The Redeemer warns all in Matt. 7:15,16 "Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits." This warning would not have been given if there were no danger of sincere souls being mislead. Again in Matt. 24:11 the Author of the future warns, "Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." Here also it is abundantly evident that there is a strategy used by the powers of darkness to destroy souls. The Satan invented method is deception, people believing that they are secure and right when in reality they are lost and condemned to eternal death.
Amazingly in Matt. 24:24 the Master reveals, "there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." One thing becomes very clear from this text, and that is miracles, great signs, and marvelous wonders are no sure evidence that the one performing them is truly of God!
Jesus instructed that one of the ways we could discern between the genuine and false minister is by his fruits, which embraces his character, words, and deeds. Further, in Isa 8:20 God plainly says, "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." A minister or professed believer in God must speak and teach according to truth - the Word of God. If they teach errors or lies, the Word of God says, it is because there is no light in them. Jesus declared to the devil before the audience of the whole world in Matt 4:4, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." No teaching or command of God is unimportant or optional, to be obeyed or ignored based on what we desire to do or believe. The liberal Christianity in today's professed Christian world is the brain child and lying deception of the Devil.
Scores of surveys done by many diverse groups, religious, governmental, and private have unequivocally established that no fewer than 96% of Americans say they believe in God. While this is good it is not enough in most cases to save the soul. Why is this? God's answer to us is very clear, we read in James 2:14, 19, 20 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man that faith without works is dead." Profession is a lie if the life is not lived in harmony with the profession. The devils believe that there is a God and tremble, but their lives are not ordered in obedience to every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Although surveys reveal that 96% of Americans say they are Christians, they also as a rule embrace a very liberal caliber gospel which is a broad road with room for every man's opinion, beliefs and choice of what is truth. As if what matters is what men desire, think, and choose to believe and live. As if a man chooses to believe and practice his choice this makes it right and acceptable with the Author of truth.
Over the last three decades, because of shifting and expanding immigration patterns, the diversity of religious beliefs taking root in the religious world, and proclaiming to be the way to God and eternity is almost numberless. You have Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic, Protestant, etc. and the list goes on. With their conflicting teachings it becomes evident that it is impossible for all of them to be right. Here is where men step over the edge into a blind liberalism saying what one believes is the truth for them.
What does God say? Does that matter to mankind today? What does God say is The Way, The Truth and The Light of Eternal Life? Truly, false ministers and professed believers fill the Christian world of today, but we individually must find the God of truth for ourselves. A good start is to spend hours every day in prayer and Bible study while you conscientiously live the truth you already know and understand.
