Topical Bible: Prophecy: Guilt of Pretending to the Gift of

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In the biblical context, prophecy is a divine gift bestowed by God upon chosen individuals to communicate His will, guidance, and revelations to His people. The Bible holds prophecy in high regard, emphasizing its role in edifying, exhorting, and comforting the church (1 Corinthians 14:3). However, the Scriptures also sternly warn against the pretense of possessing this sacred gift, highlighting the severe guilt and consequences associated with such deception.

Old Testament Warnings

The Old Testament provides numerous instances where false prophets are condemned for pretending to have the gift of prophecy. Deuteronomy 18:20 states, "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 be put to death." This severe penalty underscores the gravity of falsely claiming divine inspiration, as it leads people away from the truth and into error.

Jeremiah, a true prophet of God, frequently confronted false prophets in his time. 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." This passage highlights the deceitful nature of false prophets who claim to speak for God but instead deliver messages from their own imaginations.

New Testament Admonitions

The New Testament continues to caution against the pretense of prophecy. Jesus Himself warned of false prophets in Matthew 7:15 : "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." This metaphor illustrates the deceptive appearance of false prophets, who may seem genuine but harbor malicious intent.

The apostle Peter also addresses this issue in 2 Peter 2:1 : "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." Here, Peter links false prophecy with false teaching, both of which lead to spiritual ruin.

Consequences of False Prophecy

The Bible makes it clear that pretending to the gift of prophecy is not only a sin against God but also a grave offense against His people. In Acts 13:6-12 , the account of Elymas the sorcerer serves as a stark example. Elymas opposed the apostle Paul and attempted to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked him, and Elymas was struck with blindness. This incident demonstrates the immediate and divine judgment that can befall those who falsely claim spiritual authority.

Furthermore, Revelation 22:18-19 warns against adding to or taking away from the prophetic words of Scripture: "I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." This passage underscores the sanctity of true prophecy and the dire consequences of tampering with it.

Discernment and Testing of Prophets

Believers are encouraged to exercise discernment and test the spirits to determine the authenticity of prophetic messages. 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 call to vigilance is essential in safeguarding the church from deception and ensuring that only genuine prophetic words are heeded.

In summary, the Bible unequivocally condemns the pretense of possessing the gift of prophecy, highlighting the severe guilt and consequences associated with such deception. The Scriptures call for discernment and caution, urging believers to remain steadfast in the truth and wary of those who falsely claim divine inspiration.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 14:14
Then the LORD said to me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke to them: they prophesy to you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their heart.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 23:13,14
And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
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Ezekiel 13:2,3
Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say you to them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear you the word of the LORD;
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Library

Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices ...
... Grievous sin of the Papists in pretending to sacrifice Christ. ... Christ will the
fulfilment of this prophecy be found ... his death, he wiped away our guilt, and made ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 three things briefly.htm

To Alexander, Bishop of the City of Constantinople.
... mind with us; in appearance, indeed, pretending to seek ... although in my opinion the
greatest guilt lies upon ... Concerning which the Spirit of prophecy says, "Who ...
/.../i to alexander bishop of the.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... Children, probably involved in the guilt, not only of ... 732]340; witnessed to by Jewish
prophecy, [733]342 ... 787]494; denied before men in pretending heresy, [788 ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

The Arguments Usually Alleged in Support of Free Will Refuted.
... and endeavour to evade his judgment, by pretending that he ... their conduct, can they,
I ask, deny their guilt? ... to a distance is meant the withdrawal of prophecy. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the arguments usually.htm

Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance.
... bears for a time with the ungodly, pretending repentance. ... says that therein was
fulfilled the prophecy concerning the ... Again, "Sin is dead in the guilt by which ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 regeneration by faith.htm

Letter Lxxxiv. To Pammachius and Oceanus.
... to read him, I admit my guilt: indeed, these ... out, they devise fresh wiles, and,
pretending innocence themselves ... to exercise the gift of prophecy in furtherance ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxxiv to pammachius and.htm

Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... Baptism, promise at, [119]4; gift of the Spirit in, [120]36; regeneration in ... Samaritans,
[315]123; avoided His own country, not to increase its guilt, [316]ib ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the gospel of.htm

Letter Xciii. (AD 408. )
... But at that time the prophecy, "Be wise now, therefore, O ... that they had no share
in the guilt of this ... is known:" either refusing to see, or pretending not to ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xciii a d 408.htm

Concerning the Ministry.
... [563] Also they who have received this holy and unspotted gift, as they ... Whereas the
scripture looks upon that as an aggravation of guilt, and calls it blasphemy ...
/.../proposition x concerning the ministry.htm

To Pammachius against John of Jerusalem.
... Who now fastens on you the guilt of Photinus ... he vapours, and vents himself unconcernedly,
pretending to be ... my bosom." What can be clearer than this prophecy? ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/to pammachius against john of.htm