From the Book, Rules For Life: According To Jesus

22. Watch out for false prophets 

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.”

Matthew 7:15

This is one of those teachings that we don’t really think about that often, but it can be a really important thing to look out for. 

The nearer we get to the Last Days, the more important this will become. Jesus warned us that when things begin to get really bad, false prophets will show up in the world in large numbers. It sounds like it will be a kind of a trend at that time. Check this out:

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”

Matthew 24:9-14

And here is Peter on the subject:

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.

2 Peter 2:1-3

And John said this: 

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

1 John 4:1

And how do we test people to see if their prophecies are true? Besides seeing if the thing they prophesied will come true or not (false prophecy = false prophet), we can look into their lives and see how they live, and we can test if what they say is biblical. 

If anyone declares anything to be true that doesn’t square with scripture, that person is speaking falsely. Likewise, if someone says that their words are true but they deny Jesus with their lifestyle, they are not true either. 

Jesus told us that,

“You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 

Matthew 7:16

If someone is a false prophet, their behavior and message will give them away. All we need do is observe and see how they act. Biblical lifestyle? Biblical message? Maybe they’re okay. Unbiblical message, unbiblical lifestyle: false prophet (every time).  Follow this command and watch out for them, they’re coming (they’re already here). 

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Sections in this study:
Introduction
1: Repent
2: Be Born Again
3: Place God First
4: Love and Serve One Another
5: Live By Faith
6: Forgive Others
7: Remain in Jesus
8: Live Righteously Before Men
9: Avoid Bad Influences
10: Stay On The Narrow Path
11: Do Not Return Evil With Evil
12: Give More Than Is Demanded
13: Love Your Enemies
14: Check Your Motives
15: Pray Simply
16: Do Not Worry
17: Store Up Treasures In Heaven
18: Do Not Be Judgmental
19: Guard what is Sacred
20: Care For Those In Distress
21: Do Not Swear Oaths
22: Watch out for false prophets
23: Exercise Spiritual Power
24: Have Childlike Faith
25: Do Not Exalt Yourself
26: Settle Disputes Quickly
27: Settle Disputes Between Believers
28: Do not Oppose Brethren
29: Remember Me
30: Be Merciful
31: Make Disciples
32: Be Ready
33: Obey Jesus’ Commands
Closing Comments