You will know them (prophets) by their fruit (characteristics):
A good tree (true prophet) produces good fruit (spirituality - operates in the will of God). A bad tree (false prophet) produces bad fruit (carnality - caters to the will of man).
A good tree (true prophet) produces good fruit (spirituality - operates in the will of God). A bad tree (false prophet) produces bad fruit (carnality - caters to the will of man).
CHARACTERISTICS
Bad Fruit: Greed, deception, popularity, immorality, pride, seek followers for themselves. God’s Word is twisted to justify injustice and wrongdoing. The most significant characteristic of a false prophet is that they are liars. Hence, "false prophet." These behaviors define them, making them false prophets by Jesus’ standards. When you heed the instructions of a false prophet, you only honor them.
Good Fruit: Devoted to God, honesty, integrity, loyal in carrying out Christ's instructions - especially in assignment, steadfast (hand to the plow, unconformed to the ways of the world). Even when men interfere, a true prophet's prophesies ultimately come to pass. When you heed the instructional warnings of a true prophet, you honor God.
Test your counsel...
Are they a friend to God, or friendly with the world?
Are they scripturally rooted, or chasing fads?
Are they obedient to Christ, or conformed to culture?
A prophet, like any other believer or non-believer, is either hot or cold. To conform to the ways of the world, to please man, is lukewarm. Find out what God says about the "lukewarm."
False prophets woo people with their "peace and blessings" for everyone message to gain allegiance for themselves. God’s prophets and prophetesses deliver messages of warning to teach people to fear (respect) God, which ushers man into right relationship with Him. Everything that the universe has comes from God; all He asks us to do is serve it - according to His stipulations of love and obedience. Therefore, when the service rendered is begrudged, the only one who gets any credit for the goods served is God.
With their plots, plans, and schemes, false prophets seek to discourage God's servants from carrying out His will. Yet, from those same false prophets, through their skillfully woven instructional facade of "loving one another" (according to their idea of love), they profane Jesus's name, by encouraging wrongdoers to prosper in their wrongdoing at the expense of the innocent.
You have discouraged the righteous with your lies, but I didn’t want them to be sad. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even though they continue in their sins. [Ezekiel 13:22 (NLT)]
Even giving God thanks for their ill-gotten goods. To give God thanks for what is stolen from others, especially from Him, is diabolical.
⁹With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. [James 3 (NIV) ]
Just because a city operates on one accord doesn't mean it's right in God's eyes.
They treat my people's wounds as though they were not serious, saying, 'Everything is alright! Everything is alright!' But it's not alright. [Jeremiah 6:14 (GWT)]
False prophets literally have this city believing that when their team wins, it's because they've followed a litany of rituals. Yet, somehow, when they lose, it's my fault. IT'S SPORTS! But, it's that kind of counsel which infuriates God. It isn't just misleading, it's destructive. Still, the multitude seek their counsel daily.
False prophets and those who seek their guidance will all be punished for their sins. [Ezekiel 14:10 (NLT)]
Yet, pride won't let this city admit that she has chosen the false prophet because the smooth messages soothes her ears.
I love my hometown dearly, but my birthright has never been, and will never be for sale: At any price.
Good Fruit: Devoted to God, honesty, integrity, loyal in carrying out Christ's instructions - especially in assignment, steadfast (hand to the plow, unconformed to the ways of the world). Even when men interfere, a true prophet's prophesies ultimately come to pass. When you heed the instructional warnings of a true prophet, you honor God.
Test your counsel...
Are they a friend to God, or friendly with the world?
Are they scripturally rooted, or chasing fads?
Are they obedient to Christ, or conformed to culture?
A prophet, like any other believer or non-believer, is either hot or cold. To conform to the ways of the world, to please man, is lukewarm. Find out what God says about the "lukewarm."
False prophets woo people with their "peace and blessings" for everyone message to gain allegiance for themselves. God’s prophets and prophetesses deliver messages of warning to teach people to fear (respect) God, which ushers man into right relationship with Him. Everything that the universe has comes from God; all He asks us to do is serve it - according to His stipulations of love and obedience. Therefore, when the service rendered is begrudged, the only one who gets any credit for the goods served is God.
With their plots, plans, and schemes, false prophets seek to discourage God's servants from carrying out His will. Yet, from those same false prophets, through their skillfully woven instructional facade of "loving one another" (according to their idea of love), they profane Jesus's name, by encouraging wrongdoers to prosper in their wrongdoing at the expense of the innocent.
You have discouraged the righteous with your lies, but I didn’t want them to be sad. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even though they continue in their sins. [Ezekiel 13:22 (NLT)]
Even giving God thanks for their ill-gotten goods. To give God thanks for what is stolen from others, especially from Him, is diabolical.
⁹With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. [James 3 (NIV) ]
Just because a city operates on one accord doesn't mean it's right in God's eyes.
They treat my people's wounds as though they were not serious, saying, 'Everything is alright! Everything is alright!' But it's not alright. [Jeremiah 6:14 (GWT)]
False prophets literally have this city believing that when their team wins, it's because they've followed a litany of rituals. Yet, somehow, when they lose, it's my fault. IT'S SPORTS! But, it's that kind of counsel which infuriates God. It isn't just misleading, it's destructive. Still, the multitude seek their counsel daily.
False prophets and those who seek their guidance will all be punished for their sins. [Ezekiel 14:10 (NLT)]
Yet, pride won't let this city admit that she has chosen the false prophet because the smooth messages soothes her ears.
I love my hometown dearly, but my birthright has never been, and will never be for sale: At any price.
