Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

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GUIDELINES FOR

TESTING PROPHETIC

UTTERANCES

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. 1 John 4:1 (NLT)

JESUS WARNED THAT "many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many" (Matthew 24:11), and, in contrast, that He Himself would be "sending [apostello] you prophets and wise men and scribes" (Matthew 23:34). False prophets often garner quite a following, and true prophets are sometimes ostracized for their efforts. Christians need the ability to discern between the right and the wrong. Jesus also said, "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). Such false ministers, He assured us, can be recognized: "You will know them by their fruits" (verse 20). Jesus also put the Church on guard against "false prophets [that] will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24). He cau tioned His disciples not to heed such demonstrations or make unneces sary trips to places where He has supposedly appeared. ' 313.