Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, false prophets are individuals who claim to speak on behalf of God but instead deliver messages that are contrary to His will and truth. A significant characteristic of false prophets, as highlighted in Scripture, is their covetous nature. Covetousness, or an insatiable desire for wealth and material gain, is often a driving force behind their deceitful practices.Old Testament Warnings The Old Testament provides numerous warnings against false prophets, often linking their deception to greed. In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet laments the prevalence of false prophets who lead the people astray for personal gain. Jeremiah 6:13 states, "For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit." This verse underscores the widespread corruption among those who were supposed to be spiritual leaders, driven by covetousness. Ezekiel also addresses the issue of false prophets, condemning their self-serving motives. Ezekiel 13:19 says, "You have profaned Me among My people for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread, putting to death those who should not die and sparing those who should not live, by lying to My people who listen to lies." Here, the false prophets are depicted as willing to distort God's message for the sake of trivial material benefits. New Testament Exhortations The New Testament continues to warn believers about the dangers of false prophets, emphasizing their covetous nature. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cautions His followers, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). The imagery of "ravenous wolves" suggests a voracious appetite, indicative of their greed and desire to exploit the flock for personal gain. The apostle Peter provides a stark warning in his second epistle, describing false teachers who exploit believers with fabricated accounts. 2 Peter 2:3 states, "In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep." Peter highlights the connection between greed and the deceptive practices of false teachers, emphasizing the severe consequences they face. Apostolic Insights The apostle Paul also addresses the issue of covetousness among false prophets and teachers. In his letter to Timothy, Paul warns against those who view godliness as a means to financial gain. 1 Timothy 6:5 describes individuals "who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, who think that godliness is a means of gain." Paul urges Timothy to be content with what he has and to avoid the pitfalls of greed, which can lead to spiritual ruin. Paul's admonition to the Ephesian elders further illustrates his concern about covetous leaders. In Acts 20:29-30 , he warns, "I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them." This passage highlights the internal threat posed by covetous individuals who seek to manipulate the truth for their own benefit. Conclusion The Bible consistently portrays false prophets as individuals driven by covetousness, using their positions of influence to exploit others for material gain. Believers are urged to remain vigilant, discerning, and grounded in the truth of God's Word to guard against the deceptive practices of such individuals. Torrey's Topical Textbook Micah 3:11The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean on the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come on us. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Nemesianus of Tubun?? Said: "That the Baptism which is Given by ... Petilianus Said: "But There is no Fellowship of Darkness with ... 2 Timothy iii. 4-Jan Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy. Elchasai's Mode of Administering Baptism; Formularies. Letter xxix. (AD 395. ) Ephesians v. 5, 6 The Church of God. Treatise i. On the Unity of the Church. Matt. xxiv. 33, 34 Resources What does the Bible say about false prophets? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets? | GotQuestions.org What was the school of prophets? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics False Prophets: Called Foolish Prophets False Prophets: Compared to Foxes in the Desert False Prophets: Compared to Wind False Prophets: Immoral and Profane False Prophets: Influenced by Evil Spirits False Prophets: Involved the People in Their own Ruin False Prophets: Judgments Denounced Against False Prophets: Light and Treacherous False Prophets: Made Use of by God to Prove Israel False Prophets: Mode of Trying and Detecting False Prophets: Not Sent or Commissioned by God False Prophets: Often Deceived by God As a Judgment False Prophets: Often Practised Divination and Witchcraft False Prophets: Often Pretended to Dreams False Prophets: Predicted to Arise in the Latter Times False Prophets: Predicted to Arise: Before Destruction of Jerusalem False Prophets: Pretended to be Sent by God False Prophets: Prophesied in the Name of False Gods False Prophets: Prophesied: Falsely False Prophets: Prophesied: Lies in the Name of the Lord False Prophets: Prophesied: out of Their own Heart False Prophets: Prophesied: Peace, when There Was No Peace False Prophets: The People: Deprived of God's Word By False Prophets: The People: Encouraged and Praised False Prophets: The People: Led Into Error False Prophets: The People: Made to Forget God's Name By False Prophets: The People: Oppressed and Defrauded By False Prophets: The People: Taught Profaneness and Sin By False Prophets: The People: Warned not to Listen To False Prophets: Women Sometimes Acted As Prophets were Called: Holy Men of God Prophets were Called: Holy Prophets Prophets were Called: Men of God Prophets were Called: Prophets of God Prophets were Consulted in all Difficulties Prophets were Esteemed As Holy Men Prophets were Mighty Through Faith Prophets were Required: Not to Speak Anything But What They Received from God Prophets were Required: To be Bold and Undaunted Prophets were Required: To be Vigilant and Faithful Prophets were Required: To Declare Everything That the Lord Commanded Prophets were Required: To Receive With Attention all God's Communications Prophets were Sent to Denounce the Wickedness of Kings Prophets were Sent to Exhort to Faithfulness and Constancy in God's Service Prophets were Sent to Predict the Coming of Christ Prophets were Sent to Predict the Downfall of Nations Prophets were Sent to Reprove the Wicked and Exhort to Repentance Prophets were Under the Influence of the Holy Spirit While Prophesying Prophets: Assisted the Jews in Their Great National Undertakings Prophets: Azariah the Son of Oded Prophets: Benefits of Presents Prophets: Benefits of Presents Refused By Prophets: Christ Exercised the office of Prophets: Christ Predicted to Exercise the office of Prophets: Extraordinary: Often Endued With Miraculous Power Prophets: Extraordinary: Specially Raised up on Occasions of Emergency Prophets: False: 400 in Samaria Prophets: False: Denunciations Against Prophets: False: Punishment of Prophets: Felt Deeply on Account of the Calamities Which They Predicted Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Prophets: Frequently Left Without Divine Communication on Account of Prophets: Frequently Married Men Prophets: Frequently Spoke in Parables and Riddles Prophets: God Avenged all Injuries Done To Prophets: God Communicated to At Various Time and in Different Ways Prophets: God Communicated To by an Audible Voice Prophets: God Communicated To by Angels Prophets: God Communicated To by Dreams and Visions Prophets: God Communicated to His Secret Things Prophets: Great Patience of, Under Suffering Prophets: Jehu the Son of Hanani Prophets: Micaiah the Son of Imlah Prophets: Not Honored in Their own Country Prophets: Often Accompanied by Music While Predicting Prophets: Often Committed Their Predictions to Writing Prophets: Often Led a Wandering and Unsettled Life Prophets: One Generally Attached to the King's Household Prophets: Ordinary: Numerous in Israel Prophets: Ordinary: The Sacred Bards of the Jews Prophets: Ordinary: Trained up and Instructed in Schools Prophets: Predictions of Frequently Proclaimed at the Gate of the Lord's House Prophets: Predictions of Proclaimed in the Cities and Streets Prophets: Predictions of Were all Fulfilled Prophets: Predictions of Written on Rolls and Read to the People Prophets: Predictions of Written on Tables and Fixed up in some Public Place Prophets: Presented With Gifts by Those Who Consulted Them Prophets: Prophet Set to Israel Prophets: Simple in Their Manner of Life Prophets: Sometimes Received Divine Communications and Uttered Prophets: Sometimes Thought It Right to Reject Presents Prophets: Sometimes Uttered Their Predictions in Verse Prophets: Spoke in the Name of the Lord Prophets: The Historiographers of the Jewish Nation Prophets: The Interpreters of Dreams Prophets: The Jews: Often Imprisoned Them Prophets: The Jews: Often Left Without, on Account of Sin Prophets: The Jews: Often Put Them to Death Prophets: The Jews: Often Tried to Make Them Speak Smooth Things Prophets: The Jews: Persecuted Them Prophets: The Jews: Require to Hear and Believe Prophets: The Messengers of God Prophets: The Watchmen of Israel Prophets: Women Sometimes Endowed As Prophets: Wore a Coarse Dress of Hair-Cloth Prophets: Writings of, Read in the Synagogues Every Sabbath Prophets: Zacharias the Father of John Prophets: Zechariah Son of Iddo Related Terms |
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