How to Spot a False Prophet According To The Bible

[billiefan2000]

http://www.myfortress.org/APictureOfAFasleProphet.html


A Picture Of A Fasle Prophet According To The Bible


The Bible sets crystal clear guidelines for a true prophet of the Most High God. These guidelines have not changed, they remain intact despite the current popular opinion of the day.

A popular teaching among "Christian leaders" is that a person giving a false prophecy is not a false prophet. Although the Bible is clear that a prophets words shall never fail, these false teachers claim that this is not true. Basically they are saying that the Bible is wrong, and when they give a false prophecy, they are still right. They claim that the Bible in no way speaks on this matter, how wrong they are.

One Evangelical newsletter has this to say:

"The fallible-prophet idea is a recent invention from the imagination of self-proclaimed prophets who are confronted with misses all the time. Men like Mike Bickle, Rick Joyner, Bob Jones, Jack Deere, and James Ryle have conspired to create a new paradigm of prophets who make mistakes in their predictions. This way anybody can do it. By their definition, anyone who can guess right a lot of the time can be a 'prophet.'"

Mike Bickle for example says, "Someone suggested that I write a follow up book that revealed all our mistakes in the prophetic ministry. He suggested I call it Some Said We Blundered. I almost agreed. Indeed, we've made many mistakes on our journey in the prophetic ministry."

Benny Hinn as well, "[Paul Cain] is the most accurate prophet, I believe, on the Earth today. ... Thank God for such accurate prophets."

Listen to Rick Joyner explain the fallible prophet, "Bob Jones was told that the general level of prophetic revelation in the church was about 65% accurate at this time. Some are only about 10% accurate, a very few of the most mature prophets are approaching 85% to 95% accuracy."

Let's look at another case, false teacher Mark Chironna is talking to false prophet Kim Clement on TBN. Another of Kim Clement's prophecies have failed, but rather than follow what clearly is taught in the Bible, these deceivers twist and add to scripture to suit their heretical teachings:



Mark Chironna: "This idea that prophets know everything or that, so called, they "miss it," you know, a false prophet - the most powerful prophecies about Israel in the Old Covenant were given by a false prophet named Balaam. He prophesied more glorious things about the history of Israel than anybody. A false prophet has nothing to do with the accuracy of a prophecy. We can argue about that with the, whoever wants to argue. A false prophet had to do with the character of their life. It had nothing to do with the accuracy of their prophecy. And we know your character. We know who you are. We love you.



Kim Clement: Well, take a look at this [pointing to his wedding band]. Put this camera on this ring of mine. The Bible says "by their fruits you shall know them." My wife and I have been married 25 years. We just celebrated our 25th anniversary [Applause]. And God bless her and I love her, but these are the five children she gave me, I think there, 5 diamonds in it for our 5 children. You know, they're so quick to speak about any little thing that - you know - but they don't look at the fruit of the person's life either. That's also very important."

(Mark Chironna & Kim Clement, Praise The Lord, Winter 2003)





Let us see what the Bible teaches on this subject, then compare it with the teachings of so many "Christian leaders" today. The Bible warns us not to follow men (Jeremiah 17:5, Psalm 118:8), but to test what all leaders teach with scripture (1 John 4:1, Acts 17:11). God even says that he will test us with false prophets to see if we truly love God with all of our heart (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). God even says that some of these false prophets will have signs and wonders that come to pass, thus emphasizing the importance to prove all things with scripture.

The Bible is very clear, after reading these verses you will have a choice, follow God or follow man. See what God has to say about this:



"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD"

Jeremiah 17:5



"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

Psalm 118:8



God Says That He will Test Us With False Prophets, To See If We Truly Love Him:

"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."

Deuteronomy 13:1-4



God Gives Us A Simple Test To Try Prophets To See If They Are Actually Speaking For God. If Their Prophecy Fails, God Did Not Send Them:

"But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."

Deuteronomy 18:20-22

[billiefan2000]

A Prophet's Words Shall Never Fail According To The Bible:

"And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD."

1 Samuel 3:19



"The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him."

Jeremiah 28:9



"Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof."

Isaiah 44:24-26



"For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD. Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying. Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off. Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel 12:25-28



"Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant."

1 Kings 8:56



"And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?... And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.

1 Kings 22:17-18, 27-28



"Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah."

2 Kings 10:10



"Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel 24:24



"And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them."

Ezekiel 33:31-33



"I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass....I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them."

Isaiah 48:3, 5



People Will Want False Prophets And False Teachers:

"That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon."

Isaiah 30:9-12



"If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people."

Micah 2:11



"A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?"

Jeremiah 5:30-31



"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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

2 Timothy 4:3-4



The Bible Warns Us About The Coming False Teachers And False Prophets:

"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. Behold, I have told you before."

Matthew 24:24-25



"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Matthew 7:15



"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

1 John 4:1



"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

2 Peter 2:1-3



"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath 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 in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."

Acts 20:28-31



"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted."

Revelation 2:1-3



"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

Romans 16:17-18



"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

2 Timothy 4:2-4



"For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him......For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 11-13



"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."

Galatians 1:6-9



"Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD...For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD. Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD. And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. 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 doth return from his wickedness; they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? 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 they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD."

Jeremiah 23:1-2, 10-32



"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Matthew 7:15

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

2 Peter 2:1-3

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

1 John 4:1

[Ladybug]

EDITED OFF TOPIC PICTURE BY ADMIN

[Slippery]

Whoooooooooooooooooa, "fallible prophet". 65% accuracy, 10% accuracy. Us, Americans are really taken Christianity to new heights. Saint Paul, Isaiah, Daniel and others would be real proud.

[blessanna]

Big problem I see in the church is too many people are giving themselves titles that God did not give them. Like apostle, prophet, etc.

I have seen the gift of prophesy work and first thing is a prophet is to exhort or edify. A prophet is not out predicting things that will happen. When a prophet reveals something it shouldn't be anything new. It should have already been spoken by God. Usually the prophet is to reiterate what God has already said. My thing is if you get a warning from a prophet it shouldn't take you by surprise but act as a confirmation.

Our bishop and church received a prophesy on Sunday. It was edifying to hear but it was not a new message. Our bishop was not surprised by the word but served merely as a confirmation.

Also, if you are walking in the Spirit then you need to discern when to talk and when to shut up. Most of these tv prophets probably are listening to their flesh instead of God. You bring a "Thus saith the Lord..." there better be some scripture to back up such claims. Guess what if it doesn't come to pass then it wasn't from God. If you find that you are making a lot of false claims then it may be best to hold the tongue.

These men and women need to study the bible and realize not all have been given the gift of prophesy. They also need to learn to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through them and not themself. They need to ask God to search them and to ensure that they are not caught up in the tv world and that is what they truly desire the attention. In other words they need to humble themselves.

Finally, the purpose of the prophet is to proclaim the truth not predict the future.

[Patty T]

I have seen the gift of prophesy work and first thing is a prophet is to exhort or edify. A prophet is not out predicting things that will happen. When a prophet reveals something it shouldn't be anything new. It should have already been spoken by God. Usually the prophet is to reiterate what God has already said. My thing is if you get a warning from a prophet it shouldn't take you by surprise but act as a confirmation.

Our bishop and church received a prophesy on Sunday. It was edifying to hear but it was not a new message. Our bishop was not surprised by the word but served merely as a confirmation.

Also, if you are walking in the Spirit then you need to discern when to talk and when to shut up. Most of these tv prophets probably are listening to their flesh instead of God. You bring a "Thus saith the Lord..." there better be some scripture to back up such claims. Guess what if it doesn't come to pass then it wasn't from God. If you find that you are making a lot of false claims then it may be best to hold the tongue.

These men and women need to study the bible and realize not all have been given the gift of prophesy. They also need to learn to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through them and not themself. They need to ask God to search them and to ensure that they are not caught up in the tv world and that is what they truly desire the attention. In other words they need to humble themselves.

Finally, the purpose of the prophet is to proclaim the truth not predict the future.

I'm not sure I can agree with you based on scripture.

Ezekiel was a prophet of God and here is one of his prophecies from 37:1-8

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which [was] full of bones,


Eze 37:2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, [there were] very many in the open valley; and, lo, [they were] very dry.


Eze 37:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.


Eze 37:4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.


Eze 37:5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:


Eze 37:6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.


Eze 37:7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.


Eze 37:8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but [there was] no breath in them.

[Paul]

Ladybug -- Keep that stuff in Anything Goes. Thanks.

[happy girl]

I have a question about something. If I have a dream, and a lot of us here do, and we share it does that mean we are being false prophets? I have had a few incredible dreams and have shared them with you all. Is this inappropriate? I am not saying anything will happen, just that the dreams are special, also one of the dreams I had actually did happen the following day. I would never intentionally try to tell of future events that I was not sure of, but if it is better to just keep the dreams to myself let me know. :):

[Paul]

I have a question about something. If I have a dream, and a lot of us here do, and we share it does that mean we are being false prophets?

I think there's a big difference in saying "Hey, I had a dream and I wonder what it may mean," versus saying "God directly spoke to me and told me the future."

If your dream is wrong then it was simply a dream. If your prophecy was wrong then you are leading people astray.

[happy girl]

Thanks Paul. :):

[billiefan2000]

Big problem I see in the church is too many people are giving themselves titles that God did not give them. Like apostle, prophet, etc.

I have seen the gift of prophesy work and first thing is a prophet is to exhort or edify. A prophet is not out predicting things that will happen. When a prophet reveals something it shouldn't be anything new. It should have already been spoken by God. Usually the prophet is to reiterate what God has already said. My thing is if you get a warning from a prophet it shouldn't take you by surprise but act as a confirmation.

Our bishop and church received a prophesy on Sunday. It was edifying to hear but it was not a new message. Our bishop was not surprised by the word but served merely as a confirmation.

Also, if you are walking in the Spirit then you need to discern when to talk and when to shut up. Most of these tv prophets probably are listening to their flesh instead of God. You bring a "Thus saith the Lord..." there better be some scripture to back up such claims. Guess what if it doesn't come to pass then it wasn't from God. If you find that you are making a lot of false claims then it may be best to hold the tongue.

These men and women need to study the bible and realize not all have been given the gift of prophesy. They also need to learn to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through them and not themself. They need to ask God to search them and to ensure that they are not caught up in the tv world and that is what they truly desire the attention. In other words they need to humble themselves.

Finally, the purpose of the prophet is to proclaim the truth not predict the future.



I know that and that is what gets me when I ever hear some in Omaha Churches have called and still do call themselves a Prophet or Apostle when many who call themselves a Prophet or Apostle nowadays tend to be lying or con-artists

I hear on tv also

Prophetess Juanita Bynum and I would like to know why she is called a Prophetess when a "Prophetess" is suppose to tell the truth and not fleece her supporters by telling lies.

Same with Kim Clement who claims to be a Prophet of GOD

[antitox]

I have seen the gift of prophesy work and first thing is a prophet is to exhort or edify. A prophet is not out predicting things that will happen. When a prophet reveals something it shouldn't be anything new. It should have already been spoken by God. Usually the prophet is to reiterate what God has already said. My thing is if you get a warning from a prophet it shouldn't take you by surprise but act as a confirmation.

Yes, prophets do predict the future at times when God chooses to do so. Agabus the prophet in the book of Acts prophesied earthquakes which later happened. The prophetic role, overall, is to comfort encourage, and exhort which builds up the body; however, future events can impact the church or its work, and with God voicing that knowledge to His people, the church can, mobilize as needed just as that event in Acts shows us.

[RonnieBee]

http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Ezekiel+13&search-text=all
Link to Ezekiel 13, concerning false prophets of Israel which I believe applies to today's prophets as well.

[Joseph Eley]

Thanks for all that billiefan2000. :):

[billiefan2000]

your welcome Eley

[Catwoman]

I've tried to make sense out of Bynam but she does so much screaming and hollering I can't even make out anything she is trying to teach. It's all double-speak. I also wondered why she is called a "prophetess".

[Slippery]

hollywood christianity. those false prophets are christian celebrities, and they try to reenact the ancient israelite culture for us. Doing miracles, making prophecies etc, all made for television and the viewing audiences with cable, and for those who will sow a seed. :mad :mad

[billiefan2000]

hollywood christianity. those false prophets are christian celebrities, and they try to reenact the ancient israelite culture for us. Doing miracles, making prophecies etc, all made for television and the viewing audiences with cable, and for those who will sow a seed. :mad :mad


That is also why many of Stan Johnson of the Blasphemy Club I mean Prophecy Club and his ilk are called Prophets and Prophetess of GOD