What does the Bible say about false prophets?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• Matthew 7:15

  "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.

• 1 John 4:1

  Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

• Matthew 24:24

  For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

• 2 Peter 2:1

  But there also arose false prophets among the people, as among you also there will be false teachers, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.

• 1 John 4:1-6

  [1] Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. [2] By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, [3] and every spirit who doesn't confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already. [4] You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. [5] They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them. [6] We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn't listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

• 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

  [13] For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ's apostles. [14] And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. [15] It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

• Matthew 24:11

  Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray.

• 2 Timothy 4:3

  For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;

• Deuteronomy 18:20-22

  [20] But the prophet, who shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die. [21] If you say in your heart, How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken? [22] when a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh, if the thing doesn't follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken: the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you shall not be afraid of him.

• Jeremiah 23:16

  Thus says Yahweh of Hosts, Don't listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you: they teach you vanity; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Yahweh.

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