Do false prophets use their lies to trap and exploit people? Let’s look at Ezekiel 13.
What does God think of those who preach things they invented from their own imaginations?
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing. Your prophets, O Israel, are like foxes among the ruins. You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it would stand in the battle on the Day of the LORD. (Ezek 13:1-5 NASB)
Do some liars today still claim that their word is something that the Lord declares?
Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words. Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, “The Lord declares,” though I have not spoken? (Ezek 13:6-7 NIV)
Is some preaching even today just nonsense and lies? What does God think about those who teach such dishonesty?
Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,” says the Lord God. “My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord God. (Ezek 13:8-9 NKJV)
Is one false message peace, when there is none? Is that like covering a flimsy wall with whitewash?
“This will happen because these evil prophets deceive my people by saying, ‘All is peaceful’ when there is no peace at all! It’s as if the people have built a flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to reinforce it by covering it with whitewash! Tell these whitewashers that their wall will soon fall down. A heavy rainstorm will undermine it; great hailstones and mighty winds will knock it down. And when the wall falls, the people will cry out, ‘What happened to your whitewash?’ (Ezek 13:10-12 NLT)
Will God break down the flimsy walls of pretentious false prophecy?
Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “I will even tear it with a stormy wind in my wrath. There will be an overflowing shower in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to consume it. So I will break down the wall that you have plastered with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered. It will fall, and you will be consumed in the middle of it. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.” (Ezek 13:13-14 WEB)
What will God say to those who pamper people with false prophecies of peace?
I will exhaust my fury on the wall and on those who laid plaster on it. Then I will say to you, “Where is the wall?” and “Where are those who plastered it, those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and envisioned peace when there was no peace?” This is what the Lord God says! (Ezek 13:15-16 CEB)
Were some false prophets women, who also engaged in the occult?
Ezekiel, son of man, now condemn the women of Israel who preach messages that come from their own imagination. Tell them they're doomed! They wear magic charms on their wrists and scarves on their heads, then trick others into believing they can predict the future. They won't get away with telling those lies. They charge my people a few handfuls of barley and a couple pieces of bread, and then give messages that are insulting to me. They use lies to sentence the innocent to death and to help the guilty go free. And my people believe them! (Ezek 13:17-19 CEV)
Do those who practice magic arts actually seek to make people their prey?
Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against your magic bands with which you hunt the souls like birds, and I will tear them from your arms, and I will let the souls whom you hunt go free, the souls like birds. Your veils also I will tear off and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand as prey, and you shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezek 13:20-21 ESV)
Do false prophets and diviners call evil good and good evil, so they can trap people?
Because you have disheartened the righteous person with lies, even though I have not caused him grief, and because you have encouraged the wicked person not to turn from his evil way to save his life, therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will deliver My people from your hands. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.” (Ezek 13:22-23 HCSB)
Does Peter also warn against falling prey to exploitation by false prophets?
Now there were false prophets among the people, just as there also will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many people will follow their immoral ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned. In their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. The ancient verdict against them is still in force, and their destruction is not delayed. (2 Peter 2:1-3 ISV)
Do false prophets use their lies to trap and exploit people? You decide!
