The lecture speaks about the warning of the Lord Christ against false prophets who come in a good and deceptive appearance while hiding corruption and misleading teaching inside them. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the word “beware” means spiritual vigilance and not being easily deceived by appearances or sweet words.
He also explains the meaning of the word “prophet” in the Holy Bible, clarifying that it is not limited only to foretelling the future, but also includes everyone who carries a message from God to people or performs teaching and spiritual edification. Therefore, false prophets are false teachers who mislead people and move them away from the straight faith.
The lecture confirms that the Church throughout history was exposed to misleading teachers whether from outside or from inside it, such as the owners of heresies and false teachings who spread teachings contrary to the Orthodox faith. Therefore, the believer should hold fast to the correct teaching of the Church and should not accept any strange teaching no matter how convincing it appears or even if it is supported by wonders and signs.
The lecture also quotes what was mentioned in the Book of Deuteronomy about the necessity of rejecting any teaching that leads a person away from God even if its صاحب performed miracles or showed supernatural power. The true measure is the soundness of faith and not the external appearances.
The lecture also points out that some people may use the Holy Bible or religious appearances to deceive others, such as the scribes and Pharisees who appeared in the image of piety while they were misleading the people away from the way of God.
The main spiritual message is the necessity of spiritual discernment, continual watchfulness, and holding firmly to the correct Orthodox faith without being deceived by words or outward appearance, because ravenous wolves may come in sheep’s clothing.
“For better translation support, please contact the center.”
The Sermon on the Mount – Beware of False Prophets, Part 1
The lecture speaks about the warning of the Lord Christ against false prophets who come in a good and deceptive appearance while hiding corruption and misleading teaching inside them. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the word “beware” means spiritual vigilance and not being easily deceived by appearances or sweet words.
He also explains the meaning of the word “prophet” in the Holy Bible, clarifying that it is not limited only to foretelling the future, but also includes everyone who carries a message from God to people or performs teaching and spiritual edification. Therefore, false prophets are false teachers who mislead people and move them away from the straight faith.
The lecture confirms that the Church throughout history was exposed to misleading teachers whether from outside or from inside it, such as the owners of heresies and false teachings who spread teachings contrary to the Orthodox faith. Therefore, the believer should hold fast to the correct teaching of the Church and should not accept any strange teaching no matter how convincing it appears or even if it is supported by wonders and signs.
The lecture also quotes what was mentioned in the Book of Deuteronomy about the necessity of rejecting any teaching that leads a person away from God even if its صاحب performed miracles or showed supernatural power. The true measure is the soundness of faith and not the external appearances.
The lecture also points out that some people may use the Holy Bible or religious appearances to deceive others, such as the scribes and Pharisees who appeared in the image of piety while they were misleading the people away from the way of God.
The main spiritual message is the necessity of spiritual discernment, continual watchfulness, and holding firmly to the correct Orthodox faith without being deceived by words or outward appearance, because ravenous wolves may come in sheep’s clothing.
“For better translation support, please contact the center.”