How to Expose Fake Prophets

The other day, A TV programme showed how fake pastors extract monies from people and conduct fake healing sessions, its a sad thing but its not out of this world. I think nothing new was exposed on the programme and it was just a waste of time, energy and effort, it was quite boring. The bible has exact predictions on what these people are, Vicious Wolves!  it calls them. If only those who claim to be Christians would read the bible more or actually desire a stronger relationship with God would we be able to discern EASILY this fakeness. ''Only by being thoroughly familiar with the truth will we be able to recognize a counterfeit.''

• 2 Peter 2 talks specifically about these false preachers.
• 2 Corinthians 11
• Colossians 2 Warns about thinking to Christ! not Man and Man's rules
• Hebrews 13
• 2 Timothy 4:1 - 4
• Matthew 7 : 15 - 23

I particularly like this article, because we have a responsibility to protect ourselves and others from the tactics of these wicked people

So, how do we protect ourselves?

• Don't Believe Anyone Who Ignores, Or Disagrees With, God's Word

About 30 years ago, I recall hearing a preacher bellowing, "Don't believe me, believe your Bible." The honest logic of that man's statement cannot be refuted or argued with. Humans can be, or go, wrong. God's Word will never fail you, because God will never fail you.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." (Luke 21:33)

• Prove All Things

Never just take someone's word as "gospel," regardless of how educated or exalted they may be, or appear to be. True Christian servants ("minister" means servant, "apostle" means messenger, "evangelist" means announcer) are not offended if you check to see if what they say is correct, or question them if you find something that you think is wrong. In fact, they expect you to do so:
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1 RSV)
"test everything; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21 RSV)

• Know Your Bible

Familiarity with the Scriptures, all of the Scriptures, is a vital defense. Amazing as it may seem, many Christian-professing people actually have not read all of The Bible at least one time. Once each year should be the minimum for everyone.
Daily Bible Study has an easy and enjoyable daily Bible reading plan, requiring only a few minutes each day, that covers the entire Bible in 1 year. See 1 Year Reading Plan

• Follow Christ, Obey God

God's true servants want you to obey God, not them. Follow them only if they follow Christ.
"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps." (1 Peter 2:21 RSV)
"But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ ... and the head of Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3 RSV)

• Beware Of "Miracles"

While in the end time God's true prophets will perform great miracles (see The Two Witnesses and Down Without A Fight?), there will also be great Satan-empowered "miracles" which will deceive many:
"It works great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of men; and by the signs which it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast, it deceives those who dwell on earth, bidding them make an image for the beast which was wounded by the sword and yet lived" (Revelation 13:13-14 RSV)

• "Prophet" Doesn't Mean "Profit"

Money is of course necessary to pay for living and operating expenses, but acquiring great personal wealth from one's service to God cannot be justified. There are many honest and righteous ways of earning a lot of money. Christianity is not one of them.
In the Old Testament, Abraham was considered righteous by God (Galatians 3:6), and at the same time he became very wealthy (Genesis 13:2). But his personal wealth came from business activity. It wasn't given to Abraham as a way of worshipping God.
Later, the apostle Paul, a man who actually wrote a large part of the New Testament, although having to accept occasion help because of his difficult circumstances, worked whenever he could, as a tent maker, at the same time of his ministry (Acts 18:3).
According to Paul, "For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word; but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:17 RSV)
God's true servants are not interested in taking from you. They want to give to you, not worldly money that is quickly spent, but true wealth, the knowledge and understanding that will enable you to obtain the eternal spiritual riches that will last forever. God's true servants don't want your money. They want you to obey God.