How can we discern false prophets as warned in Ezekiel 13:17 today? Text Under Consideration Ezekiel 13:17: “Now you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them.” Timeless Problem: Self-Generated Messages The warning exposes a tendency as old as Eden: inventing spiritual speech that God has not spoken. In Ezekiel’s day it was “the daughters” who “prophesy out of their own imagination.” Today the same spirit surfaces whenever anyone claims, “The Lord said…,” while the Lord has not said. Core Marks of False Prophets • Self-originated words – “They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:16). • Flattering comfort in sin – “They continually say to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD has said, You will have peace’” (Jeremiah 23:17). • Disregard for Scripture’s authority – contrast with 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.” • Fruit that contradicts holiness – Jesus: “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16–20). • Commercial motives – “In their greed they will exploit you with fabricated words” (2 Peter 2:3). • Doctrinal deviation – “Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!” (Galatians 1:8). Discernment Checklist for Today • Measure every message by the written Word. Scripture is “God-breathed” and the final court of appeal (2 Timothy 3:16). • Test the spirit behind the speaker (1 John 4:1). Does the message exalt Christ as Lord and Savior, or does it center on the messenger? • Inspect character and lifestyle. Do you see humility, servanthood, moral integrity? • Look for accountability. Are there elders and fellow believers who weigh what is said (1 Corinthians 14:29)? • Observe long-term fruit. Does obedience, repentance, and love for truth follow in those influenced? • Pay attention to fulfilled or failed predictions (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). God’s prophets are 100 percent accurate. • Watch for money or power agendas. A craving for applause or profit is a flashing red light. Safeguards for the Church • Regular, systematic teaching through the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). • Encouraging every believer to be a Berean—“examining the Scriptures daily to see if these teachings were so” (Acts 17:11). • Practicing church discipline when unbiblical prophecy persists (Titus 3:10-11). • Cultivating a vibrant, prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, who guides “into all truth” (John 16:13). • Valuing prophetic ministry that is subject to Scriptural testing, strengthening, and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3, 29). Encouragement to Hold Fast False voices are real, but so is the Good Shepherd’s voice. “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). Staying close to Him through His written Word keeps us safe, discerning, and fruitful until the day “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD” (Habakkuk 2:14). |
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