571 - Testing False Prophets

Testing False Prophets 

Why are there false prophets?

Satan, the devil, a fallen angel, is the father of lies and has deceived the whole world… Jesus tell us this both in the Gospel of John Chapter 8: verse 44; and in the book of Revelation Chapter 12: verse 9.

Satan’s goal has been to twist and pervert the truth of God …and to discourage humanity from following the path, to true happiness and eternal life. 

To assist him in this effort, Satan influences people to become counterfeit prophets.

Another reason given, in the Bible, is that some people speak from their own imagination. 

God says, “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!” (This quote is from the book of Ezekiel Chapter 13: verses 3-4. 

Throughout the centuries, numerous false prophets have arisen, either because of their own desires or from Satan’s influence… or both.

We are given four tests to prove whether a prophet is true

We need to carefully consider God’s Word—the Bible—in order to discern between false and true prophets. The Bible provides four tests to determine the genuineness of a prophet.

1. Does the conduct of the prophet reflect godly character?

Jesus and the apostles warned many times about deceptive prophets. 

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (this is a quote from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 7: verses 15-17.

These prophets can be identified by their “fruits”—a term used by Jesus, to describe one’s actions and character. 

The law of God is the only standard we have, to determine whether someone’s fruits are good or bad. 

True prophets will live in accordance with God’s law.

2. Do the predictions of the prophet come true?

Moses instructed ancient Israel in the book of Deuteronomy Chapter-18: verse22:

“When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him”.

The Bible gives a few exceptions. 

It shows that God has the prerogative to change His mind, as was the case with Jonah’s prophecies about Nineveh (see the book of Jonah chapter 3: verse 10. 

Also, this does not mean that God’s true servants couldn’t be wrong about timing, as Paul was, in assuming he would be alive at Christ’s return (see Paul’s 1st letter to the Thessalonians chapter 4: verse 15.

Except in circumstances like these, if a prophet’s predictions do not come to pass, then he or she is not a prophet speaking the words of our Lord, God Almighty.

3. Are the words of the prophet consistent with Scripture?

God explained, to those who foolishly seek knowledge from mediums and wizards, 

“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (this is from the book of Isaiah chapter 8: verses19-20.

Peter declared, that the apostles could truthfully attest to many fulfilled Bible prophecies, concerning the life and deeds of Jesus Christ. In his 2nd letter to the believers in Chapter 1 verses 16 and 19, Peter said 

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty . . . And we have the prophetic word made more sure”.

Peter also stated that true prophets do not speak their own words… as he wrote in verse 20 of the same letter, 

“Knowing this, first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit”.

4. Do the people benefit spiritually from the prophet’s ministry?

God’s desire was that ancient Israel would serve as a model nation and represent Him, to the nations around them. 

Israel would be blessed, as it fulfilled God’s expectations.

With this background, God warned His people, 

“‘Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,’ says the LORD, ‘and tell them, …and cause My people to err, by their lies and by their recklessness… yet, I did not send them or command them; therefore, they shall not profit this people at all,’ says the LORD” 

This statement by God is from the book of Jeremiah chapter 23: verse 32 (You should also read verses 13-14).

This is God’s word for all of God’s people.

Praise be to God!


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