How can I recognize a false teacher / false prophet?

[LostSoul]

This perhaps is not the best of topics for me to respond to....but.....these are some things I thought I would share in regards of this topic.

What are some traits of a false prophet?

Honestly, there are tell tale signs that are displayed every day. Be it in the news, media, television or otherwise. For as believers when we minister we are to set a Christ-like example. Jesus, Himself, was a perfect example of God's love.

He was and is humble. Which we too are taught and encouraged to be. So if we are to truly serve God, we must humble ourselves before Him, not boastful or proud.

Psalm 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Matthew 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.


The truth too is key...

Proverbs 12:17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.

Proverbs 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.


My apologies if I have offended anyone. That was not my intent.

May God Bless You

Danielle

 

[conchoreb]

Cornelius wrote:
Something to think about : Was Jonah a false prophet ? He prophesied that Nineveh will destroyed and that did not come to pass...........Jon 3:4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. .........and yet forty days later Nineveh was still standing ![/quote]

Of course he was not a false prophet. In Jonah 3:2 God instructs Jonah to go to Ninevah and "proclaim to it the message I tell you". Jonah did so and said what you quoted. But of course God's wish and his instruction was not about destruction, but repentance. Implicit in Jonah's statement of destruction in 40 days was an: "if you don't repent". The Ninevahites understood this and repented.

 

[Cornelius]

Of course he was not a false prophet. In Jonah 3:2 God instructs Jonah to go to Ninevah and "proclaim to it the message I tell you". Jonah did so and said what you quoted. But of course God's wish and his instruction was not about destruction, but repentance. Implicit in Jonah's statement of destruction in 40 days was an: "if you don't repent". The Ninevahites understood this and repented.

Of course you are correct So why do we today , think that when God speaks to us through a prophet and we too repent and pray, that , that person is false because it did not come to pass?

How many times have God stopped judgment on a country like America, because Christians repented and prayed ? But still we lash out at many prophets and call them false when that happens.

 

[conchoreb]

Of course he was not a false prophet. In Jonah 3:2 God instructs Jonah to go to Ninevah and "proclaim to it the message I tell you". Jonah did so and said what you quoted. But of course God's wish and his instruction was not about destruction, but repentance. Implicit in Jonah's statement of destruction in 40 days was an: "if you don't repent". The Ninevahites understood this and repented.

Of course you are correct So why do we today , think that when God speaks to us through a prophet and we too repent and pray, that , that person is false because it did not come to pass?

How many times have God stopped judgment on a country like America, because Christians repented and prayed ? But still we lash out at many prophets and call them false when that happens.

It may have happened numerous times due to prayer, though my original reference was the false predictions of the JW false prophets. I do not believe, though I may be wrong, that the Witnesses carried out prayer vigils in an attempt to get Jehovah to intercede and overturn their leadership's prophecies. Indeed I would suspect that they met these prediction with great anticipation.
I know I, and most Christians I know, would be joyful if we thought Christ was returning tomorrow.

 

[oneisgod]

Jesus said:-

Matthew 7:16
By their fruits YOU will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they?

So what has been the friut(s) of Christandom's churches?

One thinks of WW1 & WW2 which where sanctioned by the Europen churches on all sides in 1914-1918 & 1939-1945, what did Jesus say on this:-

Mark 12:31-33
The second is this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.†32 The scribe said to him: “Teacher, you well said in line with truth, ... and this loving one’s neighbor as oneself is worth far more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.â€Â

Matthew 5:44
However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies. . .

So what "fruits" did they produce for the "Prince Of Peace" Jesus Christ?

In war what do we see?:-

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, 20 idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, 21 envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these. As to these things I am forewarning YOU, the same way as I did forewarn YOU, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.

What "fruist" does Jesus EXPECT from HIS followers:-

Galatians 5:22-25
On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires. 25 If we are living by spirit, let us go on walking orderly also by spirit.

Do we see all the above in warfare?

So what did Jesus say:-

Matthew 7:16
By their fruits YOU will recognize them.

Seems quite plain to see to me!

WHAT KIND OF LOVE?

LOVE (Noun and Verb) [Verb] agapao and the corresponding noun agape (agape below) present "the characteristic word of Christianity, … "Love can be known only from the actions it prompts. … "Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom 15:2, and works no ill to any, Rom 13:8-10; love seeks opportunity to do good to 'all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith,' Gal 6:10. …
In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant "love" and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential "love" in them towards the Giver, and a practical "love" towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver.â€Â-‘Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Bible Words’

Speaking of false prophets, your founder and many leaders of the Watch Tower prophecied FALSELY about the end of the world many times in fact...

The Bible even the NWT states if a thing prophecied does not come to pass then you have a false prophet....

The same teachings of false prophets you follow, also teach that Jesus never rose physically form the dead. My question is why do you follow false prophets who have not been born of the spirit?

And these same ''prophets'' you follow keep calling miracles done in the name of Jesus as Satanic...

Why do you follow false prophets????

I do not follow T Russell or any human I follow The Bible.

 

[MMarc]

Jesus said:-

Matthew 7:16
By their fruits YOU will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they?

So what has been the friut(s) of Christandom's churches?

One thinks of WW1 & WW2 which where sanctioned by the Europen churches on all sides in 1914-1918 & 1939-1945, what did Jesus say on this:-

Mark 12:31-33
The second is this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.†32 The scribe said to him: “Teacher, you well said in line with truth, ... and this loving one’s neighbor as oneself is worth far more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.â€Â

Matthew 5:44
However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies. . .

So what "fruits" did they produce for the "Prince Of Peace" Jesus Christ?

In war what do we see?:-

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, 20 idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, 21 envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these. As to these things I am forewarning YOU, the same way as I did forewarn YOU, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.

What "fruist" does Jesus EXPECT from HIS followers:-

Galatians 5:22-25
On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires. 25 If we are living by spirit, let us go on walking orderly also by spirit.

Do we see all the above in warfare?

So what did Jesus say:-

Matthew 7:16
By their fruits YOU will recognize them.

Seems quite plain to see to me!

WHAT KIND OF LOVE?

LOVE (Noun and Verb) [Verb] agapao and the corresponding noun agape (agape below) present "the characteristic word of Christianity, … "Love can be known only from the actions it prompts. … "Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom 15:2, and works no ill to any, Rom 13:8-10; love seeks opportunity to do good to 'all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith,' Gal 6:10. …
In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant "love" and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential "love" in them towards the Giver, and a practical "love" towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver.â€Â-‘Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Bible Words’

Speaking of false prophets, your founder and many leaders of the Watch Tower prophecied FALSELY about the end of the world many times in fact...

The Bible even the NWT states if a thing prophecied does not come to pass then you have a false prophet....

The same teachings of false prophets you follow, also teach that Jesus never rose physically form the dead. My question is why do you follow false prophets who have not been born of the spirit?

And these same ''prophets'' you follow keep calling miracles done in the name of Jesus as Satanic...

Why do you follow false prophets????

I do not follow T Russell or any human I follow The Bible.

Yes but you believe their doctrine, do you not? You say you follow the bible? But then why do you keep avoiding the obvious that Jesus physically resurrected from death, while His Spirit never died but returned to the Father???

What does the bible say of Jesus' words after His resurrection? Touch me and see I am not a spirit but FLESH AND BONE....

If you follow the bible without the influence of Russell, then you would agree Jesus physically rose from the dead, it is after all what the bible says isn't it???

You see to be saved you must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead...His flesh.

 

[AnnieHere]

A false teacher will declare Christ as Saviour, but then cunningly attribute the way to eternal salvation to the works and will of MAN... rather than the work of GOD: HIS Sovereign will and purpose.

A false teacher usurps the authority of God and His Word by preaching a false gospel; leading the flock to serve a god that is their church, their pastor, their creeds, or anything other than the God of the Bible.

 

[Joe67]

A false teacher will declare Christ as Saviour, but then cunningly attribute the way to eternal salvation to the works and will of MAN... rather than the work of GOD: HIS Sovereign will and purpose.

A false teacher usurps the authority of God and His Word by preaching a false gospel; leading the flock to serve a god that is their church, their pastor, their creeds, or anything other than the God of the Bible.

AnnieHere,

Amen and Amen.

Our Lord said that many would come in his name saying,"I am." They are declaring that they possess free will and immortality of soul. He said to not go after them.

God, the Father, only is holy and has immortality. He has given the fullness of those qualities to Jesus, the Christ, our Lord and our God, the head of the body. In him dwells all the fullness of the godhead in bodily form. We are members of his body, earthen vessels. The excellency of the power belongs to God, the Father, by and through Jesus Christ, the resurrected One.

This truth is the oil in the vessel. It is to understand that the body is dead because of sin; working in us to mortify the deeds of the body, to count them as fertilizer for the ground. In this truth Jesus sets us free from impatience and gives us to wait upon him and to trust that he will raise us up at the appointed hour.

Joe

 

[Cornelius]

Of course he was not a false prophet. In Jonah 3:2 God instructs Jonah to go to Ninevah and "proclaim to it the message I tell you". Jonah did so and said what you quoted. But of course God's wish and his instruction was not about destruction, but repentance. Implicit in Jonah's statement of destruction in 40 days was an: "if you don't repent". The Ninevahites understood this and repented.

Of course you are correct So why do we today , think that when God speaks to us through a prophet and we too repent and pray, that , that person is false because it did not come to pass?

How many times have God stopped judgment on a country like America, because Christians repented and prayed ? But still we lash out at many prophets and call them false when that happens.

It may have happened numerous times due to prayer, though my original reference was the false predictions of the JW false prophets. I do not believe, though I may be wrong, that the Witnesses carried out prayer vigils in an attempt to get Jehovah to intercede and overturn their leadership's prophecies. Indeed I would suspect that they met these prediction with great anticipation.
I know I, and most Christians I know, would be joyful if we thought Christ was returning tomorrow.

Yes, I am also talking about Christians prophets. I have no interest in the JW

 

[butxifxnot]

Some good thoughts here, however I believe that Solo's motivation is to declare anyone who does not believe that Jesus is God (by his interpretation) to be a false prophet / false teacher.

One of the false teachings of false teachers is that Jesus Christ is not God Almighty. The Statement of Faith of this forum agrees with this truth that Jesus Christ is God Almighty.

• We believe that there is only one God, who is eternal and immutable, and manifests Himself in three distinct Persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  
  We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah, born of a virgin, totally without sin, God in human flesh, the One Who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose again from the dead on the third day, and ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, where He now intercedes for us who believe in Him.

AND according to the Terms of Service of this Christian Forum, the putting down of the basic tenet of Jesus Christ being God in the flesh of the Christian Faith is considered a hostile act.

• 1 - This is a Christian site, therefore, any attempt to put down Christianity and the basic tenets of our Faith will be considered a hostile act. Statement of Faith

http://www.logicalfallacies.info/releva ... -to-force/

False teachers are bad students. Bad students claim infallibility.

 

[Solo]

Some good thoughts here, however I believe that Solo's motivation is to declare anyone who does not believe that Jesus is God (by his interpretation) to be a false prophet / false teacher.

One of the false teachings of false teachers is that Jesus Christ is not God Almighty. The Statement of Faith of this forum agrees with this truth that Jesus Christ is God Almighty.

• We believe that there is only one God, who is eternal and immutable, and manifests Himself in three distinct Persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  
  We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah, born of a virgin, totally without sin, God in human flesh, the One Who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose again from the dead on the third day, and ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, where He now intercedes for us who believe in Him.

AND according to the Terms of Service of this Christian Forum, the putting down of the basic tenet of Jesus Christ being God in the flesh of the Christian Faith is considered a hostile act.

• 1 - This is a Christian site, therefore, any attempt to put down Christianity and the basic tenets of our Faith will be considered a hostile act. Statement of Faith

http://www.logicalfallacies.info/releva ... -to-force/

False teachers are bad students. Bad students claim infallibility.

http://biblebrowser.com/1_corinthians/2-14.htm

False Teachers are unbelievers. Unbelievers are not born again and cannot know the spiritual things of God.

 

[Imagican]

Solo,

Question: If Christ has manifest Himself in the life of one REGARDLESS of the 'beliefs of others', is this NOT ENOUGH?

Blessings,

MEC

 

[Solo]

Solo,

Question: If Christ has manifest Himself in the life of one REGARDLESS of the 'beliefs of others', is this NOT ENOUGH?

Blessings,

MEC

Mike,

Those who have been born again, born of God, are predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

• 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:29-30

Not everyone who claim to know Jesus Christ, thinking to themselves that they are manifesting Christ, are born again. Notice that those who call Jesus LORD, and have done marvelous things in His Name have NEVER been known by Jesus Christ (NEVER have been born again), and Jesus tells them to depart and calls them workers of iniquity.

• 21 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. 22 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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23

Thomas was with Jesus Christ in person for three solid years. He saw Jesus heal people, raise them from the dead, feed large crowds with a few fish and a few loaves of bread, preached to many in Judae as Jesus commanded; but he did not become a believer, born again until after Jesus' resurrection. At that time, Thomas believed and the first words out of his mouth after believing were, "My LORD and my God!"

• 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:26-29

We are exhorted to examine ourselves to make sure that we are in the faith.

• 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5

Not all spirits are from God, and we are exhorted to try the spirits to determine whether they be of God or not. Here is that test:

• 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 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.
  
  4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:1-6

 

[Elijah674]

---------------The Doctrine Of Christ----------------

2 Timothy 3:16 Tells us that we need the complete whole of [ALL Scripture] to understand the Doctrine of Christ. 'Doctrine', 'Reproof', 'correction', and 'instruction in righteousness'! And as Christ Himself stated that 'man does not live by bread alone, but every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' Matt. 4:4. (All 66 Books!)

This Doctrine of Christ is the testing truth of the great whole as I see it. The 'devil has from the beginning of the bible, to its ending, attacked Christ. In Gen. 4:7 we see that the Lamb of God Sacrifice itself, was attacked! (Christ was the Lamb projected by faith) And in today's setting, we see the exact same Eternal Christ being attacked! Some falsely say that Christ is not God, or that He had a beginning, or even that He is not part of the Godhead, that He was 'just' the Son of God.

Notice the Words of 2 John 9-11. "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. [If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.]"

What is the 'Doctrine of Christ' then? Remember that above it states All Scripture, and Every Word that proceedeth from the mouth of God! There is no way to have the Doctrine of Christ understood any other way! John for one, had many other books that he was Inspired to write. In Rev. 14:6 we see him start out with the 'EVERLASTING GOSPEL', think of what that means?

Now, the 'lamb' in Gen. 3:15, & Cain's folly?? this was the 'centerfold' of the Everlasting Gospel! The Doctrine of Christ is how old? Everlasting and Eternal! (Immortal!)

Then comes Paul with the 'Inspiration' of what Christ [is], His very moral makeup, His Character, "His Epistle" or letter! He states that this Covenant (God is Love) of Hebrews. 13:20 is also Everlasting! And that this Ten Commandment 'Epistle' of Christ is to be recreated into the heart & mind of the Born Again ones. See 2 Cor. 3:3 & Hebrews.10:15-16. So, we see that it takes both the Everlasting Gospel which is Christ and His righteousness, the garments of Christ righteousness & His very moral fiber makeup, His Everlasting Covenant to have a Doctrine of Christ! One without the other is not possible.

No eternal Christ, equals no Gospel whatsoever, period! That is what satan was having Cain buy into in Genesis 4:7, and that is what satan is doing today with a Christ that is not ETERNAL! This doctrine of satan had purposely gone off of the path of the 'Doctrine of Christ' as John warned of, or when it is taught! See 2 Cor. 4:2

And not only that which we see above, but the word of everlasting or eternal finds no ending or starting period for either the Gospel or the Character of Christ! (His Covenant) In heaven itself before the creation of man, there was the first rebellion that proved to be Covenant breaking. And the breaker of the Covenant stood over the Ark of the Godhead where in were the Royal Law of the Universe. Inside of the Ark was this eternal covenant, which was & still is (Rev. 11:19) covered with the 'Mercy Seat' and which we once again see, represented the 'Everlasting Gospel' of Christ!
So what is the Bottom line?
Any Doctrine that claims to be of God, which teaches that Christ is not God Immortal, is not the Everlasting Gospel Doctrine of Christ! Plain and simple!

Yet, dear friend, to even have ones in your membership teaching this doctrine [openly], makes any member a Partaker of his evil deed of Revelation 18:4, & was just another step to foster the shaking and falling away of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

--Elijah

PS! How can we again recognize a false teacher?? In Gen. 3:4 we see Inspiration telling us .. 'God hath said, ... LEAST YE DIE.' And then the sperpent calling God a liar! (bottom libne) So what are most all church's teaching about death number one, + the SECOND ETERNAL DEATH today?? (see Obadiah 1:16)