Matthew 7:15   Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Nigeria has plenty of them, you probably attend the assembly of one of them or you are a fan of one.

Characteristics of False prophets

1. They have a good, gentle and sincere outlook.

Matthew 7:15   Beware of false prophets, which come to you in SHEEP'S CLOTHING, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

2. They predict elections, sport and events and it doesn't happen as predicted.

Note- If any of their prediction fails, they are not of God, God does not make a mistake.

Deuteronomy  18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

3. They use fair speeches (they are good public speakers, educated and catchy)

Romans  16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

4. They sell handkerchiefs, "holy water", "anointing oil for healing. This is contrary to the Bible Command.

James  5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.  

James  5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:  

James  5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

5. They charge for healing and do contrary to Jesus Christ's command.

Matthew  10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:FREELY YE HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE.

6. They bewitch their followers and have a great crowd.

Acts  8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 

 

Acts 8:10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

7. Their God is their belly 

Philippians  3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 

Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

8. They enrich themselves by deceiving the people.

2 Peter  2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:3   And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

*Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).*       

As a Christian, it’s important that you know how to take the life that God has given you seriously, and how to respond spiritually when certain things happen around you. This is why prayer is important. When we pray, something happens. He never told us to pray in vain. Whenever you have that urge to pray, don’t ignore it. 

Everyone who has the Holy Spirit would have the urge to pray from time to time, because He Himself is the Spirit of prayer. He teaches us to pray, and He prays through us. He stirs our hearts to pray and even puts words in our mouths with which to pray. As long as you’re living a Spirit-led life, you’ll always have the urge to pray. Otherwise, how do you resist the devil? 

The devil is a spirit being; we don’t resist him with muscles or physical might. We don’t resist him with earthly things; we resist him with our faith. The Bible says resist the devil and he’ll flee (James 4:7); he has no option. He’s terrified of us because of the Name of Jesus. 

When you come to understand the enormous power given you to paralyse Satan’s activities—whether in your life, the lives of your loved ones, your city or nation—you’d love to pray! Don’t sit idly by and watch the devil run rampage around you. Pray. Use the Name of Jesus against him.

As you fellowship with God in prayer, the Holy Spirit will show you things to pray about and how to pray. He’ll teach you how to handle matters in the realm of the spirit and prevail. Hallelujah!

 *PRAYER*

Thank you blessed Father, for the privilege of prayer and the blessing of praying in tongues. I’m responsive to the guidance and promptings of the Spirit in ensuring that through prayer, your will is established on earth as it is in Heaven, and your character and personality are manifested through me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.