And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’—(Deuteronomy 18:22)

The Bible will show if someone is doctrinally sound and if the Holy Spirit is behind whatever a prophet or Bible teacher says.

There are many new messages from preachers, ministers and authors of books today which advance unsound teaching. Do not simply take any new teaching at face value. Paul wrote, Prove all things, hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

The Lord directed Israel to test the prophets: “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die” (Deuteronomy 18:20).

This shows how seriously the Lord deals with any who presume to say or to teach something that God has not said in His Word. This also speaks to those today who claim to be prophets, who often are more like psychics, who are making predictions that are not stated in Bible prophecy. Perhaps they are claiming a vision, or dream or an appearance of Christ, and new directions or teachings that supposedly come from Him, etc. Believers beware!

“When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him” (Deuteronomy 18:20).

Many preachers are not completely biblical and are not speaking for the Lord, but only for themselves. Today, we are called as believers in the coming Christ to be discerning. Discernment was important for God’s people of Israel thousands of years ago. Discernment is just as important for believers and the church today.

No matter the cost, stand for God’s truth as it is found in the Bible. The Holy Spirit will never mislead you as you faithfully study the Scriptures. As Paul exhorted Timothy: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).