What is a prophet? According to scripture, they are messengers. It is well known to every student of the Bible that there were in the history of Israel both true and false prophets. How are we to distinguish the true from the false? Jesus told his disciples, "By their fruit you will recognize them." What is meant by the fruit of a person? In Paul's letter to the Galatians the good fruit is defined as "Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." From this we can infer that bad fruit would be the opposite of these qualities.
Modern day false prophets. I am not referring to individuals who claim to be prophets associated with any religion. Quite the contrary. These do not make any such claim but by their words and actions meet all the hallmarks of false messengers listed in the scripture references below. Today, you will find them in full view. They present themselves on radio and television, on podcasts and social media and in the halls of government. I'll name no names, but to the reader I say this: Keep watch and hearken to the Lord's word when He says, "Be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time."
The Test of A True Prophet:
If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. Deuteronomy 18:22
"The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds." Jeremiah 14:14
"I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself, who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense, who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers..." Isaiah 44:24-26
"Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord." Jeremiah 23:16
"The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The prophecies they gave you were false and misleading." Lamentations 2:14
"Her [Israel's] prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says' - when the Lord has not spoken. The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice."
Ezekial 22:28-29
"At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." Matthew 24:10-12
"At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time." Mark 13:21-23
"Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets." Luke 6:26
"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies... bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute." 2 Peter 2:1,2
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1
