Paul is again warning us in his letter to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:5-7 to protect us from the deception in these last days: "having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Turn away from such people. Those of this nature creep into houses and captivate silly women who are burdened with sins and led away with various desires, 7 always learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
We are not to be naïve, but wise. No matter how godly, how charismatic, how charming or how appealing the one with a message may seem, we are responsible to try the spirits and judge the message against the Word of God. We endanger ourselves when we run to others for direction and comfort instead of to God. The modern-day prophet is not meant to take the place of God.
True prophets bring clarity to the Word. They help shed revelation knowledge on God's people. They do not mince words, but are very direct and to the point. They do not use flattery to gain favor.
The prophetic words they deliver are not their own, but God's. Their message compliments the Word of God, but does not substitute the Word. They do not need to be coaxed from the receiver to see if what they are prophesying is the truth. They will bring transparency to the obscure.
The message they deliver from God will release freedom. They have a low tolerance level for blatant sin and a rebellious spirit. They are not going to ask you to compromise and do something ungodly. Understanding these characteristics should help to discern a true prophet from a false prophet.
False messages are not only delivered by false prophets and false teachers, but also by other means as well. Other delivery services are lying and deceptive spirits whispering to our minds and emotions. We are to judge these messages passing through our minds and working on our emotions.
We must learn to judge our own thoughts against the Word of God and do as Paul instructs us in 2 Corinthians 10:5: "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."
Judging the message by the Word of God will protect our hearts from being deceived in these last days. It also will highlight the venomous snakes that are camouflaged in God's thicket.
Becky Dvorak is a prophetic healing evangelist and the Destiny Image author of DARE to Believe and Greater Than Magic. Visit her at authorbeckydvorak.com.
