7 characteristics of false prophets

Jesus said in Mat 7:15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” And in this statement He paints a picture of people who look like sheep, but are not. Jude says that these people are hidden right in the church, and that they crept in unnoticed. God said through Jeremiah in chapter 14:14 Then the LORD said to me, "The prophets are prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, futility and the deception of their own minds.”

And so in Jesus’ last sermon before He was crucified, in Matthew 23, He gives 7 characteristics of false teachers, which was an indictment to the religious leaders of His day and is certainly applicable today as well.

1. They have a false authority; Vs. 1: The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses. They may be self appointed, seminary appointed, or denominationally appointed, but not God appointed.

2. They have a false message. Vs. 2: therefore, all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say things, and do not do them. A prophet of God should proclaim the Word of God, like Isaiah did, “line upon line, precept upon precept… Is. 28.

3. They impose a false obligation. Vs. 4 And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. The more twisted the message, the more burdens they impose.

4. They have a false righteousness. Vs. 5: But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries, and lengthen the tassels of their garments. Jesus later calls them hypocrites; literally meaning actors on a stage. Is that ever true today. Our pulpits have just been reduced to “Christian” entertainment.

5. They wear a false humility. Vs. 6 They love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

6. They claim a false title. Vs. 7 And respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men Rabbi, But do not be called Rabbi, for One is your Teacher and you are all brothers,Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders, for One is your leader, that is Christ.

7. They have a false mission. Vs. 11,12. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. Matt. 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." The acid test of a prophet is whether or not they are being served, or serving the body of Christ. Philippians tells us to have the same attitude as Christ, taking the form of a bondservant.