TRUE/FALSE PROPHETS

Test for True/False Prophets

1.         Do other spirit-led people discern authenticity in the prophet?

 Discernment by others who are led by the spirit is a key test..1 Kings 22.7. King Jehoshaphat knew the difference between the pagan prophets and the prophet of the Lord. So he asked for one. The New Testament speaks of this a great deal: Jesus was a true prophet, our shepherd…John 10:4-15.

  1 Corinthians 2:14…because the Holy Spirit lives in true prophets, then they are spiritual to receive His truths and understand it/the meaning.

  Believers should also evaluate what the prophets’ say, judge every prophecy…1 John 4:1. Prophets are in control of their spirit…v 32

2.          Have the prophet’s short-term prophecies been fulfilled?

  Deuteronomy 18.22…do the predictions come to pass…if they do not come to true, the Lord did not give the message; the prophet has spoken without the Lord’s authority and need not be feared. Fear true prophecy and prophets.

  Jeremiah 28:9…a prophet who predicts peace must show he is right.

  Jeremiah 29:31, 32…false prophesies incite people to rebel against God, they encourage rebellion against God drawing people away from God…Deuteronomy 13:5, 10.

3.          Does the prophecy confirm the Bible’s main teaching?

  If a prophecy is inconsistent with or contradictory to scripture it is not to be believed because the testimony of Jesus, the Word is the spirit of prophecy…Revelation 19:10. The essence of prophesy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.

      God never contradicts Himself, check their words against the bible…Deuteronomy 13:1-11. Only a solid foundation in God’s word can equip us to perceive the errors and distortion in false teachings. The Lord can test His people through false prophetic utterances…v3. They water down God’s message in order to make it more palatable. The temptation to abandon God’s command/leading often sneak up on us through whispering doubt that are very persuasive by loved ones.

4.          Does the prophet draw people away from God?

  Many teachers draw people to themselves, to the system or organization they have built…Deuteronomy 13:1-3.

  The antichrist will do exactly that, draw people to himself…2 Thessalonians 2:9

                                                                

5.          Is the prophet mark by desire to say only what pleases people?

   True prophets serve God not people…Jeremiah 8:11; 14:13 and false ones earn fame and money by telling people what they want to hear.

6.           What’s the prophets’ moral character?

   They could speak God’s message but do not live to it.

   They were charged with lying Jeremiah 8:10; 14:14 when we encourage false teachers we are guilty as they are; drunkenness Isaiah 28:7 and immorality Jeremiah 23:14.

7.           Does the prophet use fortune-telling? Deuteronomy 18:9-14

   Divination was expressly forbidden by God. No true teacher or prophet or has any dealings with spirits of the dead…Jeremiah 14:14; Ezekiel 12:24; Micah 3:7