Recognizing False Prophets/Teachers
by JWing
All prophets want to claim that they have God's truth on their side. Most are afraid to question anyone who says they have God on their side, for what if it is true? Because of this, many rulers and prophets have claimed divine connection or to be divine themselves in order to rob the masses and or to silence all criticism. Lets look at a few examples.
Even today many claim this divine connection for themselves calling themselves prophets. Luckily for us, God has not left us blind to believe just anyone who claims to speak in the name of Yahweh. Rather God has left a few methods for us to determine if a prophet is a true prophet of God or not. In fact the Bible tells us to test them to see if they are truly from God.
Jeremiah 23:21 (KJV)
21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. Jeremiah 27:9-10 (KJV) 9 Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: 10 For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. 1 John 4:1 Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 Corinthians 11:14 For Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light . |
7 METHODS to test if a prophet is truly of God
1) Do they preach of other gods (polytheism)?
The Bible, in its entirety, is consistent, from all 40 of its writers spanning 1600 years that there is only ONE god and that he exists in three distinct persons. It does not speak several or even a multitude of gods existing.
1) Do they preach of other gods (polytheism)?
The Bible, in its entirety, is consistent, from all 40 of its writers spanning 1600 years that there is only ONE god and that he exists in three distinct persons. It does not speak several or even a multitude of gods existing.
Isaiah 45:5 (KJV)
I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: Isaiah 45:6 (KJV) That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; |
The Bible is clearly monotheisic and the only one that is so. Even the Koran has preached polytheism within its pages (Qur’an (17:73-5 and 22:52-3)), not to mention Allah at one time was the Arab moon god and one of a pantheon before Muhammad selected him. Any prophet who says there is more than one god, any time in their career is automatically a false prophet. Joseph Smith and Muhammad both fit this category.
Deuteronomy 13 (KJV)
1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: Deuteronomy 18:20 (KJV) 20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. |
2) Do they teach that Jesus is God(Trinity) and that he died and rose again?
Many cults like Christian Science and Islam fall easily into this category. Many cults deny there is the existence of sin so therefore there is no need to for a savior. Others cults like the Seventh Day Adventist, Seventh Day Remnant, and Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus is not divine but rather the Archangel Michael. Many preach a mixture of faith and works instead of the Bible's clear faith in Jesus alone for salvation. Roman Catholics preach and show a dead Jesus who can't help you as much as the saints and Mary. Islam denies Christ was the son of God because they see the title "son of God" as only able to come about by God having sex. They also believe that a clever clone of Jesus was crucified which flies in the face of hundreds of eyewitnesses. |
1 John 4:2-3 (KJV)
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. |
3) Do they place God as the focus of their message or man?
Many of the new age or eastern religions place MAN as the focus of everything. They preach that you are a god yourself and only need their help to realize your inner godhood. Remember this was Satan's first lie in the Garden of Eden(Gen 3:5), that "you shall be gods". This idea also preaches of a myriad of gods as men all progress to god status. The truth is man can never replace God as he was created by God. The created is ALWAYS inferior to the creator. The sooner mankind realizes this the sooner he can stop striving to be God and take his rightful place beside creation praising God.
Many of the new age or eastern religions place MAN as the focus of everything. They preach that you are a god yourself and only need their help to realize your inner godhood. Remember this was Satan's first lie in the Garden of Eden(Gen 3:5), that "you shall be gods". This idea also preaches of a myriad of gods as men all progress to god status. The truth is man can never replace God as he was created by God. The created is ALWAYS inferior to the creator. The sooner mankind realizes this the sooner he can stop striving to be God and take his rightful place beside creation praising God.
Genesis 3:4-5 (KJV)
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Matthew 3:11 (KJV) 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. |
4) Do they do it for monetary gain or any personal gain?
The prosperity gospels all fall under this category. Benny Hinn, Joel Olsteen, Perry Stone, and myriads of others have joined the ranks of preaching that God is here to make you healthy, wealthy, and wise if you but give to God by giving to the preacher or the ministry. The REAL gospel however, was preached by true prophets who never did their ministries for money or personal gain of any kind. Even the apostles of Jesus were dirt poor. |
1 Kings 17 (KJV)
17 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 2 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, 3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. Matthew 3:4 (KJV) 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 1 Timothy 6:9-11 (KJV) 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. |
5) Are they speaking of things God has proclaimed not to be known by anyone?
Many YouTube video posters and the likes of Harold Camping, Ellen G White, and the Jehovah's Witnesses, have claimed to know the date of Jesus return recently. You can know these are false prophets because Jesus himself said that no man, nor angel knows the date of Jesus coming. A true prophet's messages is always in 100% agreement with the Bible. If the Bible says these things are hidden information they are forever hidden, because our God never changes. 2Cor 12:3-4 names Heaven as off limits to human knowledge. And several places mentions dates are not to be known. Anyone who claims they've been to Heaven and back is speaking contrary to the Bible and automatically a false prophet. |
Daniel 12:4 (KJV)
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time ofthe end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Matthew 24:36 (KJV) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 2 Corinthians 12:3-4 (KJV) 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. |
6) They add to, alter, twist, take out of context, or even replace the Bible.
Many times because the Bible doesn't agree with what the false prophets are teaching, they try to alter the Bible to fit what they are teaching. The easiest way to find their embellishments is to take the scripture verses they offer you and compare to them to multiple accepted versions. Usually their alterations become crystal clear. This too is strictly forbidden in God's word. |
Others have even dared to replace or supplement the Bible with their own Bible. The Seventh Day Adventist have rewritten and expanded the Bible with their Clear Word Bible. Jehovah's Witnesses replaced the Bible with their New World Translation. Mormons have added to the Bible with their Book of Mormon. And Muslims have tried to subplant the Bible with their Quran.
Revelation 22:18-19 (KJV)
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. |
7) Lastly does what they foretell come to pass?
Many of the most famous occults fall into this category along with others. The Seventh Day Adventist and Jehovah's Witnesses, with their constant date of Jesus return corrects, are known to all. Also Harold Camping and his 2nd botched rapture prediction of May 2011. What we tend forget is that anyone sent of the one true God, Yahweh, is always 100% right. It didn't matter if they were like Daniel foretelling something 2500 years into the future or Christ Jesus who predicted the complete destruction of the temple 40 years later or Jeremiah foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem only weeks later, they were all right on the dot with their predictions. |
Deuteronomy 18:22 (KJV)
22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. Jeremiah 28:9 (KJV) 9 The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him. |
Fate called for by the Bible for any false prophet.
Just like any king would consider it treason to for anyone speaking on his behalf whom he didn't really send, Yahweh does not take lightly any who claim to speak in His name. Back in the days of Old Testament Israel, God demanded the death penalty. False prophets today should be grateful we don't still execute false prophets like God required Israel to do.
Just like any king would consider it treason to for anyone speaking on his behalf whom he didn't really send, Yahweh does not take lightly any who claim to speak in His name. Back in the days of Old Testament Israel, God demanded the death penalty. False prophets today should be grateful we don't still execute false prophets like God required Israel to do.
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (KJV)
20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? 22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. Deuteronomy 13 (KJV) 1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. 5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. |
Conclusion
Whether you were someone who were led astray by these false prophets or teachers, or you are one of them, one thing the Bible is clear on is you must get in line with what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches that we are all sinners in both thought and deed before a holy just God who must punish all sin. However the Bible doesn't just leave us there without hope. Rather it tells us that the only way to be saved from God's punishment of our sinful thoughts and deeds is to repent and believe in Christ Jesus who died to pay for all our sins. Pray this:
Whether you were someone who were led astray by these false prophets or teachers, or you are one of them, one thing the Bible is clear on is you must get in line with what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches that we are all sinners in both thought and deed before a holy just God who must punish all sin. However the Bible doesn't just leave us there without hope. Rather it tells us that the only way to be saved from God's punishment of our sinful thoughts and deeds is to repent and believe in Christ Jesus who died to pay for all our sins. Pray this:
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Additional Readinghttp://false-teachers.com/