“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

Any man or ministry that is not simply preaching and seeking to get you into God’s written Word for yourself, is false (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16).

False prophets can only mislead those who are not grounded in God’s Word for themselves (2 Timothy 2:15).

Today, there are many self-proclaimed prophets. Jesus warns us to “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)

True prophets don’t come up with “words” they claim are from God. No, they are grounded in “the MORE sure word of prophecy” which is specifically the written Word…. and holds more divine authority than when God literally spoke audibly at the mount of transfiguration – 2 Peter 1:12-21.

The real prophetic, “the MORE sure word of prophecy” … is the written Word:

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21

God’s true people hear His voice primarily through His Word, sound doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16).

“Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.” Jeremiah 14:14

False prophets “speak a vision of their own heart” – “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:16

Prophetic Frauds Galore! 

Earthly or Heavenly Things?

Wolves, says Paul, mind EARTHLY things“ because “their god is their belly” …. yet for the true disciples, “our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

Take note of the difference between the message of the LORD’s servants (like Paul) and the wolves. Osteen, beguiling emergent wolves and word of faith devils point people’s heart affections to “earthly things” while true servants of Jesus obediently project those affections to the LORD Jesus Himself who is coming from “heaven” soon but only for those who are living and looking for Him (Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 9:28). All others are rebels who will be eternally rejected and terminated into the fires of eternal damnation.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: ²⁸ So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9 :27-28

See also Luke 21:34-36; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Peter 3:10-14; 1 John 2:24-3:3, etc.

The biblical prescription for discerning wolves is seen right here in the Holy Spirit inspired words of the apostle Paul:

Philippians 3

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

 18 (For MANY walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Did you catch the key to discerning between true under-shepherds of Jesus and wolves who deceitfully pose as His representatives? The true disciple of Jesus has his heart affections upon Christ Himself while the greed-driven wolf points his audiences to have their “best life now” instead of “in Heaven” and to be “purpose driven” instead of Holy Spirit led (Psalms 119:105; Romans 8:14).

Christ’s kingdom doesn’t operate according to you are your feelings! Repent and lay down your life and when you do you will obey biblical truth (Romans 3:4).

4 Key Discernment Nuggets

1. Are they heavenly or earthly minded? Wolves who raise money for elaborate physical structures on earth “mind earthly things” and are manifest as “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-21) ALL leaders who do not preach what Jesus and His apostles commanded as essential to following Him – death to self – are wolves, period (Luke 9:23-24; John 12:24-26, etc.).

2. Does the leader simply and purely preach God’s written Word? If not, he is false. Psalms 119; John 5:39-40; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; Acts 20:20, 27-32; 1 Peter 4:11, etc.

3.  Of false prophets, the prophet Ezekiel spoke of a “conspiracy” among them (Ezekiel 22:25-27). Wolves run in packs. Connect the dots. If they associate with other wolves it’s because that’s what THEY are, period. Those who associate with wolves condone or “biddeth him God speed” and are “partaker of his (the wolf’s) evil deeds.” (2 John 2-11)

4. Beware of those who speak of being “led by the Spirit” and yet speak little of the Holy Scriptures which were given to us by the Holy Spirit to protect us from being deceived. What did God give us to be “a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”? – The written Word (Psalms 119:105).

The primary way to discern is testing everything and everyone against God’s written Word (Acts 17:10-11).

When they heard and discerned the apostle Paul, the “more noble” disciples at Berea, didn’t say “well let’s just be led by the Spirit to discern if Paul is telling the truth.”  No! They “searched the scriptures (written Word) daily, whether those things were so.”(Acts 17:11)

False prophets seek out and prey on gullible, ungrounded dupes – who are enamored by their title or supposed prophecies, words. Beware! The authentic disciple is enamored with the Son of God and grounded in God’s Word – “the more sure word of prophecy” – and therefore not impressed with false prophets with “words.” (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Wolf Exposé | The Key to Discernment

Faith Ranger notes: “Those who claim to be prophets are not prophets, but people claiming to be prophets. Prophets throughout history Were made known by God Himself, and He displayed the ministry of a prophet. Real Prophets do not toot their own horns, but repeat what God has said. God isn’t instructing prophets, pastors, or others to advertise their calling, only to live it out. A true prophet needs to make no claim of his own.”

***Did Jesus mean that we are never to discern, distinguish, and mark people and doctrines when He said “Judge not that ye be not judged”? (Matthew 7:1-4) No. In fact, just a few breaths/paragraphs and verses later, the Son of God told us to know or discern people (namely leaders) “by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16-20) Why would Christ tell us to “know them by their fruits” if He didn’t want us to be discerning and judge all by His Word as the exemplary Bereans did? (Acts 17:11) GOD IS the JUDGE … AND ….. He has clearly spoken in His 66 glorious books ….. so we have His “judgments” (Ps 119).

The Key to Discernment 

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