“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, who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that
they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? Let the
prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak
my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 23:25-28 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/jer.23.25-28.esv
“But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not
commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same
prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word
that the Lord has not spoken?’— When a prophet speaks in the name of the
Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the
Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not
be afraid of him.”
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/deu.18.20-22.esv
The Bible is clear on being mindful of false prophets. Frankly, the only truth is
from the Bible itself. I am saddened when I watch or read self-claimed
“prophets” who claim they have more access to God than anyone else. The truth
is everyone has the same access. Every believer has the Holy Spirit within them.
Every believer has access to an unmodified Bible containing the same passages.
God transforms all of us through faith and the Holy Spirit. God wants a loving
relationship with everyone equally.
Do not be deceived. You are on a level playing field with God. Yes, you may have
unique gifts given to you by God to serve His Will but you can be as close to Him
as the next self-proclaimed “prophet.” God gives everyone equal access.
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.3.16.esv
So, when you read or watch self-proclaimed “prophets”, listen with a grain of
salt. Read the Bible to garner truth and pray for truth. Allow God to guide you
on what you need to do. Let Him take the lead in your life. God, Himself will
never lead you astray. God, Himself will show you the truth. God, Himself will
demonstrate immense love and mercy for you as He does with everyone.
With the advent of technology, believers are more vulnerable to being led
astray. We are overrun with information. Perhaps, that’s why Jesus states:
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your
Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/mat.6.6.esv
I take this passage simply as having a 1 on 1 with your Heavenly Father is so
important. Perhaps, Jesus stated this to protect you from self-proclaimed
“prophets.” Focus on God Himself and you will be rewarded with clear
direction.
by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor
Alberta, Canada