In the late 1980s it was not uncommon to see counterfeit vendors on the street corners of New York. They would unfurl carpets and blankets before you that would contain rows of fake Rolex watches, handbags and other items using counterfeit labels of fashionable names associated with haute couture. The items were definitely counterfeit but they could easily fool the untrained eye. What are the counterfeits that the Bible warns against?
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matthew 24:4)
It is a recurring theme in the Bible to be on guard against deception of all types. Jesus emphasizes this warning in the verse above and it is the only warning He repeats in the Olivet Discourse with the disciples regarding signs of His impending return. “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.” (Matthew 24:24,25)
But God’s word tells us there are other things of this world that can deceive us also, His instructions and rejoinders are clear in both the Old and New Testaments.
For example, you deceive yourself into thinking your bad friends won’t lead you astray. (1st Corinthians 15:33).
Likewise, we are not to be deceived by worthless things such as idols and riches, that if we are not careful can lead us to bow down and worship other gods. (Job 15:31; Deuteronomy 11:16; Matthew 13:22).
1st John 1:8 warns us that if we say we have no sin, that we are deceiving ourselves.
Furthermore, being deceived by sin, the practice of sin, can cause you to live in rebellion against God. Obadiah 1:3 says we can be deceived by our own pride, living in a lofty rock fortress of thinking in our minds. Be careful. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)
Drugs and alcohol deceive us. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1)
However, it is the false teachers and false prophets that the Bible emphasizes that we must avoid. Romans 16:18 tells us that they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattery. Hebrews 13:9 instructs us to stop being carried away by all kinds of unusual teachings. Colossians 2:8 says we are to be careful that we are not taken captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human traditions. Paul writes in 2nd Timothy 3:13-14 that in the last days evil people and imposters will go from bad to worse as they deceive others and are themselves deceived.
One of the key deceptive doctrines that is preached around the world today is that of the Word Faith Movement and Wealth or Prosperity teaching which promotes the idea that godliness is a means to financial gain. In sub-Sahara Africa this has morphed into false prophets who for the equivalent cost of 2-3 weeks of your monthly income, will come and prophesy success and riches upon you. And if it does not materialize then it is due to your sin or lack of faith.
“…men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” (1st Timothy 6:5)
Why does Jesus warn so emphatically about deceivers in the last days?
To examine this, consider for a moment who examines and protects the United States from counterfeit currency. It is the U.S. Secret Service that is tasked with this responsibility and the long practice has been for its agents to consistently examine true U.S. currency so that the smallest variations found in counterfeit currency becomes easily identifiable upon examination. Easily understood, right? Know the “true” so you can spot the “fake.”
Thus, this analogy should prompt the same response from Christians. If we study and examine the Word of God and build our Biblical acumen, this practice should enable us to be able to detect false teaching when we hear it. But sadly, today Biblical illiteracy is rampant in our churches and is symptomatic of the Laodicean age we live spoken of in Revelation 3:14-22.
Genuine Bible studies are now hard to find in many churches, instead topical studies dominate. They know their favorite football team’s record and stats, favorite celebrities, songs, enamored with emojis and memes, social media…but they don’t know anything about the Bible. And because they don’t know, they are open to deception.
How then can we identify a false prophet if we hear one? How do we know?
Several years ago, Bible teacher Dr. David Reagan wrote an article on this subject and I have chosen to condense a portion that speaks to this dilemma. Here’s his checklist:
Peter and John also warned against the danger of false prophets. Peter asserted that false prophets would “introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master” (2 Peter 2:1). John exhorted his brethren to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
John proceeded to provide a test that should be given to prophets. He said they are to be asked to confess that “Jesus Christ has come in the flesh” and that He is from God (1 John 4:2). He went on to assert that anyone who refuses to confess that Jesus is from God has the “spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:3).
1) Does the prophet speak in the name of a god other than the true God revealed in Scripture?
If a prophet speaks in the name of another god, you can be assured that he is a false prophet. (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)
2) Does the prophet’s message pass the test of Scripture? (THIS IS CRITICAL)
Does the message align with what the Bible says? “But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8)
3) Does the prophet’s life manifest a commitment to holiness?
If a prophet lives a sinful life, his prophecies are to be doubted.
“Among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing; the committing of adultery and walking in falsehood… Therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets, ‘Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood and make them drink poisonous water.’” (Jeremiah 23:14-15)
4) Does the prophet’s teaching produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)?
If the prophet’s followers are motivated to worldly living, the prophet does not speak for God.
“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits… a good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.” (Matthew 7:15-16,18)
5) Does the prophet emphasize vain or sensational visions?
Be wary. “Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by… taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind.” (Colossians 2:18)
6) Does the prophet deliver only positive messages?
Think on this. If the prophet never issues a call for repentance, he is to be suspect.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; they speak a vision of their own imagination, not from the mouth of the Lord. They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The Lord has said, ‘You will have peace…” They say, ‘Calamity will not come upon you.’” (Jeremiah 23:16-17)
7) Does the prophet appear to be greedy for monetary gain?
If the prophet operates in a manner that makes it appear that his greatest interest is money, he is to be avoided. (Jeremiah 8:10-11)
8) Does the prophet focus on the exaltation of Jesus?
If a prophet tries to bring attention to himself or focuses on the Antichrist or the sensational, he is to be questioned.
“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10)
(Excerpts from Dr. David Reagan, “How to recognize a false prophet” Aug. 7, 2015)
There is a movement underway throughout the world that is predicated upon beliefs that 1) the Bible is insufficient as the authority in what regards faith, doctrine, necessitating that a new revelation from God must come leaving the Scriptural canon inherited behind. 2) The word of God is not limited by the canon that is expressed in the Scripture, but goes beyond it. 3) Thus, they believe that within this new revelation “Sola Scriptura” cedes its place to “Sola Experience.” 4) There is heavy emphasis on “signs and wonders” and the “Second Apostolic Age” which includes “Super Apostles” who not only are equal to the original Apostles but express new revelations from God. 5) In large stadium events, in the style of rock concerts, there are men and women who are introduced as “Apostles” and “Prophets” who speak of a “third wave of the Holy Spirit.” 6) “Kingdom now” is spoken as a form of Dominionism, in that the Church must establish the Kingdom of God on earth itself before Jesus Christ can return. Beware.
“For such are false prophets, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2nd Corinthians 11:13-15)