How to Identify False Prophets

What is a Prophet?

A prophet is a person who is called to speak for God. Moses is set forth as a prophetic prototype as he was called by God to go to the Pharaoh of Egypt and say, “Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me” (Ex. 9:1). When Israel looked for a prophet, they looked for a prophet like Moses (Deut. 34:10).

How is a Prophet Identified?

There are seven tests used to identify a true prophet of God.

First, the true prophet of God will never speak anything contrary to the Word of God. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa. 8:20).

Second, the true prophet of God will rebuke the sins of other prophets rather than support evil behavior. “I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem a horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness” (Jer. 23:14). “Thus, saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, [and] not out of the mouth of the LORD” (Jer. 23:16).

Third, the true prophet of God that foretells events that will come to pass must be, and will be, totally accurate. “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follows 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” (Deut. 18:22). “The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, [then] shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him” (Jer. 28:9).

Fourth, the true prophet of God will lead people to repentance, brokenness, and humility before God, followed by good works, and the fruit of the Spirit. False prophets shall be known by their fruits. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.…Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree brings forth good fruit.…Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:15ff).

Fifth, the true prophet of God will always confess the Incarnation of Christ. “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).

Sixth, the true prophet of God takes no credit, and does not exalt himself but finds his strength in the Lord. “For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? For as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me” (Dan. 10:17).

Seventh, the true prophet of God will always bear witness to Christ. “John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me” (John 1:15).

Why Does God Allow False Prophets to Mislead His People?

Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, false prophets arise. They are easily identified in two ways.

First, what they have to say in the name of God does not come to pass.

Second, they instill fear into the hearts of the people of God instead of hope and faith. The Bible says, “You may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord?’ If the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared” (Deuteronomy 18:21-22, New Living Translation).

Jesus spoke of false prophets as “wolves in sheep’s skin.” Said He, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matt. 7:15).

God allows false prophets to arise for a variety of reasons.

First, false prophets arise because of the Fall. Man is born physically alive but spiritually dead toward God. A result of sin is an insatiable need to be in control, in a desperate attempt to be like God. A false prophet wants people to believe, follow, and obey what he or she has to say. While the origin of sin remains a mystery, it is a present reality.

Second, false prophets arise as a form of divine judgment. When the people of God refuse to believe a true prophet, God will send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie. “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” (2 Thess. 2:11).

Third, false prophets are allowed to manifest the sovereignty of God over evil. Many people struggle with the place of sin and suffering in a universe ruled over by a holy and righteous God. What the Bible reveals is that out of sin and suffering, out of the evil men do, the glory of redemption is revealed in the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. The righteousness of God and the majesty of salvation can only be displayed against the black backdrop of sin.

One day, every lying false prophet will be judged and cast for all eternity in a Lake of Fire. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).

Because there are many false prophets in the world, the elect of God, the true Christian must diligently search the Scriptures to know what is true and what is false, what is right, and what is wrong. “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever” (Ps. 119:160).

Because there are many false prophets in the world, the elect of God, the true Christian, must pray for the spirit of discernment and wisdom. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (Jas. 1:5).

Because there are many false prophets in the world, the elect of God, the true Christian, must remember that the true people of God cannot ultimately be deceived. This is the promises of Jesus to His disciples. “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”