Hell's Greatest Enrichers!
Thomas Brooks warns of the dangers of false teachers, who are Satan's emissaries sent to deceive and delude precious souls.
Thomas Brooks warns against the dangers of false teachers, who, like emissaries of Satan, lead people astray with deceptive doctrines that promise peace but ultimately lead to destruction. He compares these false prophets to alluring strumpets, who disguise their harmful teachings with attractive presentations, seducing the unsuspecting into spiritual peril. Brooks emphasizes that these teachers prioritize their own gain over the salvation of souls, acting as soul-murderers rather than true shepherds. He calls for vigilance against such 'smooth teachers' who poison the hearts of the faithful, highlighting the grave consequences they will face in divine justice.
Text
"The prophets who lead my people astray." Micah 3:5
Satan labors by false teachers, who are his emissaries
to deceive, delude, and forever undo the precious souls
of men! They seduce them, and carry them out of the
right way into by-paths and blind thickets of error and
wickedness--where they are lost forever!
As strumpets paint their faces, and deck and perfume
their beds, the better to allure and deceive simple souls;
so false teachers will put a great deal of paint and garnish
upon their most dangerous principles and blasphemies, that
they may the better deceive and delude poor ignorant souls.
They know sugared-poison goes down sweetly. They wrap
up their pernicious, soul-killing pills in gold! "Peace, peace!
they say, when there is no peace." Jeremiah 6:14
"Beware of false prophets, for they come to you in sheep's
clothing--but inwardly they are ravening wolves!" These
lick and suck the blood of souls! These kiss and kill! They
cry, 'Peace, peace!' until souls fall into everlasting flames!
False teachers handle holy things with wit and trifling, rather
than with fear and reverence. They are soul-murderers! They
are like evil surgeons, who skin over the wound--but never
heal it. False teachers are hell's greatest enrichers! Such
smooth teachers are sweet soul-poisoners! This age is full
of such teachers--such monsters!
They eye your goods more than your good; and mind
more the serving of themselves--than the saving of your
souls. So they may have your substance--they care not
though Satan has your souls! That they may the better
pick your purse--they will hold forth such principles as
are very indulgent to the flesh.
These are Satan's great benefactors, and such as divine
justice will hang up in hell as the greatest malefactors!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Deception of False Teachers
- A. They are emissaries of Satan
- B. They deceive, delude, and undo precious souls
- C. They lead people astray with false principles
- II. The Danger of False Teachers
- A. They seduce people with sugared poison
- B. They wrap pernicious principles in gold
- C. They cry 'Peace, peace!' when there is no peace
- III. The Character of False Teachers
- A. They handle holy things with wit and trifling
- B. They are soul-murderers and evil surgeons
- C. They are hell's greatest enrichers
Key Quotes
“They know sugared-poison goes down sweetly.” — Thomas Brooks
“They wrap up their pernicious, soul-killing pills in gold!” — Thomas Brooks
“Beware of false prophets, for they come to you in sheep's clothing--but inwardly they are ravening wolves!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Be cautious of teachers who preach a message that is appealing but lacks substance.
- Be aware of the dangers of sugared poison and pernicious principles.
- Seek out teachers who handle holy things with fear and reverence.