A false prophet is anyone who falsely claims to speak on God’s behalf. They are denounced in the OT and NT for leading people astray. Scripture provides criteria by which true prophets may be recognized and distinguished from false prophets, who often speak from corrupt motives.
MATTHEW 7: vs. 15-16
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
• We just witnessed where so-called prophets were exposed
• Inwardly they were ravening wolves
• Some even appeared to be ravening wolves outwardly
• These prophets said, ” God told them, or God showed them”
o That the former president was going to have a second term
o Which did not come to pass
SCRIPTURE CONCERNING FALSE SIGNS AND WONDERS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Matthew 24:10–11: And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:24 says: For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
SCRIPTURE SAY THE SIGNS AND WONDERS WILL BE SO INTENSE THAT IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, THE VERY ELECT WOULD BE DECEIVED.
STAY CLOSE TO JESUS, AND THE WORD OF GOD AND DON’T TAKE DECEPTION FOR GRANTED, AND YOU WILL REMAIN THE “ELECT”
• Many are being conned and tricked nowadays because they are following false signs and wonders.
• And thereby are following false doctrine and false prophets
• So, you cannot always tell how a minister looks
o What they are saying
o Or even what they are preaching
o Some preach other people’s sermons
o But their spirit is not correct.
SOME FRUITS OF FALSE PROPHETS
False Prophets messages originate with themselves
Jeremiah 23:16: Thus, saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
Their messages may be brought on by popular demand
Jeremiah 29:8–9: 8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.
Their messages may be given for a financial reward
Micah 3:11 The heads thereof judge for reward, And the priests thereof teach for hire, And the prophets thereof divine for money: Yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? None evil can come upon us.
Their messages may be the result of deception
Ezekiel 14:9: And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Their messages may be inspired by divination
Jeremiah 14:14: Then the LORD said unto me, the prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
Keep your eyes on Jesus and His Word and not on signs and wonders and miracles.
Stay close to the Word of God. You may be the only Bible that some will ever read. Cherish the truth of the Word of God. Repent if you have sat under or are under a false prophet. If you are a leader within the Body of Christ, repent publicly while you have the chance , for prophesying something that did not come to pass. May God bless you and use you in the coming days ahead as you are obedient to His Word.
Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Please, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.