Do You Listen To False Prophets?

[Michael The Disciple]

In the thread about appropriate Christian music Bro. Eastman said to me:

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman View Post
mike if you wouldn't listen to a false prophet why should you listen to a false disciple?

This was in context about musicians but I thought it would be good for a broader discussion.

Do we listen to people who are false prophets or false teachers? For my two cents worth I would say first it is exceedingly difficult to find a ministry that is fully pure. Almost all are off in some area.

I am aware of only five ministers that teach what I consider the true Apostolic New Testament foundation. Of these I probably disagree somewhat with three of them on a few dress code issues.

So here goes. I think whenever I am listening to someone who teaches foundational error I am listening to a false teacher (to some degree).

The prophet, pastor, or disciple we hold in high regard may be a heretic according to scripture.

I do look around on Youtube to try to find people to listen to on my nights off. Let me explain my mode of operation.

I search by topic. I may put in a search for something on the Oneness message. Someone will come up teaching Oneness. They may teach it at least accurate in a general way. But if I click on some of their other video's I may notice they teach baptism is a "symbol" and not part of salvation.

Or I may listen to someone teaching about the post trib rapture. They may teach it accurately. Then I notice they teach Trinity.

I may pull up a minister who teaches a good message of the resurrection and the guy teaches falsely concerning holiness.

See what I mean? I may agree with someone on a certain topic and disagree with everything else he believes.

Where do you draw the line? Do you follow someones ministry who you think has only truth? Do you listen to people who you know are off in some area?

How do you apply this to musicians? Do you only listen to musicians you feel have no error in their music?

[Truthseeker]

Most everyone believes something false. Every preacher who says there is a future trib is a false prophet in a sense. Streets of gold, tithes, literal new Jerusalem are are false teachings, in a sense false prophecies.

If God isn't graceful about all we believe we all are doomed.

[obriencp]

Most everyone believes something false...

...If God isn't graceful about all we believe we all are doomed.

Amen.

There is no way to totally protect yourself from hearing, seeing, reading material that isn't somehow flawed by man. I've heard it compared to eating fish, you just gotta pick out the bones. Glean what is good and true, dispose of what you don't agree with. Pray about things, try the spirits.

If some disagree, I would say you're fooling yourselves.

[Scott Pitta]

I do not understand a pastor to be a prophet.

Anyway, I have never met another speaker who I completely agree with. I probably never will.

That's OK.

Some speakers are very good in certain areas or topics. In the areas of expertise, I hold their opinion to be of greater value than areas where they are not as informed.

Even speakers I debate theology with and disagree with are sometimes correct in their analysis of Scripture. Or to say it another way, our critics are not wrong on every point.

If part of what I believe is true, does that make me a true speaker ? If part of what I believe is wrong, does that make me a false prophet ? I don't think so.

Misinterpreting a passage does not make us a false prophet. If it is, we are all false prophets, for no one has a perfect understanding of Scripture.

Theology and humility go hand in hand. I overlook it when a speaker views a topic differently than I do. I hope my listeners do the same for me.

I could be wrong, but false prophets, as described in the NT, have numerous character flaws. Instead of teachers who have an imperfect understanding, false prophets are called wolves.

[Lafon]

Yes, I listen to the teachings of false prophets, that is, every now and then, although primarily out of curiosity, but never with the expectation of hearing truth. And, I have even purchased some of their writings, just to learn about the differing doctrines which they teach.

Why, you may wonder. Well, I recall (many years ago now) when I entered the military service (US Army) at a tender young and impressionable age, the very first thing they required of me was to attend an extensive combat training program, all designed to learn the differing tactics which the enemy would be expected to employ against me should it be that I ever became engaged in combat.

It is in this same manner that I consider listening to and reading the differing tactics which Satan and his ministers use in the spiritual warfare which I, as a soldier of Jesus Christ's army, can expect to encounter on the many occasions wherein I am compelled to engage Satan and his soldiers - false prophets.

Only by being fully cognizant of the enemy's ever-changing tactics, am I to be an overcomer and remain faithful to my calling unto death and receive my promised rewards.

[Truthseeker]

Amen.

There is no way to totally protect yourself from hearing, seeing, reading material that isn't somehow flawed by man. I've heard it compared to eating fish, you just gotta pick out the bones. Glean what is good and true, dispose of what you don't agree with. Pray about things, try the spirits.

If some disagree, I would say you're fooling yourselves.

I have said stuff in the past that was false out of ignorance.

[Esphes45]

Most everyone believes something false. Every preacher who says there is a future trib is a false prophet in a sense. Streets of gold, tithes, literal new Jerusalem are are false teachings, in a sense false prophecies.

If God isn't graceful about all we believe we all are doomed.

It sounds like we are just suppose to accept the fact that everyone teaches something false? Call me crazy but that is hard for me to swallow.

There are scriptures like Luke 1:3 and Hebrews 6:1 that make that hard for me to swallow.

I have heard people also tell me that go to church 3 times a week "they eat the meat and spit out the bone". You shouldn't have to go to church and do that. IMO, that would make what God did a waste of time.

[Sean]

Guys, think about this for a minute. ...When you "believe" in something with all you got, could it be false?

Is it set in stone?

Can you ever be swayed to change that belief?

Well, most of the folks I meet these days refuse to change a belief in or about something no matter what you show them.

Does it matter what you believe in in the eyes of the Lord?

I refuse to be like the 99% of folks that say.."I dont believe that", rather I now say..."I know that".

Let me ask you this...Do you "believe" in stuff, or do you "know" stuff?

When I was a Catholic, I "believed" stuff ignorantly, but as a Bible studying saint, now I "know" stuff.

The problem is not the false prophets, it is the false "beliefs".

[obriencp]

I do not understand a pastor to be a prophet.

Anyway, I have never met another speaker who I completely agree with. I probably never will.

That's OK.

Some speakers are very good in certain areas or topics. In the areas of expertise, I hold their opinion to be of greater value than areas where they are not as informed.

Even speakers I debate theology with and disagree with are sometimes correct in their analysis of Scripture. Or to say it another way, our critics are not wrong on every point.

If part of what I believe is true, does that make me a true speaker ? If part of what I believe is wrong, does that make me a false prophet ? I don't think so.

Misinterpreting a passage does not make us a false prophet. If it is, we are all false prophets, for no one has a perfect understanding of Scripture.

Theology and humility go hand in hand. I overlook it when a speaker views a topic differently than I do. I hope my listeners do the same for me.

I could be wrong, but false prophets, as described in the NT, have numerous character flaws. Instead of teachers who have an imperfect understanding, false prophets are called wolves.

Amen.

I have said stuff in the past that was false out of ignorance.

We all have. None of us are perfect, especially me.

[Sean]

To clarify, we must "know" the subject before we choose to "believe" the subject.

(As a new convert, I "believed" every word my pastor told me. Now I "know" what was told me. Some of it was ridiculous....)

[MissBrattified]

The phrase "false prophet" is bandied about too freely. Just because someone is wrong about something doesn't mean they are a "false prophet." A false prophet is telling lies and he knows it.

Strong's defines "false prophet" as: "a spurious prophet, i. e. pretended foreteller or religious impostor:— false prophet. AV (11)- false prophet 11; one who, acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet, utters falsehoods under the name of divine prophecies"

Strong's definitions point to knowledgeable actions; not ignorant error. The biblical false prophet is someone who is faking, being deliberately dishonest, probably for the sake of gaining power over people, in my opinion.

Bottom line: I would listen to what someone had to say, even if I didn't agree with them on everything, if they were sincere and intellectually honest. (E.g., they are telling the truth as they know and understand it; not trying to mislead anyone or knowingly tell lies)

[KeptByTheWord]

This is the scripture that pinpoints this issue for us, I believe.

1 John 4:1-3
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.

Those who are antichrist do not believe that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh are not of God, and this is that spirit of antichrist that we must beware of.

No doubt there is something that each one of us believes about God that is probably not right, because we are just human, and cannot understand or know all the mysteries of God. Life is a journey of revelation, and understanding, and learning to know Him better. Yet... if one believes that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, this is not the spirit of antichrist that John was speaking of.

There are bones in the fish in just about everything you hear, it seems, some things you agree with and some perhaps you don't. But when someone outright does not believe that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh, it is then we should part ways.

[FlamingZword]

There are false prophets, but how do we define or classify someone as a false prophet?

To me false prophets teach against the tithe, they teach the rapture, they teach against the Ten Commandments, they teach against the Sabbath.

Anyone who teaches such things would be classified by me as a false prophet, however I prefer to be more charitable and instead of calling them false prophets, I simply called them brethren who lack knowledge or understanding.

[KeptByTheWord]

Here is another scripture that is very insightful to this discussion:

1 Cor. 3:11-15
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

It seems that you can have the right foundation of Jesus Christ, but how you build on that foundation will determine if your work will stand or fall. All will undergo the test of fire, and Paul says "If any man's work be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved"...

From this, this is where I have peace about those who teach things that I may not see in scripture myself. As long as the basic foundation is built upon Jesus Christ, we have to understand that every man's work will be tested. The test or fire will determine if we have built right. It is possible that many have built upon the firm foundation of Jesus such things as wood, stubble, hay, and that others have built with precious stones, gold and silver, but the judgment day remains for all of us to see whether our work passes the test.

It does appear that salvation can occur even if you built with wood, stubble or hay, but that there is some sort of price to be paid.

Accordingly, all of us should strive daily to be sure that the we are building upon the foundation of Jesus with things that are eternal, and not things that will burn up in the fire of judgment.

Accordingly, we can have fellowship if necessary with those who have built upon the foundation of Jesus, but perhaps have added to the foundation that which will not stand the test of fire, but this does not appear to affect their salvation, but perhaps their reward.

We must cut off relationships though, where the foundation being built upon is NOT Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

[Truthseeker]

It sounds like we are just suppose to accept the fact that everyone teaches something false? Call me crazy but that is hard for me to swallow.

There are scriptures like Luke 1:3 and Hebrews 6:1 that make that hard for me to swallow.

I have heard people also tell me that go to church 3 times a week "they eat the meat and spit out the bone". You shouldn't have to go to church and do that. IMO, that would make what God did a waste of time.

Point being no church or preacher is without some error, even you. We should be in s constant love for truth and discovery. Of course, this takes humility because we have to realize we don't understand it all correctly. It is a journey. If I can only go to a church with all truth, I would have to stay home.

[Michael The Disciple]

There are false prophets, but how do we define or classify someone as a false prophet?

To me false prophets teach against the tithe, they teach the rapture, they teach against the Ten Commandments, they teach against the Sabbath.

Anyone who teaches such things would be classified by me as a false prophet, however I prefer to be more charitable and instead of calling them false prophets, I simply called them brethren who lack knowledge or understanding.

You would define me as a false prophet. :heeheehee

Well I try to be like you and be as charitable as possible.

[Sean]

There are false prophets, but how do we define or classify someone as a false prophet?

To me false prophets teach against the tithe, they teach the rapture, they teach against the Ten Commandments, they teach against the Sabbath.

Anyone who teaches such things would be classified by me as a false prophet, however I prefer to be more charitable and instead of calling them false prophets, I simply called them brethren who lack knowledge or understanding.



Seems like a false prophet is trying to describe a true prophet here...LOL

[Abiding Now]

I've listen to false profits and really enjoyed the entertainment. Every heard the Georgia Prophet, David Epley, Rev. Ike, J. Charles Jessup, Rev. Al from Hayward, Ca.? Those guys were a hoot. They kept XERF, WSM and KAAY alive for years with their "preaching". They would have lifted the nickels off a dead man's eyes. Talk about robbing widows houses, they were the cream of the crop. They sold more holy anointing oil than Exxon and prayer clothes! Probably kept Burlington Mills busy for a decade. :heeheehee