Biblical texts about false prophets, false spirits, and their false teachings
The Bible warns us about the increasing danger of false teachings creeping into our churches, of false teachers among us. Way back in Old Testament times this was a problem. See here:
Deuteronomy 13:1-5 Amplified Bible (AMP)
13 “If a prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder which he spoke (foretold) to you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us follow after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve and worship them,’
3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams;
for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and all your soul [your entire being].
4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and you shall fear [and worship] Him [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect], and you shall keep His commandments and you shall listen to His voice, and you shall serve Him, and cling to Him.
5 But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has counseled rebellion against the Lord your God who brought you from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, to draw you away from the way in which the Lord your God has commanded you to walk. So you shall remove the evil from among you.
You shall remove the evil from among you. Of course, since now we are in the New Testament era, and have modern governments — we do not “put to death” a false prophet. But the warning stands, and the point Deuteronomy makes here still applies (end of verse 5): “So you shall remove the evil from among you.”
If wrong-headed theology and doctrines or unbiblical practices are in your church, the biblical action to take is to “remove the evil from among you.” (v5) Take him off your staff and out of your congregation.
Wrong-headed practices continue in many churches because:
1) The elders are groomed and chosen by the head pastor, so there are no “checks and balances“; and
2) The false teacher has full authority to teach his false teachings – and quickly convinces the ruling elders. And so the error continues, building error upon error, swiftly into heresy.
Ron Cantor, of http://messiahsmandate.org/, teaches very well. Most false prophets come from amongst the believers. They are unbelievers or former believers. (Deuteronomy 13:verse 1). Ron says:
“Biblically, a false prophet is an unbeliever (or former believer!) using demonic inspiration to draw people away from God and faith in Yeshua. The Torah also makes it clear that the primary issue was prophets/teachers whose words would lead the people astray, to abandon their faith and follow after “other gods.” [From: How to Spot a False Prophet or Teacher Ron Cantor]
The Bible is clear here in Deuteronomy 13:verse 1 “If a prophet arises among you….” That “Among you” today would refer to among you believers in the church. Believers and “the tares amongst the wheat”, can become false teachers. That is why the warning: do not be deceived. He is talking to believers, warning them to not be deceived and become caught-up in false practices and then start teaching those false beliefs.
Teaching “another gospel”. False teachers are church leaders who reject the Bible or portions of the Bible – they reject the gospel preached by Paul and Jesus… and begin to teach “another gospel” which is not the one from Jesus. These false teachers begin practicing unbiblical practices and lead astray their flocks into their own gospel. These false prophets come from “within” Christian churches.
The Apostle Paul warns us to carefully test prophecies and church practices. If it is good, then follow that. But Paul implies that if the test shows it is not good – – then get rid of that prophecy, that false teaching, that false practice. “Good” in this verse, means “biblical”. If it is not “good” why on earth would we want it.
1 Thessalonians 5: verse 21 Amplified Bible (AMP) “But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.”
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 Amplified Bible (AMP) 19 Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. 20 Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21 But test [a]all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.
We must cooperate with God. Many believers in Christ regularly “quench the Spirit” (v19). Many are regularly “unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit.” (v19) Many “scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies”. Don’t be lazy, but be spiritually proactive.
Being proactive with our listening. The gifts of the Spirit should not be rejected. Paul focuses his teaching on being proactive with our listening, warning us that “what is said” should be tested.
If what they claim to be of God is not good, THEN reject them. Every time someone gives a “spoken revelation”— those “words of instruction or exhortation or warning” (v20) need to be tested. Don’t just accept willynilly whatever some member of the church says. (This is true of teachings, exhortation, warning, word of faith, etc.)
The false prophets warned against – can be one of your own, someone you love and respect. But they must be discovered and declared as false.
The Old Testament standard is very harsh, but biblical:
Deuteronomy 18:9-22 Read verses 20-22:
20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet shall die.’
21 If you say in your heart, ‘How will we know and recognize the word which the Lord has not spoken?’ 22 When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord and the thing does not happen or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
It is a huge responsibility – speaking forth for God, speaking for the Lord in a prophecy, in a word of wisdom, or in some teaching. It is not to be taken lightly. It behooves those in the pew and those in leadership alike – to “test [a]all things carefully” (1 Thessalonians 5: verse 21)
That sheep looks good, but is a wolf. Here (below) is what is said about those “dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7: verse 15).
Biblical texts about false prophets and false spirits, false teachings:
Matthew 7:15-20 Amplified Bible (AMP)
15 “Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves.16 By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the unhealthy tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore, by their fruit you will recognize them [as false prophets].
1 John 4:2-3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
2 By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source]; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world.1 Corinthians 12:3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
3 Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the [power and influence of the] Spirit of God can say, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is [my] Lord,” except by [the power and influence of] the Holy Spirit.1 Corinthians 12:25 Amplified Bible (AMP)
25 so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.2 Corinthians 11:3-4 Amplified Bible (AMP)
3 But I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and] pure devotion to Christ. 4 For [you seem willing to allow it] if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted. You tolerate all this beautifully [welcoming the deception].2 Corinthians 11:13-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)
13 For such men are counterfeit apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 So it is no great surprise if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, but their end will correspond with their deeds.Matthew 24:3-6 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“…what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end (completion, consummation) of the age?”4 Jesus answered, “Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. 5 For many will come in My name [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, ‘I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ and they will mislead many. 6 You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars.
Matthew 24:11-13 Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 Many false prophets will appear and mislead many. 12 Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved.Matthew 24:23-26 Amplified Bible (AMP)
23 Then if anyone says to you [during the great tribulation], ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). 25 Listen carefully, I have told you in advance. 26 So if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out there, or, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms [of a house],’ do not believe it.2 Peter 1:20-21; 2:1 Amplified Bible (AMP)
1:20 But understand this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2:1 But [in those days] false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Read all of 2 Peter 2.
1 But [in those days] false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.…22 The thing spoken of in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “A sow is washed only to wallow [again] in the mire.”
Deuteronomy 13:1-5 Amplified Bible (AMP)
13 “If a prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder which he spoke (foretold) to you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us follow after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve and worship them,’
3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams;
for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and all your soul [your entire being].4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and you shall fear [and worship] Him [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect], and you shall keep His commandments and you shall listen to His voice, and you shall serve Him, and cling to Him.
5 But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has counseled rebellion against the Lord your God who brought you from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, to draw you away from the way in which the Lord your God has commanded you to walk. So you shall remove the evil from among you.
Does any of this ring a bell with you – about your church leaders?
FOR MORE:
About False Teachings of today
About Being Apostate… following “another gospel”
Archives on “Christian Scientists Religion” at Equip.org
Religious leaders of Jesus’ day
More Passages on False Teachers:
John 14:1-6; Matthew 23:10; Matthew 16:15; John 1:1, 14; John 20:28; Matt. 20:28; Matt. 26:28; Hebrews 9:27; Acts 16:31; Isa. 55:8; Isaiah 55:9; Jude 1:13.
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