Have you been a false prophet?

by Rapha Abreu·June 27, 2023·3 min read

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I recently spoke to you about the difference between being used and being approved by God. An approved character requires depth and obedience. Approval comes through real devotion.

How to recognize

I used Balaam’s donkey in the text I wrote before as an example that God uses what He prefers and finds appropriate for the moment. Isso não diz muito sobre o que ou quem Ele está usando, mas revela muito sobre Deus.

About the story of Balaam, I want to remind you what he was called. In the Bible he is recognized as a false prophet. Although there is not a verse that clearly calls him that, there are passages in which we can understand this characterization. In 2 Peter 2:15, we can read the following passage:

“They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.”

Or also in Jude 1:11

“Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain. They have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error. They have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.”

When we read this, it’s normal to wonder about the revelations he made and the words he took to the people and were fulfilled. If he sometimes communicated real words, how could he be a false prophet?

Simple, because he was used by God, but his heart had other ambitions. The words he spoke, when coming from God, brought hope. But what came directly from him was not good.

What comes from the heart

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23

Several passages in the Bible show how the Lord looks at the heart and knows what is in your heart, what really moves you.

In Numbers 24, for example, Balaam delivers the prophecy about a mighty King to come. That prophecy is fulfilled years later in Jesus Christ, who came into the world above any and all kings they would have ever known.

But even though he delivered words that came true, his ambitions were selfish and his heart’s motivation was not turned towards God and his promises, but in what he could receive through what he spoke to the people. What determined him to be a false prophet was what motivated his heart.

In the book of Numbers, chapter 22, King Balak hired Balaam to curse the people of Israel. Even in the face of God’s rebuke for the prophet not to do this, he selfishly joined the king, aiming at the money and benefits received through that agreement. His motivation was not the love for God and His word, his heart was set on material rewards.

Unknown to god

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’. Then I will tell them plainly: ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!”
Matthew 7:23

If your heart is set on your selfish desires and ambitions, it doesn’t matter what your mouth says. Even if God uses you to carry some specific word, it will build someone up by the voice of God, but your own voice will remain a stumbling block.

Balaam’s mouth cursed the people, even though sometimes his actions were used to bring forth prophecies. How could the people get rid of these false directions? Seeking insight from God, not answers from men.

I always ask God that if He wants to use me for something specific, that by passing the message His word will change something in me too. And that’s how I constantly seek the Lord’s approval. I want Him to have freedom to use me, but I also want wisdom and discernment to pass through it with my heart in the right place.

My prayer for you at this time is that your heart is fully turned to God and his word. May your real desire be to live this truth day after day in a complete and profound way. And may your heart have wisdom and discernment to be guided only by Him.