Psalm 5 ~ Beware of False Teaching

I was reading Psalm 5 this morning in my quest to study one Psalm a day. King David is praying to God to cast His judgment upon the evildoers in David’s life. In verse 9 he is speaking of how these evil people lie and deceive when he writes THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE. How’s that for a word picture? These people are so evil and filled with so much filth that when they open their mouths what... comes out is like the stench of dead bodies, rotting in an open grave. Here’s the full verse in context:

"For there is no truth in their mouth;
their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
they flatter with their tongue."

Today we are faced with these same evildoers. They are the false teachers in our midst. At first glance they give the appearance of Christians. They come disguised as angels of light teaching the word of God. They use Scripture as a tool to lure followers into Hell with promises of health, wealth and prosperity. They encourage followers to live their “best life now” rather than store their treasures in Heaven. They proclaim salvation via a life of works. They redirect your focus to the teacher rather than to God’s Word. Their teaching omits the true Gospel of salvation by faith alone. They tickle your ears with false messages that twist and pervert the Word of God.

Do not be deceived into believing that you are in control of your life. We are all sheep in need of a shepherd. There are only two shepherds. There is Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and Satan, the False Shepherd. If we are not in daily communion with our Good Shepherd, the False Shepherd is always ready with his wolves to come down the hill and devour us. If we do not consciously make an effort to keep ourselves in the green pastures of Jesus we may fall victim to the worldly influences around us, which are controlled by the False Shepherd.

"Give ear to my words, O LORD;
consider my groaning.
Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for to you do I pray.
O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with you.
The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
You destroy those who speak lies;
the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
in the fear of you.
Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.
For there is no truth in their mouth;
their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
they flatter with their tongue.
Make them bear their guilt, O God;
let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
For you bless the righteous, O LORD;
you cover him with favor as with a shield."

(Psalm 5 ESV)