Christians: Can you recognize the false prophets among you ...?

Question

hindsight is 20-20, but you didn't see Ted Haggard coming did you? Funny thing is, us atheists could. Same goes for Jimmy Swaggert.

These people have done serious damage to your cause, and yet you either can't see them for what they are or don't care.

When Benny Hinn is exposed for the fraud he is, will you say "yeah, we always knew he wasn't a true Christian"?

Bryan: Do you enjoy being ignorant?

Answer 1

The only true prophets the church cares about are profits.

Answer 2

All people sin, including you and I.
I ditto you on Benny Hinn. Most Christians are not experts and are still learning what the Bible says. Some are too trusting.
I think the Ted Haggard thing shows that he was in sin & no longer able to lead. Now, if people still followed him, then that would be a problem.
None of these guys, as far as I know, claim to be prophets-save maybe Benny. They claim to be teachers.

Edit 1- That is why I follow Jesus and not people. Christianity/ salvation, is about following Jesus, not men. Because all men sin.
That being said, I am a pastor. I do my best to live a life beyond reproach. My focus, as a pastor, is to get people to follow Jesus.

Edit 2- Scott
We do.

Answer 3

Brendan- I never knew thing one about Ted Haggard until all this came out. If I had been a member of his church though, yes I think I'd have known something because of the fruits in his life.

When Benny Hinn is exposed for the fraud he is, will you say "yeah, we always knew he wasn't a true Christian"?

BENNY HINN IS NOT A CHRISTIAN. He is a false prophet, a wolf in sheep's clothing and he preaches blasphemy. Most of the Christian world knows this, when are you atheists going to catch up?

Love ya!

Answer 4

You assume none of us did. In fact, there are many Christian web sites that spoke out against these men. (Here's a great one: http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/page3.html As you can see, the articles against Ted Haggard go all the way back to 1997!!!) The problem is, many Christians today don't have a well-developed sense of discernment -- because many professing to be Christian aren't mature in their faith. This doesn't mean they're all unsaved (although many are unsaved). It just means they do not see with spiritual eyes, or walk in faith.

The truth of the matter is, you cannot identify the FALSE until you learn to identify the TRUTH.

I've spoken against Benny Hinn for quite a long time. I also distrust John Hagee and many other so-called teachers, most of whom are on tv. When they are exposed as false, there will be many of us who knew all along, but more still of those who are completely surprised.

The Bible tells us such false teachers and prophets will arise in this point of history. Unfortunately, we shouldn't be surprised that many would abuse the love of Christ and turn it into evil.

EDIT: "Paradisee," please go to the link I gave above and look up Benny Hinn and Rod Parsley. I think you'll be shocked.

"Papa Mac," Benny Hinn does claim to be a prophet, yet he has MANY failed prophesies.

Answer 5

It is called discernment, and it comes with maturity. Benny Hinn is a fraud. He feeds off the weak and weak minded. He preys on the trust of people truely seeking Christ. Most if not all the Chrisitans I hang out with (including myself) recognize that and stay far far away from him.
There are a couple of big names heading for a fall, but then again, they are just human like the rest of us. God hasn't granted them any sort of super power to overcome temptation. Just the same tools the rest of us have.
I see it, I see the damage, and it does bother me.
There are some really strong men of God preaching in the public eye, but they are not seeking fame or money, just the spreading of God's word. They preach all of what God has to say and not just the happy parts. They aren't out to make friends, but to proclaim the truth so that people might come to know Christ. They are few and far between, and growing fewer each day.

Answer 6

A prophet is a person who predicts the future. None of the men you mention ever claimed to be prophets, merely ministers of the Gospel. It is a shame that they fell to various types of sin, and that Benny Hinn seems to be a fraud to so many, but they can be forgiven of their sins if they honestly believe and strive for forgiveness. It's pretty easy to discern false prophets among us. When someone makes a "way out there" sounding prediction, all one has to do is wait and see if what they predict comes to pass. If even one aspect of their prediction is inaccurate, they cannot be considered true prophets of God. God demands 100% accuracy to PROVE to the skeptic that His word and will are being done.

Answer 7

For one thing these men were preachers...not prophets.
A prophet is known by the Truth he speaks and his prophecies come to be.
What exactly do you think is 'Christians Cause'?
Are you mistaking the fundamentalist political lobby with a christians goal to become closer to Christ?
I don't know who Benny Hinn is nor does he have anything to do with my personal relationship with God.
You need to spend less time looking at other men and more time looking whithin. Only then will the Truth of God become evident. But only if you can subdue ego and quiet your mind.
Yet it really is not important whether you beleive in God or not. It is more important that God believes in you.
Otherwise you would not exist to write things against humans and miss the whole point about God.

Answer 8

There is no such thing as a 'true' christian. All Christians will make mistakes, some more severe than others. Mr Haggard let temptation and solitude get the better of him. The enemy will attack the leaders so the sheep will scatter. When these leaders fall, I pray for them and their family. Then I take a personal inventory of my own life.

Answer 9

Evidently not. Rev. Peter Popoff got exposed and jailed for his fraud and now he's back...selling the most outrageous religious themes products and preaching again. And people LISTEN to the man!

Why don't Christians call Roberts, Swaggert, Hinn, and the rest for the crooks they obviously are?

Answer 10

Oh I definately know Benny is a false prophet--and I am amazed he has not been exposed yet. There are many tv evangelists who are not abiding in God's word or sticking to the truth...but are out for their own gain.
The only good show on TBN is "way of the master" ---that is definately being blessed by God.

Ephesians 5:11
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Answer 11

I am glad you are keeping an eye out. I follow God and The Holy Bible. That is why I don't follow or watch any of these "preachers" that are on tv or in the public eye and I know some religions were just invented by their false prophets. I wish more people would simply follow God's Word.

May God bless you.