeshua. They say they’re sent by God, that they have prophetic utterances, but they speak lies, because they are under the influence of demonic spirits. They say they have a love for the truth as it is in Christ, yet they tear sacred truths of the Bible to shreds in the process, quoting Scripture out of context to fit the mold of their egocentric gospel. Thus, they lead many away from Yeshua—the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Yeshua warned us of such people:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:15 KJV)

Just because someone appears to look holy, it doesn’t mean they aren’t filled with lies and deceit. It’s not wise to trust in mere appearances; it’s not safe to simply look at a minister or teacher of the gospel and conclude they’re walking with God because they appear to be friendly or well-versed in the Bible. Even if they perform a miracle, it’s still not enough to prove they are who they are claiming to be. After all, even demons can perform signs and wonders. And Satan knows Scripture (see Matthew 4:6). Don’t be deceived!

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV)

It is evident from Yeshua’s words that not all things are as they appear to be.

Since these ravenous wolves appear to look like they’re walking with Christ when they really don’t know Him, what can we do to safeguard ourselves from being spiritually seduced by them? How do we identify who they are?

The Bible says,

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us. (1 John 1:6-10 MKJV)

Notice how John speaks of practicing the truth and confession of sin; the underlying idea he is essentially conveying is that when we become acquainted with the Truth as it is in Yeshua, we will likewise recognize our need for it and will therefore live in such a way as to conform to it, and thus allow Him to be the “author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2).

It is only through Yeshua that we can be saved (Jn. 14:6). If we are going to receive Life Eternal, we must first pledge our allegiance to God and acknowledge our need for Him through confession of sin, so that we might allow Him to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. For it doesn’t matter how altruistic or philanthropic we are, without Yeshua, all of our works are as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). To put it simply, you will not find salvation in your good deeds, but only in Yeshua.

If we truly want to abide in Him, we will allow His righteousness to so envelope our lives that we will no longer walk in darkness; instead, we will walk in the light as He is in the light. Meaning, we will strive to be like Him in character. Thus, we won’t just talk about His righteousness; we will disclose it in our works and encourage others to embrace everything He stands for.

If those who claim to be spokespeople for God deny that we have to live by and uphold the teachings of Yeshua, they are not speaking according to the Spirit of God and can’t be trusted to teach us what God would have us to know about Him and His will for us. For if a man has been appointed by God to lead His people, his message will be one of repentance and love, not moral compromise.

There is no excuse for ignorance, God has not left us in the dark on these things. For it is written,

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)

I like Paul’s usage of the words “all” and “complete,” for these words connote the idea that half-truths are not acceptable to God. In other words, if we are going to serve Yahweh, we need to receive Him as He is, not adding to or taking anything away from His expressed will. Paul doesn’t stop there, but also suggests that if anyone wants to know God’s will, they will search the Holy Bible and apply its teachings to their lives. Thus, they will discover and experience the truth as it is in Yeshua. For they will uphold and live by the truth that is in Him.

Therefore the Holy Scriptures are to be used as a measuring rod to test the spirits—to identify if those who claim to be speaking for God are actually speaking according to and living by the Truth as it is in Yeshua. If anyone who calls himself a man of God tells you that he has been appointed by the Holy Spirit to teach you the Way, but does not speak according to the Word, you should not accept his teaching as coming from God; rather, you should use the Bible as a means to correct him, and if he refuses to be admonished, then have nothing to do with him.

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. (Titus 3:10-11 KJV)

We need to be diligent to study the Bible on a regular basis so that we will receive the eye salve that is needed to discern these wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing. Be careful with what you do with your time; guard it well! Don’t waste hours away doing things that won’t help you to grow in your relationship with Yeshua; instead, give Him the center of your attention all of the time.

In the Day of Judgment no excuse will suffice to justify the omission of carrying out this most important work. If we are deceived by these ravenous wolves, we won’t have anyone to blame but ourselves, for being too lazy to do what we knew we should have done to prevent ourselves from being deceived.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)