Today we will look at the ways to identify false prophets. Since they  will dress and behave like sheep but inwardly are ravenous wolves,  believers must watch for certain signs to identify them.

Let us not be deceived beloved, many false prophets have risen in the  world today and are here to deceive many. We must therefore put on our  defence to guard against falling victims of these false prophets.

As an African proverb says, a man’s behaviour is like smoke, no  matter how you cover it, it will find its way out. No matter how a man  pretends, his true nature will still show forth one day. Also, Jesus  said, we will know them by their fruits, no one calls Jesus Lord and  dishonour Him. If the life of any preacher does not produce the fruit of  righteousness, we can question his calling and avoid his ministry  altogether.

One of the commendations of Jesus to the church in Ephesus was their  ability to identify and send out those who called themselves Apostles  but were not. So likewise we must trust God to help us. One way to do  this is to test all spirit and discern if what they preach glorify Jesus  or self.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether  they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the  world. I John 4:1 NKJV

Anyone who preaches the gospel of greed and covetousness is a false  prophet. They are they who say that gain is godliness and make  merchandise of the people of God. Such is not a true Shepherd.

“Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them,  Everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the  priest, Everyone deals falsely.