But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:1
The Lord continues to impress upon me that just because someone hears from Him, just because someone appears to be righteous and God-fearing, does not mean that they are pleasing in His sight. Balaam was a wicked prophet, but not a false one. He heard from the Lord and spoke true prophecies and words from God, yet his heart was far from the Lord.
The Bible says there will be false teachers who SECRETLY bring in destructive heresies, they do not do it openly. Balaam did not openly bring in destruction to the Israelites, rather he did it secretly by enticing Balak and showing him how to lead them astray. These wolves are cunning and deceitful, like the enemy they serve. They are ravenous wolves who care nothing for the community of believers, but dress themselves as sheep so they might deceive all who follow them. So it will be among the believers today, there will be those who seem to be friends, but seek only to destroy and divide. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of the enemy are deceitful” (Pro. 27:6). They are those who have “escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of Jesus Christ”, but become entangled in them again (2 Pet. 2:20).
There are watchmen that God has placed in the church to protect against these, because though we cannot judge a man’s heart, God sees all. The twelve didn’t see the heart of Judas, but Jesus knew his betrayal. We cannot see into the heart of man, but God has raised up watchmen in the body that He reveals His secrets to, who see the sword coming and are called to blow the trumpet. We would be wise to listen when they cry wolf.
He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life.
Ezekiel 33:5
