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"But these people, like irrational animals born by nature for capture and destruction, revile things that they do not understand, and in their destruction they will also be destroyed,
Their eyes are full of adultery and insatiable for sin. They seduce unstable people, and their hearts are trained in greed. Accursed children!" (2 Peter 2:12-14)
False prophets and false teachers are pleasant, smart, charming, knowledgeable, supportive, confident, motivated, non-threatening people who happen to be in the wrong. How do we recognize them? We can’t. It could be your priest, a monk, a nun or an entire monastery. It could be the nice lady at church, or a friendly neighbor across the street. Or it could be an old friend or even a family member… Most of these people don’t set out to be false prophets. But when one entertains the devil, one cannot expect to speak for God. So think, learn, investigate, pay attention, and know the Bible and the Catechism.
BOGUS CLAIMS
One of the most controversial Bible passages has to be 1Corinthians 14:39.
“…strive eagerly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues”
Charismatics often ram this passage down our throats as some type of proof legitimizing charismatic theology. “See, Paul said this and Paul said that.” Yes, Paul said many things, including that women should not speak in church and that they ought to cover their heads. Do charismatics follow Paul to the letter? Of course not! Most of them are women, their “prophets” are generally women, they are all vocal and they most certainly don’t wear head covering to church. So the next time a charismatic busybody brings up what Paul said, be sure to remind them of some of the things that Paul said. ;-)
The problem is not what Paul said, as he was quite correct, the Holy Spirit should not be discouraged. After all, Paul identified prophecy and speaking in tongues as gifts of the Holy Spirit. Except that prophecy is a real gift and has NOTHING in common with the self delusions coming out of prayer meeting prophets. The same with biblical tongues, it has nothing in common with the jibber jabber at charismatic prayer meetings.
