The Scripture tells us to pursue love and to desire Spiritual gifts, especially to prophesy (I Corinthians 14:1). The Spirit gives gifts according to His will. No one can just decide for himself which gifts he is to have. It is not a question of using certain techniques that we can just employ by ourselves! (I Corinthians 12:11). We must not despise prophecy, but we are urged to test all things (I Thessalonians 5:20-21).
If what is said is not fulfilled, then it is not from God (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). If the message leads towards idolatry or backsliding, then it cannot be from God — even if it is fulfilled (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). True prophets will preach that we must repent from idols and turn to God. This is characteristic of the prophets of the Old Testament.
Deceiving prophets are often characterised by flattery and great offers to people. They will often say that you are chosen by God to become something great, perhaps a prophet, evangelist or apostle. Maybe, you are going to perform signs and wonders, and thousands of people are going to be saved through your ministry. If all this is to come to pass, then you will have to surrender to the Spirit that inspires the prophecy (Matthew 4:8 onwards, and Jeremiah 23:32).
The false prophets will fill people with empty imaginations and dreams about themselves rather than with words from the mouth of the Lord. They will not be speaking about repentance, but, rather, saying that everything is O.K., and that there is peace and safety even though people might be walking in the hardness of their hearts (Jeremiah 23:16-17). A prophecy that issues from a wrong spirit will pollute your thoughts and turn the mind from the simplicity of the Gospel, and faithfulness to Christ (II Corinthians 11:3).
The false prophets will also issue threats and create fear such as: If you do not join up or remain with the group or the movement, you will be rejected and find yourself outside the plan of God; you will act contrary to the will of God; you will be surrendered to the devil; you will get all sorts of spiritual and personal problems, etc.
In contrast to this, the Apostle Paul reminds us that it is the spirit of bondage that leads to fear (Romans 8:15). A Christian has received the Spirit of sonship, and he can be sure that he is a child of God (Romans 8:15-16). Fear of death leads into bondage (Hebrews 2:14-15).
