Beware of False Prophets

June 25, 2025 - Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 7:15–20

Not everything that sounds spiritual is true. Not every “inspirational” voice is from God.

Saint Irenaeus warned that deception often makes error look more convincing than the truth. That’s how it works: it doesn’t parade around as obvious lies—it slips in dressed like wisdom.

That’s exactly what happened in the Garden of Eden. The serpent didn’t deny God’s existence; he simply twisted God’s motives. “God just doesn’t want you to be like Him,” he whispered to Eve (Genesis 3:5). That same strategy still works today—especially through the voices Jesus calls “false prophets.”

The Apostle Paul had to deal with these voices all the time. He called out those who claimed to be teachers but led people away from the Gospel. One group—the Judaizers—insisted that Gentile Christians had to follow the full Law of Moses to be saved. They didn’t just confuse theology; they sowed doubt about Paul’s own authority and mission.

And it didn’t end with Paul. The Church has always had to deal with fake gospels. Today, they just sound more polished—and more pleasant.

You might hear them in YouTube sermons or Instagram reels:

– “God just wants you to be happy. You don’t need to change.”

– “Truth is whatever feels right to you.”

– “You are called to blessed with material riches.”

It may sounds inclusive and understanding. But Jesus says: “Watch out.” False prophets look harmless—“sheep’s clothing,” he says—but underneath, they devour.

So how do we know what’s real?

Paul gives us a filter: If anyone—even an angel—preaches a gospel different from the one we received, let them be accursed (Galatians 1:8–9). In other words, stick to the core. We have a treasure in the Gospel and the living tradition of the Church. One of the clearest guides today is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It may not trend on social media, but it holds timeless truth. Many criticize it without reading a word. But I’ve read it. Others have too—and some have found their way to the Church because of it.

There’s another test: fruit.

Jesus said: “You will know them by their fruits.” So ask:

– Does this person’s teaching draw me closer to God—or just to myself?

– Do they encourage humility and holiness—or just affirmation and comfort?

– Do they build up the Church—or divide it?

Truth isn’t always loud or entertaining. Sometimes it whispers. Sometimes it corrects. But it always leads to life.

Saint Irenaeus knew this well. He wrote:

“Error never shows itself in its naked reality… it dresses elegantly, so that the unwary may be led to believe it is more truthful than truth itself.”

In a world full of noise, glitter, and half-truths, Jesus reminds us:

Pay attention. Look deeper. Choose the narrow road.