Identifying False Prophets

One source of false doctrine in the church comes from people who claim to have some special revelation from God.  These special revelations are often referred to as prophecies, and frequently refer to events in the future.  In order to understand the biblical concept of prophecy it is helpful to understand the difference between the Greek words for prophecy and the Hebrew words.  The Greek words relate to foretelling the future, while the Hebrew words refer to speaking by inspiration, telling people what God has directed.  The New Testament was nearly all written by Hebrew speakers, who used the Greek word as the best approximation for the Hebrew words. 

Today, many eagerly seize on these special revelations as the latest word in how Christians are to conduct themselves, with those who claim to be prophesying considered among the most spiritual Christians.  In I Corinthians 14:29-33, Paul gives some special instructions about prophets.  “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.  If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.  For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 

The first thing Paul says is that even as the prophet is speaking, those who hear him are to be checking out his message.  They are not to blindly accept it at face value, but are to be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who “…received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”   Before the message is accepted as being from God, we need to compare it to the scriptures because we know that they are from God, and any new revelation he gives will not contradict them.   I Corinthians 13:9-10 tells us, “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”   Any legitimate prophecy will fill in gaps in our understanding, and will not contradict what the scriptures teach. 

A second thing to look for is found in Deuteronomy 18:22.  “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.”  Many prophecy teachers have set dates for Christ’s return for example.  Every time one of them was wrong, it proved they were a false teacher and should not be taken seriously.   If they prophesy that a person will recover from some disease and he doesn’t it proves they are false prophets.   The Jews were commanded to execute false prophets. 

A second thing we notice is that God doesn’t just use certain people to share his word.  As Paul says, sometimes the main preacher needs to shut up and let others tell what God has shown them.  The goal is that everyone in the church, including the pastor learns and grows.  If the speaker is not able to control themselves or follow the prescribed procedure, it indicates he is directed by something other than the Holy Spirit.  In fact part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is temperance, or self-control, As Galatians 5:22-23 tells us.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”  The Holy Spirit does not force people to do things, and does not cause conflict in the church. Instead, he produces peace, patience, kindness, and humility.   If these are not present, it implies the teacher is not inspired by God.