“Dear friends, don't believe everyone who claims to have the Spirit of God. Test them all to find out if they really do come from God. Many false prophets have already gone out into the world….” I John 4:1 CEV
Since the beginning of time the world has almost always held true prophets to be insane.
Most church leaders will generally find true prophets about as welcome as mosquitoes at a BBQ.
One of the main problems with the church today is a misunderstanding of what a true prophet is and how great is the need for true prophets in the church in these last days before Jesus comes.
Every true church of Jesus Christ will welcome the gift of a true prophet. It seems everyone knows that there are true prophets and false prophets. However living in these perilous days it is amazing that there is little to no teaching in the church on how to recognize true or false prophets.
The time of end is prophesied to be full of deceptions and the elect will not be totally immune to having the wool pulled over their eyes. (Matt. 24: 11, 24, Mark 13:22)
It will take careful evaluation and the gift of discernment to see through the façade and to recognize Satan’s servants (false prophets) for what they are, rather than what they appear to be. (II Cor. 11:14-15)
Few details are given about false prophets. However, if we understand the patterns and motivations that the Bible reveals about this class of people called “false prophets” we will be better equipped to recognize the general traits of the time of end false prophets.
The Bible also, describes false prophets and Jesus specifically warns of false prophets that affect church members.
The way the term “prophet” is commonly used, there is a misconception that its basic definition is “someone who foretells the future”, but this definition is too limited.
“Prophet” is better defined as “one who speaks for another”. A true prophet, then, is a person who speaks for God, delivering a message that God has ordained him/her to give.
The question is: “How do we tell the difference between a true prophet and a false prophet?”
“Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the outside, but on the inside they are really like wild wolves. You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. A healthy tree bears good fruit, but a poor tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a poor tree cannot bear good fruit. And any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. So then, you will know the false prophets by what they do.” Matt. 7:15-20 GNT
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