Beware of False Prophets

"No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher. Teacher say, student do."

               ~ Mr. Miyagi

                    The Karate Kid (1984)

                                                        

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”

~ Matthew 7:15-20 New Living Translation (NLT)

    You will know a tree by its fruit. That was the advice Jesus gave to his followers so that they would be able to identify the false prophets who would come in the Last Days. (Matthew 24:11)
    Now it is important to note that we have been in the "Last Days" since Jesus ascended to Heaven That being said, it is astonishing to me how so many people have failed to heed Jesus’ warning over the centuries. Many false teachers have come and gone, and yet people continue to fall prey to their lies—even Christians fail to see the threat until it is too late. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

    So then, how does one spot a false prophet? What sort of fruit does a bad tree produce?

1) If a teacher preaches a gospel other than the one given to us in the Bible, or if they willingly contradict the Scriptures with their teachings, don’t believe them.

(1 Timothy 6:3-5, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4)

2) If a teacher claims to have had a "new revelation" or "special knowledge" do not believe them—even if they claim to have received such knowledge from an angel, dream, or vision. (Galatians 1:6-10)

3) If a teacher claims that the Body of Christ (The Church) is "deluded" or has been "hiding the truth from people", and that the key to being spiritual is to follow their "superior knowledge" instead of trusting in the Grace and Mercy of God; then they are stirring up dissension in the Church and are most likely a false prophet. (1 Timothy 1:3-7, 6:3-5, Galatians 5:7-15)

4) If a person’s teachings create a spiritual hierarchy or an elitist division in the Body of Christ (i.e. Some Christians are more spiritual than others because they have certain Gifts of the Holy Spirit, follow The Law, or do or don't do this or that, etc.) have nothing to do with them. (1 Corinthians 1:10-17, Titus 3:9-11)

5) If a person claims to be either sinless or Christ, or if they claim to know when Christ is going to return, then they are definitely a false prophet. (Romans 3:10-12, Mark 13:21-22, 32-33)

6) If a person tells you that it is wrong to study God’s Word on your own, then they are contradicting Scripture and are a false prophet. (Joshua 1:8, Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21.)

7) If a person presents a new translation of the Bible that changes passages in such a way that the overall message of Scripture is altered (i.e. The Gospel of Jesus Christ) then they are a false prophet. (1 John 4:1-6, Revelation 22:18-19)

8) If a person claims that Jesus’ death and resurrection is not enough to pay for our sins; or that God’s Grace can be earned through works; or that you can gain favor with God by adhering to a specific set of rules; then they are a false prophet. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5-7, Romans 6:23, Galatians 3, 5:4)

9) If a person presents you with a different Jesus than the Jesus of the Bible, then they are a false prophet. (John 1:1-5, John 10:30-33, Hebrews 1, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-20)

10) If a person claims that the Church (The Body of Christ) was or is apostate, then they are a false prophet. (Matthew 16:18, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9)

11) If a person teaches that it is wrong to go to church, or that you should not meet together regularly to study God's Word and fellowship with other believers, then they are a false prophet. (Hebrews 10:25)

12)  If a person makes a prophesy of any kind and it does not come to pass, then that person is a false prophet. (Deuteronomy 18:22)

    There are of course many other signs that a person is a false prophet—often times one simply has to take a close look at the person’s lifestyle to see that they are not following Christ. But the twelve points I have listed above are far more subtle, and therefore far more dangerous to the Christian Walk.

    However, the list above can best be summarized into the very first point: If a person willingly contradicts the Scriptures with their teachings, don't believe them.
    That is why it is so important for us to study God’s Word. It is only by knowing God’s Word that you can defend yourself against those who would seek to pervert it. (2 Timothy 3:16)

“And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.”

~ Romans 16:17-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

See Also:

The Struggle for Unity in the Church