“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
A False Prophet = Someone who speaks and says it came from the Lord, but it didn’t
The Test of a False Prophet = Does what he says Happen?
“Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” 2 Corinthians 2:17
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming,he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” John 10:11-13
Verses 16 – 18, “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”
“Fruit” = “Works”
1 John 4:1-3 “Dear friends, 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. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus, is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now, is already in the world.”
“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
“Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?”
“Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”
A True Prophet
* Is guided by a standard of morality
* Stands firm in his faith and convictions.
* Demonstrates integrity and purity in his life
* His teaching encourages the same in others
* He produces good fruit
“Walk as children of the light. For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.” Hebrews 13:17
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” Hebrews 13:19
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
Fire = “the Refiner’s fire” where believers face testing and trials, to shape and correct their understanding and character.
“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction…” Isaiah 48:10
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” Revelation 3:19
“the Fires of Hell” for pastors and teachers who intentionally proclaim what is untrue. They don’t even believe in Jesus Christ.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21
“Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10
