Who Do We Listen To? Part 1

Who Do We Listen To? Part 1
Thursday, April 9, 2026 by Dr. James W. Walraven

Categories: Apologetics / Apostasy / Contemporary issues / Scripture discussion / Spiritual deception / Spiritual warfare / The church / Thought for Today / Truth telling

Who do we listen to? That is no idle question. Especially when it comes to the last days, the end times, who we listen to matters greatly.

The last days. Our eyes can glaze over: there is so much being said about end times prophecy, so many voices, so much noise. But biblically, our being in the “end times” is not a concept limited to the last few years before Jesus returns.

Hebrews 1:1–2 (ESV): “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

That isn’t how we typically think of the “end times” is it? In essence, since Jesus came to earth, since His death and resurrection, biblically speaking, we’ve been living in the end times. Just about every generation has thought they’d be the final generation before Christ’s return, and indeed, Christ can return at any time. But as Jesus told us, only the Father knows the time of Christ’s return. We do not.

Whether any given generation will be the last one or not isn’t the point. Regardless, who we listen to always matters. When it comes to “end times” or the “last days” Jesus warns us directly on that account. The most often quoted passage when it comes to end times prophecy is Matthew 24. How does that passage start?

Matthew 24:4–5 (ESV): “And Jesus answered them, ‘See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and they will lead many astray.’”

Jesus repeats that same warning twice more within that passage.

Matthew 24:11 (ESV): “And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.”

Matthew 24:24–25 (ESV): “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.”

Being led astray. Jesus warns us what to be on the lookout for, that false Christs and false prophets will come and lead many astray. They will perform lying signs and wonders as well. Those signs and wonders will “prove” to many that those performing them are truthful, the genuine article. Yet biblically, they are false, they are liars.

How is one led astray by false christs, false teachers, false prophets? First and foremost, one has to listen to them; one has to be captivated by them. One has to then wrongly believe that what they are saying is true.

How do we avoid that? The easiest way to avoid their snares is first by knowing Scripture, knowing what is biblically true, and second, by not listening to them. One cannot be captivated by what one has not paid attention to. Jesus warns us in Mark 24:4 to be careful about what we listen to. We are warned to not be deceived in 1 Corinthians 6:9; 15:33; Galatians 6:7, and James 1:16, as well as numerous others.

To repeat, to be led astray, one must first listen to and then be captivated by, those who are teaching what is false.

Mark 13:22 (NAU): “For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.

Who do we listen to?

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