Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”  2 Corinthians 11:7-15.

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There are those false teachers who clearly and sufficiently describe their teaching, the basis for their belief, and their agenda.  The listener can more easily and better guard himself or herself against such teachers by not listening at all to that false teacher or by bringing in more knowledgeable Christian teachers to debate them.  They are less dangerous and not the subject of today’s devotion. 

But, there are those false teachers who claim to be Christian, who disguise themselves, pretending to be Christian and righteous based on the Bible and filled with all light and goodness, but who are not.  They are wolves in sheep’s clothing.  These are white-washed tombs.  They are more capable of deceiving and misleading, and thus are more dangerous and the subject of today’s devotion.   

Jesus said:  “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”  Matthew 7:15

Jesus said:  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”  Matthew 23:27

Scripture is filled with warnings about such false teachers.  Here are just some of the Scriptures from the New Testament.

Mark 13:22
“for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.”

Galatians 2:4
“But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.”

Philippians 3:2
“Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;”

2 Peter 2:1
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.”

Revelation 2:2
“‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;”

In conclusion, we are reminded of yesterday’s devotion and the importance of doctrinal standards a/k/a creeds a/k/a confessions to help us discern false teachers.  “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”  1 John 4:1 

But, most importantly, we have a Good Shepherd who protects us from those wolves in sheep’s clothing.  Jesus said:  “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”  John 10:14-15.  And, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, does not lose any sheep.  He said:  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;  and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”  John 10:27-29.  This is the “Perseverance of the Saints a/k/a Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”.