False prophets have been a persistent issue throughout biblical history, often arising to lead people astray by claiming divine authority that they do not possess. These individuals are characterized by their deceitful nature, pretending to be sent by God while promoting messages that contradict His truth.

Old Testament Warnings and Examples

The Old Testament provides numerous warnings against false prophets. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 sets a clear standard for identifying false prophets: "But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet must die. You may ask in your heart, ‘How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?’ When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him."

Jeremiah frequently confronted false prophets who contradicted God's messages. In Jeremiah 23:16 , the Lord warns, "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.'" These prophets often assured the people of peace and safety when destruction was imminent, as seen in Jeremiah 6:14 : "They have dressed the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace."

New Testament Warnings and Teachings

The New Testament continues to caution believers about false prophets. Jesus Himself warned in Matthew 7:15 , "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." This metaphor highlights the deceptive nature of false prophets, who appear harmless but are dangerous.

The Apostle Paul also addressed the issue, warning the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:29-30 : "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." Paul emphasizes the internal threat posed by false teachers who arise from within the church community.

Characteristics and Consequences

False prophets are often motivated by personal gain, power, or recognition. They may perform signs and wonders to deceive, as indicated in Matthew 24:24 : "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible."

The consequences of following false prophets are severe. They lead people away from the truth of God, resulting in spiritual destruction. In 2 Peter 2:1 , Peter warns, "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves."

Discernment and Vigilance

Believers are called to exercise discernment and remain vigilant against false prophets. 1 John 4:1 advises, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This testing involves comparing teachings with the truth of Scripture and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In summary, false prophets are a recurring threat throughout biblical history, characterized by their deceitful claims of divine authority. The Bible provides clear guidelines for identifying and responding to these individuals, emphasizing the importance of discernment and adherence to God's truth.Jeremiah 23:17,18,31
They say still to them that despise me, The LORD has said, You shall have peace; and they say to every one that walks after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come on you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Apostles To-Day?
... absurd notion, and considering that the false prophets of the ... them, we can understand
that the false apostles of ... settles the matter of this pretended apostolate ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxii apostles to-day.htm

Progress of Reform in Germany.
... the Christian church, so there arose false prophets in the ... Said they: "We are sent
by God to instruct ... the true character of those pretended prophets, and saw ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /10 progress of reform in.htm

Progress of Reform in Germany
... of the Christian church, so there arose false prophets in the ... Said they: "We are
sent by God to instruct ... the true character of those pretended prophets and saw ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 10 progress of reform.htm

Church History
... Chapter V.--God sent Rain from Heaven for Marcus Aurelius ... The Circumstances related
of Montanus and his False Prophets. ... Chapter I.--The Pretended Relaxation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/

The Organization of the Apostolic Church.
... they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out ... brethren who stirred up
strife, and false teachers who ... Peter nor Paul, James nor John pretended to be ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii the organization of.htm

Extracts No. viii.
... miracles, which probably was the case, if false, we cannot ... Jesus pretended to be
sent of God as their Messiah of whom the ancient prophets had spoken; he ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no viii.htm

The Good Shepherd.
... Jewish rabbis, the Greek philosophers, the pretended prophets, and the ... Thus true
and false shepherds are distinguished ... his ministry, that God had sent him, not ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the good shepherd.htm

The Mystery
... the columns being withdrawn, and the false prophets of the ... is another; namely, with
the prophets who had ... no appearance of allegory can be pretended, that there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery.htm

The Signs of the Times
... sign from heaven;" which they believed no false prophet was ... They pretended, (and
do so at this day,) to do ... your eyes, for they see: many prophets and righteous ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 66 the signs of.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... Pharaoh dreamed his dreams, he first "sent and called ... their adherence to these real
or pretended agencies as ... are of God: because many false prophets are gone ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

What does it mean that Saul is also among the prophets? | GotQuestions.org

How many prophets are in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Are there prophets in the church today? | GotQuestions.org

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