Stories of False Prophets
🔹 Story 1: Hananiah vs. Jeremiah – False Comfort vs. True Warning
Main Characters: Hananiah, Jeremiah, King Zedekiah
Story Summary: Hananiah falsely prophesied that the Babylonian exile would end in two years, contradicting Jeremiah’s warning of 70 years. Jeremiah rebuked him, and Hananiah died shortly after.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 28
Theme Connection: False prophets offer comfort without truth—God exposes them and upholds His true word.
🔹 Story 2: The Lying Spirit in the Mouth of Prophets
Main Characters: King Ahab, Micaiah, Zedekiah (false prophet)
Story Summary: Ahab’s prophets falsely assured him of victory in battle, but Micaiah revealed that a lying spirit had deceived them to bring about Ahab’s downfall.
Key Verses: 1 Kings 22:1–40
Theme Connection: False prophets may speak what kings want to hear—but God’s truth stands firm even when unpopular.
🔹 Story 3: Balaam – A Prophet Who Loved Money
Main Characters: Balaam, Balak, angel of the Lord, donkey
Story Summary: Though Balaam heard from God, he was tempted by bribes from King Balak to curse Israel. God rebuked him through his own donkey and later judged him for misleading Israel.
Key Verses: Numbers 22–24; 31:16; 2 Peter 2:15
Theme Connection: Prophets who are motivated by greed, not truth, become stumbling blocks and face judgment.
🔹 Story 4: The False Prophet from Bethel Misled a Man of God
Main Characters: Young prophet from Judah, old prophet from Bethel
Story Summary: A true prophet was sent to confront idolatry but was deceived by a lying prophet who claimed to have a message from an angel. The young prophet died for disobeying God’s original command.
Key Verses: 1 Kings 13
Theme Connection: Even well-meaning prophets must obey God’s voice above all—false prophecy brings tragic consequences.
🔹 Story 5: False Prophets Encouraged Idolatry in Israel
Main Characters: False prophets, Israelites
Story Summary: Throughout Israel’s history, false prophets arose, promoting Baal worship and leading people away from God. God condemned them through true prophets like Elijah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 13
Theme Connection: False prophets lead people into spiritual ruin by replacing God’s truth with lies.
🔹 Story 6: Simon the Sorcerer Wanted Apostolic Power
Main Characters: Simon, Peter, John, Samaritans
Story Summary: Simon practiced sorcery and amazed people in Samaria. After converting, he tried to buy the power to impart the Holy Spirit. Peter rebuked him for his impure motives.
Key Verses: Acts 8:9–24
Theme Connection: Those who seek spiritual power for personal gain reveal a false heart—true ministry flows from humility and truth.
🔹 Story 7: Elymas the Sorcerer Opposed the Gospel
Main Characters: Elymas (Bar-Jesus), Paul, Sergius Paulus
Story Summary: Elymas tried to prevent a government official from believing in Jesus. Paul rebuked him and struck him with temporary blindness.
Key Verses: Acts 13:6–12
Theme Connection: False prophets oppose the Gospel, but God’s power triumphs and exposes their darkness.
🔹 Story 8: Jesus Warned About Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
Main Characters: Jesus, crowds, false prophets
Story Summary: Jesus warned that false prophets would come in disguise but could be recognized by their fruit. He said not everyone who performs signs truly belongs to Him.
Key Verses: Matthew 7:15–23
Theme Connection: Not all who speak in God’s name belong to Him—true faith produces godly fruit.
🔹 Story 9: The Antichrist and False Prophet in Revelation
Main Characters: Beast, False Prophet, Satan, people of the earth
Story Summary: In the end times, a false prophet will perform miracles to deceive the world into worshiping the beast. He leads people into idolatry and destruction.
Key Verses: Revelation 13:11–18; 19:20
Theme Connection: The spirit of false prophecy reaches its peak in the last days—but God ultimately overthrows it.
🔹 Story 10: Paul Warned of False Teachers in the Church
Main Characters: Paul, elders of Ephesus, false teachers
Story Summary: Paul warned that after his departure, false teachers would rise up from within the church to distort the truth and draw people away.
Key Verses: Acts 20:28–31; 2 Timothy 4:3–4
Theme Connection: False prophets are not just in the world—they can rise within the church, requiring spiritual vigilance and truth.
🔹 Key Bible Passages for the Theme
- Deuteronomy 13:1–5
- Jeremiah 23:16–32
- Ezekiel 13:1–16
- Matthew 7:15–23
- 2 Peter 2:1–3
- 1 John 4:1
- Revelation 13:11–18
- Acts 20:28–31
- 2 Timothy 4:3–4
- 1 Kings 22:1–40