What role does Scripture play in identifying "false prophets" mentioned in Matthew 24:11? Setting the Scene Matthew 24:11: “and many false prophets will arise and mislead many.” Jesus’ warning sits in His larger teaching on the end times. He assumes that His followers will have a reliable way to spot deception. That reliable way is the written Word of God. Scripture as the Plumb Line • A plumb line never changes; it simply reveals what is crooked. • Psalm 119:160: “The entirety of Your word is truth.” Because Scripture is truth in its entirety, anything contradicting it is error. • 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.” God’s Word is the fixed reference point by which all voices are tested. Old Testament Tests of Prophets • Deuteronomy 13:1-5 – If a prophet’s signs come true yet he urges worship of other gods, he is false. Truth of message, not spectacle, is decisive. • Deuteronomy 18:20-22 – If a prophet predicts something that fails, “you shall not be afraid of him.” Fulfillment must be 100 percent accurate. • These passages establish two unchanging criteria: doctrinal fidelity and predictive accuracy. Scripture spells them out so we can apply them. New Testament Reinforcement • 1 John 4:1-3 – “Test the spirits.” The test includes confessing the biblical Jesus. • 2 Peter 2:1 – False teachers “secretly introduce destructive heresies.” Scripture exposes heresy by defining sound doctrine. • Galatians 1:8-9 – Even an angel is rejected if preaching “a gospel other than the one we preached to you.” The written gospel message carries absolute authority. • Acts 17:11 – Bereans are commended for examining “the Scriptures daily to see if these teachings were true.” The inspired record, not apostolic charisma, renders the verdict. • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is God-breathed and equips the believer “for every good work,” including discerning prophets. Practical Steps for Discernment 1. Saturate your mind with the Bible—know the genuine so well the counterfeit stands out. 2. Compare every teaching, vision, or prediction with explicit scriptural statements. 3. Observe the prophet’s doctrine about Christ’s deity, incarnation, atonement, resurrection, and return. Any deviation disqualifies (1 John 2:22-23). 4. Evaluate moral fruit (Matthew 7:15-20). Scriptural standards reveal whether a lifestyle aligns with holiness. 5. Watch for manipulation of Scripture. Twisting context is a classic mark of deception (2 Peter 3:16). 6. Seek the collective wisdom of mature, Bible-anchored believers; Scripture encourages communal discernment (Ephesians 4:14-16). The Cost of Neglecting the Word • Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Ignorance of Scripture leaves believers defenseless. • Matthew 24:24 – False prophets perform “great signs and wonders.” Spectacle can overwhelm the unwary when Scripture is sidelined. • 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 – Those who refuse the love of the truth are handed over to delusion. Encouraging Resolve God has not left His church vulnerable. By anchoring to the written Word—unchanging, sufficient, and clear—believers can heed Christ’s warning, unmask false prophets, and stand firm until He comes. |
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