False Prophets

Chapter 13: has an interesting section on false prophets. This is a very important passage for us today, because false prophets abound in Christendom today. We are told here that God allows false prophets to across our path in order to test us. False prophets and deceivers are a major means by which God tests our real desires and longings. The Lord says, “If there rise in the midst of thee a prophet or one that saith he hath dreamed a dream, and he foretell a sign and a wonder, and that come to pass which he spoke,...” (13:1-2).

God allows what this deceiver prophesies to take place to test us.

There are many such false “prophets” who have their consulting rooms and consulting fees (exactly like medical doctors) in Christendom today. You have to pay for their prophecies for they expect a payment. These false prophets try one of two methods to get your money. First, they will flatter you and tell you that you will indeed prosper where you are planning to go or with what you planning to do. Thus they will make you happy, so they can receive a handsome gift from you!And then you will do exactly what they have “prophesied” and thus fulfill their “prophecy” yourself. This is a psychological gimmick called “self-fulfilling prophecy”. It is an old trick of confidence tricksters. What is the end result? You are happy because you got what you thought was “God's approval” from the “prophet to go where you wanted, in order to make money. The prophet is happy because he got a handsome gift. The devil is also happy, because he has deceived both you and the false prophet. The only ones who are unhappy are God and the angels of heaven! The second method these “prophets” adopt is to warn you of some imminent danger that you are facing, that you are totally ignorant of! They will say that the devil is after you, but they say they will pray for you to free you from the danger. That way also they get your money because you are thankful for being saved from some (non-existent) danger!! Their goal in both cases is your wallet! But they lead you far away from devotion to Christ. The Lord said, “Thou shalt not hear the words of that prophet or dreamer: For the Lord your God trieth you. That it may appear whether you love him with all your heart, and with all your soul, or not.” (vs 3)

Such false prophets tend to emphasize the earthly and not the heavenly.

They lead people to be occupied with material things and not with spiritual things. “Let us go after other gods”, is their message. The other gods being ambition, money, comfort, pleasure, etc.

It says in that passage that such a prophet should be put to death (13:5). How can we apply that today? By considering that person as non-existent. In other words, by having nothing to do with him. These are the “Manufacturer's Instruction.” let's follow them and we will never be deceived.