Here are five ways to detect a modern false prophet.
1. False prophets preach the gospel of prosperity.
False teachers will lead their congregation to believe that God wants them to be happy and wealthy. Some teachers even take it further, and declare that if a Christian isn’t financially rich, or isn’t emotionally and relationally prosperous, they just “aren’t praying hard enough” or “need to increase their faith”. This type of teaching is dangerous and inaccurate. The Bible clearly states otherwise about the expectations of what this world has to offer.
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:25
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
2. False prophets refuse to call out sin.
False teachers don’t like to offend anyone, so they gloss over sin in order to keep their fans happy. They often do this by stating a particular controversial sin such as homosexuality, fornication, adultery, gluttony or greed isn’t a sin after all, so there’s no need to worry or change. They don’t realize that by condoning sin, they’re leading their congregation—happy as they might be—straight to Hell.
The Bible teaches that sin is a real issue—and a big one. It’s what separates us from God. It’s what condemns us to hell. Without the intercession of Christ, we would have never been able to get to Heaven or to a right relationship with God. This is the message of the Gospel.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” Colossians 3:5-6
To ignore sin is to ignore our need for a Savior. And to ignore the Savior is to reject Him.
3. False prophets don’t believe in hell or the need for repentance.
False prophets are content to preach that hell is figurative. They believe there’s no need for repentance because Jesus died for everyone. They teach that we should just be grateful and that’s all there is to it.
This lie is especially tricky to decipher, because it sounds true at first. Jesus did die for the sins of the world. But salvation isn’t head knowledge alone, as we see in the following scripture:
“You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” James 2:19
The Bible teaches that to be saved, we must repent.
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
Hell is real—a real place, with real fire, and real separation from God.
“Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.” Isaiah 5:14
4. False prophets don’t believe Jesus is the only way.
“Multiple paths, one destination” is a common belief in today’s society. For the sake of being tolerant and for fear of offending, recent generations are content to believe that everyone will make it to the same eternal destiny, via whichever religion they choose. The problem with this belief is that it directly contradicts Scripture.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Jesus made it perfectly clear that He is the way—the only way—to relationship with God. Without His sacrifice on the cross and the resurrection from the grave, the veil would have never been torn and we would have never gained access to our Heavenly Father.
5. False prophets don’t believe in the inerrancy of Scripture.
False prophets will teach that the Bible contradicts itself, or has “holes.” This simply isn’t true. Any alleged contradictions in Scripture are a misunderstanding on the part of the reader, or is an intentional spin away from proper context in an attempt to deceive. The truth is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8
True followers of Jesus Christ stand on the foundation of the living Word of God. It’s trustworthy and true.
In † His Service, Susan Osten
Source: By Betsy St. Amant Haddock, iBelieve Contributing Writer
