The closer we get to the end of the church age, those you thought were friends will come against us. They will shock us in whom they follow and love, human beings rather than Christ. They will not listen to counsel from the Word, but will listen to the popular ones that bring exciting but dangerous doctrines and dreams.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
These false believers will choose to follow human beings with good sounding titles and false miracles, these days in the form of visions, claiming to have seen something from God, that will contradict the Word of God.
Our measure for truth in anyone claiming to be a prophet of God, is whether or not their actions and words match up with the Bible. If they go beyond the Bible, violate the Bible in any way, then we know they are not from God.
1 Corinthians 4:6 " 6 Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written.”
Unfortunately too many people don't pray for discernment and do not know their Bibles, so they fall into these good sounding traps. Once they have accepted them, they do not let go of them. Their pride will not allow them to listen to those who have discerned the falsehoods, they become locked in to defending a man or woman. Sadly we do not see these same people defending Christ and His Word.
Once a person has bought into lies to awaken their senses for excitement, it is nearly impossible to convince them of truth. God can reach them but only if at some point, they begin to listen to the Holy Spirit, if in fact they have Him.
1 John 4:1
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
