DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY FALSE PROPHETS

Shalom! May the blessed name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, be glorified forever.

Welcome to this Bible study. Let us open our hearts to the living Word of God, which brings light, discernment, and truth to His people in these last days.

1. The Story of a Deceived Prophet: A Cautionary Tale

In 1 Kings 13, we read a sobering story of a true prophet sent by God to rebuke King Jeroboam of Israel. Jeroboam had led Israel into idolatry by setting up golden calves and false altars (1 Kings 12:28–33). God, in His mercy, sent a prophet from Judah with a divine message of judgment.

After delivering the prophecy, the man of God was commanded by the Lord not to eat or drink, nor return the way he came. His obedience was to be total.

1 Kings 13:9 (NKJV)
“For so it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.’”

But as the man of God departed, an old prophet from Bethel intercepted him and lied, claiming that an angel had spoken to him and instructed him to bring the man back to his house for food and water.

1 Kings 13:18 (ESV)
“And he said to him, ‘I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water.’ But he lied to him.”

Tragically, the man of God disobeyed God’s explicit command. While still in the old prophet’s home, the Word of the Lord came (this time genuinely), and the disobedient prophet was rebuked for violating God’s instruction.

Soon after, he was killed by a lion as a divine judgment (1 Kings 13:24), and his body was left on the road—neither buried among his ancestors nor honored. This shows how partial obedience is still disobedience, and disobedience to God’s clear word leads to judgment—even for those who were once faithful.

2. A Lesson for the Last Days

This story isn’t just history—it is prophetic warning for believers today. We are in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1), and many sincere Christians are being misled by so-called prophets and preachers who speak in the name of the Lord yet contradict His Word.

These modern false prophets may:

Perform miracles (Matthew 7:22),
Prophesy accurately (Matthew 24:24),
Use the name of Jesus powerfully—yet still be lawless and unapproved by God.

Matthew 7:21–23 (NIV):
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven… Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name…?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Just as the old prophet still heard from God, today we see false teachers who preach, prophesy, and even work miracles—yet live in sin, compromise, and deception. This shows us that spiritual gifts do not equate to godly character or divine approval.

Romans 11:29 (ESV):
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

God may still use people for a purpose, but that does not mean He approves of their behavior.

3. True Discipleship Requires Obedience

Jesus made it clear: following Him means self-denial and holiness.

Luke 9:23 (NKJV):
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Hebrews 12:14 (ESV):
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

So when anyone—whether a prophet, pastor, or preacher—tells you that holiness doesn’t matter, or says things like:

“God doesn’t care how you dress.”
“There’s no need to repent of your lifestyle.”
“Living with someone you’re not married to is not sin.”
“Worldliness is acceptable in the church…”

Beware! That person is leading you back to “Bethel”—to disobedience—just like the lying prophet.

4. Scripture Is the Final Authority

We are not called to follow signs and wonders, but to test all things by the Word of God.

Isaiah 8:20 (NKJV):
“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

Even if a prophet performs miraculous signs but teaches anything that contradicts the Word of God, we are commanded to reject them.

Deuteronomy 13:1–3 (NIV):
“If a prophet… appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, ‘Let us follow other gods’… you must not listen to the words of that prophet…”

Signs can deceive. Truth is always consistent with the written Word of God.

5. Modesty, Holiness, and Repentance Still Matter

Some preachers say today:

“Wearing tight clothes or revealing outfits is not a sin—it’s your heart that matters.”

But Scripture says otherwise:

1 Timothy 2:9–10 (NIV):
“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety… with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

If anyone tells you drunkenness or sexual sin is acceptable, reject that lie:

Ephesians 5:17–18 (ESV):
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”

If anyone tells you that Christ’s return is distant or irrelevant, remember:

Matthew 24:44 (NIV):
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

6. Final Encouragement: Test All Things

Believers are commanded to test all spirits and hold fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

1 John 4:1 (ESV):
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Let God’s Word—not experiences, emotions, or miracles—be your compass. The prophet in 1 Kings 13 began in obedience but ended in destruction because he failed to hold fast to God’s Word

In these last days, deception is increasing. Do not follow those who twist Scripture or justify sin, even if they appear spiritual or perform miracles. God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)—with obedience, purity, and reverence.

Let us return to the simplicity of the gospel, the authority of Scripture, and the fear of the Lord.