Topics

Prophets, False

False prophets are deceivers who speak presumptuously in God's name without His authority, leading believers astray through false visions and messages. Scripture warns believers to test all spiritual claims against God's Word and reject those who contradict biblical truth.

Overview

False prophets have plagued God's people throughout history, claiming divine authority while promoting lies and idolatry. They operate through pride, greed, and spiritual deception, often telling people what they want to hear rather than God's truth. Jesus and the apostles warned extensively about their rise in the last days and their ability to deceive even the elect.

Key Scriptures

"Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people" (Matthew 24:11, NIV). "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way" (Jeremiah 5:31, NIV). "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, NIV).

Application

Test all spiritual teaching against Scripture alone, examining whether prophetic claims align with God's revealed Word and biblical standards of holiness and truth.

Scripture References 40

Matthew 24:11 Matthew 24:24 Ezekiel 13:2 Ezekiel 13:4 Jeremiah 5:13 Micah 3:11 Matthew 7:15 Jeremiah 23:30 Isaiah 28:7 Jeremiah 5:31 Luke 6:26 Jeremiah 5:31 Jeremiah 23:11 Jeremiah 23:14 2 Peter 2:1 Jeremiah 2:8 1 Kings 22:21 1 Kings 22:22 Isaiah 9:15 Isaiah 9:16 Jeremiah 20:6 Ezekiel 14:10 Jeremiah 8:1 Jeremiah 8:2 Jeremiah 14:15 Jeremiah 28:16 Jeremiah 28:17 Jeremiah 29:32 Jeremiah 23:13 Micah 3:5 Jeremiah 14:14 Zephaniah 3:4 Jeremiah 23:27 Deuteronomy 13:3 1 John 4:1 1 John 4:2 1 John 4:3 Deuteronomy 13:1 Deuteronomy 13:2 Deuteronomy 18:21

Full Topical Reference List 70 total — Nave's Topical Bible

Before destruction of Jerusalem

Matthew 24:11 Matthew 24:24

Called foolish prophets

Ezekiel 13:2

Compared to foxes in the desert

Ezekiel 13:4

Compared to wind

Jeremiah 5:13

Covetous

Micah 3:11

Crafty

Matthew 7:15

Deprived of God's word by

Drunken

Isaiah 28:7

Encouraged and praised

Jeremiah 5:31 Luke 6:26

Falsely

Jeremiah 5:31

Immoral and profane

Jeremiah 23:11 Jeremiah 23:14

In the latter times

2 Peter 2:1

In the name of false gods

Jeremiah 2:8

Influenced by evil spirits

1 Kings 22:21 1 Kings 22:22

Involved the people in their own ruin

Ezekiel 14:10 Isaiah 9:15 Isaiah 9:16 Jeremiah 20:6

Judgments denounced against

Jeremiah 8:1 Jeremiah 8:2 Jeremiah 14:15 Jeremiah 28:16 Jeremiah 28:17 Jeremiah 29:32

Led into error

Jeremiah 23:13 Micah 3:5

Lies in the name of the Lord

Light and treacherous

Zephaniah 3:4

Made to forget God's name by

Made use of by God to prove Israel

Deuteronomy 13:3

Mode of trying and detecting

1 John 4:1 1 John 4:2 1 John 4:3 Deuteronomy 13:1 Deuteronomy 13:2 Deuteronomy 18:21 Deuteronomy 18:22

Not sent or commissioned by God

Jeremiah 14:14 Jeremiah 23:21 Jeremiah 29:31

Often deceived by God as a judgment

Ezekiel 14:9

Often practised divination and witchcraft

Acts 13:6 Ezekiel 22:28 Jeremiah 14:14

Often pretended to dreams

Jeremiah 23:28 Jeremiah 23:32

Oppressed and defrauded by

Ezekiel 22:25

Out of their own heart

Ezekiel 13:2 Jeremiah 23:16 Jeremiah 23:26

Peace, when there was no peace

Ezekiel 13:10 Jeremiah 6:14 Jeremiah 23:17 Micah 3:5

Pretended to be sent by God

Jeremiah 23:17 Jeremiah 23:18 Jeremiah 23:31

Taught profaneness and sin by

Jeremiah 23:14 Jeremiah 23:15

Warned not to listen to

Deuteronomy 13:3 Jeremiah 23:16 Jeremiah 27:9 Jeremiah 27:15 Jeremiah 27:16

Women sometimes acted as

Nehemiah 6:14 Revelation 2:20

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