False prophets have been a persistent issue throughout biblical history, often leading the people of God astray with their deceptive teachings and practices. These individuals, claiming to speak on behalf of God, have instead propagated profaneness and sin, drawing the faithful away from the truth and righteousness that God desires.

Characteristics and Actions of False Prophets

1. Deceptive Messages: False prophets are known for delivering messages that contradict the true word of God. They often speak from their own imaginations rather than divine revelation. In Jeremiah 23:16, the Lord warns, "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."

2. Encouragement of Sin: These prophets frequently encourage sinful behavior, leading people into moral and spiritual corruption. Jeremiah 23:14 highlights this, stating, "And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness."

3. Profaneness: The teachings of false prophets often result in the profanation of what is holy. They blur the lines between the sacred and the profane, leading people to treat God's commands with contempt. Ezekiel 22:26 describes this, "Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean."

4. False Assurance of Peace: A common tactic of false prophets is to assure the people of peace and safety when destruction is imminent. This false sense of security lulls the people into complacency. In Jeremiah 6:14, it is written, "They have dressed the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace."

5. Divine Judgment: The Bible consistently warns that false prophets will face severe judgment from God. Their actions not only lead others into sin but also bring about their own destruction. In Deuteronomy 18:20, the Lord declares, "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 shall die."

Impact on the People

The influence of false prophets has been devastating throughout biblical history. By teaching profaneness and sin, they have led entire communities away from God, resulting in spiritual decay and divine judgment. The people, seduced by the comforting lies and permissive teachings of these prophets, often find themselves estranged from God and His blessings.

Biblical Examples

· Hananiah: In Jeremiah 28, Hananiah falsely prophesied that the Babylonian yoke would be broken within two years, contradicting Jeremiah's message from God. His false prophecy gave the people a false hope and led them away from repentance.

· Balaam: Although initially a true prophet, Balaam's desire for wealth led him to counsel Balak on how to entice the Israelites into sin, as seen in Numbers 31:16 and Revelation 2:14.

· Zedekiah son of Chenaanah: In 1 Kings 22, Zedekiah falsely assured King Ahab of victory in battle, opposing the true prophecy of Micaiah, which foretold disaster.

Warnings to Believers

The Bible repeatedly warns believers to be vigilant against the influence of false prophets. In Matthew 7:15, Jesus cautions, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Believers are encouraged to test the spirits and hold fast to the truth of God's word, as emphasized 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."

By understanding the characteristics and dangers of false prophets, believers can better guard their hearts and communities against the profaneness and sin these deceivers promote.Jeremiah 23:14,15
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none does return from his wickedness; they are all of them to me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Greater Prophets.
... too was of divine appointment; but they taught men that ... these are interspersed
denunciations of the false prophets that flatter the people in their sins ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

False Profession.
... A hypocrite and a false professor may go a great ... God, lovers of his ways, and a people
zealous of ... Israel played of old; for when God's prophets followed them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xx false profession.htm

A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ...
... whom Christ has appointed to teach his people "to walk ... endeavor to make you vain:
(as the prophets did in ... to delude you from it, with a false application of ...
/.../a preservative against unsettled notions.htm

Concerning the Ministry.
... not to have it, that they may be true and not false? ... as did David, Solomon, and the
holy prophets of old ... own experience in themselves: as to teach people how to ...
/.../proposition x concerning the ministry.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Antioch, people of, ceremonious, [54]129; riotous, [55]217 ... all Christians, [76]91;
above the Prophets, [77]97 ... the Father, [232]151; acted what He taught, [233]151 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/index of subjects.htm

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
... past unto the Fathers by the Prophets, hath in ... How many such ignorant and sottish
People are there in ... from amongst us all hypocritical and false hearted Persons ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon our call and.htm

The Strait Gate;
... "I say unto you." The prophets used not ... True, there was a company of poor sorry people
in the world ... A hypocrite, a false professor, may go a great way; they may ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

Paul in Corinth.
... actions were frequent among the Prophets, and were ... had long subsisted among that
people, under the ... of being calumniated through ignorance and false zeal, had ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxi paul in corinth.htm

From the Conference of 1773 to the Commencement of the War in 1776
... blessed in detecting the hypocrite, razing false foundations, and ... When the passions
of the people were rising too ... that like Saul among the prophets, they fell ...
/.../chapter 1 from the conference.htm

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
... Answ.1. To be taught by Christ, is that which ... Our Father," &c., doth instruct his
people what rules ... and were notably painted out by Ahab's prophets, and also ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/i will pray with the.htm

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