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Discerning False Prophets and Teachers in Scripture

The Bible frequently warns against false prophets and teachers, emphasizing the need for discernment among believers. These figures are characterized by their deceptive practices and destructive doctrines, often leading people astray from true faith [1, 2, 3, 6].

False prophets and teachers are described as those who pretend to be sent by God but are not commissioned by Him [2]. They often speak lies in God's name and prophesy falsely [2]. The Old Testament records instances where God foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, confounding their wisdom [4, 19]. For example, Zedekiah is mentioned as one who pretended to foretell things without warrant [12]. These individuals are sometimes influenced by evil spirits [2].

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself warned of the rise of false christs and false prophets who would perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect [1, 3]. The Apostle Peter likewise foretold that just as false prophets arose among the people of Israel, false teachers would emerge within the Christian community [8, 13]. These false teachers would "secretly bring in destructive heresies," even denying the Master who bought them, leading to their swift destruction [8]. This denial of Christ, both in doctrine and practice, is identified as a characteristic of false teachers and the spirit of Antichrist [7].

Characteristics and behaviors attributed to false prophets and teachers include:

The Bible instructs believers on how to discern and respond to false teachers. The church in Ephesus was commended for testing those who claimed to be apostles and finding them false [5]. Believers are warned to beware of those who teach deceit [9] and to avoid those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to sound doctrine [6]. Ministers are specifically instructed to avoid false doctrines [6]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, notes that the Israelites were taught how to discern, shun, and punish false prophets [15]. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, emphasizes that false prophets are essentially false teachers who seek to deceive and impose upon others [12].

The presence of false teachers is not a new phenomenon; they have existed in all ages of the church, with the devil sending them to seduce and deceive alongside God's true prophets [18]. Their abundance is particularly foretold for the latter days [6]. The Habakkuk Pesher from the Dead Sea Scrolls also reflects an ancient concern with false teachers and their deceptive practices, indicating that this was a significant issue in Jewish thought before the Christian era [10].

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. 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”
  3. 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”
  4. Isaiah “Isaiah 44:25 (BSB) — who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,”
  5. Revelation ““I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false. -- Revelation 2:2”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Doctrines, False — Destructive to faith -- 2Ti 2:18. Hateful to God -- Re 2:14,15. Unprofitable and vain -- Tit 3:9; Heb 13:9. Should be avoided by Ministers. -- 1Ti 1:4; 6:20. Saints. -- Eph 4:14; Col 2:8. All men. -- Jer 23:16; 29:8. The wicked love -- 2Ti 4:3,4. The wicked given up to believe -- 2Th 2:11. Teachers of Not to be countenanced. -- 2Jo 1:10. Should be avoided. -- Ro 16:17,18. Bring reproach on religion. -- 2Pe 2:2. Speak perverse things. -- Ac 20:30. Attract many. -- 2Pe 2:2. Deceive many. -- Mt 24:5. Shall abound in the latter days. -- 1Ti 4:1. Perver”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Denial of Christ — In doctrine -- Mr 8:38; 2Ti 1:8. In practice -- Php 3:18,10; Tit 1:16. A characteristic of false teachers -- 2Pe 2:1; Jude 1:4. Is the spirit of Antichrist -- 1Jo 2:22,23; 4:3. Christ will deny those guilty of -- Mt 10:33; 2Ti 2:12. Leads to destruction -- 2Pe 2:1; Jude 1:4,15. Exemplified Peter. -- Mt 26:69-75. The Jews. -- Joh 18:40; Ac 3:13,14.”
  8. 2 Peter “But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. -- 2 Peter 2:1”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Deceit — Is falsehood -- Ps 119:118. The tongue, the instrument of -- Ro 3:13. Comes from the heart -- Mr 7:22. Characteristic of the heart -- Jer 17:9. God abhors -- Ps 5:6. Forbidden -- Pr 24:28; 1Pe 3:10. Christ was perfectly free from -- Isa 53:9; 1Pe 2:22. Saints Free from. -- Ps 24:4; Zep 3:13; Re 14:5. Purposed against. -- Job 27:4. Avoid. -- Job 31:5. Shun those addicted to. -- Ps 101:7. Pray for deliverance from those who use. -- Ps 43:1; 120:2. Delivered from those who use. -- Ps 72:14. Should beware of those who teach. -- Eph 5:6; Col 2:8. Should lay aside”
  10. Dead Sea Scrolls “Habakkuk Pesher (1st century BCE), section 1: HABAKKUK PESHER (1QpHab) Pesher on Habakkuk INTRODUCTION The Habakkuk Pesher (1QpHab) is one of the most significant documents discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls. Found in Cave 1 at Qumran in 1947, it is among the original seven scrolls that inaugurated the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The manuscript consists of 13 columns of Hebrew text, written on a single sheet of parchment. Paleographic analysis dates the copying of the manuscript to the late 1st century BCE, though the composition itself may be somewhat earlier. The text is a pesher, or i”
  11. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hypocrites — God knows and detects -- Isa 29:15,16. Christ knew and detected -- Mt 22:18. God has no pleasure in -- Isa 9:17. Shall not come before God -- Job 13:16. Described as Wilfully blind. -- Mt 23:17,19,26. Vile. -- Isa 32:6. Self-righteous. -- Isa 65:5; Lu 18:11. Covetous. -- Eze 33:31; 2Pe 2:3. Ostentatious. -- Mt 5:2,5,16; 23:5. Censorious. -- Mt 7:3-5; Lu 13:14,15. Regarding tradition more than the word of God. -- Mt 15:1-3. Exact in minor, but neglecting important duties. -- Mt 23:23,24. Having but a form of godliness. -- 2Ti 3:5. Seeking only outward pur”
  12. 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”
  13. 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 2 (introduction): FALSE TEACHERS TO ARISE: THEM BAD PRACTICES AND SURE DESTRUCTION, FROM WHICH THE GODLY SHALL BE DELIVERED, AS LOT WAS. (2Pe. 2:1-22) But--in contrast to the prophets "moved by the Holy Ghost" (Pe2 1:21). also--as well as the true prophets (Pe2 1:19-21). Paul had already testified the entrance of false prophets into the same churches. among the people--Israel: he is writing to believing Israelites primarily (see on Pe1 1:1). Such a "false prophet" was Balaam (Pe2 2:15). there shall be--Already symptoms of the evil were appearing (Pe2”
  14. 2 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Peter 2 (introduction): False teachers foretold, who shall bring in destructive doctrines and shall pervert many, but at last be destroyed by the judgments of God, Pe2 2:1-3. Instances of God's judgments in the rebellious angels, Pe2 2:4. In the antediluvians, Pe2 2:5. In the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha, Pe2 2:6-8. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly, as well as to punish the ungodly, Pe2 2:9. The character of those seducing teachers and their disciples; they are unclean, presumptuous, speak evil of dignities, adulterous, covetous, and cursed, Pe2 2:10-14. Have forsaken”
  15. Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 13 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 13 In this chapter the Israelites are taught how to discern a false prophet, shun and punish him, Deu 13:1, what to do with enticers to idolatry, not only not to consent to them, but, without favour and affection to them, endeavour to bring them to just punishment, and be the first that should inflict it on them, Deu 13:6 and how to behave towards a city drawn into idolatry, as to inquire the truth of it; then make war against it; destroy all in it, men, women, children, and cattle; and burn the spoil of it, and suffer n”
  16. Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 7:15: Beware--But beware. of false prophets--that is, of teachers coming as authorized expounders of the mind of God and guides to heaven. (See Act 20:29-30; Pe2 2:1-2). which come to you in sheep's clothing--with a bland, gentle, plausible exterior; persuading you that the gate is not strait nor the way narrow, and that to teach so is illiberal and bigoted--precisely what the old prophets did (Eze 13:1-10, Eze 13:22). but inwardly they are ravening wolves--bent on devouring the flock for their own ends (Co2 11:2-3, Co2 11:13-15).”
  17. 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 2 PETER 2 This chapter contains a description of false teachers, that were then in Christian churches, as there had been false prophets among the Jews; and they are described by the doctrines, which they privily introduced; in general, damnable heresies; in particular, denying the Lord that bought them; and by their success, having many followers of them in their pernicious ways; and by the sad effects following hereupon; with respect to the way of truth, that was blasphemed; with respect to their hearers, they, through the covetousness ”
  18. 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 2:1: I. In the end of the former chapter there is mention made of holy men of God, who lived in the times of the Old Testament, and were used as the amanuenses of the Holy Ghost, in writing the sacred oracles; but in the beginning of this he tells us they had, even at that time, false prophets in the church as well as true. In all ages of the church, and under all dispensations, when God sends true prophets, the devil sends some to seduce and deceive, false prophets in the Old Testament, and false Christs, false apostles, and seducing teachers, in the New. Concerning t”
  19. 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).”
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