Connect Ezekiel 13:22 with Matthew 7:15 on identifying false prophets. Backdrop of Ezekiel 13:22 “Because you have disheartened the righteous with your lies when I had not grieved him, and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked so that he does not turn from his evil ways to be saved.” (Ezekiel 13:22) Jesus’ Warning in Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15) The Shared Issue: Deceptive Encouragement • Ezekiel exposes prophets who “disheartened the righteous” and “strengthened the hands of the wicked.” • Jesus pictures the same danger: outwardly gentle “sheep,” inwardly predatory “wolves.” • Both passages highlight false prophets who appear helpful yet ultimately damage spiritual health. How False Prophets Operate • Offer soothing words that contradict God’s revealed truth (Jeremiah 6:14). • Undermine godly conviction, leaving the righteous discouraged (Ezekiel 13:22). • Affirm sin or error, emboldening the wicked (Jeremiah 23:14). • Present themselves as sincere believers—“sheep’s clothing”—to gain trust (Matthew 7:15). • Twist or add to the gospel for personal gain or influence (2 Peter 2:1–3). Recognizing False Prophets Today • Measure every message against Scripture (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). • Examine the fruit of their lives and teaching (Matthew 7:16–20). • Test the spirits; error about Christ or the gospel is a red flag (1 John 4:1–3; Galatians 1:8–9). • Watch for promises of peace without repentance (Ezekiel 13:10; Jeremiah 8:11). • Note prophecies that fail or contradict prior revelation (Deuteronomy 18:20–22). Practical Guardrails for Discernment • Stay saturated in the full counsel of God’s Word—truth is the standard by which lies are exposed. • Cultivate spiritual maturity; “solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). • Remain in fellowship with a Bible-faithful church where accountability and sound teaching prevail (Ephesians 4:11–16). • Rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance; He leads into all truth (John 16:13). • Reject any message that excuses sin or minimizes Christ’s atonement, no matter how appealing the messenger. Living Alert yet Hopeful Just as Ezekiel confronted deception in his day and Jesus warned in His, believers today can stand firm. By grounding ourselves in Scripture, evaluating teachers by their fruit, and refusing comfort that contradicts God’s Word, we protect both our hearts and the wider flock from ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing. |
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