They’re everywhere. Look around, and you will see the world filled with lying leaders. False prophets who parade as if they have the corner on the truth but are diametrically opposed to God and all He desires for the people He has made.
People follow leaders. If we are not discerning, we will embrace the lies of a false prophet and head right over the cliff. In his amazing book, “How to Kill 11 Million People,” Andy Andrews recounts how Hilter was able to lead a nation astray, which resulted in the death of millions. His conclusion as to Hitler’s tactics? Hilter LIED. That’s it. Nothing more. And deceived people blindly followed.
SPOTTING A LYING LEADER
Ezekiel was sent to warn the people during his day, 600 years before Christ. God speaks through him, reminding people of what false prophets are like and what will happen to them. Listening to Ezekiel’s prophecy is like reading the morning news.
They Speak from their Own Imaginations, Not God’s
“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy from their own inspiration, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord! ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Woe to the foolish prophets who are following their own spirit and have seen nothing. (Ezekiel 13:2-3)
They Prey on the Unsuspecting
O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins. (Ezekiel 13:4)
They Do Not Stand when the Battle Rages, but bow to the Wind and Compromise
You have not gone up into the breaches, nor did you build the wall around the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the day of the Lord. (Ezekiel 13:5)
They Act Righteous, Proclaiming that their Words are True
They see falsehood and lying divination who are saying, ‘The Lord declares,’ when the Lord has not sent them. (Ezekiel 13:6)
They Really Believe that They’re Right, that Their Words are True and Their Predications Accurate
Yet they hope for the fulfillment of their word. (Ezekiel 13:6)
The Proclaim Peace where there is no Peace
It is because they have misled My people by saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace. And when anyone builds a wall, behold, they plaster it over with whitewash. (Ezekiel 13:10)
GOD’S OPINION AND RESPONSE
God is against false prophets with a holy vengeance. For Jesus, it was the group that angered Him the most, for these hypocrites were leading His people astray. They will be dealt with in God’s perfect timing. They will be exposed for what they are and receive from God the just judgment for what they have done as they’ve led others astray.
Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “Because you have spoken falsehood and seen a lie, therefore behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord God. So My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will have no place in the council of My people, nor will they be written down in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel, that you may know that I am the Lord God. (Ezekiel 13:8-9)
Tozer said we should never listen to men who don’t listen to God. Don’t be foolish. Understand lying leaders when they arise (and they’re all around us in our nation right now). Evaluate leaders with God’s biblical standards.
Father, thank You for the warnings of Scripture. Thank You for the discernment we can gain as we follow Your Spirit and study Your word. Give us the wisdom to follow only those who follow You. Be merciful, Lord, to us and raise among us men of God who have Your word and lead Your people in the truth.
