True or False Prophets

Jeremiah 27-29 Back in Moses’ time, the people asked Moses how to tell and discern if a man speaking “for God” was really ‘from God.’ So Moses gave them a guideline. If what they say will happen happens, he is a true prophet, but if what he says does not happen, he is false and should not be feared. (Deut 18:21-22) Sounds so simple but is it that simple?

Today we have some who predict that our future will be rosy and comforting, but the signs on the horizon predict otherwise. How can we tell if what we hear is right or not? We must take all who speak and then ask God for clarification, just as James said: “if any man is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God. [James 1:5]. The same tests apply today as they did back in the time of Moses. Watch, listen and pray for discernment. Study the scriptures, and do as the Apostle John said; ‘test the spirits’ to see if they are from God. [1Jn 4:1] But how do we do that practically?  What we hear should not contradict what God has said before and must confirm what scripture teaches “every time!” Listen to their claims. Are they just telling me and you, the listeners, what we want to hear like Hananiah did, or is it a message to prepare us to repent?