False prophets ∙∙

False prophets ∙∙

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. – Matthew 10:16

Matthew 7:15-20

15 Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.
16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?
17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.
18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.

20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit so that you can identify people by their actions.

The Danger of Blind Faith

“Don’t drink the Kool-Aid” has become a well-known cautionary phrase, urging us to avoid blindly accepting ideas, beliefs, or instructions without critical thought or examination. This phrase traces its origins to the tragic events of the Jonestown Massacre in Guyana on November 18, 1978.

The People’s Temple, a California-based cult led by the manipulative Jim Jones, orchestrated a horrifying mass suicide-murder. Jones compelled over 900 followers to consume cyanide-laced Kool-Aid. The charismatic yet delusional leader, Jim Jones, forced them to drink it. He literally pushed it down their throats.

These individuals were deceived into believing they were following God and paid the ultimate price for their blind allegiance to a charismatic but dangerous false prophet.

This sobering tragedy serves as a grave reminder of the dangers of placing unwavering faith in individuals without discernment, especially those who claim to speak for God.

The Pretense of False Prophets

False prophets have always been a menace, hiding their true nature behind convincing facades. They are always playing make-believe. Worse yet, for some of them, every day is Halloween. They always wear disguises and hide their real identity. False prophets are only too eager to masquerade as divine messengers.

They pretend to be prophets of God. They may seem genuine, but in truth, they’re anything but. Yet, behind the mask lurks something far more sinister—vicious, savage, ravenous wolves with unquenchable cravings. Wolves, by their very nature, are ruthless, merciless, vicious, brutal beasts.

Jesus Christ warned us clearly in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.” These deceivers do everything possible to blend in, cloaking themselves in appearances of righteousness and portraying an air of holiness. But underneath lies ruthless intent, a desire to mislead, manipulate, and harm.

The threat they pose is amplified because their true nature isn’t immediately apparent. They don’t just slip into the flock; they present themselves as shepherds, earning trust while working insidiously to exploit it.

Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

The imagery of a wolf in sheep’s clothing resonates deeply. During the time of the New Testament, shepherds would often wear garments made from sheepskin to blend in among their flock (Barclay). However, clothing alone didn’t make anyone a sheep or a shepherd. This analogy warns us not to rely on outward appearances alone when evaluating someone’s character.

False prophets master the art of pretending. Their words and deeds may look virtuous, but appearances can be deceiving. How, then, can we distinguish the true shepherds from the false ones?

Inspecting Their Fruit

Jesus provides the answer—you will know them by their fruit. This “fruit” refers to the tangible results of their actions, the impact they have on others, and the truth or falsity of their intentions. Actions speak louder than words, and over time, a person’s true nature becomes unmistakable. The seemingly good fruit they bear may eventually prove to be rotten upon closer inspection.

However, uncovering the truth requires patience and vigilance. An individual’s genuine character may stay hidden at first, as their outward conduct masks their deeper motives. However, in due course, their true nature will inevitably reveal itself. The key here is patience and vigilance. We must not rush to conclusions based on initial impressions; instead, we should patiently observe and evaluate their actions over time (Constable).

The Importance of Discernment

The role of a shepherd—whether true or false—has a profound influence on the spiritual well-being of the flock. This makes discernment and careful scrutiny necessary to safeguard one’s faith and spiritual growth. Rushing to accept someone’s leadership based solely on charisma or initial impressions can lead to devastating consequences.

Discernment is God’s gift for spiritual protection. It empowers us to look beyond the surface, to weigh actions against God’s truth, and to ask ourselves hard but necessary questions. Does this person draw others closer to Christ, or do they serve their own interests? Do they reflect humility and godly character, or are they marked by self-promotion and manipulation?

Guarding Against Deception

Blind faith is far more than naivety; it can be profoundly dangerous when placed in the wrong hands. The Jonestown tragedy remains a haunting example of this truth. False prophets exploit both trust and vulnerability, weaving their deceit under the guise of righteousness.

REFLECT & PRAY

A good shepherd cares for the well-being of the flock more than he cares for his life. The wolf cares for nothing but to satisfy his own gluttony and greed. “The false prophet is in the business of teaching, not for what he can give to others, but for what he can get himself” (Barclay).

Father, thank You for the excellent shepherds You have placed in my life. Encourage me to be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove.

INSIGHT

What is a Prophet of God?

A prophet of God is a servant chosen by the Father to act as His representative. Prophets are entrusted with the responsibility of delivering His messages to humanity. They serve as a bridge between the Father and people, offering insights into matters of the heart, current events, and, at times, the future.

What Is a False Prophet?

False prophets, on the other hand, are not sent by God. Though they may claim to speak for Him, they are deceitful messengers. The Greek word for false prophet, pseudoprophetes, translates to “false speaker.” These individuals spread lies, delivering incorrect, false messages of darkness instead of truth.

The Hebrew Bible uses the term nabi, meaning prophet, even when referring to those who prophesy falsely. These false prophets mislead others by speaking lies in God’s name (Micah 3:5-8; Jeremiah 4:9-10).

Deception and Lies

Lamentations 2:14 offers a vivid image of false prophets, “Your prophets have said so many foolish things, false and deceptive. They did not save you from exile by pointing out your sins. Instead, they painted false pictures, filling you with false hope.”

The words false and deceptive translate two Hebrew words meaning “emptiness and whitewash.” The Hebrew word translated as false is shav. Shav means empty, destructive, worthless, or futile. The Hebrew word translated as deceptive is taphel. Taphel is translated as whitewash or deceptive. Taphel is used to conceal defects, for example, a white-washed wall. On the surface, whitewash looks clean and appealing, but beneath, it hides something ugly or broken (Ezekiel 13:10-13).

False prophets use lies and baseless visions, offering false hope without substance. Their words may look good outwardly, but they are empty of truth and filled with deception.

True Prophets Stand Apart

True prophets are entirely different. They deliver bold and uncompromising truth. As A.W. Tozer asserted, “We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.” True prophets deliver God’s word with clarity and integrity, calling people to repentance and closer fidelity to Him.

How Can We Recognize False Prophets?

False prophets and teachers can try to mislead even the faithful, presenting themselves as trustworthy while leading people astray. We must remain on guard and avoid letting anyone “pull the wool over our eyes.” The best defense against false teaching is immersing ourselves in God’s Word. J.C. Ryle once wrote, “What is the best safeguard against false teaching? Beyond all doubt, the regular study of the Word of God, with prayer for the teaching of the Holy Spirit.”

An illustration often shared is how the FBI trains agents to recognize counterfeit money. They don’t spend their time studying fakes. Instead, they study genuine currency until they know it so well that counterfeits become obvious (Michael P. Green).

Likewise, as children of the King, we must handle the truth regularly. By studying Scripture, meditating on it, and seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we will become so familiar with God’s truth and what it “feels like” that deceit and falsehood can be easily identified.

Hebrews 5:14 reminds us, “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

Final Thoughts

We live in a world filled with both truth and deception. God calls us to cling to what is true, guarding our hearts and minds from deceit.

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© Dr. H 2025