2nd Peter 2:14-16, “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.”
Jude 1:10-11, “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 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.”
(by Evangelist Justin Zhong)
This is excellent sermon truth by Evangelist Justin Zhong. FALSE PROPHETS can speak God's Word with cunning words like Balaam. God spoke through Balaam (Numbers 23:5). But just because God was speaking through Balaam doesn't mean that he was a righteous man. Sometimes God uses wicked people for His purpose.
The Spirit of God was upon wicked Saul (1st Samuel 19:23). In Matthew 10:1 the Bible names Judas Iscariot as one of the apostles to whom God gave power to cast out demons. Reprobate false prophets like Judas can cast out devils (Matthew 7:21-23). But just because Judas had power from God to cast out devils doesn't mean that God endorsed him. Pharaoh's Satanic magicians had the power to do miracles.
Caiaphas led the sinister plot to murder Jesus, yet Caiaphas prophesied the truth concerning Jesus' crucifixtion, burial and resurrection (John 11:49). False prophets can tell the truth sometimes, cast out devils, and even be used by God to bless people; yet they can love money and be of the Devil. You cannot judge a preacher by mere appearance alone.
Just because somebody in a church is doing the right things, working miracles, saying the right words and helping people in the community, doesn't mean that they are good people.
Effectiveness is not the same thing as faithfulness. Pastor Joel Osteen is a very effective speaker, but he is unfaithful, not preaching the truth of the inspired Word of God. Just because God is blessing you doesn't mean that everything you are doing is right.
Pastor Steven Anderson is a bold fiery preacher, but he is unfaithful, not preaching the truth of God's inspired Word that God unconditionally loves everyone (John 3:16). No preacher is faithful who teaches hatred for people. Just because somebody is doing some right things, saying some right words, and helping some people in the community—doesn't mean that they are good people. Popularity is not the same thing as faithfulness.
Infamous murderous gangster Al Capone (1899-1947) was well-liked in Chicago for his generosity to the poor during early days of The Great Depression. The infamous gangster distributed food and clothing to the needy, for which many people in the community loved him. But was he a good man? Reports indicate that there were at least 522 gang-related killings in Chicago during the 1920s, a portion of which can be attributed to Capone and his evil criminal organization. Even Judas Iscariot was given the power to cast out devils and heal the sick (Matthew 10:1). As you know, Judas was not a good person, he betrayed Jesus to death.
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