What Is Prophecy? The Real Bible vs. False Teachers
- Thad DeBuhr
- Sep 24
- 18 min read
Have you ever felt a mix of excitement and unease when someone says, "I have a word from the Lord for you"? In a world filled with self-proclaimed prophets, spiritual influencers, and a seemingly endless stream of opinions, it can be difficult to know whose voice to trust. This study is designed to equip you with the biblical tools to confidently navigate these topics. We'll explore what a prophet is, how to discern a message from God, and why our surest foundation is always the written Word of God.
A Quick Guide to This Study
This guide is designed to be a tool, not just a list of facts. Each point could be a study in itself, but they're most powerful when you learn them together. We'll start by defining what a prophet is, then move into how to tell the difference between a prophetic word and a word of knowledge. From there, we'll give you a biblical "spiritual lie detector" to help you learn how to test any message you receive. Finally, we'll talk about how you can hear from God for yourself.
Learning all these points together helps you build a complete framework for a healthy spiritual life. It moves you from passively accepting what others say to actively and confidently discerning God's voice for yourself, all while keeping the Bible at the center of your faith.
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1. What is a Prophet According to the Bible?
At its core, a prophet is a spokesperson for God. They are an individual chosen to deliver a direct message from Him to people or a nation. The Hebrew word for prophet is nāḇîʾ (nah-VEE), which means "one who is called" or "God's mouthpiece." The Greek word is prophḗtēs (pro-FAY-tays). These words highlight that a prophet doesn't speak their own ideas; they speak for God.
In the Old Testament, prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah were foundational figures who delivered God's authoritative messages. Their role was to "forth-tell" (speak for God in the present, often calling people to repentance) and "foretell" (predict future events). Their legitimacy was proven by their messages coming to pass exactly as spoken, as seen in Deuteronomy chapter 18, verses 20-22. If a bible prophecy didn't come true, they were considered a false prophet.
In the Old Testament, God used prophets as master architects, revealing the very blueprints for His plan of redemption and laying the initial groundwork for His people, Israel. These divine revelations, which foretold future events and established God's law, became the foundational writings of the Bible.
In the New Testament, the foundational phase of God's redemptive plan was completed in Jesus Christ. He is the Chief Cornerstone, the ultimate point of reference and the very foundation of the church itself. The apostles, as direct eyewitnesses and commissioned messengers of Jesus, were given the unique, once-for-all task of laying the final layer of this foundation and transmitting Christ's teachings to the world.
Because the foundation was now fully laid, the role of the New Testament prophet shifted. They were not architects designing new plans, but skilled builders working on the ongoing construction of the church. Their ministry was to build up the body of Christ by providing timely messages for edification, exhortation, and comfort, always in harmony with the completed foundation of Scripture.
Edification means to build up. A prophetic word could be used to strengthen a believer in their faith, to encourage them during a difficult time, or to give them guidance that helps them grow.
Exhortation means to stir up or urge forward. A prophetic word could be a call to action, reminding the church to be active in their faith or to pursue a particular mission.
Comfort means to console and bring peace. A prophetic word could be used to soothe a person's anxiety or pain by reminding them of God's presence and love.
An example of this is seen in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, verse 25, where a prophetic word reveals the hidden sins of a non-believer, causing them to fall on their face and worship God. The prophecy didn't give new doctrine; it ministered to a person's heart and revealed God's intimate knowledge of them.
Essentially, while an Old Testament prophet was a "mouthpiece of God" for new, authoritative revelation, a New Testament prophet was a "mouthpiece of God" to apply the already-revealed truth of Scripture in a timely and powerful way for the good of the local church. This distinction is crucial for understanding why we don't expect a modern prophet to add a new book to the Bible. The foundation is complete, but the building project continues.
2. The Difference Between Prophecy and a Word of Knowledge
Both biblical prophecy and a word of knowledge are spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 8. While they are related, they have distinct functions.
Prophecy is a divinely inspired message given for the edification, exhortation, or comfort of the church, as explained in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, verse 3. It is a message from the Holy Spirit that builds up, urges forward, or brings peace to believers. This is different from the Old Testament prophecies that often laid down new doctrine. New Testament prophecy applies the truth of God's Word in a timely way to a specific situation. A classic example is when the prophet Agabus predicted a severe famine in Acts chapter 11, verse 28, which helped the church prepare. A word of prophecy can also be a timely, encouraging message that brings clarity or hope to a group of believers.
A Word of Knowledge is a supernatural piece of information or insight given by the Holy Spirit that the person could not have known naturally. It is a fact revealed by God, often to address a specific need or to minister to someone. A classic example is Jesus telling the Samaritan woman at the well that she had five husbands, a detail He could only have known through a word of knowledge (John chapter 4, verses 17-18). The purpose of the word of knowledge is to confirm God's presence, bring comfort, or give guidance to the person receiving ministry.
Examples of a word of knowledge are found throughout the Bible, demonstrating that this gift is used by people other than Jesus to supernaturally know something about someone.
Old Testament Examples:
Elisha and the Shunammite woman: In 2 Kings chapter 4, verses 12-16, the prophet Elisha knew a Shunammite woman's deepest desire for a son, even though she had not spoken it.
Elisha and Gehazi: In 2 Kings chapter 5, verses 25-26, Elisha supernaturally knew that his servant Gehazi had lied and secretly taken a reward from Naaman.
New Testament Examples:
Ananias and Saul (Paul): In Acts chapter 9, verses 10-12, God gave a disciple named Ananias incredibly specific information about Saul's location and what he was doing, allowing Ananias to go and minister to him.
Peter and Ananias and Sapphira: In Acts chapter 5, verses 1-4, Peter knew that Ananias and Sapphira were lying about the money they had given to the church. He confronted them with this divine inspiration.
These examples show that a word of knowledge is a spiritual gift used throughout the Bible by believers for a variety of purposes, including ministry, exposing deception, and providing guidance, all through a supernatural revelation from God.
Think of it this way: a prophecy is a message from God to be delivered for the church's well-being, while a word of knowledge is a divinely given fact to be used in ministry or delivered to a specific person.
3. How to Discern a Word from God
When someone claims to have a word from God for you, the church, or the country, you must apply biblical tests to discern its truth. This is a matter of wisdom and spiritual safety. It's like having a spiritual lie detector—you're testing a claim against what you know to be true about God.
Test 1: The Doctrine Test Does the message align with Scripture? The Bible is our final authority for all matters of faith and life. God cannot contradict Himself. If a message contradicts a clear biblical teaching, or leads you to disobey God's commands, it is not from God, no matter how sincere the person sounds.
Real-Life Scenario: Someone tells you they have a word from God that it's okay for you to cheat on your taxes because you're giving to the church. This message directly contradicts biblical teachings on honesty and justice (Proverbs chapter 11, verse 1). It should be immediately rejected.
Why it's important: This test protects you from false gospels and dangerous practices. Deuteronomy chapter 13, verses 1-5 warns us to reject any prophet who leads us away from the Lord, even if they perform a miraculous sign. The Bible is a finished work, and no new prophecy can add to or contradict it.
Test 2: The Character Test Does the person who speaks the word exhibit the "fruit of the Spirit"? As Jesus said, "You will recognize them by their fruits" (Matthew chapter 7, verse 16). A true prophets will be humble, accountable, and driven by love, not by a desire for fame, money, or control.
Real-Life Scenario: A person who claims to have prophetic words for others is often arrogant, demands money for their ministry, and refuses to be held accountable by church elders. Even if some of their prophecies seem to come true, their character is a major red flag.
Why it's important: This test helps you spot "ravenous wolves" in "sheep's clothing" (Matthew chapter 7, verse 15). A life filled with the Holy Spirit should produce good fruit like love, joy, and peace (Galatians chapter 5, verses 22-23). You can trust a message more when the person delivering it lives a life that reflects the God they claim to represent.
Test 3: The Fulfillment Test Does the prophecy come true? While some prophecies in the Bible are conditional (like Jonah's message to Nineveh in Jonah chapter 3, verses 1-10), a modern prophetic word that makes a specific, verifiable prediction must come to pass. If it doesn't, it should be disregarded.
Real-Life Scenario: A pastor prophesies that a specific national event will happen on a certain date. When that date passes and nothing occurs, the prophecy is proven false. The pastor may try to explain it away, but the biblical standard is clear.
Why it's important: This test is the most direct way to prove or disprove a prophecy. Deuteronomy chapter 18, verse 22 is clear: if the word doesn't come true, "the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you need not be afraid of him."
A Special Word for New Believers
If you're new to the Christian faith or still learning to navigate the Bible, the world of spiritual gifts and prophetic claims can feel overwhelming and even a little scary. Your vulnerability is real, and the Bible is clear that false teachers can prey on those who are not yet grounded in the truth.
This is why having a strong community of believers and good shepherds—like pastors or mature spiritual mentors—is so vital. Think of it like a baby learning to walk. The baby is vulnerable and can easily fall. A caring parent or guardian doesn't just let the baby figure it out on their own; they provide a safe environment and a guiding hand to help them learn and grow.
Your community of believers and church leaders are your spiritual family and guides. Here's why they are so important as you learn to discern:
They are a safety net. When you're not yet confident in your own ability to test a prophetic claim, you don't have to do it alone. You can take a message you've received to a trusted pastor or a mature friend in your small group and ask for their wisdom. A good shepherd's job is to protect the flock from false teaching and guide them into truth (Acts chapter 20, verses 28-30).
They provide accountability. When someone tries to give you a "word from God," a good community holds both you and that person accountable. They can ask the tough questions: "Does this sound like God's character?" or "How does this message align with what we know from the Bible?"
They are a source of truth. The best protection against spiritual deception is a deep knowledge of God's Word. By joining a solid Bible-teaching church and a small group, you will be systematically taught the Scriptures. The more you know the Bible, the more easily you'll recognize something that doesn't align with it.
So, if you feel vulnerable or unsure, lean on your community. Don't feel pressured to accept a prophetic claim immediately. Take the time to pray about it, talk to a trusted leader, and, most importantly, compare it against the clear and unchanging truth of God's Word.
4. How to Personally Discern a Message from God
Many Christians wonder if a personal thought or idea they have to share with someone else is truly a message from God. Discerning between a divine word and a personal intuition, a good idea, or wise counsel is a critical skill for every believer. Here's how you can learn to tell the difference.
1. Check the Source: Is It God's Voice or Your Own? A message from God often feels distinct and originates from outside your own thoughts. It may come as a strong, sudden impression, a clear thought that is uncharacteristic of your usual thinking, or a deep sense of urgency. An idea or intuition, on the other hand, often feels like a logical conclusion based on your own knowledge and feelings, or it might be an emotional desire you already had.
Real-Life Scenario: You know your friend is struggling with their job. You have a good idea for them to look for a new one, but a few days later, while you're praying, a specific Bible verse about God providing for His children comes to mind with a strong sense that you should share it with your friend, even though you hadn't planned to. The initial idea was your own, but the later, specific prompting came from prayer and felt different.
Why it's important: God's sheep know His voice (John chapter 10, verse 27). The more you spend time in prayer and reading the Bible, the more familiar you will become with the different ways the Holy Spirit speaks to you. A true message from God will have the ring of His truth and peace.
2. Check the Motive: Is It About Them or About You? A genuine desire to share a message from God is rooted in a pure motive: a love for the other person and a desire to see them grow closer to God. Be honest with yourself. Is your desire to share this message about building them up, or is it about gaining personal recognition, proving you're "spiritual," or a need for control?
Real-Life Scenario: You feel you have a word for a leader in your church. Your first motive might be a desire to be seen as spiritually gifted or to prove you're right about something. This is a red flag. A pure motive would be a humble concern for the leader's spiritual well-being, born out of love.
Why it's important: The Apostle Paul reminds us that without love, even our spiritual gifts are meaningless (1 Corinthians chapter 13, verse 1). A message delivered from a place of pride will do more harm than good, regardless of its source. A message from God will always be about serving others, not yourself.
3. Phrase It Humbly: It's an Invitation, Not a Demand This is perhaps the most practical and important principle for modern believers. When sharing what you believe is a message from God, it is crucial to avoid authoritative, dogmatic phrasing. You are not a New Testament apostle laying down doctrine; you are a fellow believer sharing something you believe God has laid on your heart.
Bad Example: "God told me to tell you that you need to leave your job." (This is controlling, lacks humility, and places an unfair burden on the other person.)
Good Example: "I was praying for you and a thought came to my mind about your job. I'm not sure if it's for you, but I felt I should share it with you." Or "As I was thinking about your situation, I was reminded of a Bible verse that came to mind."
Notice how the good examples use phrases like, "I felt," "it came to mind," and "I'm not sure." This allows the other person to test the message without feeling pressured.
Why it's important: Phrasing a message this way honors the other person's ability to discern and protects you from the accusation of speaking presumptuously (Deuteronomy chapter 18, verse 22). It puts the ultimate authority back on God and His Word, not on you. It should always be an invitation for them to seek God's confirmation, not a demand for their immediate obedience.
5. How to Hear God's Voice for Yourself
While learning to discern prophetic words from others is important, your most consistent and reliable way to hear from God is through your own relationship with Him. You've probably been told to "read your Bible and pray," but we get it—for many of us, that's easier said than done. The Bible can feel confusing, and prayer can feel like a one-way street.
But we want to let you in on a secret: anyone can learn to hear God for themselves.
Your ability to know God's voice and to live out your faith in real life depends on two key things: getting to know the Bible and getting to know the real Jesus in a deep, personal way.
1. The Bible: God's Primary Voice
The Bible isn't just a dusty old book; it is God's living and active Word (Hebrews chapter 4, verse 12). It is a letter from God to you. As you read it, the Holy Spirit can bring a verse to life, giving you wisdom, comfort, or guidance for your specific situation.
The Problem: You’ve probably tried to read your Bible before, and it was a CON-FUS-ING snoozefest. We've heard that from person after person.
The Solution: The Daily Bible Podcast is designed to demystify God’s Word for you. We'll guide you through the Bible in a simple, down-to-earth way so you can finally understand what God wants to say to you. This will help you go from not really knowing HOW to read the Bible to finally understanding it and getting something out of it.
2. Prayer & Community: Your Conversation with God
Prayer is simply talking with God and listening to Him. It's a two-way conversation. As you pray, you can share your thoughts and feelings with God, and you can also listen for His gentle leading. God may speak to you through a peaceful sense of direction, a sudden thought that aligns with Scripture, or a deep conviction in your heart.
The Problem: Trying to go it alone in today's crazy culture is stinkin' hard. It's easy to feel isolated, spiritually stagnant, and unsure if you're even hearing anything.
The Solution: You aren't meant to do this alone. When you combine your daily listening to The Daily Bible Podcast with a Journey Group, you’re not just praying alone; you're in a deep, real, and meaningful community. You can share insights, ask questions, and listen for God together, creating a safe space to grow in your faith.
By combining your daily listening to The Daily Bible Podcast with the support of a Journey Group, you'll witness a remarkable transformation. This personal connection is your best tool for discerning any message you receive. It gives you an internal "lie detector" that instinctively knows what is and isn't from God.
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6. Varying Views on Spiritual Gifts
The discussion of prophets and spiritual gifts naturally leads to the question of whether they are still active today. There are two primary views within Christianity:
Continuationism: This view holds that the spiritual gifts, including the gift of prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues, are still active and available to the church today. They believe these gifts are essential for building up the church until Jesus returns. They point to passages like Ephesians chapter 4, verses 11-13, which states that God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers "until we all attain to the unity of the faith." They argue that since the church has not yet reached this perfect unity, all the gifts are still needed.
Cessationism: This view argues that the "sign gifts" (like prophecy and tongues) ceased with the death of the apostles and the completion of the New Testament. They believe these gifts were primarily for authenticating the apostles' message and laying the foundation of the church. They point to Hebrews chapter 1, verses 1-2, which says God spoke through prophets but has now spoken through His Son, implying that Jesus is the final revelation. They also cite 1 Corinthians chapter 13, verses 8-10, which says prophecy will "cease" when "the perfect comes." Many cessationists believe "the perfect" refers to the completion of the biblical canon.
Ultimately, regardless of which view you hold, the most solid and biblical position is to stick with the Word of God as authoritative. The Bible is a sure foundation, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm chapter 119, verse 105). No claimed revelation, no matter how miraculous, can ever supersede or contradict it.
Bonus INFO:
The Closed Canon of Scripture
The phrase "the canon of Scripture is closed" means that the 66 books of the Bible are the complete and final revelation from God. No new books will be added. This idea is supported by Scripture in several ways:
The Finality of Jesus: As Hebrews chapter 1, verses 1-2 states, God has spoken ultimately and finally through His Son, Jesus. He is the full and complete revelation of God, and nothing more is needed to be known about God's plan of salvation.
The "Once for All" Faith: Jude chapter 1, verse 3 encourages believers to "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." This suggests a complete body of truth that was given to the church from the beginning, not something that is continually being added to.
Warnings Against Adding to Scripture: While they refer to their specific books, passages like Deuteronomy chapter 4, verse 2 and Revelation chapter 22, verses 18-19 reflect a broader principle that warns against adding to God's revealed Word.
The phrase "the eye of their God" in Ezra chapter 5, verse 5 is a beautiful image of divine care. The original Aramaic phrase, ʿên ʾĕlāhĕhōm, is an idiom for God's watchful care and favor. It is part of a larger, consistent biblical theology that God is actively watching over his people, ensuring His purpose will be fulfilled. This same God is watching over you today, and He has provided you with His written Word, a sure and perfect guide in a world of confusion.
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In a world of shocking tragedies, how do Christians grieve? In times of shocking tragedy like the murder of Charlie Kirk, it's natural to feel overwhelmed with questions, anger, and grief. Many of us are looking for a way to process this pain, and the public impulse is often to immediately share our thoughts and frustrations on social media. But there's a different, and I believe more biblically grounded, first step: lament.
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Lament is not just crying; it’s a powerful, honest form of prayer where we bring our pain, questions, and confusion directly to God. It’s a spiritual discipline we see throughout the Bible, and it’s a path to true comfort and healing.
In this special episode, we're diving into the biblical practice of lament. We'll explore:
❓ What biblical lament really is.
🙏🏻 How believers in both the Old and New Testaments used it to process immense grief and injustice.
👉🏻 How we can put on a "modern sackcloth and ashes" by pausing, praying through our pain, and grieving for others.
This conversation offers a different kind of comfort—one that acknowledges the pain without providing easy answers and encourages us all to bring our broken hearts directly to God. Lament is the path to true comfort and healing. It is the spiritual discipline that prevents our grief from turning into bitterness and our anger from turning into despair. It allows us to be honest about the terrible things in our world while holding fast to the hope we have in Christ. In this tragic moment, the most faithful response may be to step away from the noise and simply lament with God.
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We've journeyed through the Bible, verse by verse, for over 15 books now! We take each passage and break it down into easy-to-understand chunks of plain English. Along the way, we uncover fascinating historical details and explore the cultural context, truly bringing the scriptures to life in a way that resonates. Forget dusty footnotes and words that send you reaching for a thesaurus – we make God's Word approachable and meaningful for everyone. And because we know you're eager to dig even deeper, make sure to subscribe to the Daily Bible Podcast and catch the video podcast each day that complements these blogs!
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