TRUE AND FALSE PROPHETS

By Loren Davis

SOME SAY THERE ARE NO PROPHETS TODAY. OTHERS TAKE THE OTHER EXTREME POSITION AND DECLARE THAT THIS IS THE AGE OF THE PROPHETS. Which is scriptural? *1 Corinthians 12:28-29 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, SECONDARILY PROPHETS, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? ARE ALL PROPHETS? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?”

The Bible DOES NOT emphasize in the New Testament ERA THAT THIS IS THE AGE OF THE PROPHETS or any one of the ministries. This is THE AGE OF ALL THE MINISTRIES working together and complimenting one another. APOSTLES, PROPHETS, ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, HELPS, AND GOVERNMENTS all functioning in harmony with one another for the purpose of perfecting the saints.

THE OLD TESTAMENT ERA WAS THE AGE OF THE PROPHETS

*Hebrews 1:1-3 “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners SPAKE IN TIMES PAST unto the fathers BY THE PROPHETS,” “Hath in THESE LAST DAYS spoken unto us by his Son, (Jesus Christ), whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

THE NEW TESTAMENT ERA IS THE AGE OF “THAT PROPHET” JESUS AND THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD, THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. (John 1:21, 25, 6:14, Acts 3:23).

WE ARE TOLD THAT NOW WE HAVE A “MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY” THAN THE PROPHETS *2 Peter 1:19-21 “We have also A MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation (or private revelation). For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” *1 Corinthians 13:8-9 “Charity never faileth: but whether there be PROPHECIES, THEY SHALL FAIL; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For WE KNOW IN PART, and WE PROPHESY IN PART.”

JUDGING TRUE AND FALSE PROPHETS

The chief priest feared Jesus and sought to destroy him. FALSE PROPHETS always try to destroy TRUE PROPHETS, and TRUE PROPHETS CANNOT TOLERATE FALSE ONES.

Many Christians are always looking for a prophet to give them “A WORD” from the Lord. Most are NOT LOOKING TO “THAT WORD”, the Bible. They want to know “What is the Spirit saying?”

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT PROFESSING PROPHETS
  1. HOW IS THEIR LIFE MORALLY? Do they keep the basic Ten Commandments and are not engaged in the Works of the Flesh?
  2. Even if they have signs, wonders and miracles, ARE THEIR DOCTRINES BIBLICALLY SOUND? *2 John 9 “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth NOT IN THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST, HATH NOT GOD.” *Deuteronomy 13:1-5 “IF THERE ARISE AMONG YOU A PROPHET, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; THOU SHALT NOT HEARKEN UNTO THE WORDS OF THAT PROPHET, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.”
  3. WILL THEY ALLOW THEIR PROPHECIES TO BE JUDGED, OR DO THEY ACT INFALLIBLE? *1 Corinthians 14:29 “Let the PROPHETS SPEAK two or three, and LET THE OTHER JUDGE.”
  4. DO THEIR PROPHESIES ALWAYS COME TO PASS, or are they playing the odds and GUESSING INSTEAD OF PROPHESYING? Always try prophecies very carefully. Otherwise, the prophesy could psychologically tie you up and ruin your life. (There are some prophesies that take time to come to pass. Let time take its course and watch).
  5. MANY TODAY ADVERTISE THEMSELVES AS PROPHETS. Their posters say “Prophet So and So” is coming to town. Can you imagine Elijah or Jeremiah putting up posters and advertising that Prophet Elijah or Prophet Jeremiah is coming to town? COME GET A WORD FROM THE LORD? If someone promotes themselves as a prophet or prophetess, a BIG RED LIGHT should turn on in your mind. If one is a true prophet, He won’t COMMERCIALIZE HIMSELF. He will be humble but powerful. People will shake when he speaks. Every one will know he is a prophet without him having to tell everyone.
  6. FALSE PROPHETS LIKE TO EXPLOIT GOD’S PEOPLE. They use this Old Testament scripture which applied to the Age of the Prophets. *2 Chronicles 20:20 “Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS, SO SHALL YE PROSPER.”
  7. THEY ALWAYS PROPHESY WHAT THEIR FOLLOWERS WANT TO HEAR. They treat their followers like they are children, and not as adults. They are often abusive to them. It is amazing what people will tolerate.
  8. THEY ARE ALWAYS SUPERSPIRITUAL
  9. THEY OFTEN BREAK UP HOMES, promising that the person will be the next great prophet to come on the scene if they withdraw from everyone and give themselves completely to God.
  10. False prophets LET YOU KNOW THAT THEY ARE THE FINAL AUTHORITY. Many of them say that they see and talk to Jesus personally and He gives them special revelation that no one else has heard.
  11. False prophets LIKE TO SENSATIONALIZE THEIR GIFT AND SHOW OFF THEIR POWER. They are always TALKING ABOUT SIGNS AND WONDERS, particularly spectacular ones other than those mentioned in Mark 16:15-21.
  12. False Prophets emphasize SCHOOLS OF THE PROPHETS Some bring up the “SONS OF THE PROPHETS. 2 Kings 6:1 There is no way in the world one can make SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS OUT OF SONS OF THE PROPHETS. Ask yourself this question. Where did Elijah, Elisha, Moses, and Ezekiel go to school to learn to be a prophet? There is no such thing as THE SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS in the Bible. No one can make themselves a prophet! Either you are born a prophet, or you are not! *Jeremiah 1:5 “BEFORE I FORMED THEE IN THE BELLY I KNEW THEE; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ORDAINED THEE A PROPHET UNTO THE NATIONS.” *Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but FEW ARE CHOSEN.” Calling yourself a prophet doesn’t make you a prophet anymore than calling yourself an astronaut makes you an astronaut. If you call yourself a prophet and you are not, that makes you a FALSE PROPHET. If you are a prophet, everyone else will know it without you telling them. Just because a person gives a prophecy does not mean that he is a prophet.
  13. Pseudo prophets always HAVE A CERTAIN MYSTICAL LOOK IN THEIR EYE They act super spiritual, and are unreachable by the average man. They are recluse from the public. They are NOT MEEK AND LOWLY like Jesus.
  14. FALSE PROPHETS ACT SPIRITUALLY SUPERIOR TO PASTORS AND OTHER MINISTRIES Again, I am not saying that there are no prophets in the New Testament Dispensation. I Corinthians 12:28 says there are prophets today. God can and does communicate to us today not only by the Word of God, but also with the Gifts of the Spirit, THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, or Tongues and Interpretation. Today in some movements almost everyone claims to be a prophet. It makes you wonder about their motives. What about the other five fold ministry? What happened to them? *I Corinthians 12:29 says, “ARE ALL PROPHETS?” Some have exalted the ministry of prophet as the preiminent ministry today. That is not scriptural! Jesus is the only preiminent one in the church today. The others, the apostle, teacher, administration, helps are for the PROMOTION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of Jesus. Would the Holy Spirit appoint more to be prophets than any other ministry? I think that is illogical. There are many different needs and it takes ALL THE MINISTRIES to do the job. It seems that the reason many appoint themselves to be a prophet is that in this day and time the prophet has become the most prestigious and glamorous ministry in the church. It has become the ministry that most people are interested in and draws the biggest crowds and the most money.
  15. They prophesy that if you give them money you will get great financial miracles, but if you disobey, great curses will come upon you. Over and over they will tell you that they are “God’s prophet.”.
  16. They always speak against the pastor of the church. They criticize the pastor, and declare that they themselves are more spiritual than the pastor.
  17. They operate by fear and intimidation.
  18. Many of them tell the people to sell everything they have and give the money to them because Jesus is coming on a certain date. Untold multitudes around the world have been scalped by this scam and lost everything they own. (The only reason this can happen is because people don’t know the Bible and are superstitious. Intimidation is a powerful spirit).
  19. They use Personal Prophecy to CONTROL people’s personal lives. They will prophesy who you are to marry; what career you are to follow; where to invest your money; and even what city you should live in. This is not Biblical prophecy, It is WITCHCRAFT.
NEW TESTAMENT PROPHETS ARE NOT GOD’S MAIN MEANS OF COMMUNICATING WITH HIS PEOPLE LIKE THEY WERE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

The GOSPEL of Jesus Christ, THE WORD OF GOD IS HIS MAIN METHOD of speaking to His people today. The ministry of the prophet is just supplemental to the Bible. They are not superior or equal with the Bible.

*Mathew 11:29 Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I AM MEEK AND LOWLY in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

FALSE PROPHETS ARE SORCERERS

*Acts 8:9-11 “But there was a certain man, called Simon, which before time in the same city USED SORCERY, and BEWITCHED the people of Samaria, giving out that HIMSELF WAS A GREAT ONE: To whom THEY ALL GAVE HEED, from THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST, SAYING, THIS MAN IS THE GREAT POWER OF GOD.” (This is exactly how many Christians judge if a preacher has the power of God and is a prophet of God or not. They are looking to see if he can tell them their secrets, and prophesy good things to them). And to HIM THEY HAD REGARD, because that OF LONG TIME, HE HAD BEWITCHED THEM (tricked and controlled them) WITH SORCERIES.”

Nostradamus and Jean Dixon were operating as sorcerers, but the MAJORITY OF FALSE PROPHETS ARE OPERATING INSIDE THE CHURCH and Christians think they are operating by THE POWER OF GOD. Just because someone gives an accurate Word of prophecy, is NOT PROOF THEY ARE FROM GOD. They could be a sorcerer operating by demon spirits. God commands us to try the spirits to see if they be of God.

THE PROPHETIC SHOW

*I Corinthians 12:8 speaks of the “Word of Knowledge” We know this is a Gift of the Spirit and it is real, but ONE MUST BE CAREFUL not to be SEDUCED BY ANOTHER SPIRIT even in Christ’s name. Too often a “prophet” stands before an audience of 50 to 100,000 people, and says the Lord shows me there is someone here with a headache; sore joints; problems with your teeth; family problems; financial problems, etc. Now honestly, is that prophecy or playing the odds? Any one could do that and not miss. THAT IS NOT THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE! Does the Gift of Knowledge exist? Of course, I Corinthians 12 tells us so. But too many are FAKING THE GIFTS OF KNOWLEDGE.

Some so called prophets have even been caught with listening devices in their ears Their associates traveling with them work the crowd before the service and gather information. In the service “the prophet” calls out people’ names, addresses, family members, etc., and pretends that God showed this to him by the Holy Spirit. We know that God can reveal things by the Spirit, but alot is being done by trickery, lying and deception, in the name of the Holy Ghost. These false prophets have no fear of God and are not truly believers. It is Baal in the House of the Lord.

PERSONAL PROPHECY

There is such a thing as personal prophecy *1 Corinthians 14:14-24 “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I WILL PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT (other tongues), and I WILL PRAY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.” *18-24 “I THANK MY GOD, I SPEAK WITH TONGUES MORE THAN YE ALL: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, BE NOT CHILDREN IN UNDERSTANDING, BUT IN UNDERSTANDING BE MEN. IN THE LAW IT IS WRITTEN, WITH MEN OF OTHER TONGUES, AND OTHER LIPS WILL I SPEAK UNTO THIS PEOPLE; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore TONGUES ARE FOR A SIGN, NOT TO THEM THAT BELIEVE, BUT TO THEM THAT BELIEVE NOT: but PROPHESYING serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But IF ALL PROPHESY, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, HE IS JUDGED OF ALL.”

IS WHOLESALE PERSONAL PROPHECY IN THE SCRIPTURES?

Where in the scriptures, Old or New, do you see a precedent of lining up people and giving each of them a personal prophecy? It is not there! Personal prophecy has become a seducing thing because everyone wants a PERSONAL WORD from God. Instead of reading the Bible and praying to get God’s direction for their life, people get lazy and want A SHORT CUT to hear from God. When this attitude exists, it is easy for a false prophet to lead them into error. *2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but AFTER THEIR OWN LUSTS SHALL THEY HEAP TO THEMSELVES TEACHERS, HAVING ITCHING EARS.”

This opens the door for a SPIRIT OF DIVINATION to come into the church to emulate the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and spoil God’s people.

*Acts 16:16-17 “And it came to pass, AS WE WENT TO PRAYER, a certain damsel possessed with A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION MET US, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.”

*Ezekiel 21:23 “And it shall be unto them as A FALSE DIVINATION in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.”

There is a grave danger of giving a massive amount of INDIVIDUAL PROPHECIES in a large congregation even if one’s intentions are pure. It is not hard for one to easily switch over into the flesh and start prophesying OUT OF HIS OWN SPIRIT or HEART INSTEAD OF BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD. *Psalms 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

MBARARA, UGANDA

In Mbarara, Uganda, (Africa) in 2000, a prophet and prophetess led 1000 of their followers to a fiery death. They told their followers that Jesus and Mary had visited them and given them a special revelation. They said that Jesus and Mary told them that the people were to sell all their possessions and give them to their prophet and prophetess. They told the people that they wouldn’t need their houses or money anymore, because Jesus was coming on a certain day in 2000. Their followers were told that they would be in heaven with the Lord. The prophet said that he would use the money to spread the word to other people.

When the fateful day came, the prophet and prophetess called all the congregation to the “church”. The church doors were locked and the building was torched, burning 1,000 parishioners alive. The prophet and prophetess disappeared with the money. This type of scenario is happening over and over again in all the world. 1

While there is no dispute there are true New Testament PROPHETS, the scriptures WARN US REPEATEDLY IN VERY STRONG TERMS THAT THERE WILL BE MANY FALSE PROPHETS IN THE LAST DAYS.

*Matthew 24:11 “And MANY FALSE PROPHETS SHALL ARISE AND DECEIVE MANY.” * See Mark 13:22; John 4:48; II Thessalonians 2:9-10.

Jim Jones and David Koresh are prime examples of false prophets, but there are many others who LOOK real and SOUND GOOD. Often false prophets look and sound better than the real. This is what makes them so deadly.

The Bible says, “Let NO MAN DECEIVE YOU”. To chase prophets and allow them to run your life is SUICIDAL! *Matthew 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and FALSE PROPHETS, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, THEY SHALL DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT (true Christians).” See Micah 3:5, Jeremiah 2:14-15, Deuteronomy 13:2.

REMEMBER THE RULE. Even if there appear to be signs and wonders in a ministry; if their preaching or prophesying is not founded on solid Biblical doctrine, THEY ARE NOT OF GOD! THEY ARE COUNTERFEIT! See: Acts 4:30, Romans 15:19, II Corinthians 12:12, Hebrews 2:4.

The TRUE is based on SOLID BIBLE DOCTRINE; THE FALSE PERVERTS OR TWISTS THE GOSPEL. Galatians 1:7. *Acts 20:28-31 “TAKE HEED therefore unto yourselves, over which the Holy Ghost that MADE YOU OVERSEERS, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with His own blood. For I KNOW THIS, that after my departing shall GRIEVOUS WOLVES enter among you (His sheep) NOT SPARING THE FLOCK (no feeling, no mercy, plundering financially and fleecing) SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS (twisting the scriptures for their benefit), to draw away DISCIPLES AFTER THEM (not Christ). Therefore WATCH, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to WARN EVERYONE DAY AND NIGHT WITH TEARS.”

HOW FALSE PROPHETS OPERATE
WARNINGS TO THOSE WHO WOULD SAY “THUS SAITH THE LORD” AND SPEAK AS A PROPHET, WHEN THE LORD HAS NOT SPOKEN

*Ezekiel 13:2-9 “Son of man, PROPHESY AGAINST THE PROPHETS of Israel that PROPHESY, and say unto them THAT PROPHESY OUT OF THEIR OWN HEARTS, Hear ye the word of the Lord God; Thus saith the Lord God; WOE UNTO THE FOOLISH PROPHETS, THAT FOLLOW THEIR OWN SPIRIT, AND HAVE SEEN NOTHING! O Israel, THY PROPHETS are like the foxes in the deserts.” *6 “They have SEEN VANITY AND LYING DIVINATION, saying, THE LORD SAITH: AND THE LORD HATH NOT SENT THEM: and they HAVE MADE OTHERS HOPE THAT THEY WOULD CONFIRM THE WORD. Have ye NOT SEEN A VAIN VISION, AND HAVE YE NOT SPOKEN A LYING DIVINATION, whereas ye say, THE LORD SAITH IT; ALBEIT I HAVE NOT SPOKEN. Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because YE HAVE SPOKEN VANITY, AND SEEN LIES, therefore I AM AGAINST YOU, saith the Lord God. And mine hand shall be upon THE PROPHETS THAT SEE VANITY AND THAT DIVINE LIES: THEY SHALL NOT BE IN THE ASSEMBLY OF MY PEOPLE...” *10 “Because, even because THEY HAVE SEDUCED MY PEOPLE SAYING, PEACE; and there was no peace;” *17 Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, WHICH PROPHESY OUT OF THEIR OWN HEART; AND PROPHESY THOU AGAINST THEM, WILL YE HUNT THE SOULS OF MY PEOPLE; And will ye POLLUTE ME AMONG MY PEOPLE FOR HANDFULLS OF BARLEY AND FOR PIECES OF BREAD (MONEY), TO SLAY THE SOULS THAT SHOULD NOT DIE...BY YOUR LYING TO MY PEOPLE THAT HEAR YOUR LIES?” *22-23 “Because WITH LIES YE HAVE MADE THE HEART OF THE RIGHTEOUS SAD...AND STRENGTHENED THE HANDS OF THE WICKED, THAT HE SHOULD NOT RETURN FROM HIS WICKED WAY, BY PROMISING HIM LIFE: Therefore ye shall see NO MORE VANITY, NOR DIVINE DIVINATIONS: FOR I WILL DELIVER MY PEOPLE OUT OF YOUR HAND: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.” *Jeremiah. 23:30-40. “Therefore, behold, I am AGAINST THE PROPHETS, saith the Lord, that STEAL MY WORDS every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that USE THEIR TONGUES, and SAY, HE SAITH. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and CAUSE MY PEOPLE TO ERR BY THEIR LIES, and by their LIGHTNESS; yet I SENT THEM NOT, NOR COMMANDED THEM: therefore that YE shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord... I WILL EVEN FORSAKE YOU, saith the Lord. And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the Lord, I WILL EVEN PUNISH THAT MAN AND HIS HOUSE. Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the Lord answered? and, WHAT HATH THE LORD SPOKEN? And the burden of the Lord shall ye mention no more: for every man’s word shall be his burden. For YE HAVE PERVERTED THE WORDS OF THE LIVING GOD, of the Lord of hosts our God. Thus shall thou say to the prophet, What hath the Lord answered thee? and, What hath the Lord spoken? But since ye say, The burden of the Lord; therefore thus saith the Lord; Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I WILL FORSAKE YOU, and the city that I GAVE YOU AND YOUR FATHERS, and CAST YOU OUT OF MY PRESENCE: And I will bring an EVERLASTING REPROACH UPON YOU, AND A PERPETUAL SHAME, WHICH WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.”

CHRISTIANS WHO SAY GOD IS ALWAYS TALKING TO THEM

Many claim that GOD IS ALWAYS SPEAKING TO THEM. There is no question according to God’s Word, that God speaks to people. *John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

But Satan is a DECEIVER and comes as an Angel of Light to deceive even the very elect. Not every voice is from God! Satan will sometimes even say he is God in the voice of your mind. That is why I Corinthians 12 speaks of the Gift of Discerning of Spirits, so we won’t be tricked by Satan. How could anyone dispute something said when the person says “God told me”. The only way you can know it is true or not is to judge it by the Bible as well as the Spirit.

Many carelessly say, “Thus saith the Lord,” with NO FEAR of misrepresenting God. Often many just make up A WORD FROM THE LORD.

JEZEBEL CALLED HERSELF A PROPHETESS

*Revelation 2:20 “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which CALLED HERSELF A PROPHETESS, to TEACH and to SEDUCE my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” *Jeremiah 2:8 “The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the PROPHETS PROPHESIED BY BAAL, and walked after things that do not profit.” *Mathew 24:11 “And MANY FALSE PROPHETS SHALL ARISE, and shall DECEIVE MANY.” *DEUTERONOMY 13:1-5 “If there arise among you a PROPHET, or a DREAMER of DREAMS, and giveth thee A SIGN OR A WONDER, And the SIGN OR THE WONDER COME TO PASS, whereof he spake unto thee, SAYING LET US GO AFTER OTHER GODS, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou SHALT NOT HEARKEN UNTO THE WORDS OF THE PROPHET, OR THAT DREAMER OF DREAMS; And that PROPHET, or that DREAMER OF DREAMS, shall be put to death; BECAUSE HE HATH SPOKEN TO TURN YOU AWAY FROM THE LORD YOUR GOD.”

*I Thessalonians 5:20 “Despise not prophesyings”. Of course this scripture is true, but IT IS NOT THE ONLY SCRIPTURE in the Bible about prophesying. You MUST factor in all scriptures on PROPHESYING and not just look at one, or you could get into error.

MISJUDGING WHO IS AND WHO IS NOT A PROPHET

*Luke 7:37-39 “And behold, a woman in the city, which WAS A SINNER, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat at the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment. And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now WHEN THE PHARISEE which had bidden him saw it, HE SPAKE WITHIN HIMSELF, saying, THIS MAN, IF HE WERE A PROPHET, WOULD HAVE KNOWN who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him; for SHE IS A SINNER.”

This is a classic example of misjudging true prophets.

  1. The PHARISEE said Jesus was NOT A PROPHET because He didn’t give a WORD of knowledge TO THE WOMAN THAT SHE WAS A SINNER. Jesus didn’t ACT like the Pharisees thought a prophet should act, allowing a sinner to wash His feet. Because Jesus did not give a WORD exposing the woman, the Pharisees judged that Jesus was NO PROPHET. Many Christians judge ministers today like the Pharisee’s did Jesus.
  2. The WOMAN who was a SINNER, RECOGNIZED THAT JESUS WAS “THAT PROPHET”. The reason that she was weeping and ministering to Him with the ointment from the alabaster box is that she recognized who He was.

OTHER SCRIPTURES ABOUT FALSE PROPHETS

*Zechariah 13:3-5 “And it shall come to pass, that when ANY SHALL YET PROPHESY, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, THOU SHALT NOT LIVE; FOR THOU SPEAKEST LIES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD: and his father and mother that begat him SHALL THRUST HIM THROUGH WHEN HE PROPHESIETH. And it shall come to pass in that day, THAT THE PROPHETS SHALL BE ASHAMED EVERY ONE OF HIS VISION, when he hath PROPHESIED; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive: But HE SHALL SAY, I AM NO PROPHET, I am a husbandman.” The true prophet of God ELIJAH had ZERO TOLERANCE for the prophets of Baal.

TO TAKE THE POSITION THAT ONE WOULD RATHER TOLERATE FALSE PROPHETS THAN TO TAKE A CHANCE OF NOT ALLOWING THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT TO OPERATE ARE OPENING THE DOOR TO FALSE PROPHETS.

Of course we should not reject the Gifts of the Spirit. But one must use “the discerning of spirits” to keep from being seduced by an imposter using Jesus’ name. One of the main reasons that Satan perverts the Gifts of the Spirit is to get people to reject them.

*I John 1:5 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that GOD IS LIGHT, and IN HIM IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL.”

*John 8:44-47 “Ye are of YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, and THE LUSTS OF YOUR FATHER ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and ABODE NOT IN THE TRUTH, because THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM: When he speaketh a LIE, he speaketh of his own: FOR HE IS A LIAR, AND THE FATHER OF IT. Because I tell you the TRUTH, ye BELIEVE ME NOT. HE THAT IS OF GOD HEARETH GOD’S WORDS; ye therefore hear them not, BECAUSE YE ARE NOT OF GOD.”

Any prophet that teaches opposite the Doctrines of the Bible; who links his prophesies to obtaining money; prophesies by sorcery or familiar spirits; or gives false prophesies, is a PROPHET OF BAAL.

ANYONE WHO DOES NOT SPEAK THE TRUTH, OR DOES NOT WANT TO HEAR THE TRUTH, IS NOT A TRUE BELIEVER OF GOD

*I Corinthians 13:2 “And though I have the GIFT OF PROPHECY, …and HAVE NOT LOVE, I AM NOTHING.”

*Jeremiah 5:31 “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means;”

WE MUST BE ON FULL ALERT AT ALL TIMES AND NOT BE SPIRITUALLY NAÏVE. If we don’t try the spirits, the devil will exploit our hunger for God. Being GULLIBLE is NOT ONE OF THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT.

If one gets burned badly enough by a false prophet, most of the time he also turns off true prophets and servants of God, not wanting to take a chance again. What a cunning strategy of the devil to totally discredit the ministry of true prophets and The Gifts of the Spirit.

*2 Kings 10:28-29 They “DESTROYED BAAL OUT OF ISRAEL.”

MANY CHRISTIANS ARE MORE LOYAL TO THEIR PROPHET THAN THEY ARE TO CHRIST AND THE BIBLE

*1 Corinthians 3:4-5 “For while one saith, I AM OF PAUL; and another, I AM OF APOLLOS; ARE YE NOT CARNAL? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?”