How can we discern false prophets as warned in Ezekiel 13:23? Ezekiel 13:23 at a Glance “Therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination, and I will deliver My people from your hands. Then you will know that I am the LORD.” – Why This Matters • God promises to silence every deceptive voice. • His people are expected to recognize those voices before He removes them. • Knowing how to spot a false prophet keeps the church safe until that final deliverance. Hallmarks of False Prophets • Message contradicts the written Word (Deuteronomy 13:1-4; Galatians 1:8). • Predictions fail or shift when unfulfilled (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). • Focus on personal gain, popularity, or political favor (Micah 3:11; 2 Peter 2:3). • Offer “peace” where God calls for repentance (Jeremiah 6:14; Ezekiel 13:10). • Produce bad fruit—immorality, division, greed (Matthew 7:15-20). • Avoid the cross and the lordship of Jesus (1 John 4:2-3). Practical Tests for Discernment • Scripture Test – Measure every word against the whole counsel of God (Acts 17:11). • Fulfillment Test – Wait and see if time proves the prophecy true. God’s words never fail. • Christ-Centered Test – True prophecy magnifies Christ, not the speaker (Revelation 19:10). • Moral Test – Observe the prophet’s lifestyle; holiness validates the message (1 Timothy 4:12, 16). • Community Test – Submit prophecies to mature believers for confirmation (1 Corinthians 14:29). • Spiritual Witness Test – The Holy Spirit grants inner witness of truth (John 16:13). Cultivating a Discerning Heart • Daily intake of the Word builds an internal “truth gauge.” • Regular repentance keeps spiritual senses sharp (Hebrews 5:14). • Prayer for wisdom promises divine guidance (James 1:5). • Fellowship with sound teachers provides accountability (Ephesians 4:11-14). Encouragement to Stand Firm • God is actively protecting His flock—Ezekiel 13:23 assures it. • Discernment is not optional but part of faithful discipleship. • When the church exercises these tests, false prophecy loses its platform, and God’s people “know that I am the LORD.” |
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