I’ve heard that phrase ring out for a while now, most recently through a TikTok personality that I give a listen on occasion. Many of their videos tend to start out with a brief intro, a dramatic falsetto “False Prophet” and then they dive in, generally referring back to scripture to reinforce their point. In actuality, I think they were identifying themselves.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
1 John 4:1-4
I counter that some spirits can absolutely confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and is from God, and still be a false prophet. We all know – and hopefully pray – for that type. The saved on Sunday, but treat everyone like garbage the other 6 days type. I generally refer to these lost souls as counterfeit Christians. They may witness and praise – but they are hollow.
So there’s this show I – and many others – have been watching, it just finished season 2, and even tonight I caught a special Christmas episode at the local AMC theater. The Chosen. Now according to TikTok guy (and a few other folks I know) – it’s evil, a false Gospel, and actively turning people away from God. There is artistic license here, I will admit, but…
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 5:14
Discernment. Another word which I have frequently seen used to justify personal views and opinions which exist beyond the confines of scripture. The Holy Spirit grants us discernment, so that we may distinguish good from evil, right from wrong, or in this case – a television show based on the ministry of Christ from the backbone of scripture that has given it life.
The simple truth here is that I am early in my walk with Christ. While He has been with me since before I was born – it’s only been two and a half years since I came to my spiritual senses and acknowledged Him. I do have discernment. It’s what helps me to understand when a statement is full of crap and based in fear, or sealed by the Holy Spirit. Pardon my French.
Tonight I watched Christmas music performed by top Christian contemporary artists along with the premiere of the aforementioned Christmas episode of The Chosen. It detailed the hours leading up to and including the birth of Jesus to Mary and Joseph, within a stable in Bethlehem. Now because Luke didn’t mention Mary needing to hop off the donkey she rode…
Does that make it false prophecy? False Gospel? Counterfeit Christianity? No, it is art, that tells a story based in scripture. In fact, do you know what I did the moment I left the theater? I PICKED UP MY BIBLE AND READ IT. I didn’t know about Luke 1:46-55. Now I cannot confirm the historical accuracy of the scenes surrounding its creation, but…
I PICKED UP MY BIBLE AND READ IT.
And Mary Said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
Luke 1:46-55
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”
Now a brief aside, while I refer to this scene from My Cousin Vinny:
Try and follow me here, but I think Mona Lisa Vito put it best…
Imagine you’re a deer. You’re prancing along, you get thirsty, you spot a little brook, you put your little deer lips down to the cool clear water… BAM! A f**kin bullet rips off part of your head! Your brains are laying on the ground in little bloody pieces! Now I ask ya. Would you give a f**k what kind of pants the son of a bitch who shot you was wearing?
Here I am. A saved sinner. I just watched a TV show that some claim is false prophecy, but in fact encouraged me to open up the Holy Bible. I turned to God. Worst false prophecy EVER. Now do I know whether or not God frowns upon WHY I got into His book any more than that hypothetical deer cared about Vincent LaGuardia Gambini’s hunting pants? No idea.
So until I meet my maker and He runs His finger down the spreadsheet of sins I’ve committed and He stops at “Watched The Chosen” – I’ll continue to live, laugh, love, watch TV, and thank God every day for the life He has given me while possessing a peace beyond all understanding. Thank you Jesus!
