BEWARE FALSE PROPHETS & MINISTERS
By W. G. Guy
Today there seems to be an abundance of prophets saying, “Thus saith the Lord”; yet I have observed that many of them speak words that contradict one another. This means that there are many false prophets around, just as Jesus foretold.
Matthew 24:3-5 – And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:24 – 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.
What are we to do regarding the “prophets”? Please understand that there are three sources that motivate to speak prophecy. The prime source is the Spirit of the Lord that comes upon a true believer and speaks through him or her. The second source is the person’s own human spirit where that person speaks out of their own heart desiring to speak on behalf of the Lord, yet is not truly inspired. The third source is from the enemy, Satan, who speaks through a person in effort to deceive or mislead with the purpose to leading the hearers in error and/or away from God and His truth.
In addition, there are two kinds of prophetic words; both are accomplished through the inspiration of the Lord’s Holy Spirit. One form is called “foretelling”, which involves telling events that are yet future; sometimes distant future, other times speaking of things in the near future. The second form of prophecy is “forth telling”, which involves preaching a message of instruction, exhortation or encouragement under direct inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit.
We should understand that prophecy also occurs through various persons as chosen and used by God. There is the position or office of Prophet, which is a specific God ordained ministry as listed by the apostle Paul.
Ephesians 4:10-13 – He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Then there are the gifts of prophecy which is the ability to speak under inspiration of the Holy Spirit by one of the nine gifts and does not require the person to be designated by the Lord as a Prophet:
1 Corinthians 12:8-11 – For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Romans 12:4-8 – For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Prophecy can be given by anyone that God so chooses; young or old, male or female.
Acts 2:16-18 – But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Back to the question posed earlier; what are we to do regarding the “prophets”? First we need to discern the true from the false. This requires a good knowledge of the Word of God as well a level of spiritual maturity.
Hebrews 5:12-14 – For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age (spiritually mature), even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 – Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.
1 John 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.
True prophets speak to a believer’s edification, and sometimes for his or her correction, in addition to predicting events. A prophet is to speak to people on behalf of God; he can do this because the prophet has a unique relationship with the Lord because he spends much time in His presence and then hears from Him. The false prophet’s objective is to have influence over people and covertly speaks to destroy Christian faith and trust in God’s Word, as well as to distract believers from faithfully following Christ?
Consider how serious this matter is to God who told His people of the Old Covenant how to deal with false prophets.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5 – 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. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
Since false prophets work to destroy people’s relationship with God, God wanted them to be destroyed under the Old Covenant. What are we, of the New Covenant, to do regarding these false prophets?
Matthew 7:15 & 20 – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. ….. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Jesus told us to recognize those who minister to us by their “fruit”, not by their “gifts”. Satan can counterfeit the supernatural Gifts of the Spirit, but he cannot duplicate or counterfeit the “fruit” – the Fruit of the Spirit, (Galatians 5:22-23), which is the character and nature of God and His Son, Jesus the Christ. (Refer to John 15:1-5 regarding this fruit that is produced in true believers by the life of Christ abiding within.)
Matthew 24:24-26 – For there shall arise false Christs (anointed ones), 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. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Jesus said NOT TO BELIEVE THEM! Even though they work signs and wonders – just like mentioned in Deuteronomy 13; and the sign or the wonder come to pass; ..… thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams These false prophets/preachers say and do these things in order to draw people unto themselves; to gain a following for fame and fortune.
Acts 20:29-31 – 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.
Jesus told us that such prophets/preachers shall be evident in these last days; He even mentioned this fact three times in 24th chapter of Matthew.
Matthew 24:11 – And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
He also told us to be on the “lookout”; and to be alert so as to be able to recognize what spirit they are of. This means discerning the spirit, whether it is of God, the human spirit of a self, or an evil spirit of Satan.
Luke 21:34-36 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Protection from false prophets comes from knowing the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and fellowshipping with Christ in prayer. Christ will then be able to communicate with you by His Spirit that dwells in you and show you what is true and what is false and tell you of things that are real.
John 16:13 – Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
The Lord will deal with these false prophets and preachers:
2 Peter 2:1-3 – 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.
Having studied the ministry of the Old Testament prophets I noticed that God raises up His servants as prophets when His people (Israel) began to lose their identity as God’s people and began to worship false gods and various idols. The main message of the prophets has always been, “REPENT and RETURN to worship your God”.
Parts of these prophets basic messages usually included foretelling of a coming punishment, as judgment for their failure, followed by a future restoration. This same message should be heard from today’s prophets because God has not changed, and we Christians sure need to REPENT from our worldliness and luke-warmness and that we RETURN to truly worshipping God.
John 4:23-24 – But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
By W. G. Guy
Today there seems to be an abundance of prophets saying, “Thus saith the Lord”; yet I have observed that many of them speak words that contradict one another. This means that there are many false prophets around, just as Jesus foretold.
Matthew 24:3-5 – And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:24 – 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.
What are we to do regarding the “prophets”? Please understand that there are three sources that motivate to speak prophecy. The prime source is the Spirit of the Lord that comes upon a true believer and speaks through him or her. The second source is the person’s own human spirit where that person speaks out of their own heart desiring to speak on behalf of the Lord, yet is not truly inspired. The third source is from the enemy, Satan, who speaks through a person in effort to deceive or mislead with the purpose to leading the hearers in error and/or away from God and His truth.
In addition, there are two kinds of prophetic words; both are accomplished through the inspiration of the Lord’s Holy Spirit. One form is called “foretelling”, which involves telling events that are yet future; sometimes distant future, other times speaking of things in the near future. The second form of prophecy is “forth telling”, which involves preaching a message of instruction, exhortation or encouragement under direct inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit.
We should understand that prophecy also occurs through various persons as chosen and used by God. There is the position or office of Prophet, which is a specific God ordained ministry as listed by the apostle Paul.
Ephesians 4:10-13 – He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Then there are the gifts of prophecy which is the ability to speak under inspiration of the Holy Spirit by one of the nine gifts and does not require the person to be designated by the Lord as a Prophet:
1 Corinthians 12:8-11 – For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Romans 12:4-8 – For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Prophecy can be given by anyone that God so chooses; young or old, male or female.
Acts 2:16-18 – But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Back to the question posed earlier; what are we to do regarding the “prophets”? First we need to discern the true from the false. This requires a good knowledge of the Word of God as well a level of spiritual maturity.
Hebrews 5:12-14 – For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age (spiritually mature), even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 – Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.
1 John 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.
True prophets speak to a believer’s edification, and sometimes for his or her correction, in addition to predicting events. A prophet is to speak to people on behalf of God; he can do this because the prophet has a unique relationship with the Lord because he spends much time in His presence and then hears from Him. The false prophet’s objective is to have influence over people and covertly speaks to destroy Christian faith and trust in God’s Word, as well as to distract believers from faithfully following Christ?
Consider how serious this matter is to God who told His people of the Old Covenant how to deal with false prophets.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5 – 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. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
Since false prophets work to destroy people’s relationship with God, God wanted them to be destroyed under the Old Covenant. What are we, of the New Covenant, to do regarding these false prophets?
Matthew 7:15 & 20 – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. ….. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Jesus told us to recognize those who minister to us by their “fruit”, not by their “gifts”. Satan can counterfeit the supernatural Gifts of the Spirit, but he cannot duplicate or counterfeit the “fruit” – the Fruit of the Spirit, (Galatians 5:22-23), which is the character and nature of God and His Son, Jesus the Christ. (Refer to John 15:1-5 regarding this fruit that is produced in true believers by the life of Christ abiding within.)
Matthew 24:24-26 – For there shall arise false Christs (anointed ones), 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. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Jesus said NOT TO BELIEVE THEM! Even though they work signs and wonders – just like mentioned in Deuteronomy 13; and the sign or the wonder come to pass; ..… thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams These false prophets/preachers say and do these things in order to draw people unto themselves; to gain a following for fame and fortune.
Acts 20:29-31 – 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.
Jesus told us that such prophets/preachers shall be evident in these last days; He even mentioned this fact three times in 24th chapter of Matthew.
Matthew 24:11 – And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
He also told us to be on the “lookout”; and to be alert so as to be able to recognize what spirit they are of. This means discerning the spirit, whether it is of God, the human spirit of a self, or an evil spirit of Satan.
Luke 21:34-36 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Protection from false prophets comes from knowing the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and fellowshipping with Christ in prayer. Christ will then be able to communicate with you by His Spirit that dwells in you and show you what is true and what is false and tell you of things that are real.
John 16:13 – Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
The Lord will deal with these false prophets and preachers:
2 Peter 2:1-3 – 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.
Having studied the ministry of the Old Testament prophets I noticed that God raises up His servants as prophets when His people (Israel) began to lose their identity as God’s people and began to worship false gods and various idols. The main message of the prophets has always been, “REPENT and RETURN to worship your God”.
Parts of these prophets basic messages usually included foretelling of a coming punishment, as judgment for their failure, followed by a future restoration. This same message should be heard from today’s prophets because God has not changed, and we Christians sure need to REPENT from our worldliness and luke-warmness and that we RETURN to truly worshipping God.
John 4:23-24 – But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
