What Does Jesus Say About False Prophets

Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers

A few months before the Savior’s earthly ministry came to an end, His disciples approached Him with a number of questions about the future: “Tell us. what will be the sign of thy arrival, and the sign of the end of the world?” says the prophet. “Take care that no one deceives you,” Jesus replied. “For many will come in my name, claiming to be Christ, and will deceive many.” . and there will be famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and other calamities in various parts of the world. Everything that has happened thus far is the beginning of sadness.” (See Matthew 24:3–8).

Furthermore, Paul taught that the Lord “granted some to be apostles, and others prophets.” .until we all come to the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God,.”that we no longer be children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph.

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, and for the edification of the church.

24:36).

Prior to His Second Coming, Jesus warned that “many false prophets would emerge, and many will be deceived.” He repeated this warning multiple times (Matt.
As Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is our responsibility to serve as watchmen on the wall, alerting Church members to be on the lookout for false prophets and false instructors who are lying in wait to trap and destroy faith and witness in the name of Christ.
President Joseph F.
You should be on the lookout for “any individual who claims to have received direct revelation from God to the Church, outside of the order and channel of the Priesthood,” according to the Fifth Edition of the Gospel Doctrine (Gospel Doctrine, 41–42).
We frequently presume that such persons are affiliated with small radical organizations operating on the periphery of society, and this assumption is correct.
There are others who, without permission, claim that the Church has endorsed their products and behaviors, and this is illegal.
Members of the Church sustained the First Presidency and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators yesterday, with Gordon B.

Him, and only he, is the only holder and executor of all of the keys to God’s kingdom on earth in their entirety.

President Hinckley preaches the everlasting plan of salvation in a straightforward and powerful manner, rebukes sin, and calls on all individuals to repent and embrace Christ and His message.

According to President Spencer W.

Unfortunately, we have discovered that being shown the way does not always imply that one should follow it” (“The False Gods We Worship,” Ensign, June 1976, 4).

Always be on the lookout for individuals who talk and publish in opposition to God’s legitimate prophets, as well as those who actively proselytize others with a reckless disdain for the eternal well-being of those they entice.

Their goal is to “put themselves up as a light unto the world, in order to acquire gain and honor from the world; nevertheless, they are not concerned with the welfare of Zion” (2 Ne.

The “proud and self-vaunting ones, who read by the lamps of their own conceit; who interpret by rules of their own devising; who have become a law unto themselves, and so pose as the sole judges of their own doings,” President Joseph F.

Now, allow me to give you a few examples of erroneous teachings of people who read by the lights of their own conceit, who, despite their “ever learning,” are “never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” because they are “never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim.

False prophets and false teachers are individuals who proclaim that the Prophet Joseph Smith was a deceitful deceiver and who reject the First Vision as a genuine spiritual experience, respectively.

Moreover, they make an attempt to redefine the essence of the Godhead, and they deny that God has provided and continues to grant revelation to His ordained and maintained prophets in the present day.

So they say that Scripture requires new interpretation, and that they are uniquely suited to provide that interpretation because they have a unique perspective on it.

They do not believe in the necessity of a Savior.

False prophets and false teachers are also those who seek to modify the God-given and scripturally based teachings that defend the sanctity of marriage, the divine character of the family, and the vital notion of personal morality, all of which are protected by the Bible.

Some people are vocal in their support for the legalization of so-called same-gender weddings.

No matter which specific false doctrines they teach, false prophets and false teachers will always be a part of the last days, no matter how many times they appear.

Joseph Fielding Smith, 365).

And just as Lehi advised his kids in ancient times, so is this counsel valid for us today: “And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of mankind from the fall.” “Therefore, men are free according to the body; and all things are given them that are beneficial to man.” Therefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them that are beneficial to man.” Moreover, they are free to choose either liberty and eternal life through the great Mediator of all men, or captivity and death, according to the captivity and strength of the devil; because the devil seeks to make all men wretched, as he himself miserable.” ‘And as for you, my sons, I would have you look to the great Mediator, heed his great commands, and be true unto his words, choosing eternal life in accordance with the will of his Holy Spirit,’ I would say to you (2 Ne.

2:26–28).
Let us love the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, as they have loved us.
Let us love one another and fill our hearts and spirits with the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which shines through the entire world.
Isa.
5:22–23, 25).
Because of us, the restored gospel will become much more relevant, meaningful, compelling, and appealing to others as a result of their experience.
A long face and a heavy heart are not required as part of our discipleship journey with the Lord.

As we grow to grasp the Father’s and Son’s love for us, our spirits will soar, and we shall “come to Zion, singing with songs of eternal joy,” as the prophet Isaiah said (D C 45:71).

Remember that our actions, rather than our words, are a greater deterrent to others than our theology.

Let us keep in mind that it is our responsibility to uphold the restored principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.

Lucifer, the opponent of truth, does not like for us to have or have that type of trust in ourselves or others.

If he is successful, they will turn their backs on the light and into the darkness of the rest of the universe.

I am certain that God exists. Jesus is the Christ, according to the Bible. Being eagerly engaged in this true and holy endeavor brings enormous delight to those who believe in the restoration of the gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ, I vouch for this, and I say it with conviction.

False Prophets

See also Antichrist
Church of the Devil
False Christs
Priestcraft
And Satanism.

You are not to listen to the prophecy of the prophet. Exodus 13:3
Prophet, who shall presume to declare a word. which I have not ordered, shall be put to death. At the end of Deuteronomy 18:20, Ahab brought the prophets together. 1 Kings 18:20
A prophet who spreads deception
9:15
The priest and the prophet have erred, according to Isa. In the book of Isaiah, verse 7, the prophets prophesied by Baal, Jer. 2:8
Prophets who make false prophecies Jer. 5:31 (14:14)
Both the prophet and the priest are profane, according to the Bible. Jer. 23:11
Prophets who. speak a vision of their own hearts, Jer. 23:16(Ezek. 13:2)
Against those who prophesy false dreams, Jer. 23:16(Ezek. 13:2)
Against those who prophesy false dreams, Prophecya lie in my name, according to Jer. 23:32 (Zech. 10:2)
Hananiah, the prophet (Jer. 27:15). The Lord has not sent thee, and you are not his servant. They prophesy falsely unto you in my name, according to Jer. 28:15. In Jeremiah 29:9, it says, “Thy prophets have seen vain and stupid things.” Lam. 2:14
Conspiracy of herprophets, Ezek. 22:25
Prophetalso shall fall with thee in the night, Lam. 2:14
Prophetalso shall fall with thee in the night, Lam. Hosea 4:5
Prophets who cause my people to err, Micah 3:5
Prophets who divine for money, Micah 3:11
Prophets who cause my people to err, Hosea 4:5
Prophets who cause my people to

Many false prophets will arise, and many will be deceived by them,Matt. 24:11(JS—M 1:9)
There will arise false Christs, and false prophets,Matt. 24:24(Mark 13:22
JS—M 1:22)
Such are false apostles, deceitful workers,2 Cor. 11:13
They profess to know God, but in deeds they deny him,Titus 1:16
Manyfalse

After there had been false prophets,W of M 1:16
Receive him, and say that he is a prophet,Hel. 13:27
Many priests and false prophets,4 Ne. 1:34
Many priests and false prophets,W of M 1:16
After there had been false prophets,W of M 1:16
Receive him, and say that he is a prophet,W of M 1:16

The identities of those who are not apostles and prophets will be revealed. D C 64:39
D C 64:40

See also Exodus 7:11, Jeremiah 12:10, 2 Timothy 4:3, 2 Ne. 28:12, Jacob 7:1, Alma 1:15, D C 28:2
43:3
123:12, Moses 5:13, and others.

Matthew 7:15 – Wikipedia

Matthew 7:15
←7:147:16→
Illustration of Christ’s teaching in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets”, a section of wing panel from the Mompelgarter Altarpiece.
Book	Gospel of Matthew
Christian Bible part	New Testament

‘Matthew 7:15’ is the fifteenth verse of Matthew’s seventh chapter in the New Testament’s Gospel of Matthew, and it is a part of Jesus’Sermon on the Mount. This passage serves as the introduction to the section warning against false prophets.

Content

The language of the King James Version of the Bible states: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothes, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” In other words, be on the lookout for those who claim to be prophets but are actually wolves. The text is translated as follows in the World English Bible: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothes, but who are ravening wolves on the inside.” In the Greek New Testament, the text is:o, which means “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,” “new testament,”

The metaphor

A wolf in sheep’s clothes who has been hung. Image of Aesop’s tale from the Middle Ages, created in the nineteenth century. False prophets are frequently mentioned in the New Testament, sheep were an important part of life in the Galilee during Jesus’ time, and the metaphor of the pious as a flock of sheep is found in both the Old and New Testaments. False prophets are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, and sheep were an important part of life in the Galilee during Jesus’ time. In ancient times, wolves were regarded as greedy and malevolent predators who posed a threat to the innocent, and such wolf metaphors can be found throughout Scripture, including the Book of Revelation.

It is unclear who, if anybody, this verse is aimed towards in this passage of scripture.
Davies and Allison mention a number of groups that have been proposed by academics.
France observes that the phrase “prophets coming to you” suggests that these prophets are from outside the community of disciples, which is supported by the text.
Matthew 7:22, on the other hand, appears to state unequivocally that the false prophets are Christian, rather than Jewish.
However, while Christian sects such as the Gnostics would go on to become strong competitors to orthodox Christianity in subsequent years, Gnosticism was not yet a major source of worry at the time this Gospel was written.
Paul.
False prophets were a regular source of anxiety in the Old Testament, as seen in the book of Jeremiah.
The figures inMatthew 7:21 – 22are taken aback by the severity with which they are condemned, yet the wording of the passage makes it plain that prophets in this verse are well aware that they are deceiving the faithful.
The idiom “a wolf in sheep’s clothes” has become a frequent expression in the English language.

Pseudo-Chrysostom: After previously instructing His Apostles that they should not do their alms, prayers, and fastings in front of others, as hypocrites do, the Lord speaks, warning them to be on the lookout for false prophets, so that they may be aware that all of these things may be performed in hypocrisy.

Pseudo-Chrysostom: What is said below, that the Law and the Prophets were in effect until the coming of John (Matt.
Prophets have existed and continue to exist, but not in the sense of prophesying about Christ, but rather in the sense of interpreting the things that had been predicted about Christ by the ancients, i.e.
Because only the Spirit of prophecy has the ability to reveal the meaning of prophecy.
For when something is definite, it is simply observed or observed; nevertheless, when something is doubtful, it is observed or closely evaluated.

The phrase “Take heed” does not necessarily imply that the Devil will introduce heresies against God’s will, but only with His permission; rather, it implies that God would not choose servants without putting them through trial, so He sends them temptation, and because He would not want them to perish as a result of their ignorance, He warns them beforehand about this.

Christians are referred to as sheep, and the sheep’s attire represents a kind of Christianity as well as a form of fictitious religion.

Another thing He says is that they are ravening wolves on the inside, so that the heretic cannot claim that He is speaking of the real instructors who were still sinners when this passage is written.

As a result, it is clear that He is speaking about heretical instructors, who masquerade as Christians in order to rend the Christian apart with their vicious teeth of seduction.

When it comes to the kind of things the Apostle is talking about, I know that after my departure there will be dreadful wolves among you who will not spare the sheep. (See Acts 20:29 for further information.)

References

A wolf in sheep’s clothes who has been hung for his crimes. Image of Aesop’s tale from the Middle Ages from the nineteenth century. True prophets are frequently mentioned in the New Testament, sheep were an important part of life in the Galilee during Jesus’ time, and the metaphor of pious people being like a flock of sheep appears frequently in both the Old and New Testaments. False prophets are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, and the metaphor of pious people being like a flock of sheep appears frequently in the Old Testament. In ancient times, wolves were considered as hungry and evil predators who posed a threat to the innocent, and similar wolf analogies may be found throughout Scripture, including the Book of Revelation. Interestingly, Schweizer believes this image may be related to the ancient portrayal of prophets as being clothed with hides. It is unclear who, if anybody, this verse is aimed towards in this passage of Scripture. There were various opponents to the Christian communities at the time of the writing of the gospel, and it is possible that the author of Matthew is making a direct reference to one of them in this passage. Several groupings of scholars have been offered, as Davies and Allison point out in their article. There are other false prophets referenced in the literature of the time period, includingSimon Magus andBar Kokhba, but there is no indication in the text that it is referring to any of them specifically. As France points out, the phrase “prophets coming to you” suggests that these prophets are not members of the community of disciples, which is consistent with this interpretation. It is possible that this is another attack on the Pharisees, who are the principal opponents of the virtuous throughout the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 7:22, on the other hand, appears to state unequivocally that the false prophets are Christian, rather than Jewish in origin. In addition, other Jewish sects functioning during this time period, such as the Essenes and the Zealots, may be ruled out as well. Christian organizations like as the Gnostics would eventually emerge as significant competitors to orthodox Christianity, but at the time of the writing of this Gospel, Gnosticism had not yet emerged as a major source of concern. This verse has been interpreted as an assault on Pauline Christianity by scholars who believe that there is a conflict between the Jewish Christianity of Matthew and the larger gospel of St.Paul. Switzerland’s Schweizer believes that the concept of false prophets is strongly associated with eschatology, and that this chapter alludes to events that are predicted to take place in the end times rather than to any existing adversaries. For example, in the book of Jeremiah, false prophets were a regular source of anxiety. In France’s opinion, even if there were no present concerns, Jesus’ experience with false prophets in the Old Testament would have prompted him to be cautious about their risks. The figures inMatthew 7:21 – 22are taken aback by the severity with which they are condemned, yet the wording of the passage makes it plain that prophets in this verse are well aware that they are deceiving God’s people. Additionally, some Christians read this scripture as referring to not only a single false prophet, but rather to any false teachers inside the Christian church who preach against the Gospel in general. When it comes to English, the idiom “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” has become a commonplace phrase. One character in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is referred to as a “wolvish ravening lamb,” which alludes to this concept. Other cultural applications of the term may be found in the film The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing. Pseudo-Chrysostom: After previously instructing His Apostles that they should not do their alms, prayers, and fastings in front of others, as hypocrites do, the Lord speaks, warning them to be on the lookout for false prophets, so that they will be aware that all of these things may be performed in hypocrisy. Augustine:When the Lord remarked that there were few who found the strait gate and narrow route, so that heretics, who often laud themselves because of their tiny numbers, may not impose themselves here, He immediately followed up with the warning, “Beware of false prophets.” The Apostle John Chrysostom, after emphasizing that the gate is narrow because there are many who corrupt the path that leads to it, continues by warning, “Beware of false prophets.” His purpose is to remind them of the evils that were done among their forefathers, branding them false prophets, so that they will be more cautious in the future. After all, similar things happened even in that day. Pseudo-Chrysostom: According to Matthew 11:13, it is said that the Law and the Prophets were in effect until John, since there should be no prophesy concerning Christ until He had arrived. It is true that prophets have existed and continue to exist, but they are not those who prophesy about Christ, but rather those who interpret the things that have been predicted about Christ by the ancients, i.e. by the doctors of the Churches Because no one else save the Spirit of prophecy is capable of unraveling prophetic significance. As a result, the Lord cautions them about various heresies, warning, “Beware of false prophets.” He also warns them about false instructors. Moreover, because they would not be outwardly Gentiles but would hide behind the Christian name, He did not say, “See ye,” but he said, “Take notice.” For when something is definite, it is merely observed or gazed upon
Yet, when something is doubtful, it is closely observed or carefully analyzed in detail. Take note as well, because getting to know someone you should avoid is a surefire security measure. The phrase “Take heed” does not necessarily imply that the Devil will introduce heresies against God’s will, but only with His permission
Rather, it implies that God would not choose servants without putting them through trial, so He sends them temptation, and because He would not want them to perish as a result of their ignorance, He warns them beforehand of this. Moreover, He says, in order that no heretical teacher may claim that He was speaking here of Gentile and Jewish instructors rather than of them, who come to yon disguised as sheep. Christians are referred to as sheep, and the sheep’s attire represents a sort of Christianity as well as a form of false religiosity, according to others. In addition, there is nothing that so completely eliminates all good as hypocrisy
For evil that masquerades as good is impossible to protect against since it is unknowable. Another thing He says is that they are ravening wolves on the inside, so that the heretic cannot claim that He is speaking of the real instructors who were still sinners. However, Catholic instructors, if they were genuinely sinners, are referred to as slaves of the flesh rather than as ravening wolves, because it is not their intention to exterminate Christians from the church. Clearly, He is speaking about heretical professors, who masquerade as Christians in order to rend the Christian apart with their vicious teeth of seduction. I am aware that dreadful wolves will infiltrate your midst after my departure, and that they will not spare the sheep, as the Apostle mentions. (See Acts 20:29 for further information.)

Beware of False Teachers

Beware of impostors who claim to be teachers. Matthew 7:15 warns us to be on the lookout for false prophets, who appear to you in sheep’s clothing but are really ravening wolves on the inside.

False prophets have been around for a long time. False prophets are mentioned several times in the Bible.

In 1st John 4:1, the apostle John warns, “Do not trust every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are of God,” for many false prophets have been sent out into the world.

In Matthew 24, we are warned that the closer we approach to the end of the world, the greater the number of false prophets will be.

At that point, the disciples approached him secretly, asking, “Tell us when these things will take place.” Matthew 24:3-5; 24-And while he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying, “Tell us when these things will take place.” What will be the sign of thy arrival, as well as the indication of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus responded by saying to them, “Be on the lookout that no one deceives you.” 5 For many will come in my name, claiming to be Christ, and many will be deceived as a result.

One of the reasons why there are so many false prophets is that people are unable to hear or accept the truth. Our culture has come to reject the concept of ultimate moral truth.

First, the definition of a False Prophet.

A real prophet was God’s voice to the people
He was God’s representative. When they were immediately given the Word of God, they faithfully conveyed the Word of God
It was the source of knowledge that distinguished a real prophet from a fake prophet that made the most difference.

False prophets would convey teachings that came directly from their own hearts and thoughts, and they would do it again.

Jeremiah 14:14- Then the Lord said unto me, “The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I have not sent them, nor have I commanded them, nor have I spoken unto them; they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.” I had no idea what he was talking about. Jeremiah 23:16 – Thus says the Lord of hosts, Do not pay attention to the words of the prophets who prophesy unto you; they will lead you astray; they will utter a vision from their own hearts, and not from the mouth of the Lord, and you will perish.

I did not send these prophets, yet they prophesied.

An other significant distinction between legitimate prophets and false prophets was their motivation.

They told the public what they wanted to hear, despite the fact that it was incorrect. They were looking for financial benefit.

If you don’t prophesy right things to us, say pleasant words to us, or prophesy deceits, you’re doing us a disservice. Micah 3:11- and the prophets thereof divine for money. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (New International Version) For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but will heap instructors upon themselves according to their own lusts, having itchy ears; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and will be converted to falsehoods as a result.

Prophets do not exist in the modern day. Understand the scriptures so that you can determine the difference between a genuine prophet and a fake prophet

As compared to those in Thessalonica, they were more noble in that they received the word with full readiness of mind and studied the Scriptures everyday to see whether what they had heard was correct.

Secondly, the danger of false prophets.

Matthew 7:15 warns us to be on the lookout for false prophets, who appear to you in sheep’s clothing but are really ravening wolves on the inside.

Warning: Be on the lookout for false prophets who come to you dressed as lambs but are really ravenous wolves on the inside. Matthew 7:15

Thirdly, the deception of false prophets.

A person might easily be fooled and eventually destroyed when an adversary pretends to be a friend.

2nd Corinthians 11:13-15 (New International Version) For such are false apostles, deceptive workers, who pose as apostles of Christ in order to defraud others of their faith.

14 And it’s no surprise, for Satan himself has been converted into an angel of light. 15 As a result, it is not a great deal if his ministers are likewise changed into ministers of righteousness, whose fate will be determined by their deeds.

A fake prophet would disguise himself in such a way that he appears to be a genuine prophet. How can we tell the difference between fake prophets and real prophets if they are so deceptive?

Those who reject biblical theology or manipulate scripture to suit their own purposes will be condemned.

You must be familiar with the Bible in order to recognize fraudulent instructors. Beware of impostors who claim to be teachers.

Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as your Savior? Do you have a certain knowledge that you will go to paradise when you die? The assurance that you will go to paradise and that your sins are forgiven is available to you! Questions? Please get in touch with us! Aaron White is a writer and musician from the United Kingdom. 2021-05-24T16:06:01-04:00

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Bible Verses About False Teachers

When the multitudes and his followers gathered, Jesus stated, “The professors of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.” 3As a result, you must be cautious to follow their instructions. However, do not follow their example because they do not practice what they teach. 4They bind big, burdensome weights together and place them on the shoulders of others, but they are not prepared to move the loads themselves until forced to. 5″Everything they do is done for the benefit of others: they make their phylacteries large and the tassels on their garments long;6they enjoy being given the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in synagogues;7they enjoy being greeted with reverence in the marketplaces and being addressed as ‘Rabbi’ by others;8they enjoy being treated with respect in the marketplaces and being addressed as ‘Rabbi’ by others.

8″However, you are not to be addressed as ‘Rabbi,’ because you have just one Teacher and are all brothers.
10You are also not to be referred to as instructors, because you have only one instructor, the Messiah.
For those who elevate themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted, as the saying goes.
You slammed the door of the kingdom of heaven shut in people’s faces, and they were angry.
15 “Woe to you, professors of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” says the Lord.
16″Woe betide you, you deaf guides!
17You deafening ignoramuses!

In addition, you declare, “If someone swears by the altar, it signifies nothing; but anyone who vowes by the gift on the altar, that oath is binding on both parties.” 19You deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deaf Which is more important: the gift itself or the shrine that elevates the gift to a spiritual level?

Anyone who swears by the altar does so in honor of it as well as of everything on it.
Likewise, everyone who swears by the sky does so in the name of God’s throne and the one who sits on it.
You donate a tenth of your spices, which include mint, dill, and cumin.
You should have put in the time to do the latter while not ignoring the former.
The gnat is extracted, but the camel is swallowed.
You clean the surface of the cup and plate, but the insides are brimming with greed and self-indulgence, as you have discovered.
After you have cleaned the interior of the cup and dish, you may go on to cleaning the outside of the cup and dish.
You are like to whitewashed tombs, which appear lovely on the surface but are filled with the bones of the dead and everything else that is dirty on the inside.
29 I say to you, professors of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites: Woe to you!

You erect tombs for prophets and beautify the graves of the virtuous, among other things. 30 In response, you claim that if you or your ancestors had lived at the time of the prophets, you or they would not have joined them in pouring their blood.

What Does the Bible Warn about False Prophets?

The Bible warns, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but who are inwardly ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15; Luke 7:15) Every day, we are inundated with messages such as: “Buy this.” Carry out your instructions. Moreover, when it comes to teachings pertaining to matters of religion, we might easily become perplexed as to what is and is not real. During the time of the Old Testament, God frequently spoke with His people through prophets, exceptional individuals whom He handpicked to serve as vehicles for delivering His words.

What Is the Meaning of the Word “Prophet”?

The term “prophet” derives from the Hebrew wordnabiornabiy, which means “to bubble forth, like a fountain,” as well as “to utter, pronounce, or “pour forth” a proclamation or message. Prophets are frequently referred to by other names, such as hozehandro’eh, which means “seer.” The phrase is intended to indicate that the individual is getting a direct message from God, and that the message or vision subsequently “bubbles forth” for others to hear as well.

The Purpose of Prophets in the Bible

It is the responsibility of a prophet to receive a message from God — whether it is a spoken instruction or other words, or whether it is in the form of a vision or dream — and then to deliver that message to the people of the world. God frequently dispatched prophets to warn or instruct the populace. It was not uncommon for them to act as God’s envoy, ambassador, or public speaker. In order to ensure that their acts were in accordance with the Lord’s will before making big choices, such as waging war, Israel’s rulers would consult prophets before making such decisions.

Example: In 2 Samuel 7, God revealed to the prophet Nathan via a dream that David would not be the one to construct the Lord’s Temple, but that David’s descendants would be the ones who did.

Many of God’s prophets, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Habakkuk, wrote writings that are included in the Old Testament.

According to Peter, the genesis of a prophecy does not lie in the human will, but rather in the fact that “prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).

The Difference Between a Prophet and a False Prophet

When it comes to the Word of God, a true prophet is one who hears it and then proclaims it. A false prophet is one who gets a message by other methods, such as divination, fortune telling, or sorcery, whether the word comes from their own brains or comes from other, false gods. It is impossible to believe in these corrupt, dishonest messages since they are not from God. Sometimes people pretended to be actual prophets in order to deceive others, like in Nehemiah 6:10-15, when a false prophet sought to persuade Nehemiah to hide in the temple, but Nehemiah understood he was being duped and escaped the trap.

What Does It Mean to Be a False Prophet?

Throughout the Bible, God is brutally critical of false prophets, occult activities, and various forms of sorcery. The Bible identifies a false prophet as someone who “pretends to declare in My name what I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods” (Matthew 7:15). (Deuteronomy 18:20). Jeremiah 14:14 states that these evildoers prophesy falsehoods, presenting “false visions, divinations,” idolatries,” and “the illusions of their own minds,” according to the Word of God.

For such guys are fake apostles, deceptive workers who pose as apostles of Christ in order to defraud the public.

As a result, it should come as no surprise that his subordinates likewise masquerade themselves as servants of justice.

What Does the Bible Say?

According to Deuteronomy 18:9-20, God urges His people not to participate in divination, cast spells, consult mediums, or listen to anybody who claims to be speaking in the name of other gods, lest they be punished. He believes that these false prophets should be put to death. God displays His disapproval even more vehemently in Jeremiah, and this is true both of false prophets and of people who follow their teachings. Therefore, the Lord says of prophets who are prophesying in My name: “I did not send them, yet they are declaring, ‘No sword or hunger will hit this area,'” the Lord says.

And because of the hunger and the sword, the people to whom they are prophesying will be cast out into the streets of Jerusalem.

It is my intention to inflict on them the tragedy that they deserve” (Jeremiah 14:15-16). Throughout the book of Jeremiah, God declares that He is “against” false prophets, and in Zechariah 13:3, He decrees that they must be stabbed to death by their own parents.

Are There Any in the New Testament?

False prophets were an issue not just in the Old Testament, but they were also a problem for the apostles in the New Testament as well. When Barnabas and Paul were delivering the gospel message to the proconsul of Paphos, they came upon a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet, according to the Book of Acts, which is recorded in the Bible. When the sorcerer attempted to challenge their teaching, a Holy Spirit-filled Paul slammed him in the face, causing him to lose his sight in the process. The proconsul was taken aback by what he saw.

Those who have done wrong will be “punished with harm for the harm that they have caused” (2 Peter 2:13).

Do They Exist Today?

Throughout the Old Testament, false prophets were a concern, and they continued to be an issue for the apostles in the New Testament as well. According to the Book of Acts, Barnabas and Paul came across a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet while delivering the message of God to the proconsul of Paphos. Sorcerer sought to contradict their preaching, and when Paul, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, retaliated vocally, causing him to lose his vision. The proconsul was taken aback by what he was seeing.

Those who have done wrong will be “punished with damage for the harm that they have caused”.

How Can We Tell If Someone Is a False Prophet?

Throughout the Old Testament, false prophets were a concern, and they continued to be an issue for the apostles in the New Testament. For example, the Book of Acts relates a time when Barnabas and Paul came face to face with a Jewish magician and false prophet when delivering the message of God to the proconsul of Paphos. When the sorcerer attempted to challenge their teaching, a Holy Spirit-filled Paul slammed him in the face, causing him to lose his sight. The proconsul was taken aback. Similarly to false prophets, the Apostle Peter warned of “false professors,” who would “secretly bring harmful heresies” into the Church (2 Peter 2:1).

What does the Bible say about false prophets?

QuestionAnswer True prophets proclaim the truth while disseminating erroneous doctrines and messages while claiming to be speaking the Word of God. False prophets appeared in the Bible, and they spoke on behalf of false gods as well. False prophets performed their prophetic duties in an illicit manner or with the intent of deceiving others. False prophets, according to the Bible, are responsible for leading people astray. However, although the phrase “false prophet” does not appear in the Old Testament, allusions to false prophets are apparent and numerous throughout the text.

I have not sent them, appointed them, or spoken with them in any way.
It was the source of knowledge that distinguished someone like Jeremiah, a legitimate prophet of God, from false prophets that was the most significant distinction.
God expresses His disapproval of the false prophets, saying, “I did not send these prophets, but they have spread their word; I did not speak to them, yet they have predicted” (Jeremiah 23:21).
Truly prophetic individuals are motivated first and foremost by their commitment to God, but false prophets are driven by their own self-interest and a desire to be popular among the people (1 Kings 22:13–14).
To be sure, the people of Judah were more interested in receiving pleasant teachings from the false prophets: “Don’t tell us what is right.
“Tell us white lies” (Isaiah 30:10, NLT).
Israel was unable to distinguish between a genuine prophet and a false prophet on a consistent basis.

As Ahab’s 400 advisers made promises of triumph for the king, Jehoshaphat heard them but had the impression that these men were fake prophets who did not have the mind of the Lord.

They did little more than say what the king wanted to hear and receive their salaries from the royal coffers in exchange.

Ahab summoned the prophet Micaiah, but he did so reluctantly: “I despise him,” Ahab said, “since he never predicts anything nice about myself, but always evil about others” (1 Kings 22:8).

Micaiah, whose prophecies came to pass, was proven to be the genuine prophet of God by the events that followed.

False prophets were subjected to harsh punishment in the Old Testament: “If any prophet dares to utter a message in My name that I have not instructed him to speak, or if any prophet dares to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet shall be put to death” (Deuteronomy 18:20).

You will be able to identify them by their fruit.

Similarly, every excellent tree produces nice fruit, and every bad tree produces terrible fruit.

“Every tree that does not yield good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire,” Jesus said, describing the dire repercussions of being a false prophet.

Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will be let into the kingdom of heaven, but only those who follow the instructions of my heavenly Father will be admitted.

Then I’ll tell them straight out, ‘I’ve never met you before.’ ‘Get away from me, you nefarious individuals!'” (Matthew 7:19–23; Luke 7:19–23.) For example, the Bible defines false prophets as adulterous (Jeremiah 23:14), treacherous (Zephaniah 3:4), drunkards (Isaiah 28:7), wicked (Jeremiah 23:11), lying (Jeremiah 14:14), and related with divination and witchcraft (Jeremiah 14:14; 23:14).

As instructed by Scripture, believers are encouraged to exercise diligence in their faith and loyalty to Christ’s teachings so that they would be able to recognize fake prophets and false instructors as soon as possible (2 Peter 1:10; 1:19—2:1; 1 John 4:1).

The trick is to understand what a genuine prophet looks like: When a real prophet speaks, his or her words will be carried out (Deuteronomy 18:21–22; Jeremiah 28:8–9).

When a real prophet speaks, his or her teachings will inspire moral action and bring spiritual benefit (Deuteronomy 13:1–4; Jeremiah 23:13–14, 32; Ezekiel 13:17–23; Ezekiel 14:4–8; Lamentations 2:14, among others).

According to 1 John 4:1–6, a real prophet will confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Questions concerning False Doctrine (return to top of page) When it comes to false prophets, what does the Bible say?

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QuestionAnswer As defined by the Bible, a false prophet is someone who promotes erroneous doctrines or messages while claiming to speak for God. Fake prophets appeared in the Bible, speaking on behalf of false gods as well as on their own behalf. For the intention of deceit or illegitimacy, false prophets carried out their prophetic duties in an illegitimate manner. For leading people astray, false prophets are denounced in the Bible, according to the Bible. However, while the phrase “false prophet” does not appear in the Old Testament, allusions to false prophets are apparent and numerous throughout the text.

I have not sent them, appointed them, or spoken with them in any way whatsoever.

True prophets did not give communications from God; they gave messages that originated in their own hearts and minds: “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Do not listen to what the prophets are saying to you; they are filling your hearts and minds with false hopes.’ They proclaim visions from their own thoughts, rather than from the mouth of the LORD’.” The Bible says this in Jeremiah 23:16; see also Jeremiah 14:14; 23:25–32; Ezekiel 13:1–7.

God expresses His disapproval of the false prophets, saying, “I did not send these prophets, but they have spread their word; I did not speak to them, yet they predicted” (Jeremiah 23:21).
In contrast to false prophets, who are driven only by self-interest and a desire to be popular with the populace (1 Kings 22:13–14), true prophets are motivated by allegiance to God above all else.
Naturally, the people of Judah favored the pleasant teachings of the false prophets: “Don’t tell us what is proper.
Say things that aren’t true (Isaiah 30:10, NLT).
Israel was unable to distinguish between a legitimate prophet and a false prophet on a consistent basis.
This is recorded in 1 Kings 22:1.
Ahab’s “yes men,” fake prophets who had no regard for transmitting the real Word of God, confirmed Jehoshaphat’s suspicions: they were Ahab’s “yes men.” Essentially, they did nothing other than say what the monarch wanted to hear and receive their pay from the royal coffers.

Even though Ahab was reluctant, he summoned the prophet Micaiah: “I despise him,” Ahab said, “since he never predicts anything good about me, but only negative” (1 Kings 22:8).

As it turned out, Micaiah was the actual prophet of God, and his words came to pass.

True prophets were subjected to terrible punishment in the Old Testament: “If any prophet dares to announce in My name a message that I have not directed him to speak, or if any prophet dares to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet shall be put to death” (Deuteronomy 18:20).

Identify them by the fruit that they bear.

Furthermore, every healthy tree yields fruit, but every unhealthy tree bears fruit that is harmful to the environment.

Only those who do the will of my heavenly Father, who is in heaven, will be admitted into the kingdom of heaven, not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord, Lord.’ “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and drive devils out of people in your name, and perform numerous miracles in your name?” will be one of the questions I will hear on that day.

False prophets are described in the Bible as adulterous (Jeremiah 23:14), treacherous (Zephaniah 3:4), drunkards (Isaiah 28:7), wicked (Jeremiah 23:11), liars (Jeremiah 14:14; 23:14), and related with divination and witchcraft (Jeremiah 14:14).
The Bible instructs Christians to be attentive in their faith and loyalty to Christ’s teachings so that they would be able to identify false prophets and false instructors as soon as possible (2 Peter 1:10; 1:19—2:1; 1 John 4:1; 1 John 4:1).
Understanding what a genuine prophet looks like is essential: Deuteronomy 18:21–22; Jeremiah 28:8–9 are examples of prophetic utterances that will be fulfilled.
When a real prophet speaks, his or her teachings will inspire moral action and bring spiritual benefit (Deuteronomy 13:1–4; Jeremiah 23:13–14, 32; Ezekiel 13:17–23; Ezekiel 14:4–8; Lamentations 2:14, for example).

According to 1 John 4:1–6, a real prophet will accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Request a return to:False Doctrine: Questions and Answers Is there anything in the Bible that says false prophets should not be believed?

What Is a False Prophet?

QuestionAnswer When someone claims to be speaking the Word of God, they are referred to be false prophets. False prophets appeared in the Bible, and they also spoke on behalf of false gods. False prophets performed their prophetic duties in an unlawful or deceptive manner. False prophets are denounced in the Bible for leading people astray. Although the phrase “false prophet” does not appear in the Old Testament, allusions to false prophets are prevalent and numerous. False prophets are described in detail in the book of Jeremiah: “Then the LORD said to me, ‘The prophets are prophesying falsehoods in my name.'” I have not sent them, appointed them, or communicated with them.

The major distinction between someone like Jeremiah, a legitimate prophet of God, and false prophets was the source of information they received.
“I did not send these prophets, yet they have spread their word; I did not speak to them, yet they have predicted,” God says of false prophets (Jeremiah 23:21).
Truly prophetic individuals are motivated first and foremost by their commitment to God, but false prophets are driven by their own self-interest and a desire to be popular with the people (1 Kings 22:13–14).
Naturally, the people of Judah preferred the pleasant teachings of the false prophets: “Don’t tell us what is right.
“Tell us white lies” (Isaiah 30:10, NLT).
Israel was not always able to distinguish between a genuine prophet and a false prophet.
The prophesies of triumph from Ahab’s 400 advisers reached Jehoshaphat, who suspected that these men were fake prophets who did not speak with the mind of the Lord.
They did little more than say what the king wanted to hear and receive their salaries from the royal treasury to keep their jobs.
Although unwillingly, Ahab summoned the prophet Micaiah to his court: “I despise him,” Ahab said, “because he never predicts anything good about me, but only terrible” (1 Kings 22:8).
Micaiah, whose prophecies came to pass, was proven to be the genuine prophet of God by the events that occurred.

Clearing up prophesy confusion

Taking a deep dive into the subject of prophecy might be a bit overwhelming. Persons like Isaiah or Nahum, for example, are examples of people who functioned under the guise of a prophet. However, we also see leaders such as Saul experiencing euphoric encounters with God and prophesying both day and night (1 Samuel 19:23–24), which is a rare occurrence. The prophet Amos comes to mind when we think of the Old Testament prophets. Amos was selected by God to proclaim His word, which was as follows: “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet; rather, I was a shepherd who also looked after a grove of sycamore-fig trees in the wilderness.

Furthermore, these two applications might contribute to the uncertainty surrounding prophets.
Carmel engaged in a major standoff, we are told that the pagans were having difficulty convincing their gods to accept their sacrifice.
“Shout even louder!” he said.
Perhaps he is deep in meditation, or perhaps he is busy, or perhaps he is traveling.
After midday had gone, they continued their frenetic prophesying until it was time for the nighttime sacrifice to take place.
The activity of the Baal worshipers is described in this passage as “prophesying” in the New International Version of the Bible.
However, they were not saying the words of God; rather, they were whipping themselves into a frenzy in an attempt to attract the attention of their gods.
For the sake of this study, we’ll focus on false prophets who claimed to speak on God’s behalf, but who in reality corrupted God’s word.

Rise of the false prophets

Israel, as Yahweh’s people, was dependant on hearing and responding to God’s voice in all circumstances. The law was the means by which the Lord led His people, the priesthood was the means by which He cared for His people, and the prophets were the means by which the Lord corrected and guided His people. He would sometimes talk personally to a person through the medium of a prophet. In 2 Samuel 12, when Nathan confronts David about his immorality with Bathsheba, we see a wonderful illustration of this principle in action.

This is known as a national message.

It was these fake prophets who would sell their services to various authorities and rulers.

Historically, it has been a source of contention that individuals would pay to hear what they want.

They would say anything they needed to say in order to keep their pockets stuffed with cash. On top of that, unscrupulous leaders hired false prophets to mislead Israel into believing in their own gods.

The sins of false prophets

God devoted a significant portion of the Old Testament to calling out these potentially hazardous prophets. He holds them accountable for a number of transgressions, which are listed below.

Whitewashing

False prophets would “whitewash” the reality about Israel’s transgressions, rather than teaching her the truth about herself. When the reality was revealed, they would cover it up with something more reassuring and encouraging. The fact that this was not tough was appealing to many who desired to feel near to God without hearing anything challenging. My hand will be raised in opposition to prophets who see deceptive visions and proclaim false divinations, as I have spoken previously. They will not be allowed to sit on the council of my people or be recorded in the books of Israel, nor will they be permitted to enter the land of Israel.

It is because they mislead my people by calling for “peace” when there is no such thing, and because they cover the crumbling walls with whitewash when they are constructed that they should warn the people who are constructing the walls that they are about to crumble.
I will demolish the wall you have covered with whitewash and level it to the ground, exposing the wall’s base for what it truly is.
As a result, I shall direct my hatred towards the wall and against those who painted it over it with white paint.
(See Ezekiel 13:14–16 for further information.)

Delusion

The prophets of Israel deceived the people of Israel. Some of them were instructed to tell falsehoods, but most of the time, they fooled themselves and convinced themselves that the thoughts in their hearts were from God. Then the Lord spoke to me and said, “In my name, the prophets are prophesying falsehoods. I have not sent them, appointed them, or spoken with them in any way. Fake visions, divinations, idolatries, and the illusions of one’s own mind are being prophesied to you by these so-called prophets ” (Jeremiah 14:14).

They express dreams from the depths of their own thoughts, not from the lips of the Almighty ” (Jeremiah 23:16).

Lies

God was not pleased with the prophets when they got it wrong. Those who claimed to be speaking for God were deceiving themselves and their listeners. If the prophets tell you, “You will not serve the king of Babylon,” do not believe them, since they are telling you the truth about the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 27:14).

Threatening God’s prophets

Inevitably, false prophets would position themselves against those who spoke on behalf of the Almighty. They were able to accomplish this because their preaching had made them more popular than God’s legitimate prophets, which enabled them to do so. The true prophets were put in jeopardy as a result of the public’s preference for the feel-good prophesies of these bogus seers. When Jeremiah spoke these words in the temple of the Lord, the priests, prophets, and all of the people were present to hear him.

When you prophesy in the Lord’s name that this home will be like Shiloh and that this city will be desolate and deserted, what is the source of your inspiration?” When Jeremiah entered the temple of the Lord, he was surrounded by a throng of people (Jeremiah 26:7–9).

False prophets in the New Testament

This is the situation in which Jesus issues his warning about false prophets. Similar to the Old Testament, the gospel would be jeopardized by those attempting to gain financial gain by falsely claiming to speak on behalf of God. The Book of Acts provides an excellent illustration of this. They crossed the length and breadth of the island till they arrived in Paphos. A Jewish magician and false prophet by the name of Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul Sergius Paulus, was one of the first people they encountered.

However, Elymas the magician (for that is what his name implies) stood in their way and attempted to persuade the proconsul to abandon his religion.
It appears like you are full of deception and trickery of every type.
“What does Acts 13:6–10 say?
The trick was convincing enough to deceive the proconsul, whom Luke describes as “clever.” Aside from the magic, the fruit of this false prophet’s tree was an attempt to persuade the proconsul to abandon his Christian faith.
These individuals are like springs devoid of water and mists whipped up by a storm.
Because they use empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the sinful appetites of the flesh, they attract those who are only trying to get away from those who are living in wrong (2 Peter 2:17–18), they should be avoided.
“Springs without water,” as Peter refers to them.
It is their ability to draw in spiritually hungry individuals that makes them successful, but it is their inability to provide them with the life-giving refreshment they need.
One of the negative consequences that Jesus warns about is that these individuals erode trust in God.

False prophets have gone into the world

True prophets in sheep’s clothing are dangerous because they bring spiritual deceit into the church, which is why Jesus urges His disciples to be on the lookout for them. John provides us some pointers on how to distinguish between true prophets and false prophets. Dear friends, do not believe every spirit that comes to you; rather, test the spirits to see if they are from God, since there are many false prophets who have gone out into the world. This is how you may tell whether you are being influenced by the Holy Spirit: Everyone whose spirit accepts that Jesus Christ has appeared in the flesh is a spirit from God, while everyone whose soul does not recognise Jesus is a spirit from the devil.

You, dear children, are from God and have triumphed over them because the one who is in you is bigger than the one who is in the world.

We are from God, and everyone who knows God will listen to us; but, anyone who does not know God will not listen to us.

In order to get started, John identifies the most important theological principles.

This counters two incorrect doctrines that were prevalent at the time.

On top of that, false prophets do not speak from God’s point of view, as the Bible states. Their first interest is with the problems of the world, and they attract people who have similar core concerns.

Protecting yourself from false prophets

A common misconception among Christians is that they no longer have need to be worried about false prophets and other erroneous teachings. Jesus forewarned his disciples that they would be a source of contention: “Because false messiahs and false prophets will arise and display great miracles and wonders in order to fool, if at all possible, even the elect, there will be a flurry of appearances. See, I have informed you ahead of time” (Matthew 24:24, 25). (Matthew 24:24, 25). Those who belong to Jesus, on the other hand, do not have to live in continual fear of being misled.

Maintain your commitment to Bible reading: According to John, “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us” (1 John 4:6a). What is the best way to listen to those whom God has sent? As a result of our connection to Scripture, we link ourselves with people who have been sent by God to keep our hearts on the narrow path. Continually commit to your community: The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us to “not give up gathering together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as the Day approaches” (Hebrews 10:25). Being joined with individuals who are devoted to the truth is one thing that helps to keep us on the right road. Maintain your commitment to spiritual development: Prayer, fasting, and worship are examples of spiritual disciplines that help us stay connected to Jesus while also encouraging personal growth. When someone is strongly rooted in their religious beliefs, it is far more difficult to lead them wrong.

There are some in the world who want lead us wrong, but we don’t need to be afraid of them since they are not our enemies. We are secure and immovable as long as we are attached to the Vine (John 15:5). Rather than assuming you can find out more about what it means to be a follower of Jesus by reading books, why not go straight to the source? Many parables were given by Jesus to aid us in our understanding of the kingdom of God. Check out the entire collection of Jesus’ parables.