The manner used to discern whether a Prophet was True or False during the Old Testament was based on whether or not the prophecy was fulfilled. A false Prophet was to be stoned. You can find throughout the Old Testament multiple episodes where the True prophets were murdered while false prophets survived to prophesy falsely another day. Also, how would you appropriately handle distant prophecies or situations where the people repented (Jonah) using this measure?

Yushua/Jesus gave us a better way to measure a Prophet, and I have yet to find another method within the New Testament.

Matthew 7:15
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or ! figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit[b]. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil [b]fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The True measure of a Prophet is by his Fruit. Now, fruit has absolutely nothing to do with the individual's "success." It has nothing to do with the number of "souls saved" or people " healed." It is not b! ased on the number of TV stations, "churches," houses, cars or the number of rings on his/her hands. The Fruit that Yushua/Jesus is speaking about is found in Galatians chapter 5:22-23:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

** please see entire Scripture reference at the end.
 

Isn't it amazing that Yushua/Jesus doesn't even include accuracy, but only the quality of the prophets character. Now that should give us a greater understanding of the development of the Prophet found in first Corinthians chapter 12 to 14:

14:26 ...Let all things be done unto edifying.

14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the pro! phets.
 

Let everybody prophesy so that all may learn, be comforted and edified. But seeing that the individual prophet has control over the spirits, let others judge his prophecy. Let them discern, weed out mixture, and teach the young prophets so that they might be more proficient. The Father is seeking those to worship him in Spirit and Truth. Therefore, the prophecy should be scriptural. The Whole Scripture, and not just your selected doctrines. For many prophets of Israel spoke only what the King or people wanted to hear, and God had nothing to do with them. The only scriptural way to judge a prophet is by his Fruits which are listed in Galatians chapter 5. For ye shall know them by their fruits. Remember, most of the True prophecies of God in the past, were rejected by the majority.

13:8 ...but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know ! in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Today the prophecies will not be complete or fully accurate because we are unable to see clearly. But we will fully understand when the "Perfect" Yushua/Jesus appears. By that time all of the prophecies will cease. They will no longer be needed.

Now it is apparent that it is almost impossible to "check out a Prophet's Fruit" from a distance (Internet, TV, books, etc..). You either have to spend some time around the individual, or depend upon other credible believers that have gained your trust. All others should be approached with a, "Wait and see," attitude for safety.
 

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** Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have b! een called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall ! not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law . 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
 

"And all the congregation said, AMEN!"

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When I first posted this teaching about two years ago, I wanted to explain one aspect. And that was the "righteous judgment" of the prophet. This is separate from the "righteous judgment" of the prophecy. I believe that we are commanded to judge both.

Now a prophecy (Word) is judged by the Scriptures and Truth. But the individual prophet is to be judged by their Fruit.

We are presently still in the era of Pentecost. Pentecost is a Feast Day where the priest presents two loaves of bread baked with leaven (sin). The bread made from many different grains (individuals) and leaven are passed through the fire where the leaven is eventually destroyed. The Father is perfectly aware that the "church" contains both leaven and Tares.

Therefore, we have " false prophets" who might present a "word of Truth." And we also have "true prophets" who might present a "false word."

Jhn 11:49 And one of them, [named] Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

Jhn 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

Jhn 11:51 And this spake he not of hims! elf: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

Jhn 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

Jhn 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
 

The prophetic word by Caiaphas is True and Scripturally accurate. But his character (Fruit) is really rotten. We judge the prophet by his Fruit. We do not judge the individual prophet by his Word, but the Word is still judged separately. Caiaphas is a false prophet, but on this occasion he is giving a True Word. Jesus is warning us to follow the Fruit more so than the prophets word. Words have multiple meanings and frequently are designed to deceive.

Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying,...

Today there are vast distances between the one giving the "Word" and their listeners. So we are not in the position/location to be righteous "Fruit inspectors." But we are all in a position to judge their "words." We usually have our opportunity to "inspect their Fruit " when the light is finally shown on a false word. If they are a "true prophet" they will embrace the Truth, confess their sin (error), repent and ask for forgiveness. But a false prophet will make excuses and lie. Many will claim that God changed His mind or listened to "intercessors." This is a lie unless you see massive repentance and people turning to God.

If the "church" continues to refuse to clean herself, the Lord will bring fire upon her and burn out the leaven. He will never accept a "sin filled" Bride. It is better that we judge ourselves, prior to His judgment as He recommended. That is the least painful method, by far.
 

Shalom, John