What are the SIGNS OF A FALSE PROPHET?

Any thoughts?

This isn't exactly staying on topic but one thing that always raises a red flag in my mind is when someone start calling the devil names. The reason is the following scripture:

Jud 1:8 Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee, Jud 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not:. but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Jud 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. Jud 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Jud 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Jud 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, Jud 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Jud 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. Jud 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; Jud 1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. Jud 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jud 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion Jud 1:8 Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Jud 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Jud 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. Jud 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Jud 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Jud 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, Jud 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Jud 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. Jud 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; Jud 1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. Jud 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jud 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Whenever, I hear a preacher or a christian calling the devil names or "speaking evil of dignities" as it says above, I think they are in light of this scripture at the very least, walking in the flesh.

AMEN Brother, I share your view on this 100%, and it is something that has frequently bothered me. The Lord Jesus shows compassion to His enemies. Yes He has to defeat them as He is THE LORD, but He is never anything low, crass, or mean in His deportment even while victorious in battle. He is Honorable in ALL His ways; He DEFINES Honor.

yes I would agree the devil has power God has a greater power therefore I would never call the devil names

Not only that but fallen spirits frequently become attached with a peculiar form of vanity to epithets that describe their natures and functions, so hurling such epithets at them actually appeals to and nurtures, in a perverse way, their pride.

By the same token I try not to rail against people though they are working on behalf of the devil. Thankfully, I have the scripture which tells me God is my avenger and vindicator. This quells my natural desire to retaliate against those who might attack or otherwise do me wrong.

Learning this lesson is ongoing. I get stronger with every conflict over this area of my flesh. A hard lesson but essential: Love your enemies.

This is a good post. I was wondering what key signs you would look for in a prophetic ministry to discern if they are of God. I ask because I feel that I may have been deceived by one, but I'm scared to go with that conclusion...

It is easy to be deceived...

A prophet must stay aligned to the word of God, not adding or taking away. Many of today's so called prophets have very strange totally unscriptural doctrines woven into their teachings. Yet some of their teachings, maybe even most of it, is dead on.

It only takes a drop of poison to kill so I stay away from the above even if they have reportedly preformed miracles or have spoken things that have come to pass. It's been my experience through research that most of the high profile "prophets" will set dates or time lines to prophecies and these fail. Even if they are 80% (haven't seen one that good) and 20% wrong, that’s still enough to keep me away from them.

God simply wouldn't tell someone "Thus and so is going to happen within 5 years" or "by a certain date" unless it were so. There is no excuse for such a mistake except IT WASN'T GOD speaking.

All false prophets SHOW THEMSELVES by speaking false doctrine (many of them rail against dignities) and by making false predictions.

What is that saying...

something along the lines of 'a little yeast...'.

False prophets are prophets too. They perform miracles, have knowledge on someone that they could not have known, and they also speak the 'words of God'.

But we shall know them by their fruits. If they speak things that are contradictary to the Word, they are false.

Watch out for deceivers. They come as angels of light, but inside they are ravenous wolves (wolves in sheeps clothing). It takes discernement to stay away from their deceptions, and a heart that is keen on seeking the Lord (itching ears will lead you astray!).

So, don't be afraid to keep testing words everybody!!

Good topic...

God bless!

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Thanks...I actually experienced something like that from a prophetic ministry that liked to make prophecies with specific dates that not only didn't come to pass, but they were just dead wrong. I was worried if I was just doubting all the time since some people kept talking about the miracles they've experienced, but I noticed that the prophet seemed to promote himself and his services/products a lot, which to me, kind of defeats the purpose of a ministry.