22+ Bible Verses About False Prophets (With Commentary)
It seems like everywhere we turn these days, there are people claiming to be prophets and purporting to have God’s answers to our most pressing questions.
It can be challenging to differentiate between the ones who are truly divinely inspired and those who have misleading agendas.
To help guide us to make the right choices, here are just a few of the many bible verses from the scriptures about false prophets.
Bible Verses About False Prophets
1. Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
False prophets are individuals who pretend to be godly but are actually deceitful and harmful. This verse cautions believers to be vigilant and discerning, as false prophets can manipulate and mislead others.
2. Matthew 24:24
“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
Here, Jesus warns that false prophets will arise and attempt to deceive even the most faithful believers with their deceptive acts and miracles. It emphasizes the importance of grounding one’s faith in the truth of God’s Word.
3. 2 Peter 2:1
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.”
This verse highlights that false prophets have existed since ancient times and will continue to emerge. It emphasizes that the false teachings they bring are harmful and can lead people away from the true faith.
4. 1 John 4:1
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
John encourages believers to test the spirits and teachings they encounter, ensuring they align with the truth of God’s Word. This discernment is crucial in recognizing false prophets and protecting oneself from their deceit.
5. Luke 6:26
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.”
Jesus warns that false prophets often gain popularity and praise from the world, but true believers should not seek such approval. This verse advises against following leaders who are only concerned with their reputation and fail to adhere to God’s truth.
6. Jeremiah 23:16
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.’”
Jeremiah relays God’s instruction that false prophets should be disregarded, for they speak their own imaginations and not what God has revealed. This reminder cautions against blindly accepting every word proclaimed as prophecy.
7. 1 Timothy 4:1
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”
Paul warns Timothy that false teachers will arise, spreading teachings inspired by demonic influence. This verse reminds believers of the need to stay grounded in the truth and to guard against being led astray.
8. Ezekiel 13:3
“Thus says the Lord God, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!”
Ezekiel delivers God’s judgment upon the foolish prophets who speak from their own desires and imaginations without receiving divine revelation. This verse emphasizes the importance of heeding genuine prophetic voices instead of following arrogant, self-centered leaders.
9. 2 Corinthians 11:13
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.”
Paul warns the Corinthians about false apostles who pretend to represent Christ but are, in fact, deceitful pretenders. This verse highlights the need for discernment in identifying genuine messengers of Christ.
10. Jeremiah 14:14
“And the LORD said to me: ‘The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.’”
God declares that false prophets claim to speak in His name, yet their visions and prophecies are false and originate from their own deceitful thoughts. This verse serves as a stern warning against following those who speak lies instead of God’s truth.
11. Acts 20:29-30
“I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”
Paul predicts that false teachers will emerge within the church, seeking to draw believers away from the truth. This verse highlights the importance of being vigilant and guarding against false prophets.
12. Micah 3:5
“Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry ‘Peace’ when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.”
Micah brings God’s judgment upon the prophets who deceive His people for personal gain. This verse reveals the self-serving nature of false prophets and warns against following those motivated by greed instead of God’s truth.
13. Mark 13:22
“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.”
Mark records Jesus’ warning about the rise of false messiahs and prophets who will perform deceptive signs and wonders to lead even the most faithful believers astray. This verse emphasizes the importance of staying firmly rooted in God’s truth.
14. 1 John 4:5
“They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.”
John mentions that false prophets align themselves with worldly values and principles instead of representing God’s truth. This verse reminds believers to discern between worldly teachings and the genuine Word of God.
15. Ezekiel 22:28
“And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD has not spoken.”
Ezekiel condemns the prophets who deceive the people by speaking falsehoods and claiming they are divine revelations. This verse serves as a warning against individuals who exploit God’s name to promote their own agendas.
16. 2 Peter 2:3
“And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
Peter warns that false prophets, driven by their own greed, will manipulate and exploit people through deceitful teachings. This verse reminds believers that God’s judgment will eventually come upon those who lead others astray.
17. Jeremiah 23:21
“I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.”
Jeremiah declares that false prophets speak presumptuously, claiming divine inspiration even though God did not send them nor speak to them. This cautionary verse underscores the need to carefully evaluate the authenticity of prophetic messages.
18. 1 Kings 22:22
“And the LORD said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’”
This verse depicts God allowing a lying spirit into the mouths of false prophets to deceive a wicked king. It serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and His ability to use even falsehood to bring about His purposes.
19. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21
“Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.”
Paul encourages believers to not reject prophecies outright but to test them against the truth of God’s Word. This verse underscores the importance of discernment and holding on to genuine prophetic messages.
20. Jeremiah 23:25-26
“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart?”
God hears the lies spoken by false prophets in His name, who claim to have received divine dreams and visions. This verse emphasizes the deception that arises from the hearts of these prophets.
21. 2 Corinthians 11:15
“So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”
Paul acknowledges that false prophets may present themselves as righteous servants of God but are actually deceitful. This verse reminds believers that false prophets will face judgment aligned with their true intentions and actions.
22. Proverbs 26:25
“When he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.”
Proverbs cautions against blindly trusting false prophets, even when they speak persuasively and eloquently.
What Does the Bible Say About False Prophets?
In the Bible, false prophets are individuals who claim to speak on behalf of God but deliver messages that are not aligned with His teachings or intentions. The concept of false prophets is discussed in both the Old and New Testaments. These individuals often deceive people by providing misleading guidance, false predictions, or promoting actions that go against God’s commands.
The Bible emphasizes the importance of discernment when it comes to identifying false prophets. Jesus warned about false prophets who would come with outward displays of spirituality but whose true motives were self-serving. He advised his followers to judge prophets by their fruits, meaning to assess their teachings and actions over time.
In the Old Testament, there are numerous instances where false prophets are mentioned, and severe consequences are outlined for their actions. The book of Deuteronomy, for example, commands that false prophets be put to death as they lead people away from the true path of God.
In the New Testament, the apostles and Jesus himself reiterated the danger of false prophets. They stressed the need for spiritual discernment and the testing of spirits to ensure that the messages being presented align with the teachings of Jesus. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, also warned about the emergence of false teachers who distort the gospel for personal gain.
In summary, the Bible cautions believers to be vigilant and discerning when it comes to accepting the teachings of individuals claiming to be prophets. The presence of false prophets serves as a reminder of the need for a solid understanding of God’s word and a close relationship with Him to avoid being led astray.
