Over the centuries since Christ’s death and resurrection, countless impostors have pretended to be the Messiah or claimed to know details about the future they could not possibly know. While false prophets are nothing new, they will become increasingly prevalent and destructive in the End Times. Jesus warned us about these individuals in His Olivet Discourse: “many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24:11).
In Matthew 10:16 and Luke 10:3, Jesus warned His followers about “wolves” who would be openly hostile to the Gospel. But Matthew 7 presents a more subtle threat—wolves disguised as sheep. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15). These are false prophets who infiltrate the Church and lead people astray.
Jesus warned that false prophets would deceive many people in the Last Days, but we don’t have to fall for their schemes. The Bible provides many warning signs and practical ways we can respond to false teaching.
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Just as clever hoaxes have conned many brilliant people, it is possible for Christians—even mature believers—to be duped by false teachers. Many philosophies that have nothing to do with the cause of Christ masquerade under the banner of Christianity. Without the wisdom and grace of God, we’re all vulnerable to deception.
Matthew 7:21-23 contains some of the most disturbing words in the Bible. Jesus is speaking, and He says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Someday, the true nature of each person’s relationship with Jesus Christ will be revealed when they stand before God in judgment. Unless that individual has a personal relationship with Christ, all their deeds and religious fervor will be meaningless.
Jesus warned His disciples, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4). But in a world of deception, how do we spot a false prophet? God’s Word gives us several tools to separate the wolves from the sheep.
False prophets may make predictions that do not come true.
The Bible says, “And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). Today’s false prophets often try to predict the time of Christ’s return. However, Jesus told us in the Olivet Discourse, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36). The Lord does not intend for us to speculate about the timing of His return. The Christian’s responsibility is to remain watchful, righteous, and ready.
False prophets may perform miraculous signs and wonders.
After Christ raptures His Church and the Tribulation begins, Satan will use religion to unite the world under the leadership of the Antichrist and False Prophet. Although the False Prophet of the Tribulation will not rise to power before the Rapture, the Bible’s description of him helps us evaluate all other false prophets. According to the apostle Paul, “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Remember that miraculous signs and wonders do not always indicate God’s presence or power. If you recall the showdown between Aaron and Pharaoh’s sorcerers, the Egyptians used “enchantments” to turn their rods into serpents (Exodus 7:11-12). And in the book of Acts, Luke described a sorcerer named Simon who deceived many people through magical powers (Acts 8:9-11). Any miracle that does not bring glory to God and further the Gospel is rooted in demonic influence.
False prophets may claim to be Christ.
When Jesus’ disciples asked for signs of His return and the End Times, His first warning had to do with impostors. “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5). Later in the Olivet Discourse, Jesus explained how we could recognize this type of false prophet: “Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:26-27). The entire world will witness Jesus’ return. We do not need to worry about missing it or finding Him in some hidden location.
False prophets may have an unbiblical lifestyle.
Jesus’ half-brother Jude wrote a short epistle that, among other things, vigorously urges Christians to stay alert, contend for the truth, and know that God will judge false teachers. This letter provides several clues related to a false teacher’s lifestyle: “These… defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities,” “speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves,” deceive people for money, care only for themselves, and bear no fruit (Jude 8, 10, 11, 12). “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage… These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit” (Jude 16, 19). False teachers often claim that God will not condemn anyone, but Jude says the Lord will judge ungodliness (Jude 15). Godliness and integrity are essential traits for anyone who teaches the Word of God.
False prophets may deny Christ’s identity.
Whenever Satan cannot directly suppress or destroy the truth, he assaults it indirectly by deceit. The apostle John wrote, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1 John 4:1-3). As Christians, we cannot believe everyone who claims to have a message from God. Anyone who attacks Jesus’ humanity or deity is an “antichrist” operating under Satan’s influence (1 John 2:22).
False prophets’ teaching will lead people away from the Lord.
One way to identify false prophets is to look at the kind of people their followers are becoming. Are they becoming more or less Christlike? In Luke 6:40, Jesus said, “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” Long before tragedy struck, trouble was evident in the lives of people who followed cult leaders like Jim Jones, David Koresh, and Marshall Applewhite. But because our culture is more concerned with tolerance than the Word of God, we missed the warning signs. Faithful Christians glorify God and identify with Him by producing the spiritual fruit of good works and steadfast character. Jesus taught, “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:17-20).
Written shortly before Peter’s martyrdom, the book of 2 Peter reveals the apostle’s grave concern about false teachers in the Church. He encouraged his readers to focus on the Word of God rather than listening to “private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20) or self-appointed teachers who refuse to believe that God will judge wickedness (2 Peter 2:1-22; 3:3, 4). In the second chapter alone, Peter lists 22 attributes of false teachers.
How to Respond to False Prophets
If a religious teacher matches any of the above criteria, God’s Word calls him a false prophet—a wolf in sheep’s clothing. We should not be surprised when we encounter such people. “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.” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). It takes discernment to see beneath the mask of an impostor, but we can cultivate that discernment by studying God’s Word and abiding in its truth.
When we encounter false teaching, Jude urges us to approach each situation individually. “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 20-23).
Some who wander from the truth need compassion. Others need urgent intervention. Regardless of the situation, grace is the benchmark of Christian conduct. God’s people cannot tolerate false teaching in the Church, but we are responsible for separating sinners from their sins. Even as we reject false teaching, the Lord calls us to maintain a spirit of gentleness and contend for the offender’s spiritual restoration.
The best defense against false teaching is a vibrant faith that walks in step with the Lord. We do well to follow the example of the Bereans, who “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Our most fundamental testimony lies in the way we live.
Nothing can distinguish God’s people from the culture like a steadfast commitment to the truth of the Gospel.
In a world of deception, make up your mind to pursue truth wherever it leads and spread the Good News.
