The Difference Between True Prophets and False Prophets

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3.

False prophets do not have the testimony of the blood be­cause they are unable to confess that Jesus is Christ come in the flesh. “This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three who bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not be­lieve God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.” 1 John 5:6-10.

All true prophets have the testimony of God’s Son within them. In other words, the Word has become flesh so that they live the life they speak about, as far as they have light. This is the difference between false prophets and those who are true. False prophets preach a gospel without commandments. “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” 2 John 6-7.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Matt. 7:15. Wolves have nothing to give. The nature of a wolf is to take. They usually cover themselves with sheepskin to hide their true nature. That is why Jesus uses this illustration: “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn­bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matt. 7:16-20.

“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matt. 7:22-23. The lawlessness that they prac­tice is that they do not live the Word. “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who builds his house on the rock . . . .” Matt.7:24.

The prophet labors tirelessly and edifies the church with words of exhortation and comfort. Through the years, God has used the prophets to warn His people against the sins of their generation. “Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen.” 2 Chron. 24:19. Because of his watchful eye and fearless work, the prophet often disrupts those who feel comfortable and secure. Those who have a longing in their heart for the life of God are sincerely thankful for His proph­ets. This prayer often arises in their heart: “May God strengthen His prophets.”

“If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it? Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?” Amos 3:6-8. The work of a prophet disturbs those who are superficial. But those who are wholehearted are pro­voked to go to war and do daring deeds.

Those who are not prophets should take 2 Chronicles 20:20 to heart. “Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”