Character Sketch of a False Prophet

As Barnabas and Paul were being led by the Holy Spirit to Cyprus on their first missionary journey, they encountered opposition from a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. Like the false prophets of the Old Testament, his life exhibited distinct characteristics that revealed his true identity as an enemy of God. By examining these qualities, we can be prepared, like Paul and Barnabas, to stand in the Spirit’s power against the lies of impostors of the Gospel with boldness and wisdom.

Opposers of True Faith

In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas set out on an exciting mission to proclaim the truth of the Gospel to unreached people in Cyprus. One of the stops they made on this journey was the city Paphos, where they had an unusual encounter with a sorcerer and false prophet by the name of Bar-Jesus. Luke writes that he was an attendant to the proconsul -- an office that was similar to an appointed governor today. He heard news about the work and witness of Paul and Barnabas and sent for them. On learning about this, Bar-Jesus began opposing them and sought to “turn the proconsul from the faith” by speaking against the disciples (Acts 13:8).

Interestingly, Paul did not try to discourse with the false prophet or to evangelize him, but instead boldly opposed him. In the power of the Holy Spirit, he declared to Bar-Jesus, whose name ironically means “son of the Savior,” that he was the exact opposite – a child of the devil (Acts 13:10). Paul’s rebuke, which sounds harsh in our relativistic culture, was based on Jesus’ very words to those who opposed him in John 8:44. He declared, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires.”

This reminds us of the central truth throughout Scripture that there is no neutrality. We are either for God or against him. The ones in the Bible and those we encounter in this life who not only reject God’s words for eternal life but who also actively speak against it show their true identity as false prophets and children of the wicked one.

Enemy of All That Is Right

Paul continues to tell Bar-Jesus that he is an “enemy of everything that is right” (Acts 13:10). To oppose the truth of the Gospel and the Lordship of Jesus is to oppose God himself and become his enemy. One of the chief characteristics of the false prophet is the inability to speak truth, just like Satan. Jesus describes him as a “murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

While Bar-Jesus and other false prophets masquerade as people of insight and integrity, the rottenness of their hearts prevents them from doing anything righteous. Not only are they unable to do good, they have yielded to the fleshly desire to destroy all that is good and comes from God. We can recognize them by the fruit of their lips, as they go about opposing the truth of the Word of God, and by their lives. About this, Jesus warned, “By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:16-18).

Full of Deceit and Trickery

It’s interesting to note the difference in the way Paul and Barnabas were sent off and how Bar-Jesus was driven. We see that they went out in the power and the fullness of the Holy Spirit while he was driven along by the power of the wicked one. Paul rebukes him for being filled with deceit and trickery rather than truth and revelation from God, which he pretended to bring (Acts 13:10). Jesus warned about this in Matthew 7:15 when he said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."

Pervert the Right Way of the Lord

Paul uses another all-inclusive word to explain Bar-Jesus’ actions in subverting the truth. He declares, “You never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord” (Acts 13:10). By this, Paul meant that he always distorted and twisted the way of Truth, which echoes God’s own declaration in Genesis 6 about sinful humanity -- that all the inclinations of the human heart are evil (Genesis 6:5). Paul’s words in Romans 3, which describe all of humanity in Adam, provide a detailed character sketch for the false prophet who knowingly has distorted the right way of the Lord.

The Hand of the Lord Against Him

Since Bar-Jesus was resisting and rejecting the person and work of Christ, Paul reminded him that the very hand of the Lord was against him (Acts 13:11). At this, God struck him blind so that he couldn’t even see the light from the sun. This physical demonstration of God‘s judgment, which happened immediately and left him groping about in the darkness, was a picture of his utter depravity and the spiritual darkness that he lived in. God exposed the wickedness of his heart through the apostle Paul’s rebuke and then laid bare his hidden sin before all those he sought to deceive. This immediate judgment revealed to all who were present that God was the sovereign Lord. His power, which trumped the power of the sorcerer and the demons controlling him, left the proconsul in awe. When he saw what happened, “he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord” (Acts 13:12).

Like Bar-Jesus, the false prophets today seek to lead others astray. They oppose the Spirit’s revelation of the Messiah and work to hinder the advancement of the kingdom of God by spreading messages that are contrary to the Word. It’s vital to first remember that God is sovereign and reigns over them all. From this place of confidence in God we can remain sober-minded and alert so that we can discern and lovingly but firmly stand against their deception.

"Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion” (Jude 1:11).

Whoever Has Ears, Let Him Hear

I had the chance to sit at the table with Jesus today and watch a scene play out that I’ve seen countless times before. Lazarus reclined at the table with Jesus and his disciples, while Martha rushed about preparing a meal. Amid the ordinary, Mary brought out a pound of perfume from pure nard, worth a year’s salary. Then, in front of everyone, she poured it out and anointed Jesus’ feet -- wiping it with her hair. The smell of sweet perfume filled the air, but along with it was the tension of Judas’ disapproving presence. He criticized her for being too extravagant, saying that the sale of the perfume could have been given to the poor. Jesus spoke up and with words of compassion defended Mary. “Leave her alone” he calmly said, reminding Judas, Mary and all the others that the Father had sent Mary for this specific task to anoint him in preparation of his upcoming death.

Shift in perspective

For the first time in reading the passage I noticed something different. It’s like gazing at a picture repeatedly only to notice a detail one day that changes the whole meaning of the picture. My eyes had always been fixed on Mary’s extravagant and unusual sacrifice. This time my attention shifted to the heart posture of Judas instead of Mary. Both journeyed with Jesus through towns and villages and witnessed his divine power and goodness. Both sat at his feet and heard his teaching about the principles of the Kingdom of God and that he was the promised Messiah-King. The seed of the Word spoken by the eternal Word fell on the soil of both of their hearts, receiving the same sunshine, rain and air. But the outcome was completely different.

Different kinds of soil

Jesus talked about this reality in the parable of the sower, showing that the same seed has different outcomes based on the condition of the soil. In a similar way, the seed that fell on Judas’ heart was like the seed that fell among the thorns and on the rocky ground. “The worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth [choked] it out, making it unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22). But the seed that fell on Mary’s heart fell on good ground and yielded a plentiful harvest (13:23). 

This provides an accurate picture of what is happening today in the evangelical church among professing believers in America. We all sit at the table with the risen and reigning Christ when we come to hear the Word, worship and participate in the sacraments. We encounter his glory as the God-Man in the Gospels as he exhibits power over sin, sickness, death and even nature. We hear his declaration that he and the Father are one, and that he is the only way to eternal life – the living bread and the only source of true sustenance. And then we hear him calling us to become his disciples – to yield our treasures to him so that we can embrace him as our true Treasure (Matthew 13:45-46). 

Like Mary and Judas, some 2000 years ago, the condition of the soil of our hearts impacts the way we listen to and respond to the message of Christ’s call to discipleship. Though we have the same access to the Truth, some listen to understand while others “are ever hearing but never understanding” (Matthew 13:14). Some offer their lives as living sacrifices to the reigning King, holding nothing back. Like Moses, they choose to regard “disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt” because they are looking to their eternal reward (Hebrews 11:26). 

Others, under Judas’ guise of widsom, refuse to pour out their life as a sacrificial offering to the Lord and instead give themselves to the ruler of this age. They appear to be authentic followers of Christ, but hidden below the surface are hardened hearts filled with every form of evil (Romans 1:29). The apostle John explains the reason for this in John 12:43 when he writes, “They loved human praise more than praise from God.” They are incapable of hearing God’s message and trusting him because rather than love God, they are lovers of themselves and money (2 Timothy 3:2). They have “a form of godliness but [deny] its power” (3:5).

Day of Reckoning

It may appear on the surface that they will escape the judgment of God, like it did when Judas was sitting at the table with Jesus. Jesus’ words to him were mildly confrontational as he told him to leave Mary alone, much like a parent would do with a troublesome child. However, as we fast forward a few chapters, we see that his rebuke became an eternal one – recorded on the pages of Scripture. John refers to him as the “son of destruction” and (John 17:12) we see that the money he treasured over Jesus was thrown to the ground and memorialized as cursed, along with his life (Matthew 27:6-10).

The sobering message I’m reminded of today as I gaze upon this scene along with Jesus’ teaching in the parable of the sower is the importance of bending my ear to carefully listen to the instruction of the Lord (Luke 8:18). He promises that if we listen to understand and obey what he tells us to do, we will  produce a good crop – “a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:8). Like Mary, our faith will flourish, and we’ll bring glory to the Lord. If, on the other hand, we close our ears to his instruction and allow the cares of the world and the praise of man to grab our hearts, even what we have will be taken away (Matthew 13:12). 

There are two kinds of people. Both sitting at the table with Jesus. One has ears to hear. The other does not. Praying that we will be those who listen to understand and who then pour out our lives in a sacrificial way to honor God and bring him glory.

“Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Matthew 11:15).

Bless God!

One of my favorite new songs, “Bless God," is a bold declaration of determination to praise and thank God at all times. This includes when things are going well and when they’re not, when there’s plenty and when there is little, when the battle forms and the walls fall, when others are present and when I’m all alone. This decision is not based on my life circumstances but on the unchanging goodness of God and the reality that he is worthy of all praise.

He's worthy of whole life worship

From the first verses of Scripture, God declares his identity as the Creator God, speaking the whole world into existence and crafting humanity in his image to reflect his glory. Because he is the only True God, he is worthy of our whole-life worship. About this John writes, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11). Here and throughout Scripture we’re exhorted to praise and bless the Lord at all times. Psalm 103 outlines some of the many reasons for praising him including his faithfulness to care for and heal us, his gift of redemption and forgiveness and his loving mercy and compassion for all he has made. 

Because of his greatness and glory, we’re called to whole-life worship. This differs significantly from the way the Christian culture in America has redefined worship – which is primarily relegated to Sunday mornings. While whole-life worship includes gathering with believers to study the Word and praise his name, it expands to all of life. Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians 10:31 when he says that whether we eat or drink or whatever we do – we’re to do it for the glory of God. He goes on to show in Romans 6:13 and 12:1-2 that true worship involves our  physical bodies. We’re called in these passages to present ourselves continually to God as living sacrifices, offering the very parts of our bodies to him as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13, 12:1-2). As one writer notes, we offer our hands, eyes, ears, hearts, minds and more to him, realizing that what we do with each part of our body is our worship.

He is faithful and will never fail or forsake us

God’s faithfulness can also be traced to the first pages of Scripture. He created Adam out of nothing and Eve from his rib, breathed breath into their lungs and then sustained them after the Fall. He lovingly covered their shame and nakedness and led them to safety so that they could flourish and take dominion over the earth. 

He does the same for us and all his beloved children. At regeneration, he pours out his Spirit upon us, cleanses us from all sin and declares us righteous and holy in his sight (1 John 1:7; Colossians 1:22). He promises to be with us throughout all of life to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Though he assures us we will encounter suffering and trials, he simultaneously promises that he will strengthen us through hardships and will never fail or forsake us (Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:5). 

He is our shield and exceeding great reward

In speaking with Abram, God encouraged him not to fear and promised to be his shield (Genesis 15:1). His covenant with Abram and his descendants included God’s promise that he would guard him against his enemies and protect him from danger. Abraham was called simply to remain in God’s plan – listening to, trusting and following him where he was leading.

In a similar way we, as Abraham’s offspring, are given this promise. God says that he is our “sun and shield”, the one who keeps us from the fiery arrows of the enemy (Psalm 84:11; Isaiah 54:17). As we take shelter in Christ through faith, we are guarded from every evil attack and held on high, kept in safety (2 Timothy 4:18; Psalm 18:16-19). 

He is our portion and our prize

The Psalmist declares “LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup” (Psalm 16:5).  The prophet Habakkak echoes these words when he writes, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him” (Lamentations 3:24). The word portion here is translated inheritance in some versions, which further shows the depth of the meaning. These men were declaring that God was their ultimate treasure – that which gave them purpose, meaning and sustenance. They were not looking to personal strength, wisdom or riches or relying on their own ability to uphold themselves (Jeremiah 9:23, 17:5). Instead, they fully put their trust in God. 

As God’s adopted children, he promises that we have an inheritance in his Kingdom, both now and for eternity, that is imperishable (Hebrews 9:15). Our present inheritance includes the riches of our union with Christ, which Paul outlines in Ephesians 1 saying we’ve been “blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:3). At the resurrection we will receive the fullness of this treasure as we’re brought into his presence and fully freed from all sin, suffering, sickness and death (Revelation 21:4).

He is our hope and our future

The prophet Jeremiah reminds the people of Israel that God had given them “hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). In a similar note, David exhorts Israel in Psalm 134:7 to “Put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.” This kind of hope is not like the hope of the world – which relies on non-substantial things, people and ideas to sustain them and give them life. Jesus warns that hoping in anything in the world is like building our house on sinking sand (Matthew 7:24-27). If, however, we put our hope in God and his promises, he assures us this hope will serve as the “anchor” for our soul. It will hold us fast to him until the end (Hebrews 6:19). Paul reminds us that the hope of God will not disappoint or put us to shame (Romans 5:5) but will instead enable us to patiently endure. 

For these reasons and thousands more, we bless the Lord! 

“I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the LORD” (Psalm 34:1-2).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK0fbhGdX4A