In the biblical narrative, false prophets are individuals who claim to speak on behalf of God but instead deliver messages that lead people away from the truth of God's Word. These individuals are often characterized by their deceitful nature and their ability to sway the hearts and minds of the people, causing them to forget the name and commandments of the Lord.

Biblical Warnings Against False Prophets

The Bible contains numerous warnings against false prophets, emphasizing the danger they pose to the spiritual well-being of God's people. In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah speaks extensively about the deceit of false prophets. Jeremiah 23:25-27 states, "I have heard what the prophets who prophesy lies in My name are saying: 'I had a dream! I had a dream!' How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? They think the dreams they tell one another will make My people forget My name, just as their fathers forgot My name through Baal worship."

This passage highlights the core issue with false prophets: their messages are not from God but are instead the product of their own imaginations. By promoting their own visions and dreams, they lead the people into idolatry and away from the true worship of Yahweh.

Characteristics of False Prophets

False prophets are often described as those who speak peace when there is no peace, offering a false sense of security to the people. Ezekiel 13:10 describes them as those who "lead My people astray, saying, 'Peace,' when there is no peace, and when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash." This metaphor illustrates the superficial and deceptive nature of their teachings, which lack the foundation of truth.

Moreover, false prophets are known for their ability to perform signs and wonders, which can deceive even the elect. Jesus Himself warned about this 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."

Impact on the People

The influence of false prophets is profound, as they lead the people to forget God's name and His commandments. This spiritual amnesia results in a departure from the covenant relationship with God, as the people turn to other gods and practices. The consequences are severe, often leading to judgment and exile, as seen in the history of Israel and Judah.

In Deuteronomy 13:1-3 , the Israelites are warned, "If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes to pass, but he says, 'Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,' you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer." This passage underscores the importance of discernment and adherence to God's commandments, regardless of the apparent success or charisma of the false prophet.

The Call to Discernment

The presence of false prophets necessitates a call to discernment among God's people. Believers are encouraged to test the spirits and hold fast to what is good, as instructed in 1 John 4:1 : "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."

In summary, false prophets are a recurring challenge in the biblical narrative, leading people to forget God's name and stray from His commandments. Their influence is marked by deceit, false security, and idolatry, necessitating vigilance and discernment among the faithful to remain true to the Word of God.Jeremiah 23:27
Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

False Prophets
... in the end thereof?' What, indeed; if people are to ... will; and you will need no false
prophets, under pretence ... feelings of your own, you were made children of ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xiii false prophets.htm

Obadiah
... and these cheats contrived (as such false teachers generally ... table, while all the
rest of the people were perishing ... he had helped and saved the prophets of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon ix obadiah.htm

Prophets and Prophets. (xxiii. 9-32, xxvii-xxix, Etc. )
... Behold, I am against the prophets of false dreams who tell ... The opposing prophets
reply, Not He! ... against them, that they plan to make the people forget the Name ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 prophets and prophets xxiii.htm

Hope for the Heathen
... Other prophets had made mention of the divine plan, but ... of truth were being led astray
by false teachers into ... second time to recover the remnant of His people. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 31 hope for the.htm

"The Time of Trouble. "
... of trouble, because they have never made it a ... "There shall arise false christs, and
false prophets, and shall ... who desire their destruction, the people of God ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /39 the time of trouble.htm

The Time of Trouble
... of trouble, because they have never made it a ... "There shall arise false christs, and
false prophets, and shall ... who desire their destruction, the people of God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 39 the time of.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... are interspersed denunciations of the false prophets that flatter ... executed God's
righteous vengeance on the covenant people. As the number seven is made out by ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

God.
... dreams and lies of their false prophets, continued to sin ... insincerity or self-indulgence;
which made them incapable ... his whole heart he loved the people whom he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 god.htm

"The Prophets of God Helping Them"
... And during the reign of the false Smerdis (called Artaxerxes ... dwell there destroy
all kings and people, that shall ... kept on working by faith, the prophets of God ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 46 the prophets of.htm

Second Sunday Before Lent
... Paul here scores the false prophets when he says, "Ye ... are disposed to bring the people
into downright ... The dominion of false teachers is willingly tolerated and ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday before lent.htm

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