How Do You Identify False Prophets — Meaning Explained

Jesus warned, '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' (Matthew 7:15-16). He predicted, 'Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many' (Matthew 24:11). John commanded, 'Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world' (1 John 4:1). The primary test is christological: 'Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God' (1 John 4:2). Deuteronomy provides the prophecy test: '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' (Deuteronomy 18:22). Paul warned of those who preach 'another gospel' (Galatians 1:8-9). Peter described false teachers who 'privily shall bring in damnable heresies' and are motivated by greed: 'Through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you' (2 Peter 2:1-3). Jude described them as 'clouds without water... trees whose fruit withereth' (Jude 1:12). Characteristics include: twisting Scripture, living immorally, seeking personal gain, denying core doctrines, and producing spiritual confusion rather than fruit.