The success of a counterfeiter depends largely upon how closely the counterfeit resembles the genuine article. Heresy is not so much the total denial of the truth, as a perversion of it. That is why a half-lie is always more dangerous than a complete repudiation.
Hence when the Father of Lies enters the pulpit with a Bible under his arm it is not his custom to flatly deny the fundamental truths of Christianity; rather he tacitly acknowledges them, and then proceeds to give an erroneous interpretation and a false application.
False prophets are to be found in the circles of the most orthodox, and they pretend to have a fervent love for souls yet they fatally delude multitudes concerning the way of salvation! These pulpit hucksters have wantonly lowered the standard of divine holiness and so adulterated the Gospel, in order to make it palatable to the carnal mind.
Any preacher who adulterates God's Word, who denies repentance to be a condition of salvation, who assures the giddy and godless that they are loved by God, who declares that saving faith is nothing more mental assent is a false prophet, and should be shunned as a deadly plague!
It is only those who truly love Christ who are fitted to minister to His flock! The work is so laborious, the appreciation is often so small, the response is so discouraging, the criticisms are so harsh, the attacks of Satan are so fierce, that only the "love of Christ" His love for us and our love for Him can "constrain" to such work.
"Hirelings" will feed the goats but only those who love Christ can feed His sheep!
[A. W. Pink]
✞ ✞ ✞
Acts 20:28-29 … Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Galatians 1:8 … But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Matthew 7:15 … Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.❤
