K026. Will Jesus tell us to expose the false prophets?

You bet. Many will say, "But didn't Jesus tell us to bless, and not to curse?" I will tell them, Yes, we should bless our enemies too. But, exposing false prophets is not necessarily an act of cursing. It could be an act of blessing for many people when they are properly warned or informed about the danger of the false doctrine.

Many still argue, "But if we expose false prophets, we become negative in our words and we are indeed putting them in difficult situation." I will ask them, If you were the shepherd and your sheep are about to be devoured by the wolves, will you care more for the wolves, or your sheep? Similarly, it is ridiculous to always care for the feeling of the false prophets if you are a pastor and you know that your 'sheep' have followed the teaching of the false prophets. You may think that you should keep quiet and maintain peace with the wolves, but the Lord will hold you accountable if the sheep have departed from Him because of the wolves.

I am not a pastor, and yet I could think that we can all be accountable to the Lord in one way or another in taking care of His sheep. How much more should you feel accountable to the Lord if you are a pastor or a leader of many believers.
Joh 21:15-17 KJV  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  (16)  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  (17)  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Of course, there are many ways to expose the false prophets or false doctrine; but we should never do it haphazardly. We may do it in the Lord's way, without causing unnecessary violent debates, physical harms, verbal abuse, profanity, and .. etc, but always giving the false prophets more time and warning before really exposing them or stopping them from causing more deception, harms, or damages to others.
Hence, it is an 'art' or skill which is required when dealing with different levels of false doctrine or false deception. Sometimes, it is not just a matter of releasing out all our emotions in one go (in attacking and rebuking them harshly with all the scriptural verses that we can find to intimidate them) with the hope that they will repent and the people will be delivered immediately from their blindness. No, it takes time, and it is not something that everyone can do. The exposing of the false prophets can only be done by those who are called by the Lord, and sometimes, it could be done victoriously only after the death of the false prophets many years later. However, when I said that only those who are called by the Lord can expose the false prophets, I don't mean that only the theologians or megachurch pastors can do it. King David was a only a small shepherd boy when he brought down the giant with one of his stones. If God has called anyone of us to fight with the 'giants', God would give us the 'stones' too. We don't just throw away all His 'stones' or throw at the sheep. We aim at the 'wolves' instead.

The reason why I talk about this is because many believers are uncertain whether they should do something, or do nothing about it.
They always toggle between the thinking of wanting to be more positive in dealing with all people; but at the same time knowing that they have great responsibility to give account to the Lord for those who are under their care, especially their loved ones or their church members. Hence, I think it is time for the churches to be more open and honest about this type of discussion and to be prepared when there is a need to address this issue in the future when more and more false prophets will arise and affect more churches

Well, let us go back to the question: How do we know that Jesus wants us to expose the false prophets? Did He say anything about the false prophets? Yes, certainly, I don't have time to show all His warnings about the false prophets, but I will just show you a Bible passage which shows us clearly why He would want us to know and expose the false prophets:
Mat 7:14-24 KJV  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  (15)  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  ..  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

When Jesus said that false prophets are like the wolves and we must beware of them, He want us to protect His sheep. Please think, If you know that your sheep will be devoured by wolves, won't you do something to protect your sheep too? This is common sense.
Next, when Jesus said that by their fruits, we will know them .., does it mean that it is enough for us just to know them? No, if Jesus has shown us how to know them and identify them, He wants us to do something; not just sit around with them and have fellowship with them. I am not sure what you should do; but if you are a pastor and you know that there are wolves around, I am sure you would not just do nothing ! Jesus has probably given you the same mandate that He had given to Peter: Feed my sheep (and protect them) !

::