How are we supposed to know who the false prophets are?

Question

I mean, in plain english, please

Bayou... thats exactly the mushy-mouthed, useless mumbo-jumbo I wanted to avoid. What does that mean???

Answer 1

The prophets that were before Jesus were there to tell of his coming, he came and so once he came he even said there would no longer be a need for any more prophets and that any who come after him would be false prophets. Except for two that will come in the very last days and they will be laying down some "Moses" stuff on the world.

Answer 2

From the christian view, a prophet would have to accept Jesus as who he said he was, as a basic rule, since the salvation initiative completed through Jesus was what all the prophecies in the Old Testament were preparing for. So false prophets deny he was the saviour, or contradict other revelation in the Old and New Testaments.

There is a gift of prophecy given to christians (1 Cor 12), but thats usually only a matter of prophetic words usually only spoken over individuals lives. A basic rule there is that they must build people up, and the prophets must be subject to church authority, and it is essential to check any prophecy since a whacko could say anything for fame! There have been a few prophecies for more significant things, it tends to be newer denominations that were established after the 1905ish Azusa street revival that allow it. A lot of other denominations have avoided it since unless there are people of real discernment, false prophecies can mislead. Satan tends to deceive in very subtle ways, since people spot an obvious lie.

Answer 3

Scripture warns us against false teachings and false prophets. To know scriptures is your best defense against them.

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;


As far as knowing false teaching and false prophets -- read 1John 4

1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jo 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

False teaching are those that DO NOT profess the divinity of Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

You must know the bible new testament thoroughly.
When you hear the statement that deviates from the bible you will know that a false prophet said it.

If you do not know the new testament, then anyone can say anything and you won't know what is true or false.

Where do you think the false prophets will be? On the street corner? NO.
In the churches is where they will be.

Answer 5

1. If someone predicts good events that don't come to pass, they are a false prophet.

2. If someone predicts bad events that don't come to pass, they are not necessarily a false prophet as bad tidings can be averted by repentence.

3 and most important....if the prophet, after predicting good things accurately, implores people to stray from God's words and Laws, He is most definitely a false prophet.

See Deut 13:1-5.

Answer 6

The following verses (Matthew 7:15-23) are from the Sermon on the Mount:

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.


Addendum:
Camel- Look at what something yields, especially when you scratch the surface and scrutinize it closely. The verse may seem obscure or convoluted, but I believe that there is profound truth in it.

Hope that helps…


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Answer 7

Through your own personal revelation via the Holy Ghost.

Basically if anyone is claiming to be a Prophet or to have received revelation from God (especially if their message says what you should or shouldn't be doing) you have every right to ask God yourself if He really called that person or not - or if that person's message is true or not.

And if you pray with real intent (meaning you are 100% willing to act according to the answer no matter what it is) God will let you know. (BTW- I often think developing the real intent part is the hardest part of the process).

Answer 8

If they ask for money.

After all, if you are truly sent by god then god will provide (as the bible clearly states). Jesus taught that you should pray in a closet. John the baptist lived in the wilderness and John the evangelist lived in a cave. Jesus declared that money was to be rendered unto Caesar, not unto god and he chased the moneylenders out of the temple (which is why the church hierarchy had him crucified).

If a prophet or a religion expects donations, you can be sure it is not godly.

Answer 9

(Deuteronomy 18:20-22).

"But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death."
"You may say to yourselves, 'How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?' If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him"

Ok, when do we kill Jerry Fallwell?

Answer 10

There will not be any more prophets sent to mankind, Muhammad (peace be upon him), was the last one sent. The Qur'an mentions the stories of some of the prophets from the past, including Jesus, Moses, Noah, Abraham, Lot, Soloman, Joseph and more.