RUSSELL SANDERS
11-7-2025
BEWARE OF FALSE GIFTS

Have you noticed how clouds that might bring rain usually have a noticeable breeze spring up just before the rain comes? That breeze feels refreshing. But what if the rain never comes?

Proverbs 25:14 says, “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.”

Ephesians 4:8-12 tells of the five-fold ministry gifts Jesus has given the church (as Holy Spirit distributes to selected ones) for the perfecting (maturing, edification, building up, equipping) of the saints. One of these gifts is the office of the prophet.

The early church had prophets, but some of them were false prophets. Paul warned the church about them. They still exist today. Theirs is a false gift.

Often these false prophets give out good words of prosperity or blessing, or encouragement that people like to hear. If you study all of the scripture, you will see some good words given, but the true prophet will give God’s whole word, not just a part of it. They will also speak against sin. They will speak of judgment. They will give hard words, not just “fluff” words.

Beware of those today who only “prophesy” revival without repentance of sin, or other nice and good sounding words. These words are like the breeze before the rain. The rain (which edifies) never comes. You must measure them by the whole word of God, not just part of it.