In Deuteronomy 13:1-3, we are told why God allows such deceivers to move freely among His people: “If a prophet arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, `Let us go after other gods and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul”.
God allows false prophets to do real signs and wonders and to prophesy things that come true, in order to test His children – to see whether they love Him or the gods that the false prophets invite them to follow. Two of the main gods that false prophets invite Christians to follow these days are the gods of “money” and “entertainment”.
• Money. People are urged to seek for wealth and health by giving money to the preacher’s ministry. Peter however rebuked the magician Simon when he tried to give Peter money in order to purchase God’s gifts (Acts 8:18-23).
• Entertainment. Churches have become places of entertainment where worldly music styles and other worldly programs are promoted to attract people. Thus Satan (the ruler of this world system) has succeeded in making Christians worldly-minded and ineffective for God.
Millions of Christians follow the teachings of these false prophets today because such teachings satisfy their fleshly lusts. Thus these false gods have become the idols that Christians worship in most churches today.
He who has ears to hear let him hear.