Definition and Nature:
Lying prophets are individuals who falsely claim to speak on behalf of God, delivering messages that are not divinely inspired. These prophets often lead people astray by promoting falsehoods, offering deceptive visions, and proclaiming peace when there is none. The Bible consistently warns against such figures, emphasizing the importance of discernment and adherence to God's true word.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament Warnings:
· Deuteronomy 18:20-22: The Lord provides a clear criterion for identifying false prophets: "But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death." The passage further instructs that if a prophet's prediction does not come to pass, it is not a message from the Lord.
· Jeremiah 23:16: The Lord warns through Jeremiah, "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.'"

2. Examples of Lying Prophets:
· Hananiah (Jeremiah 28): Hananiah falsely prophesied that the Babylonian exile would end within two years, contradicting Jeremiah's true prophecy of seventy years. Jeremiah 28:15-17 records Jeremiah's rebuke and Hananiah's subsequent death as a consequence of his deceit.
· Ahab's Prophets (1 Kings 22): King Ahab's prophets falsely assured him of victory in battle. However, Micaiah, a true prophet of the Lord, revealed that a lying spirit had been sent to deceive Ahab's prophets, leading to Ahab's downfall.

3. New Testament Insights:
· Matthew 7:15: Jesus warns, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." This metaphor highlights the deceptive nature of false prophets, who appear harmless but are dangerous.
· 2 Peter 2:1: Peter cautions, "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves."

Characteristics of Lying Prophets:
Lying prophets often exhibit certain traits, including:
· Self-Promotion: They seek personal gain, fame, or power rather than the glory of God.
· Contradiction of Scripture: Their messages often conflict with established biblical truths.
· Appeal to Popularity: They tell people what they want to hear, rather than what they need to hear.
· Lack of Fulfillment: Their prophecies do not come to pass, revealing their falsehood.

Consequences:
The Bible outlines severe consequences for lying prophets, both in this life and the next. They face divine judgment and are often exposed and punished for their deceit. Their followers, if unrepentant, also suffer the consequences of being led astray.

Discernment and Response:
Believers are called to exercise discernment, testing every spirit and prophecy against the truth of Scripture. 1 John 4:1 advises, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." The faithful are encouraged to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God's Word to identify and reject false teachings.