| False prophets are everywhere. You can find | | | | don't follow this prophecy you are going against |
| them in the church and out of the church. They | | | | God? |
| could be in any church. They could be in the "New | | | | 12. Could you obey this prophecy and maintain |
| Age Movement." Their "Articles of Faith" could be | | | | your loving relationship with God and others? |
| very Christian. Their program could look very | | | | 13. Does it unite or segregate the body of Christ, |
| Christian. Their attitude toward others could be | | | | the church? God is not the author of confusion. If |
| very Christian. Many times they play on your | | | | it scatters the sheep, it is of the devil. |
| emotions. They could appeal to your Christian | | | | 14. Do people who follow their prophecy become |
| values. They are very deceptive. They are good | | | | more like the Lord Jesus Christ, or more like the |
| sales people. They are very "pushy." Many times | | | | world, the flesh and the devil? Christians are like |
| there is something about them that does not add | | | | the Lord Jesus Christ of the Christian Bible as |
| up. Your first impression may be, "What is wrong | | | | expressed in the four Gospels. |
| with that?" or "That is great. Why didn't I think of | | | | God's people are Christ-centered and Bible-based. |
| that?" | | | | They live a life that is practicing righteousness and |
| Jesus warned you against false prophets in the | | | | true holiness. They love God with their whole |
| last days in Matthew 24. Before you act on | | | | beings and their neighbor as themselves. They |
| anything they say, you should "test the spirits." | | | | love their Bible and all its teachings. They are |
| Here are some tests that will enable you to | | | | walking in the Spirit. They are not of this world. |
| escape their deception: | | | | They have no desire to violently overthrow |
| 1. Does it appeal to your flesh or to your spirit? If | | | | anything of this world. They are waiting for the |
| it promises you "power," it is appealing to your | | | | Lord Jesus Christ to return to this earth. Their |
| flesh. If it is calling upon you to humble yourself | | | | citizenship is in heaven. They will do everything to |
| before the True and Living God it is appealing to | | | | make this world a better place through precept |
| you spirit. | | | | and example. They are following the Great |
| 2. Does it demand prompt action? If it wants you | | | | Commission and the Great Commandment. They |
| to act quickly, it is trying to control you. | | | | are encouraging everyone to develop a loving |
| 3. Does it claim to have a special revelation that | | | | relationship with God and others through the Lord |
| ignores the clear teaching of the Bible? | | | | Jesus Christ. |
| 4. Does it lift up the Lord Jesus Christ or itself? | | | | If you see anyone who is professing to be a |
| 5. Do you feel like worshiping the Lord Jesus | | | | prophet or prophetess, who is involved in any of |
| Christ or the person giving the prophecy? | | | | the 14 things listed above, you are dealing with a |
| 6. Do you get the impression this prophet or | | | | false prophet or prophetess in sheep's clothing. Do |
| prophetess is "on something" or is drunk? | | | | not be afraid of them. Do not get involved in their |
| 7. Does it acknowledge that Jesus is come in the | | | | "work." Do not carry their message to anyone |
| flesh or does it tell you salvation through the Lord | | | | else. Do not give them "the time of day." Do not |
| Jesus Christ is not important? | | | | look at their materials. Do not let them infiltrate |
| 8. Does it call upon sinners to repent of their sins | | | | your Christ-centered, Bible-based ministries. |
| or just give them an emotional experience? To | | | | If you are a pastor, encourage your people to |
| repent means to quit doing it. We are not saved | | | | stay away from all their public activities and |
| by our emotions. We are saved by grace through | | | | teaching materials. Especially, encourage your |
| faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. | | | | people not to get involved in their Internet |
| 9. Does it call upon you to use violent means to | | | | activities. Tell your people who they are and how |
| fulfill the prophecy? The Christian is non-violent. | | | | they can be detected. Do not allow yourself to be |
| 10. Does it inspire you to preach the Biblical | | | | caught up in their deceptive ways. Preach the |
| doctrine of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ? | | | | Word of God. Live close to the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| If it preaches a works salvation, it is not from | | | | Be a good shepherd of your flock. If it is not in |
| God. | | | | the Bible, do not teach or preach it regardless of |
| 11. Does it give you the impression that if you | | | | how good it may sound. See 2 Peter 2 and Jude. |