Beaver damage reminds me of the dangers of false prophets
This time, things were different. An enterprising beaver had built a dam, and the spring was now underwater behind the dam. So much for cold. So much for refreshing. So much for safe to drink.
Where there have been beavers around, the water is likely contaminated with Giardiasis (or beaver fever as it’s called in these parts). Giardiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia. Beaver fever will leave you with a great deal of ugly abdominal distress for weeks and is highly contagious. It’s not the sort of thing that you want to take a chance with.
The promise of the refreshing water couldn’t be delivered on.
Something similar happens with false teachers. They bring false gospels and lies. They twist the truth to serve their own ends and agendas. They seek to please man, not God.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15 ESV
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:6-9 ESV
They promise what they can’t deliver. They promise living water, but provide empty wells. They promise freedom, but deliver bondage. They promise salvation but deliver damnation.
These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 2 Peter 2:17-19 ESV
How do we know which teachings are false? By knowing what we believe and why we believe it. By diligent study of the Word. By making sure that we look at Bible passages in context and in comparison to the Word as a whole. By learning some solid Christian doctrine.
If you don’t know what you believe and why you believe it, then you may find yourself standing at the foot of a dry spring. You could be seeking living water but end up perishing of thirst instead.
Read the Word. Read the Word. Read the Word.
May you know the truth, and the truth of Jesus set you free.
SUMMARY
I hiked back into a spring I loved, only to find a beaver had dammed it and turned safe water into a health risk. It reminded me that false teachers work the same way — promising living water while handing us something contaminated.
TAKEAWAY
A once-safe spring, dammed by a beaver, becomes a picture of how false teaching corrupts something good
Scripture (Matthew 7:15, Galatians 1:6-9, 2 Peter 2:17-19) warns plainly about false prophets and false gospels
The safeguard against false teaching is knowing what you believe, studying the Word in context, and standing on sound doctrine