Monday

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. – Matthew 7:15

Last week I received an e-mail from some Christian who is supposedly related to a Nigerian princess. Apparently, they have recently come to possess a huge amount of money that is being hidden from corrupt government forces. They’re writing to me because they want the money to be used for God’s work. They said that if I would just help them get a million dollars or so out of the country, they would be happy to share with me (and my church of course) what God has provided.
(The truth is that I have received more than a few such e-mails, apparently I am well known among Nigerian royalty – who knew?)

All around us today are voices that claim to speak God’s truth. They tell us what to believe, what to do, how to vote, how to spend our money and our time, how to raise our children and how to navigate our relationships. They even claim to tell us our destiny. They claim to be voices of truth. But the truth is that many of the voices out there that claim to speak to us on behalf of God—are, as Jesus puts it “wolves in sheep’s clothing”.

Wander through any bookstore or flip your way through a few religious programs on TV and you will encounter the fakers, the phonies and the frauds. Their words are confident and persuasive. Their followers are often many. Their results may even seem remarkable. But they do not speak the truth!

The Bible is a dangerous book—perhaps the most dangerous book in the world—dangerous because it claims to be God’s own words, the infallible, inerrant, authoritative voice of God. So it is no wonder that people turn to the Bible to back up their own ideas and values. Down through history, and even in our own day, the words of Scripture have been twisted to support all kinds of perversions and abuses.

Nobody likes to be told what to do. And given the choice, most of us would choose to be given a choice. We want selection. We like to leave our options open. We want to be able to decide things for ourselves. And fortunately for us, we do have a choice.

In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus talks about the two gates and the two roads. In verses 18-20, he talks about two different trees and two different kinds of fruit. In verse 24-27, he talks about two houses built on two different foundations. Clearly there is a choice to be made. But the trouble is that this choice is not as easily made as we might like to believe.

The Bible says there are two teachers you can listen to for directions. And you are free to make the choice. God gives you that freedom. But as you decide, there is something you should know. One of these teachers speaks the truth and the other one does not. The path you choose will determine whether or not you find the WAY. The teacher you choose will determine whether or not you find the TRUTH.

Father in heaven, protect us from deception and keep us from believing the lies we are told everyday. May your Son be our example and may your Spirit be our teacher and guide – Amen.

Jeff Frazier