False Prophet

In the Bible, a "false prophet" refers to an individual who claims to speak on behalf of God but whose messages are deceptive or contrary to divine truth. The term is primarily used to warn against those who mislead God’s people through false teachings, prophecies, or practices that do not align with Scripture. For instance, Deuteronomy 18:20-22 establishes a criterion for identifying false prophets: if their prophecies do not come to pass or if they advocate for the worship of other gods, they are to be considered false.False prophets are frequently mentioned in the New Testament as well. Jesus warns of such figures in Matthew 7:15, stating, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." The apostle Paul also cautions against false teachings in his letters, such as in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, where he describes false apostles as deceitful workers masquerading as apostles of Christ. Ultimately, the presence of false prophets serves as a significant reminder for believers to discern teachings carefully and adhere to the truth of Scripture.