Luke 6
24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

In recent days, as you all are aware, and as I pointed out on Sunday, November 17th, 2024 during one of our Prophecy Point’s, it
is no secret that some things have crept into the church (as
whole, not our congregation in particular)… it is known as the
New Age Religion – though it is really the same Old Age Paganism. Today, not only is it known as New Age, it is also known as
Luciferian Belief. I plan to do a much more in-depth Prophecy
Point on it in the days ahead, but for now I have just four points
to make.

When I look at the Scriptures, specifically the passage above, I
noticed a trend that started centuries ago, when the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Essenes (all sects of Judaism) embraced false
prophets and false teachings. They were influenced not only by
Solomon, due to the influence of the women he married and had
as concubines, but also by Babylonian religious teachings and
the nations religions surrounding them. I mean, Jeremiah was
taking the false prophets and priests head on about these things,
as God commanded.

In that same vein, when Jesus was laying out the woes in the
passage above, and of course elsewhere in Scripture – false
teachings and prophets exploit others with the intentions of gain
to make this life rich.

Also, they use their eloquent speeches and find sounding arguments about being fulfilled – I can’t help but notice the idea of those who are full now will be hungry later…. The idea of a full
life, fulfilling the life we want easily is a figure of speech – those
full of their desires and full of themselves.

Note the laugh now – weep later statement Jesus makes. Interestingly – this echoes only listening to positive things, and I can’t help but think of those who always say “don’t listen to the
haters”…. I mean, what if God sent “the haters” in our
lives to humble us – like Paul had a hateful messenger of
Satan sent by the LORD to keep him from being prideful.

My final thought is of Jesus expressing the issue of everyone speaking well of a person – like the Ancient Israelites
did of the false prophets; while they spoke ill of and killed
the true prophets of God. How many times did God send
prophets with a message about sin, repentance, returning
to Him and then He would not bring the judgment they all
agreed to as part of the covenant. There is nothing wrong
with compliments, seeing a well love preacher or teacher
praised – but, if you’re preaching and teaching what God
says to, there is no way those who have itching ears will
be happy about it.

So – considering all this said, a practical and biblical summary becomes clear:

Watch out for teaching and teachers, preachers and
speakers that promise and proclaim all good and no bad,
the richest and most fulfilling life awaits you – and you can
have it now, surround yourself with only counsel that
props you up and never confronts you, and those messages and messengers (influencers) that seek to influence
and gain an audience that only praises and speaks well of
them.

Remember, Jesus said “See that no one leads you
astray”….

Prayerfully and Discerningly Submitted,

Pastor Daren Lee Barnett