How can you recognize a false prophet?

Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 15: You can't always tell false prophets by what they say. Many times what they say is 99 percent correct - that's what makes them so dangerous. You can't always tell them by their actions, either - Jesus said they would perform great signs and wonders. Both Peter and Paul warned that a certain sign of a false prophet was his intention to defraud you, to take your money and make it his. Through feigned words they will take advantage of you financially. Through flattery and fine speeches they aim to rip you off. Peter wrote, "By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words" (II Peter 2:3). And Paul said these men were "destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain" (I Timothy 6:5). There is a key: If anyone teaches you that godliness is a path to riches, Paul says you can consider him or her a false prophet. "From such withdraw yourself," he commands (I Timothy 6:5). Scripture, King James Version: 2 Peter 2:3, "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."; 1 Timothy 6:5, "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-15.