Who Did Hinder You

2018-05-27

Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (8) This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. (9) A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (10) I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. (11) And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. (12) I would they were even cut off which trouble you. (Galatians 5:7-12)

The Effect of False Prophets

The Galatians had a proven record of the Christian faith, yet somebody stirred them up to heresy (Galatians 5:7). Whoever these false prophets were, they were not from God (Galatians 5:8). Paul had warned the Ephesians of the very same thing:

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:29-31)

The Ephesians had responded well to this command:

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars (Revelation 2:1-2)

We also must be aware that there are people that want to destroy churches. They want to have the authority and following that pastors have. They lead people away from the faith with a fleshy religion, because they themselves are carnal and unsaved. Just one false prophet can affect the entire congregation with lies (Galatians 5:9).

Paul has confidence that they will return to the truth (Galatians 5:10). As saved people, I believe we can buy into some false doctrine temporarily, but if we continually seek the Lord and to know His will, we will see that we were wrong, and repent back to the way we were.

The Fate of False Prophets

False prophets will ultimately be judged and destroyed by God (Galatians 5:10). Cain was a man who brought the works of his hands to God, and the murdering of his brother exposed his true heart. He was expelled from the presence of the Lord, and never came back (Genesis 4:16). Other scriptures show that false prophets are going to be destroyed with an everlasting punishment (2 Peter 2:1, 12; Jude 1:13).

Persecution is the sign of a Christian. Contrariwise, the false prophet is looking to gain a following, and appeal to as many people as possible. He does not want to be an enemy of anybody and does not want any persecution.

In Paul’s day, the Jewish nation was the biggest persecutor of Christians, and the issue of circumcision was a big issue. When one said that you did not need to be circumcised or keep the law to be saved, that was a big stumbling block to the Jewish people (Acts 6:11; 15:1; 21:21).

The cross, however, says that we must be born again, and that the old man must be crucified and destroyed. The old physical customs are a part of the old covenant, but we have been made new creatures.

Paul even wished that the false prophets were even “cut off.” Those are very strong words! The phrase “cut off” clearly means death in Genesis 9:11, where God tells us that He would not longer “cut off” everyone by means of a flood, and in Daniel 9:26, where Jesus Christ would be “cut off” for the sake of others. Also, Genesis 17:14 calls for the uncircumcised to be “cut off.” Paul’s usage most likely indicates a play on words, but this is not the primary usage of the phrase.

The false prophet is a dangerous person who will be judged by God. We must be wise, knowing that such people shall come in our midst.