How does a Christian distinguish between a prophet and a sorcerer?

Question

OK, this is part of a long series of "getting over my christianophobia" questions, I am trying to be more understanding and open minded...so please bear with me and try not to be offended.

The bible is full of prophets and miracle workers yet there are also passages that say anybody who claims to see the future is a sorcerer and is evil...revelations for example is supposed to be a vision of the future...so how are the 2 distinguished. Why is it that throughout history some are some burned at the stake and some are added to the bible?

What do most christians think about people (modern day) with psychic ability?
thx

sorry about the typo -

Answer 1

I truely belive of the Empowerment with the Holy Spirit. The sorcerer is also called a magician.


The New Testament speaks of four magicians. Simon (Acts 8:19-24) practiced magic in Samaria and amazed all who saw him. Along with wrongly using his natural abilities to try to convince the populace that he had great supernatural powers, he was also rebuked by Peter for supposing that the manifestations of the Holy Spirit could be purchased with money.

Bar-Jesus or Elymas (Acts 13:4-12) was a false prophet and magician who resisted Paul and Barnabas. Paul's condemnation of Elymas was not because of his natural ability to perform, but rather because of his wrong use of the ability and his opposition to the gospel.

Jannes and Jambres (2 Timothy 3:8) are two of the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses. If they were in fact advisors to Pharaoh, we may consider them in the light of the earlier study of Hebrew words (See WITCH).

The New Testament also uses various words to describe the practice of magic. Among these is the word translated "curious arts" or "sorcery" in Acts 19:19. The Greek word carries the root idea of being concerned with other peoples' business and is translated busybodies in 1 Timothy 5:13. It conveys the sense of interfering with other peoples' lives through the practice of magical formulas and secret information.

The difference is if it is clamed with the holy spirit.. In the times of which craft and people being burned at the stake. People at this time really were scared and when someone did not fit in and for tuns of other redickouls reasons. Those were troubled times.As well as really very sad..
The ones that were added to the bible were the actual Apostles' that Jesus appointed himself.

A modern day psychic or any for that matter any psychic.. You have gifts from God.. and if you decided to use those gifts to glorify Him that is a whole different ball game then using it to lead others astray from a Godly path

I am a little tired sorry.I wanted to say something to you in hope that it helps you just a little.
Have a Great Night. ^^
Blessings to you

Answer 2

True prophets feel a deep humility and take no glory or honor to themselves; knowing full well that without the intercession of the angels of God, they would not know the mysteries of God, nor could they do His work upon the earth.

So if you would like to distinguish between the 2, see if the individual takes glory or honor to themselves. If they do, they are not a true prophet.

Also, true prophets confound the false doctrines and precepts of men, and the wicked nature of this world casts out and kills them (as you mentioned about being burned at the stake).

The editors of the New Testament, for example, transformed the canon of scripture into what THEY felt best served their interests and agendas at the time. They edited, transposed, added to, and deleted any part that did not fit their perception of the doctrine of Christ...


The easiest way to understand what John has presented in Revelation, both figuratively and symbolically in his writings, is to have the secrets and mysteries of God explained.

This knowledge and understanding has been revealed throughout time to true prophets of God; but each has been laid under a STRICT COMMAND to only reveal those things allowed and relevant to his particular day and age.


In Revelation 10:4, John is told to seal up the things which he knows (this being at a time of great wickedness upon the earth in his day). Compare this with Revelation 22:10, in which John is now commanded to NOT seal them any longer from those who are “the elect,” who choose righteousness (following the words of Christ) over wickedness (not following his words).

The Revelation of John has now been unfolded in the last days so that the truth will be fully known. It is explained in full in the book at the website below.


As for those modern day people with so-called "psychic ability," I don't believe in them.

Answer 3

Great that you're trying to understand instead of just slamming Christians.
he simple answer is that a sorcerer (magician/witch/psychic, all the same) does not give praise to God but takes praise for themselves. If a "prophet" says stuff that doesn't line up with or agree with God's teaching, the person is a false prophet or a sorcerer. For instance, a false prophet could tell everyone to cheat on their partners. Clearly that';s not wat God says and it gives no glory to God.
A true peophet always listens to God and what he/she says always makes sense and lines up with what we know of God.
The bible doesn't say that anybody who sees the future is a sorcerer; the greatest prophets saw way ahead.
In history, mistakes have been made and people burned as "witches" when they were just religious people or defending their faith.
Modern day psychics are not speaking for God and lead you away from God, even if what they say comes true. Their power is from the devil & I would have nothing to do with it. If you listen carefully, they say some part of truth but don't lead you to praise God.

Answer 4

Through the Holy Spirit.

Concerning persecutions, that depends largely on the context. For instance the attacks against the Native Americans was more in the hands of the mercantilism adventurers, not the missionaries, who were trying to protect the Indians from white brutality.

For the most part though it was political. If someone went against the religious structures of the country, they were considered as revolutionaries, and as such the only logical choice was to "take care" of them. Sad, but that is what happens when you mix politics and religion. They corrupt each other. It is best if they be left separate.

Answer 5

the last prophet died on Patmos a few years after Christ. Jesus had warned us that for a time, there would be no interferance, and that 'the time of miracles' would end. So, anybody coming up to you saying that they are performing miracles in the name of Jesus Christ, are false.
I believe that this 'psychic' ability is remnant from Adam and Eve. Possibly these two being perfect had photographic memories, even might have been telepathic. But some things that can't be explained don't always have to do with Satan and his demons.

Answer 6

Prophet speaks God's words - also speaks in to situations...

Sorcerer doesn't use God's power or attribute it to God.

Your Spirit should let you know the difference if you are unsure and always check the Bible.

Answer 7

You can tell a prophet from a sorcerer because prophets from God are never wrong because God cannot lie. Even if a sorcerer is 99% right he is still not from God.

Answer 8

a prophet is of God. any spirit of God will testify that Jesus Christ is the only Way, Truth and Life.

psychic ability? it's possible. God gives souls gifts. so why not? but those who try to gain gifts or develop gifts through the sue of sorcery or occultic rituals have a problem in my book

Answer 9

Hi there,

havent got my ahmad deedat's book with me

but you know in the bible there are tests that you apply when a person comes and claims to be a prophet

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:
Every Spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ Is come in the flesh is of God.
1 John 4:2

Beloved, believe not every spirit,
But try the spirits whether they are of God;
Because many false prophets are gone into the world. (1 John 4:1)

Muslims always do stuff in the name of God.

Ref: C.I Scolfields Authorised King James Bible confirmed
‘False Prophets are False Spirits.’


"BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM. DO MEN GATHER GRAPES FROM THE THORNS, OR FIGS FROM THE THISTLES? EVERY GOOD TREE WILL BEAR GOOD FRUIT AN D EVERY EVIL TREE WILL BEAR EVIL FRUIT....BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM. (Matthew 7:16-20).

"IF A MAN LIKE MOHAMED WERE TO ASSUME THE DIC TATORSHIP OF THE MODERN WORLD, HE WOULD SUCCEED IN SOLVING ITS PROBLEMS THAT WOULD BRING IT THE MUCH NEEDED PEACE AND HAPPINESS."(George Bernard Shaw)

in the bible you'll find things and you'll ask who does this stuff? Well muslims do- they take off their shoes outside of the mosques... im repeating myself over and over

But the comforter, which is the Holy Spirit,
Whom the father will send in my name,
He shall bring you to remembrance,
Whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 14:26


Islam came to honor Jesus from the lies told against him- it tells us to commit to charity and fasting and prayer

and they say: islam is a demonic faith. but jesus was accused of the same and said : "how can the devil cast out the devil?"

And remember Jesus the son of Mary, said:
“O children of Israel, I am the Messenger of Allah sent to you,
Confirming the Taurat (the law- Torah),
Which came before me and giving glad tidings of a messenger
To come after me whose name shall be Ahmad.
But when he (Ahmad, i.e Muhammad) came to them,
With clear proofs, they said: “This is plain magic.”
(Quran- As-saff 61:6)


John 16:7
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth,
It is expedient for you that
I go away; For if I go not away the
Comforter will not come unto you;
But if I depart, I will send him unto you
John 16:7

Mathew 15:23
I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of Israel

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There are prophecies in the OT like the following:


I will raise them up a prophet
From amongst their brethren
Like unto thee
And I will put my words into his mouth
And I shall speak unto them
All that I shall command him!

Deuteronomy 18:18



And it shall come to pass
That whosoever will not
Hearken unto my words
Which he shall speak
In my name
I will require it off him

Deuteronomy 18:19



And the book is delivered
To him that is not learned
Saying, Read this,
I pray thee:
And he saith, I AM NOT LEARNED!

Isaiah 29:12

john 16:13Howbeit when he the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth

Spirit i'd argue means prophet- many spirits were described in the beginning of the book of luke coming and going that didnt mean anything.

Apply the tests of the bible- its in there thats how christians judge truth from fancy heroes.

Answer 10

A prophets words will line up with the word of God.

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