Identifying False Prophets – How To Try The Spirits
True Or False?
The Bible contains numerous warnings about false apostles, false prophets, false Christs, false religion, and even false Christians. It also specifically commands that we try (test) the spirits.
Matthew 7:15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 24:11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
Matthew 24:24 “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.
Mark 13:22 for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
2Corinthians 11:13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. v14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. v15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.
v26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
Galatians 2:4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.
2Thessalonians 2:9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,
1Timothy 4:1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.
2Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. v2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. v3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.
2John 1:7 I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist.
The Great False Prophet Of Revelation
Revelation 16:13 And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; v14 for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.
Revelation 19:20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.
Revelation 20:10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Toward God Or Away From God?
Although in this essay we are speaking mostly about false prophets, these tests apply to all categories of the false. The essence is does the prophet lead you toward God or away from Him? It doesn’t really involve the accuracy of their predictions because even true prophecy can be misunderstood and incomplete.
1Corinthians 13:9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture!
The true test is their fidelity to what the scripture says and what God wants. Toward God or away from Him?
Test The Spirits
The specific command to test the spirits is given by the apostle John;
1John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
How To Test
What the scriptures say about how to do this;
Matthew 7:15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. v16 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? v17 “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. v18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. v19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. v20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits. v21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. v22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ v23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
And
1John 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; v3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
Neither of these two tests is particularly easy to apply. If it were easy there wouldn’t be a problem would there?
Test One: Character
The first test, to know them by their fruits, is essentially talking of their character. The Message translates Matthew 7:15 as;
“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character.”
Look for character. The fastest way to do this is to live with someone for a week or two. Do they truly practice what they preach? Anyone can put on a good front for a few hours a week, but not for weeks at a time. This would be a good test, but unfortunately not a practical one. The point is you have to know someone pretty well to judge their character.
This same point – know their character – is expressed in the qualification for elders and deacons.
1Timothy 3:2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, v3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. v4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity v5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), v6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. v7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. v8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, v9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. v10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. v11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. v12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. v13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Test Two: Gnosticism – Christ In The flesh
The second test, confess that Christ came in the flesh, is also hard to apply. This specifically refers to a first century heresy usually known as Gnosticism. Gnostics, in a simplified explanation, believed that the physical creation was evil or, at best, imperfect. Of course this was not compatible with a physical Christ, hence the test as specified in 1John;
1Jn 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; v3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
Be cautioned, 1 John4:3 does not mean that a spirit which does confess Jesus is proved to be from God. Demons and false ministers use “Jesus” a lot.
Another Test: Is It Scriptural?
Gnosticism still exists today, but is mostly well outside of the mainstream of Christianity and not very useful as a test. We can, however, extract the principal that truth must adhere to the scriptures. Gnosticism doesn’t pass this test. Does what we are testing agree with scripture or not?
This again can be hard to apply when someone says something that is not in scripture. God most certainly can do something new and say something new. He has before, and He will again. So just because it’s new is not an automatic disqualification. However, a prophet cannot say anything that directly contradicts or opposes scripture and be true. When God does something new, He builds on what came before. He doesn’t start from scratch.
Old New and New New
The covenant made with Israel after the exodus was new, and the people didn’t want to give up the gods of Egypt. The covenant made with the church was new and greatly opposed by the keepers of the old. After Christ returns God says even more will be new;
Revelation 21:5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
Can He do other new things besides these? Of course – He can and He will.
Isaiah 42:9 “Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”
Isaiah 43:19 “Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
A real prophet can declare that God is doing something new. But again, the testing is difficult because you have to know scripture well enough to be able to judge. Not just a few verses, but all of it. Has God said anything like this before? Did He say it in a similar manner? Is the basic message the same? That message is repent or suffer the consequences – repent and live.
What False Prophets Say
The false prophets of old said “nothing bad will happen, don’t listen to those who say it will”.
Jeremiah 14:13 Then I said, “O Sovereign LORD, their prophets are telling them, ‘All is well—no war or famine will come. The LORD will surely send you peace.’” v14 Then the LORD said, “These prophets are telling lies in My name. I did not send them or tell them to speak. I did not give them any messages. They prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen or heard. They speak foolishness made up in their own lying hearts. v15 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I will punish these lying prophets, for they have spoken in My name even though I never sent them. They say that no war or famine will come, but they themselves will die by war and famine!
Micah 3:5 This is what the LORD says: “You false prophets are leading My people astray! You promise peace for those who give you food, but you declare war on those who refuse to feed you.
Sometimes God delayed for a long time and it appeared the true prophets were wrong, but ultimately God always does what He says He will do. In the mean time the true prophets are rejected, despised, persecuted, and frequently killed. The religious establishment does not like prophets. The Old Testament is full of examples. Have you read them?
Conclusion
Are the prophets you are testing leading you toward God or away from Him? Do they teach obedience and fidelity to God. Or do they advocate “do your own thing”, and “there are many paths to God”? Do they teach purity, or compromise, the hard way, or the easy way? These are some of the questions you should ask.
You Are Responsible
God does say this is a process you should do for yourself. Do not rely on what others say. It is your responsibility, not someone else’s. It is you salvation and your future, not theirs. Know where you stand. Is it in truth or error?
1John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
There is no easy test to discern the true from the false. We are commanded to do it, but not given a quick or easy way. Sounds a lot like other aspects of Christianity doesn’t it?
Proverbs 14:15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.
Scriptures from NASB or NLT unless otherwise noted.
© 2010 by Church of the Reformation.