Detecting False Prophets in the Modern Era Biblically
Detecting false prophets in any era, including the modern one, relies on biblical criteria that emphasize both their message and their character. Jesus warned that "false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect" [2, 4]. This highlights that outward displays, even miraculous ones, are not sufficient proof of a prophet's authenticity.
One primary method for discerning a true prophet from a false one is to examine the content of their message. According to Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and 18:21-22, a prophet's words must align with God's established word, and their predictions must come true [5]. False prophets often speak what people desire to hear rather than calling them to live according to God's will [5]. They may pretend to be sent by God but are not commissioned by Him [3]. For instance, Jeremiah 14:14 states that false prophets speak "a lying vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their own heart" [3]. Isaiah 44:25 notes that God will expose false prophets and fortune-tellers as deluded liars [9].
Beyond their message, the character and actions of a prophet are crucial indicators. Jesus taught, "You will recognize them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16). A prophet's actions must align with their words and with God's word [5]. Matthew Henry, commenting on Matthew 7:15, explains that false prophets are false teachers who may foretell things without warrant, and their predictions are disproved by events [6]. The Bible describes false prophets as light and treacherous, covetous, crafty, drunken, immoral, and profane [3]. Ezekiel compares them to "foxes in the desert" and "foolish prophets" [3]. They can be influenced by evil spirits [3] and may prophesy lies [3]. Micah contrasts true prophets, who are "full of power... judgment, and might" to declare sin, with false prophets who speak to please men [8].
Historically, false prophets were present in Jerusalem and among the captives in Babylon, prophesying the same lies, much as true prophets preached the same truths [7]. God sometimes allowed false prophets to test Israel [3] or to chastise those who sought answers of peace without repentance, letting them be dealt with deceitfully by the prophets they consulted [10]. Job 11:11 states that God "knows false men" and "sees iniquity" [1]. Therefore, discerning false prophets involves a careful evaluation of both their prophetic utterances against scripture and the moral integrity of their lives [5].
Sources
- Job “For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it. -- Job 11:11”
- Matthew “For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. -- Matthew 24:24”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prophets, False — Pretended to be sent by God -- Jer 23:17,18,31. Not sent or commissioned by God -- Jer 14:14; 23:21; 29:31. Made use of by God to prove Israel -- De 13:3. Described as Light and treacherous. -- Zep 3:4. Covetous. -- Mic 3:11. Crafty. -- Mt 7:15. Drunken. -- Isa 28:7. Immoral and profane. -- Jer 23:11,14. Women sometimes acted as -- Ne 6:14; Re 2:20. Called foolish prophets -- Eze 13:2. Compared to foxes in the desert -- Eze 13:4. Compared to wind -- Jer 5:13. Influenced by evil spirits -- 1Ki 22:21,22. Prophesied Falsely. -- Jer 5:31. Lies in the na”
- Mark “For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. -- Mark 13:22”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 7:15: 7:15-20 False prophets speak what people want to hear rather than calling people to live according to God’s will. Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and 18:21-22 set standards for evaluating a prophet’s truthfulness: His words must conform to God’s word, and his predictions must come true. Jesus unpacks the first requirement: A prophet’s actions must match his words in order to be believable; accordingly, a true prophet’s actions will also match God’s word. Just as the fruit indicates the nature of a tree, so one’s life indicates either a regenerate or unregenerate heart. False ”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 7:15: We have here a caution against false prophets, to take heed that we be not deceived and imposed upon by them. Prophets are properly such as foretel things to come; there are some mentioned in the Old Testament, who pretended to that without warrant, and the event disproved their pretensions, as Zedekiah, Kg1 22:11, and another Zedekiah, Jer 29:21. But prophets did also teach the people their duty, so that false prophets here are false teachers. Christ being a Prophet and a Teacher come from God, and designing to send abroad teachers under him, gives warning to al”
- Ezekiel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 13:1: The false prophets, who are here prophesied against, were some of them at Jerusalem (Jer 23:14): I have seen in the prophets at Jerusalem a horrible thing; some of them among the captives in Babylon, for to them Jeremiah writes (Jer 29:8), Let not your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you. And as God's prophets, though at a distance from each other in place or time, yet preached the same truths, which was an evidence that they were guided by one and the same good Spirit, so the false prophets prophesied the same lies, being actuated by one and the s”
- Micah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Micah 3:8: I--in contrast to the false prophets (Mic 3:5, Mic 3:7). full of power--that which "the Spirit of Jehovah" imparts for the discharge of the prophetical function (Luk 1:17; Luk 24:49; Act 1:8). judgment--a sense of justice [MAURER]; as opposed to the false prophets' speaking to please men, not from a regard to truth. Or, "judgment" to discern between graver and lighter offenses, and to denounce punishments accordingly [GROTIUS]. might--moral intrepidity in speaking the truth at all costs (Ti2 1:7). to declare unto Jacob his . . . sin-- (Isa 58:1).”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 44:25: 44:25 False prophets and fortune-tellers used forbidden forms of divination to try to predict the future. Eventually God would expose them as deluded liars (see 3:2; 9:15; 47:13; Deut 18:10-11).”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 14:10: As they dealt deceitfully with God by seeking answers of peace without repentance, so God would let them be dealt with deceitfully by the prophets whom they consulted. God would chastise their sin with a corresponding sin; as they rejected the safe directions of the true light, He would send the pernicious delusions of a false one; prophets would be given them who should re-echo the deceitfulness that already wrought in their own bosom, to their ruin [FAIRBAIRN]. The people had themselves alone to blame, for they were long ago forewarned how to disce”