Identifying False Prophets

In Peter's final letter, he warns the believers of false prophets. He gives us signs to look for so we could easily identify them.

We can’t use unreasonable excuses to excuse a false prophets when they miss it.

1. People are baited into looking for a "spiritual experience" that was told as an interesting and compelling story but they can’t be replicated.

2. People don't challenge false “prophets” to find Scriptural justification or substantiation of their claims.

3. People are immature in the knowledge of the Scriptures to confront false prophets.

   
   

To identify false prophets, you have to know the truth. The Scriptures, when it's rightly and correctly taught, is the truth.

That's why you have to spend time in the Scriptures and be taught by those that you could trust.

Peter tells us what to look for by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:19-21 (NKJV)

"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

Verse 19 in the KJV is more precise.

"We have a more sure word of prophesy..."

But notice also that Peter uses the word "interpretation" which means "explanation."

False preachers will give their own "private" or personal "explanation."

"Private" means from Strong's Concordance.....g2398. ἴδιος idios; of uncertain affinity; pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate: pertaining to one's self, one's own, belonging to one's self."

The basic rule of hermeneutics is "Scripture interprets Scripture.

The Word is already explained. Therefore, we study what's already explained.

Now when it comes to Bible prophesy, there's things that's subjected to chronological order and symbolic meaning which makes understanding them challenging. As far as the mystery of Christ, when we study the OT and the NT, we get a gradual understanding as we continue to study the Scriptures regarding our "common salvation."

When you deal with one's own explanation of the text, the interpretation can be challenged.

What false teachers love to do is put it in such a way that you never challenge them and just accept their interpretation as the correct and only interpretation.

Acts 17:10-12 (NKJV) "Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men."

When Paul and Silas presented them the gospel, the only text that they had was the OT.

They would use the OT text to show what prophesy was spoken and what came to pass by using the current events of the day and compare the two things.

Then the Bereans would diligently study the Scriptures themselves to see if these things were so. They didn't just take for granted what Paul and Silas said. The Bereans were diligently and daily studying the Word for themselves.

It's like a case in court. You study the facts and then apply text (law). If the facts are true and then the Scriptures confirm the facts, it's either "beyond a reasonable doubt" or it's a lie. Is the evidence (facts) confirmed or is it a "private explanation."

The easiest way to identify false prophets is to request that they replicate what they teach. If they give excuses as to why it can't be replicated, you have the right to declare that they're false prophets.

The standard is the Scriptures. In the OT and NT, not one prophet or teacher missed it. The standard is 100% accuracy. Will teachers of the Word make mistakes in teaching the Bible?

Absolutely. When they make a mistake in interpreting the text, if they're true in heart, they'll receive and quickly make correction.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..."

If they hide behind their length of experience and mysterious presentations. And when they tell you not to challenge them by saying that 'God told them," it's a dead give away.

All men are fallible. WE'RE NOT PERFECT.

Only the Lord is perfect.

When error is taught, error is repeated constantly because we see how people receive it. So to get a "crowd" like they have, we repeat what they do and next thing you have is a "crowd."

Proverbs 14:15 (NKJV)

"The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps."

Acts 20:29-30 (NKJV) "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves."

Acts 5:36-37 (NKJV) "For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.

After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed."

Very few take the time to do a thorough investigation because it's taken at face value and their self acclaimed authority is never challenged.

The Berean Jews didn't take what Paul and Silas said at face value. Every day they were diligent in searching the Scriptures to see if what Paul and Silas were saying were so.

False prophets and teachers know that most people will not "check it out."

2 Peter 2:1-3 (NKJV) "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber."

Peter further reminds us that....

2 Peter 2:14 (NKJV)

"...having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children."

False apostles and prophets are demonic in nature in that they know how to exploit you with their spiritual titles and garb or clothing to look the part.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NKJV) "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."

Jude 1:16-19 (NKJV) "These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.

But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.

These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit."

Therefore, we must never surrender the standard of 100% accuracy.

If they miss it once, they're lying prophets and teachers with lying spirits driving them to deceive you.

Give them no excuses or quarter.

Just because a person says "Thus saith the Lord," it doesn't mean that they're accurate or that you're to take them at face value.

Jeremiah 14:14 (NKJV)

"And the LORD said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart."

Just as it was true in the days of Jeremiah, it's true today.