What does the Bible say about these false prophets? Matthew 7:15-23 Jesus said believers need to beware of false prophets, because they give the appearance of sheep, but are wolves in disguise. A true believer will be known by his fruits, or godly character. Notice verses 21-23. It is not everyone who calls to the Lord will be saved, but those who do the will of Jesus Christ's Father. Many will claim to have done miraculous things, but Jesus will reject them as workers of evil.

Matthew 24:11 says that many false prophets will deceive many. See also verse 24 and 2 Peter 2:1-3.

Peter mentions how there were false prophets in the past (read Jeremiah 29:8,9) just as there will be false teachers (such as today). They will bring in destructive heresies, one of them being to deny Jesus. But again it's the many (not the few) who will follow their destructive ways and the truth will be evil spoken of (see 2 Timothy 4:1-4). Notice in verse 3 By covetousness they will exploit you, (the many in verse 2) with deceptive words. Covetousness means 'the wish to have more'.

Jesus Christ is the Christian's leader we need to look to. He didn't make money from his followers. He was poor.

So if we see Pastors and Teachers, who have very large audiences, and ask, and talk about money, and live very well on what they make, then this could be one indication we need to apply 1 John 4:1.

John says in 1 John 4:1 Try the spirits, (or prophets) to see whether they are of God or not. Check them out. Are they teaching what is in the Bible, or are they teaching traditions? Matthew 15:7-9