Insight for Today
A Daily Devotional by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Beware of False Prophets

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THERE'S A SUCKER BORN EVERY MINUTE. That isn't funny; it's tragic. Fakery draws its fuel from the pit. That's what God tells us.

These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. . . . Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.

2 CORINTHIANS 11:13–15

A glance at the silver platter and everything looks delicious: "apostles of Christ . . . angel of light . . . servants of righteousness." Through the genius of disguise, they not only look good, they feel good, they even smell good!

Testimonies abound! Listen to some. "This is new . . . it has changed my life!" Others say, "I did what he said . . . and now God speaks to me directly. I see visions. I can feel God." More than two million freely shout, "Eternity is now . . . materialism is godly. Getting rich is a sign of spirituality." A larger band of followers claim, "We own nothing. Everything goes to the guru." You find them everywhere. On street corners with little magazines, looking ever so dedicated to God. Staring up at the stars, discovering the future. Sitting in small groups on hillsides, eating canary mix, refusing to shave or bathe lest they interrupt their "communion with God." The platter is filled with variety! You find some attending religious pep rallies led by flamboyant cheerleaders in $2000 orange suits and diamond-studded shoes. On the opposite extreme are mystical dreamers who prefer seclusion as they squat in silence.

They may have a "new" look, feel, and taste like the real thing—but they are not. As Screwtape once quoted to Wormwood their father's couplet: "Old error in new dress / Is ever error nonetheless." ¹

Unfortunately, if there are hands to pick from the platter, there will be good-looking tidbits available. But some day, some dreadful day, the final Judge will determine and declare truth from error. There will be a lot of gagging and choking, and it will no longer taste good.

Beware of being led astray. Nothing tastes good in hell.