“Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core” (Jude 1:11).
TEXT — Jude 1:8-13
Message
A sticker affixed on one car bumper, impudently screams: “Don’t Follow Me… I’m Lost!” It is probably an honest warning from someone who was at best, searching for a way out of life challenges. Such a person, obviously, would not want anyone to follow his wrong trail. How unlike false prophets who give pretentious garbs that will make you fall into their traps.
Jude continued in today’s text to outline the danger of listening to, or imbibing the pernicious lifestyle and teachings of false prophets. In his characteristic style of using strong metaphors, he highlights the evil character of these false prophets. They are filthy dreamers, who defile the flesh, despise dominions, and speak evil of dignities (Jude 1:8). He describes the role models of these false prophets. They imbibe the sinful and wicked lifestyle of cursed Cain, run greedily after gain like Balaam the false prophet, and eventually will perish like rebellious Korah.
“By their fruits”, our Lord Jesus Christ says, “ye shall know them”. But many are failing to take note of these “fruits”, and are unfortunately falling prey to their deceptions. Blinded by ignorance of the word of God, they get carried away by the glamorous lifestyle and the so-called miracles performed by these false prophets. Desperate to be delivered from sicknesses and satanic afflictions as well as receive miracles and attain prosperity and breakthroughs as promised by these pedlars of false power and miracles, many people become ensnared. False prophets, through their teachings and activities, are causing devastating damage in the world. Sadly, many people, including those who attend church services, are unable to discern the true teachers from the false. The effect of this is that those who have suffered at the hands of false prophets eventually find it difficult to believe the true teachers, also.
This is why it is important to heed the warning over the presence and evil activities of these wolves in sheep’s clothing. It is not religious intolerance or discrimination. It is a duty we owe other people, especially believers, who may be unsuspecting of the false prophets. We should watch and pray, and maintain a good relationship with God if we hope to stay safe.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
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