True Prophets vs False Prophets
The Bible says, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. Though many claim to speak in accordance with the Spirit of God, His Word says clearly that there are also “many” who speak lies & heresy. Yet daily through television, conference calls, services, Twitter, Facebook, etc., we are falling prey to the very spirit of error that we have been forewarned against. Here are some checks that often easily distinguish the true prophets from false prophets of the times we live in:
A true prophet is supported by the Word of God. A false prophet is supported by fans.
A true prophet is concerned with the mind & will of God as confirmed by His Word, while false prophets promote worldly lusts & encourages focus on temporal things, situations, & circumstances.
A true prophet will address the character and walk of God’s ppl, urging them to set their affections on things above. A false prophet will address the selfish desires & wishes of the ppl, urging them to pursue selfish gain & flesh-driven goals.
False prophets make promises & predictions that serve the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, & the pride of life. True prophets speak on the things that serve the Lord’s purposes.
True prophets correct, rebuke, bring order, encourage in the Lord. False prophets coddle, boost egos, cause rebellion, motivate in the wrong direction.
True prophets lead you back to Christ, the Word of God, the fruit of the Spirit. False prophets draw you to themselves, their sayings, & the works of the flesh.
Not only must we learn to discern & recognize warning signs, we must ask ourselves why these false prophets are able to appeal so strongly to some of us as believers. Why are the words of the true prophets often rejected or despised? What is it within us that needs to be brought before God & repented of so that we can come into alignment with His will for our inward condition?
Matt 7:15 - “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.“
1 John 4:1 & 6 - “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world…They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.”
