The Mirror and the Fire – A Study on False Prophecy
The Mirror and the Fire
Being able to distinguish between a mirror and the fire is important.
To make an analogy:
1Cr 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
We see the light of Christ as if it is coming through old glass, thick and giving a fuzzy image, and ourselves are changed into that image. But also:
Hbr 12:29 For our God [is] a consuming fire.
Our God is as a consuming fire. In a way, it is as if the fire of Jesus Christ sets us on fire so that we also give light. The fire of Jesus Christ is shared to the wick of a candle, we are set aflame and burn for Him, as the Holy Spirit comes to live inside and we come alive, to give His light from within ourselves. And so God is a consuming fire, and followers of Jesus Christ are small fires, which also give the light of Jesus Christ.
Now, fires give light, but they are not the only thing that gives light. For instance, a mirror can reflect the light of a fire, even from afar off.
Those who hear the word but do not do it are like those who see themselves in a mirror, then walk off and forget what they look like. But those who are doers of the word will be blessed in deed. So to make a loose analogy, those who are doers of the word are blessed in deed, and so have good work, good fruit. But those who are hearers only do not that, and so do not have the good work and fruit. This brings back to mind a fire, which does not just give light, but also gives warmth, and can be shared to set more on fire, which will also give warmth. So what is the work of a fire, the fruit of a fire? It does not just give light, but warmth also, and can spread and be shared, as it’s work is to consume, to give light, and warmth. And so doers of the word who are blessed in deed, have good work and good fruit, are like fire, giving not just light, but also warmth, and so consuming. Note that it is not the light of a fire which will work to set something else on fire – the light of a bonfire will not set a candle across the room on fire. However, the warmth and heat of a fire can set something else on fire, even without touching it directly, if the heat it produces is hot enough. So doers of the word are like fires, having the fruit and work of fire, to not just give light, but heat, and to spread and consume.
So what are those who only hear the word but do not do it? They are not blessed in deed, in good work and fruit. To make an analogy, let’s say they are mirrors. Hearers of the word can reflect what they hear, while pointed at it, so they give light… but they are not blessed in deed, they do not the work and have not the fruit, so they do not give heat or spread fire. If Jesus Christ, the Word, is a fire, then these people are mirrors who can reflect the light of that fire, if they stay turned towards it. But, they do not themselves give heat, nor can spread that fire, because they are mirrors, and not fire. So, these mirrors can give bright light, the light of Jesus Christ, the light of the Word of God… but they do not give heat which is the fruit of fire.
So there are both people who are fires and people who are mirrors. Those who are fires give the light of Jesus Christ from inside out, consumed, and also give off heat, which can set others on fire. Then there are those who are mirrors, who also give off the light of Jesus Christ and the Word of God, but as they are mirrors, they do not have the fruit of fire, which is warmth, and so cannot set others on fire.
In this analogy, what is the fruit of fire, what is the warmth, the heat? What are doers of the Word (not just hearers) blessed deeds, what are their good works and fruit?
Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
All this is the fruit of the Spirit, the fruit of the fire. Fires produces this heat as it’s fruit, but mirrors do not. This is what doers of the word do, their blessed deeds, good work, good fruit, that distinguish them from hearers of the Word.
Mat 12:30-31 AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ “The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.Jhn 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Jesus Himself said that we would be known as His disciples by all men, and show our love for Him, by not just hearing, but doing the Word, and keeping His commandments to love. And so in this world, there are hearers, and there are doers, there are mirrors without heat, and fires with heat. But both give off the light of Jesus Christ and the Word of God, the Bible.
Speaking of evangelism, is there a difference between fires and mirrors? Fires can spread and set others on fire directly, through their heat, their fruits. In analogy, the fire is of Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit, in any case, so this is only a matter of ease of facilitation. What about mirrors?
Mirrors reflect the light of the Word of God, and can shine it on others, so that they might believe. And from this, the fire of Jesus Christ can spread to them directly. As such, but fires and mirrors are effective in evangelism, whether through reflecting His Word towards belief, or reflecting His Word and love towards belief, in Jesus Christ. As Paul said,
Phl 1:15-18 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Eph 5:1-11 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].
The only way to tell a mirror from a fire is by it’s heat. Does it give off not just the light of Christ, but also the warmth of the fruit of the Spirit? There are many mirrors in the world, and many fires. There are many mirrors in the world, who give off the light of Christ, but not His warmth. Because of this, many people have been drawn towards a glorious light that is drawing them out of the darkness, which is good. But unfortunately many have also been confused and disappointed to find what looks to be a fire, in fact gives no heat, putting their hands out to warmth them, they instead touch a barrier that is cold and hard. Some, when they feel around it’s edge to find out what it is, accidentally cut themselves on something sharp. Perplexed, or even hurt, they back away, and perhaps move on. Or perhaps they are blessed to see the actual fire this mirror is reflecting, and draw close to the real fire instead.
Drawing close to the light of a mirror is very different than drawing near to the light of a fire. A fire which warms the hands giving gladness. A fire, which when it consumes, changes what it consumes, changing what was, to ashes in death, and turning it into something new and powerful, a fire itself, which will not be cold or in darkness again, for light and heat come from inside itself. No more wondering in cold and darkness, this is something entirely new and different, becoming something new, a previously unimaginable change of everything, what was is changed and dies, yet lives on with new purpose and power. This power like a fire alights those around it, as Paul also said,
1 Cor 2:1-5 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
The kingdom of God comes in the power of God, “dynamis Theos”, which can refer to the “power for performing miracles”. Certain miracles or signs followed those who believed in Jesus Christ, and these are some:
So we can know the power of the God works through those who are on fire. However, this is not the power of a man, but the power of God, working His will at His discretion. Signs and miracles are said to follow those who believe, and this is the work of God, according to His will. So whether people are mirrors or fires would make no difference in this analogy. We can know it makes no difference in this analogy, because the power to perform miracles or signs in the name of Jesus Christ is something even false prophets may do, so power or “dynamis” is not a key issue in matters of discernment.
Mat 7:11-23 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works [power/dynamis]? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Here we can see that to prophesy in the name of Jesus Christ, cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ, and work miracles in the name of Jesus Christ, are not the determining factors in discerning a false prophet. So for our mirror and fire analogy, some things as this obviously cannot matter in telling a mirror from a fire, either. God may give good things to them that ask Him. But the gifts God gives is not the same as the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus Christ clearly places discernment to revolve around 1 key factor, which is the fruit. Elsewhere we see the fruits of the Spirit, the first of which being love. As to discernment, Jesus contrasts those who follow the command to love, with those who practice “iniquity”, or “lawlessness” as it is also rendered. This is seen accurate in comparing with the parallell passage of Luke 6.
Luke 6:27-32,43-46 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the [one] cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not [to take thy] coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask [them] not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them… For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
which is the same as
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets”
which is the same as
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
And so it is obedience to the command to love your neighbor as yourself which is the key matter of discernment, as iniquity or lawlessness is not practicing the command to love your neighbor as yourself. The way to tell a false prophet is to see if the good fruit of the Holy Spirit is present, the first fruit being love, and obedience to treating others as you would want to be treated, whether they are your enemies or not.
It necessarily follows, that while not all mirrors are false prophets, that all false prophets are mirrors. Mirrors do not give off the warmth of the fruit of the Spirit, the first of which being love. False prophets do not give off the warmth of the fruit of the Spirit, the first of which being love, and so do not follow the commandment to love their neighbor as themself, to treat others as they want to be treated – even their enemies. False prophets may work miracles, cast out demons, and prophesy in the name of Jesus Christ, but they do not love their enemies. False prophets are not patient nor kind to their enemies, they brag and are arrogant towards their enemies, they are rude to their enemies, they do not care about the long-term best interest of their enemies (act unbecomingly), they seek their own, they are provoked to anger at their enemies, they keep a record of wrongs of their enemies, taking them into account, they rejoice in unrighteousness towards their enemies, but not in truth, they do not bear, believe, hope, endure or remain through, all things, with their enemies. This is the key factor of discernment that Jesus Christ prescribed for telling a false prophet, which is one type of mirror.
A false prophet may give off the light of Jesus Christ and the Word, the Bible, be effective in evangelism, and may prophesy in the name of Jesus Christ, may cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ, may do miracles in the name of Jesus Christ. And of course, like even sinners do, they love those who love them, but they do not have the fruit of the Holy Spirit of love, to follow the command to love their enemies. Likewise, the fruit of their prophecies is not the fruit of the Holy Spirit, of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control towards their enemies, but instead the bad fruit of a false prophet and their false prophecies is the work of the flesh: anger, hatred, hostility, dissensions, divisions, discord, false witness, sorcery, murder, etc. towards their enemies, or others as well.
When it comes to sorcery, it should also be mentioned that not all signs, miracles or wonders (power, dynamis) is of God, but also there are false signs, false miracles, and false wonders of Satan, working through the demons and fallen angels in the spiritual realm, with the goal of deception. False prophets may have false signs follow them, working through demons or by fallen angels, to accomplish deception and engender belief in false prophecies, which work harm.
In conclusion, we are living in a world in which we are surrounded both by fires, and by mirrors, some of which are false prophets. Like an expansive hall of mirrors, a mirror maze, it can be difficult to navigate. But the Bible does provide the truth needed to discern fires from mirrors, and fires from false prophets. This is information that is much needed in the last days, when:
Mat 24:11-13 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity [lawlessness] shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved [rescued].
We have free will to choose what we are and what we become. So the question then becomes, what do you want to be?
Paradox Brown