Matthew 7:15 ”Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them…”
Prophecy is a gift and being a prophet is a stern calling! When one is a prophet, one is supposed to be speaking for God. The Bible has many good things to say about true prophets who get it right; on the other hand, the Bible also has terrible things to say about those who style themselves as prophets but who are not. In Old Testament times, false prophets could find themselves dying terrible deaths as the Lord carried out sentences of His wrath on them.
Ezekiel 13:14 describes what God is planning to do to the false prophets who are prophesying peace and prosperity instead of calling the people back to righteosness: “I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the Lord.”
Then God goes further. Evidently, in those days there were women who were sewing magic charms on bracelets and veils to do witchcraft and even to kill people with their spells. These women were also claiming to be prophets; yet, God had no part in them or their doings. Ezekiel 13: 20 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds. 21 I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 22 Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives, 23 therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
The bottom line is this: GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED! IF GOD HAS NOT TRULY CALLED YOU TO BE A PROPHET, DON’T CALL YOURSELF ONE AND DON’T MAKE CLAIMS ABOUT YOUR POWER OR YOUR ABILITY TO SEE THE FUTURE! AND DON’T FOLLOW FALSE PROPHETS EITHER! THEIR FATE WILL BECOME YOURS!
“But,” you say, “I really think God has given me visions.” God is not the only one who can give visions! Satan will always try to give people his counterfeits to keep them from making contact with the one true living God. Satan knows what we want to hear, and he will give it to us. When you are praying, are you exalting God or yourself? True prophets are very humble before God because they know how great He really is.
And what about the ladies and their charms? These days witchcraft of various kinds has become fashionable, even in America and Europe. Thirty years ago, one of our friends was pastoring a church in Vienna, Austria when he found himself in spiritual battle with some of his church members who were practicing witches. These witches had infiltrated a mainline denominational church and were bringing confusion. Beware of false prophetesses!
How do you tell real prophets from false ones? Look at their fruits. The mark of the Holy Spirit is peace. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self – control. (Galatians 5:22-23) If you see these fruits coming out of someone’s ministry, you can rest assured that the Holy Spirit is with them. On the other hand, if you do not see such fruits, run as quickly as possible in the opposite direction! You are in the presence of a false prophet. True prophets glorify God. False prophets glorify themselves.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us always to follow hard after You and not after any man or woman! Teach us to judge ministries accurately by the fruits of the Spirit and by no other standard. And thank You that You are leading us into Your truth. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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