This document discusses distinguishing between true and false prophets. It says that false prophets are numerous, indistinguishable externally, bear inappropriate or fake fruit, and are invalid Christians. False prophets appear like sheep but are inwardly ravenous wolves. One can discern them by their fruits, as a good tree bears good fruit but a bad tree bears bad fruit. The document warns that many will claim to have prophesied and performed miracles in Jesus' name, but he will declare that he never knew them.

1. TRUE AND FALSE PROPHETS

2. GRACIOUS JESUS
5. KINGDOM LIFESTYLE PART 3
Do not Judge
Receiving God’s Bounty
The Golden Rule
Gate to Life
True and False
Prophets
A Firm Foundation

3. PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
25. TRUE AND FALSE PROPHETS
Matt 7:15-23; Luke 6:43-45
Discerning “false prophets”
• Innumerable
• Indistinguishable externally
• Inappropriate fruit
• Invalid Christians
Contrasting true prophets
Examining ourselves
• Current Trends
• Dangerous Traits

4. TRUE AND FALSE
PROPHETS
Matt 7:15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in
sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will
know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn
bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree
bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree
cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their
fruits.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who
is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord,
Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast
out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And
then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me,
you who practice lawlessness.’

5. OBJECTIVES
To:
Discern and
distinguish between
true and false
prophets
Understand and tackle
dangerous
characteristics of false
prophets which can
creep into our lives

6. INTRODUCTION
On the heels of Christ’s
discussion on broad and
narrow way. Jesus describes
Christian leaders in the
broad and narrow way – true
and false prophets. And with
leaders will come followers.
Discerning these influences
is critical to the growth of
the church.

7. DISCERNING FALSE
PROPHETS
They are:
• Innumerable
• Indistinguishable
externally
• Inappropriate fruit– no
good fruit, bad fruit,
deceptive fruit
• Invalid Christians

8. INNUMERABLE
Matt 7:13 “Enter through the
narrow gate. For wide is the
gate and broad is the road that
leads to destruction, and many
enter through it.
Matt 7:22 Many will say to me on
that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy in your name and in
your name drive out demons
and in your name perform many
miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell
them plainly, ‘I never knew you.
Away from me, you evildoers!’

9. INNUMERABLE
Contrast the “many” here to the
“few” going down the narrow road.
Imagine if these are leaders how
many more followers there would
be.
Jesus makes a statement
“wherever there is a carcass
vultures will gather” Matt 24:28 in a
very odd place. It could refer to the
false prophets look for Christian
“dead meat”.

10. INDISTINGUISHABLE
Matt 7:15 “Beware of the false
prophets, who come to you in
sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are
ravenous wolves.
Externally:
• Sheep’s clothing - They look the
same
• Do the same stuff in Christian
meetings
• Speak the same language –
smooth, attractive
• Even appear warm and fuzzy as
sheep – harmless

11. INDISTINGUISHABLE
Inwardly:
• Ravenous – insatiable
greed for power and
position
• Wolves – ready to sink
their teeth on any who
opposes them

12. INDISTINGUISHABLE
Outline various profiles of a
“false prophet” and their
“follower”
The flamboyant crowd pleaser
The hardworking “do-gooder”
The loudmouthed “busybody”
The smartass activity absorber
The immovable committee sitter
,,,,
They flood churches crowding
out God’s people and God’s word

13. INAPPROPRIATE
FRUIT
Matt 7: 16 You will know them by their
fruits. Grapes are not gathered from
thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are
they? 17 So every good tree bears good
fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18
A good tree cannot produce bad fruit,
nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19
Every tree that does not bear good fruit
is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20
So then, you will know them by their
fruit.

14. INAPPROPRIATE
FRUIT
No sign of “good fruit”
Galations 5:22b - love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. -
internal
Signs of bad fruit
Gal 5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual
immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and
witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish
ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness,
orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those
who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Fake fruit
Matt 13:28 Prophecy, casting out demons, miracles

15. INVALID CHRISTIANS
Matt 7:21 “Not everyone who
says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will
enter the kingdom of heaven,
but he who does the will of My
Father who is in heaven will
enter. 22 Many will say to Me on
that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy in Your name, and in
Your name cast out demons,
and in Your name perform
many miracles?’ 23 And then I
will declare to them, ‘I never
knew you; depart from Me, you
who practice lawlessness.’

16. INVALID CHRISTIANS
How do people who:
Prophecy in Christ’s name, cast out
demons in his name, and do
mighty works in His name be
people Christ NEVER KNEW?
Jesus says this is their CLAIM ..
about as fake as they are. If they try
to put one up on Christ how much
more can they fool others.
BEWARE

17. FROM JESUS,

18. DISCUSSION
1. What are subtle qualities of a false
prophet do we need to eliminate in
our lives?
2. What are the dangerous trends we
see around us affecting us? Our
families?
3. How can we protect ourselves, our
near ones and church from this
menace?
4. How can we go all out to be on the
side of the Good Shepherd?