1. Deceivers will come as a Representative of God
If you are a born again believer in Jesus Christ I have a few things I want to warn you about. Jesus warned that "wolves" would come to you dressed in "sheep's clothing", meaning that someone will some day come to you bringing Satanic doctrines or false beliefs in the name of God. Sometimes the counterfeit looks so genuine that it is hard to tell the difference between the true and the false. The Lord knew this so He indicated that you will know them by their "fruits" (or by their life styles of crooked and evil ways and false teachings). God wants all of His children by adoption to be aware of Satan and his attempts to deceive. I Timothy 4:l & 2 tells us, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron..."o And Timothy is instructed in verse 11 of the same chapter, "These things command and teach."
That is why I am also writing you this tract. Maybe it will be of use to you. If it ever is, please write me if you can and let me know how it has helped you. Are you up to the challenge of resisting the false teachers? Satan deceives by using counterfeits. He deceives people about the real Christ by offering them a false Christ. He deceives people about the real Word of God, the Holy Bible, by offering them a counterfeit "Bible." He deceives people about sin and salvation by offering them "other ways" of redemption.
Beware, some false teachers may come to you using the Bible to back up their "truths." In a deceitful manner they "twist" Bible passages and come up with wrong interpretations and make the Bible say what they want it to. All false teachers deny their religion is a cult. They use half-truths that are lies. Some false religious systems have rewritten verses in the Word of God thus changing its meaning, but the ones that did it say they are justified one way or another by doing it. Some have added an extra book, besides the Bible, they claim is also inspired by God. As convincing as they may sound do not believe them--they are trying to deceive you. God is not the author of confusion. God has only one book and that is His Holy Word, the Bible. It is not to be changed or added to or subtracted from. His Word stands forever. Be careful! When one of these false teachers comes in contact with you do not accept his words, his literature, or have anything to do with him. The Lord said not to invite them into your house, nor to bid them God speed. Warn other born again Christian believers of the danger. The nature of a wolf is to devour. These people must be resisted. Remember Satan is also the spirit of antichrist. He will lie about the fact that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh to this earth-- he will not confess that Jesus Christ is God. I will explain this a little more. But, beware, little children "because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks around, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5:8).
2. But HOW ARE YOU TO KNOW WHEN A FALSE TEACHER COMES TO YOU?
Here is a test you can use on any religious people who come to you- with their teachings seeking you as a member of their group. Many false teachers will be very sincere. They actually believe what they are telling you is true. They may even have tears in their eyes. But sincerity is no test for truth. They may be sincerely wrong if what they are trying to teach you contradicts the truths of the Bible. Do not believe them. The Bible says to "test the spirits"-this is found written in the Bible in I John 2:22 and I John 4: 1- 6. God inspired the writing of the Bible and He knew it was important enough to mention it twice. Give the people in question a test. The results of this test (which consist of two questions) will tell you if the people are sent by God or by Satan.
The first test question to ask the suspected false teacher is this: Has Jesus Christ come in the flesh? Or another way of putting it is this way: Is Jesus Christ God? or Is Jesus Christ the only divine Son of God?
The second test question to ask the suspected false teacher is this: Is Jesus Christ the only way by which a person can receive salvation by faith alone and make it to Heaven?
Analyze carefully the smooth replies to these questions and when you learn the answer is NO to either one or both of the questions, you will know that person is a false teacher sent from Satan to deceive you.
Here is a brief analysis of the above test questions. The Bible abounds with proof that Jesus Christ is God. Here are a few scriptures: John 13:20, 20:28; Matthew 1:23, 14:27 (Exodus 3:l4). At the trial of Jesus He was asked if He was the divine Christ. He could have denied He was divine and saved His life. But He admitted He was God and went to the cross to save you and me from the penalty of our sins. The Bible narrative goes this way in Mark 14: 61 & 62, "...the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am."
Satan is known as the usurper because he claims that he is the god of the universe and consequently, will never admit that Jesus Christ is God. False teachings springing through people from Satan will always acknowledge this. Satan wants worship and he wants it his way, but Jesus is the only way to God and the only way to salvation. Satan had his head bruised (the head of a snake) by Christ on the cross and through the resurrection one can see that Jesus Christ is still alive. However, Satan in his attempt to build himself up must put Christ down and discredit Him. If you are Christ's follower Satan will try to discredit you also. Satan denies that Christ is the only way to Heaven. So Satan gives the counterfeit way of salvation based upon man's sin-tainted and fleshly and self righteous works. This counterfeit will not forgive you of your sins and it will not take you to Heaven. Satan hates Christ's blood. It is Christ's blood on the cross that defeated him because without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. Satan's counterfeit way of salvation is always without the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God.
Some false teachers claim that Jesus is only one way among other ways to get to Heaven. They offer a false way to God and a false substitute for Christ. Their Jesus is not our Jesus. Here are a few scripture references that prove that Jesus Christ is the only way by which a person can make it to Heaven: John 14:6, 7:9, 10:14; Ephesians 4:5. If you are already in one of the false religious groups that teach contrary to the above Bible truths then God is dealing with you to get out of it and showing you that you have been deceived. I suggest you get out of it fast and break off all fellowship with those who are in it. Your eternal soul is in danger of hellfire, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8 False religions and cults demand a great deal from their slave followers. The slaves obtain their "salvation" by working for it (called works) because Satan is a taker, and fear is always involved in these groups because fear is Satan's tool. Faith is the opposite of fear. The Bible says that true salvation is a free gift from God, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2: 8 & 9). God is a giver and God's way is the way of faith, not fear (Romans 1:17). Satan's angels are disguised as angels of light, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (II Corinthians 11: 14 & 15).
3. THE FATE OF THE FALSE TEACHERS
"A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." "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. ...I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7: 15 - 23). "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned" (John 15:6).
4. LET EACH OF US DO OUR PART
Let mature Christians always strengthen young converts in the faith so the "wolves" do not get them. Always help the converts, love them, disciple them, teach them, and encourage them to be soul winners. Each of us should read our Bible every day, go to church, and seek Christian fellowship so we can stay strong and resist Satan and his deceiving followers.
If this leaflet has helped you or been a blessing to you please email us and let us know. We will rejoice together.
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