How can we discern true prophets from false ones according to Scripture? Deuteronomy 18:20—The Standard God Sets “But the prophet who presumes to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet must be put to death.” Why This Matters • God outright forbids unauthorized prophecy, showing that revelation is His alone to grant. • The penalty under the Mosaic covenant—death—underscores how destructive a lie in God’s name can be. • Because Christ fulfilled the Law’s penalties on the cross (Colossians 2:14), we no longer execute false prophets, yet the moral gravity remains unchanged. Four Biblical Tests for a True Prophet 1. Fidelity to God’s Word • Deuteronomy 13:1-4 warns that even if a sign occurs, a prophet who turns people “to follow other gods” must be rejected. • Isaiah 8:20: “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there is no light in them.” 2. Accuracy of Fulfilled Prediction • Deuteronomy 18:21-22: when the word “does not come to pass,” the speaker is false. • Jeremiah 28 illustrates this: Hananiah’s optimistic forecast failed, while Jeremiah’s warning proved true. 3. Christ-Centered Witness • Revelation 19:10: “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” • 1 John 4:2-3: a genuine voice confesses Jesus Christ “has come in the flesh.” Denial signals “the spirit of the antichrist.” 4. Moral and Spiritual Fruit • Matthew 7:15-20: “You will recognize them by their fruit.” • 2 Peter 2:1-3 exposes teachers driven by greed and sensuality—evidence of falseness, whatever their claims. Additional Scriptural Witnesses • Ezekiel 13 condemns prophets who follow “their own spirit” instead of God’s. • Micah 3:5-8 contrasts prophets who preach for money with Micah, empowered by the Spirit to declare truth. • Acts 11:27-30; 21:10-11 portray Agabus, a New-Testament example whose predictions were specific and verified. Living It Out Today • Saturate your mind with Scripture so counterfeit words stand out quickly. • Evaluate any prophetic claim under all four tests—never just one. • Remain submitted to the Spirit and accountable within a Bible-honoring church family. • Keep watch over your own heart; false prophecy often appeals to hidden pride, fear, or greed. • Hold to the completed canon: no “new revelation” will overturn what God has already spoken (Galatians 1:8). Closing Counsel God still guides and speaks, yet He never contradicts Himself. Stay rooted in the written Word, cling to the testimony of Jesus, inspect the fruit, and watch for fulfilled accuracy. In doing so, you will stand safeguarded against deception and equipped to recognize the authentic voice of the Lord. |
    |