The Making Of False Prophet Part 1

Many times I hear terms like "false prophet" or "jezebel" and when some are referring to others.  I have always tried to steer people clear from these labels but that does not mean that it is not always true.  The reason I steer people clear is because sometimes it is premature and awfully harsh.  When we label someone we tag a judgement on them that can at times be very hard to remove.  However, it is my purpose to show you how to avoid some of the pitfalls that lend themselves to creating a heart that is false.  That is the real issue with a false prophet.  So we will dive into this very difficult topic. 

First, we need to look at some of the characteristics of a false prophet.  The common mistake is thinking false prophets are the same as false words.  That is not the case.  As we will see, false prophets usually have a very accurate gift.  It is the power of the gift that makes it a little confusing.  The amazing thing is that the Lord explains this to us in the Scriptures.  

Deuteronomy 13:1 “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 
Deuteronomy 13:2 and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, “Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known.  
Deuteronomy 13:3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 

See, the words can come to pass; this confuses people.  How can a false prophet speak accurate words?  It is simply that gifts and callings of God are without repentance.

Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 

That is a difficult pill for most to understand.  God does not stop us from going off track once He has given us gifts.  Where the anointing has to be maintained properly a gift stays with you for life.  God does not remove it from someone because they misbehave.  He is a good Father and when He gives us a gift it is just that, a gift.  You didn't earn it or graduate to it.  We see from the Scriptures above, that there are those who are false prophets.  Now the question comes, how does someone get off track.

Jesus Himself discussed the issue of false prophets in the Gospels. 

Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 7:16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
Matthew 7:17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
Matthew 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 7:20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
Matthew 7:23 And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

We see here that you will know them by their fruits.  The fruit is not how their ministry looks but their personal character.  As we look at Matthew  7, Jesus goes on to discuss that they will use the works of their ministry as a defense for their disobedience.  It is a trap when you try to justify yourself by the gifts that God has given you.  These are those who are practicing lawlessness.  There is another telling word in this passage that has to be paid attention too.  That word is "ravenous" wolves.  There is a telling sign of a false prophet and that is their predator personality which leads them to go after the weak ones.  Wolves don't attack the pac directly.  They try to peel off the week sheep and isolate them so they can kill and eat.  They are amazing hunters and with precision are able to peel off sheep.  Most who are operating like this will never deal with the leadership but ones who are most vulnerable.  In this they appear to be so wise and smart.  They always come like gentle shepherds.  They wear pastoral clothing but inside is a major issue.  They go from place to place and are on the hunt.  They are looking for who they can peel off and separate.  They always have a reason why they are not under authority.  Even those who appear to be are always talking behind the leaders back.  

What you discover is that this type of person, no matter where they go, have something to say about leadership.  To them, it is always the leadership above them that are at fault.  They don't understand alignment or authority.  They are jealous of those who are in authority and believe that they themselves should be the ones in that position.  However, those who are in authority are chosen by the Lord.  Whenever I visit another ministry, I always try to meet the pastor, to say nothing more than hello.  I don't tell him who I am I just want to greet the house.  However, there is another purpose for me.  I always want to establish who is the authority so I can place myself in alignment when I am there.

King Saul had a similar experience.  He thought that partial obedience was good enough.  He was going to save the sheep for "the Lord."  (2 Kings 15)  I believe to some point, false prophets are very deceived.  They believe what they believe is truth.  Just because we believe something does not make it correct.  Let's get back to that phrase of "ravenous wolves."  The word ravenous is an interesting word. It is the word "harpax" in the Greek.  It means raveneous, ravening, as a wild beast, rapacious, given to extortion and robbery, an extortioner.  It means to seize, to take for oneself or to prefer oneself.  That is so true.  Those who are false prophets always have one main concern, themselves.  Oh, they don't admit it to the weak sheep.  They are like Absalom who sat outside the gate to catch the ones coming in to see the King.  Really, they want people to want them.  I have had individuals who expressed they were all about ministering to the people and getting them whole.  However, they would get upset with that person if he or she had breakthrough and did not come back for another session. They see demons that are really not there in people but think everyone needs another level of deliverance. Individuals who need the people to need them solely are quite dangerous in the body.  Jesus tells us to beware of those.  

Paul warns the Church at Ephesus as well.  Paul's time at this city might be his longest any where.  Listen to his departure speech.

Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 
Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 
Acts 20:30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 
Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.  

Watch out, they a coming, they will be burdensome and oppressive and will not spare the flock.  They will cause division and be full of envy and strife.  Paul warns of this as well.

Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 

James warns us as well.

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 
James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 
James 3:15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 
James 3:16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 

The goal is their belly and they don't care what the condition of the Body is just that some of the people are following them.  It is always, "What's in it for me."  On the next installment, we will discuss how someone can avoid getting to this place and if you feel you are there, how to get back on track.  It is never to late to change your walk or course.  The Father is so merciful that He is long suffering for all to come to repentance.

Maintaining The Fire

I have been around a while and the hardest thing for me to watch is Christians who get taken out by the enemy.  Over the years we have had friends and/or colleagues who started well only to make some really poor choices.  These choices have lead to everything from the loss of jobs, removal from ministry and divorce.  It is not always how well you start that determines the outcome but how well you can navigate the pitfalls of life that will determine if you are around later.

Many people get fired up but less than all know how to keep the fires burning.  The Lord is always the one who starts the fire.  In the book of Leviticus, it is the Lord who lit the fire but the priest were the ones who had been given the responsibility to keep it burning.  There are a few things that might help you in this task if you will allow me to point them out.

1.  You have to bring oil for you lamp.  Believe me when I tell you this, it is your job bring the oil.  What?  You thought it was the Lord's job?  Of course you did.  If that was the case then the Lord has not been doing a good job for many believers.  He is the one who pours out the oil but it is your job to go and get it.  This is found in the wonderful parable of the ten virgins.


Matthew 25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Matthew 25:3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
Matthew 25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Matthew 25:5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
Matthew 25:6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’
Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
Matthew 25:8 And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
Matthew 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, “No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
Matthew 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’
Matthew 25:12 But he answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

In the 1st book of Samuel 3:3, the lamp of the Lord was about to go out.  It is our job for sure and that can be unsettling for some.  We tend to want the Lord to do everything for us but that is not often the case.  Many of the things that He has given to us are now up to us to bring both increase and fruit.  

2.  You must go into the presence of the Lord to tend to the lamp.  One of the things the priest had to do was trim the wick.  This represents the removal of the old things that have burned off.  Too many times I watch Christian dealing with stuff from the past that hinders their future.  I have lost partners in ministry because they got overly focused on things that happened forty years ago.  When you burn for God you will find that these things tend to burn away but you have to decide to remove the dead remains yourself.  Don't put them in a jar, just get rid of them.  

3.  The priest had to come in before God to tend to the lamp.  You cannot keep the fire burning int he outer court.  You must spend time with the Lord.  There is no other way about it.  I have known people who have gone from hot to cold so quickly it would make your head spin.  Life has a way of attacking the flame.  That is why you need to get in the Secret Place with the Lord and hide out.  All the cares of the world can choke out the flame.  Let me paint a picture.

I had a paper shredder that got clogged and so i did not have a way to shred paper.  So I lit a fire in the fireplace (it was winter) and after it was going good, i through some papers in.  If I put them in at the right pace all was fine.  Yet when I through in too many at once it choked the fire.  The papers represent life.  Too many people wait too long before praying and so by the time they try to go and pray, it is too late.  Their fire does not have the intensity to handle that much.  So prayer becomes a flame out instead of a flame up.  It is too late.  The only way people in this situation think they can get out of it is to remove themselves from the situation and retreat.  Then try to relight the fire and go again.  They often will repeat the process many times because they have not learned the important thing.  That it is their job to keep the fires burning.  So in the next event of life the pattern repeats.

4.  Wood burns best with other wood.  Fires with one log don't last long.  You need to be around other on fire for God people.  Many times people will withdraw because they don't like feeling.  Others are on fire and they think it will expose them.  Fire is contagious though.  If you get around fire you will burn with them.

These are just a few of the things to help you.  Stay the course and keep the fires burning.  Life is a lot more fun when you a blazing trails.

Maintaining The Fire

I have been around a while and the hardest thing for me to watch is Christians who get taken out by the enemy.  Over the years we have had friends and/or colleagues who started well only to make some really poor choices.  These choices have lead to everything from the loss of jobs, removal from ministry and divorce.  It is not always how well you start that determines the outcome but how well you can navigate the pitfalls of life that will determine if you are around later.

Many people get fired up but less than all know how to keep the fires burning.  The Lord is always the one who starts the fire.  In the book of Leviticus, it is the Lord who lit the fire but the priest were the ones who had been given the responsibility to keep it burning.  There are a few things that might help you in this task if you will allow me to point them out.

1.  You have to bring oil for you lamp.  Believe me when I tell you this, it is your job bring the oil.  What?  You thought it was the Lord's job?  Of course you did.  If that was the case then the Lord has not been doing a good job for many believers.  He is the one who pours out the oil but it is your job to go and get it.  This is found in the wonderful parable of the ten virgins.


Matthew 25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Matthew 25:3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
Matthew 25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Matthew 25:5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
Matthew 25:6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’
Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
Matthew 25:8 And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
Matthew 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, “No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
Matthew 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’
Matthew 25:12 But he answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

In the 1st book of Samuel 3:3, the lamp of the Lord was about to go out.  It is our job for sure and that can be unsettling for some.  We tend to want the Lord to do everything for us but that is not often the case.  Many of the things that He has given to us are now up to us to bring both increase and fruit.  

2.  You must go into the presence of the Lord to tend to the lamp.  One of the things the priest had to do was trim the wick.  This represents the removal of the old things that have burned off.  Too many times I watch Christian dealing with stuff from the past that hinders their future.  I have lost partners in ministry because they got overly focused on things that happened forty years ago.  When you burn for God you will find that these things tend to burn away but you have to decide to remove the dead remains yourself.  Don't put them in a jar, just get rid of them.  

3.  The priest had to come in before God to tend to the lamp.  You cannot keep the fire burning int he outer court.  You must spend time with the Lord.  There is no other way about it.  I have known people who have gone from hot to cold so quickly it would make your head spin.  Life has a way of attacking the flame.  That is why you need to get in the Secret Place with the Lord and hide out.  All the cares of the world can choke out the flame.  Let me paint a picture.

I had a paper shredder that got clogged and so i did not have a way to shred paper.  So I lit a fire in the fireplace (it was winter) and after it was going good, i through some papers in.  If I put them in at the right pace all was fine.  Yet when I through in too many at once it choked the fire.  The papers represent life.  Too many people wait too long before praying and so by the time they try to go and pray, it is too late.  Their fire does not have the intensity to handle that much.  So prayer becomes a flame out instead of a flame up.  It is too late.  The only way people in this situation think they can get out of it is to remove themselves from the situation and retreat.  Then try to relight the fire and go again.  They often will repeat the process many times because they have not learned the important thing.  That it is their job to keep the fires burning.  So in the next event of life the pattern repeats.

4.  Wood burns best with other wood.  Fires with one log don't last long.  You need to be around other on fire for God people.  Many times people will withdraw because they don't like feeling.  Others are on fire and they think it will expose them.  Fire is contagious though.  If you get around fire you will burn with them.

These are just a few of the things to help you.  Stay the course and keep the fires burning.  Life is a lot more fun when you a blazing trails.