"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: even him whose coming is after the working of satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2Thess 2:8-12.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2Tim 3:2-5.

These are very difficult, tricky times in which we live and we must not be lackadaisical about the seriousness of false prophecy and false prophets: there is too much at stake. However, there are many that claim that true prophets never make mistakes. Those who are applying standards set by the Old Covenant concerning prophets could be misapplying standards because that was a different dispensation with different parameters. Of course, if someone is consistently missing the mark and consistently giving prophecies that are inaccurate, we must take note and ask the Holy Spirit what is the deal and what we should do. Furthermore, if someone is prophesying something that is in direct conflict with scripture, we would do well to limit exposure to such persons; be sure to pray for them and those who are under their spell! Nonetheless, the scripture is very plain about the fact that there has been ONLY ONE Who is Perfect and without sin or error and that is Christ.

Further, in 1Corinthians 13:8-10,12, it states: Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is Perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Cor 10:12.  (The word "perfect" in these verses is probably not refering to the Bible because there are no Biblical references in the scriptures themselves as to the Bible having a "face" per se (a mirror, yes, face, no). In the scripture there are numerous references as to the Father and Jesus having faces.  Further, knowledge has not vanished away and the book of the Bible, by and of itself, cannot actively "know" us, unless done so via the operation of the Holy Spirit ).　

Therefore, since we only "know in part" we cannot expect people to never get into their lower nature, to never miss God or to have ALL the information. It takes time to develop the ability to hear from God accurately and during this discovery process, mistakes can be made.  Remember, in the original languages, the word for "sin" literally means to "miss the mark", as in one who is aiming for the bullseye and does not hit it. Unless you can bowl a 300 game every time, hit the bullseye every time you throw a dart or launch an arrow and you have never said the wrong thing, how could you ever expect a prophet to never rmis-cue, mis-hear or maybe even mis-utter what the Perfect Spirit of God is trying to say through the clay of their humanity? Expecting prophets to bring 100% perfect prophecies 100% of the time is idealistic at best.

As we study the scripture in depth and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Truth to us, there are other keys given us in the Bible as to how to identify a false prophet and, by God’s grace, we will bring a "part" of this information to you.

But, there is something very important we must understand first. We have come to the conclusion that none, if any, say as a child; "I want to be a false prophet when I grow up." Most false prophets start as a child of God who then go off course somewhere along the path, stop listening to their conscience and the Holy Spirit and stop taking heed to the Word of God. This means that, although they are in error and face great judgment if they do not repent, Jesus loves them nonetheless and, thus, desires above all else that they repent and be saved: so should we also.

Should not our hearts be broken for those lost in deception?  Should we not mourn for one sheep being lost from the sheepfold of God? Jesus said He would leave 99 sheep that He knew were in the fold to go after one lost sheep.  We should weep over those who are in error and intercede for their imperiled souls just as we would have them do for us were the tables turned.  It must break the heart of God to watch His beloved children walk away from Him after He has given so much to make them His own. Gloating or being "holier-than-thou", haughty and self-righteous about the error of false prophets or false shepherds is a manifestation of a wrong spirit and is a trap and trick of the enemy that will open the door for greater demonic entry into the individual’s life who feels they are "better" than a false prophet, "smarter" than a false prophet, or the like. "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." Prov 16:18.

Yes, we must expose error, false teachings, false prophets and false prophecies, but we must do it with wisdom and humility, knowing that, but for the grace of God, we could be in their shoes. If we think we are above being wrong and falling into error, we are thinking contrary to scripture and are setting ourselves up for a painful, difficult lesson about our own frailty and failings.

"Wherefore let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall."1Cor 10:12. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted." Gal 6:1.

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." James 3:17,18.

Jesus said: "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart and you shall find rest for your souls. Matt 11:29.

These scriptures exemplify the attitude of heart we must take towards these individuals, as angry as false prophets can make us: we must pray for their repentance and the saving of their eternal souls because that is the heart of the Father. "For God so loved THE WORLD…" remember?  "Be ye angry, but sin not." Eph 4:26.

Besides, wouldn’t it be better if they would repent and stop leading so many people astray? "Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from (eternal) death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." James 5:20. "And ABOVE ALL THINGS have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins." 1Peter 4:8.

"By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you LOVE one another." John 13:35.

We can do this, people of God, because love never fails. 

If you have a word from the Lord, you may submit it to the email address below and we will pray over it and, as the Lord leads, post it on our prophecy page. This is not a guarantee that anything will be posted. For questions, comments or more information: email info@propheticwatch.org

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