Note 54 at Mt 7:15: Here are five ways to recognize false prophets. (1) Their prophecies don't come to pass (De 18:22); (2) by their fruit (Mt 7:16-20, 12:33-37; and Lu 6:43-45); (3) they fail to act in agreement with what they profess (Mt 7:21-27; Jas 2:17, 20, and 26); (4) by their doctrine (Mt 16:12; Ga 1:8-9; 1Ti 1:3-9, 4:1-6; 1Jo 4:1-3; and 2Jo 7-11); and (5) their motivation is covetousness (1Ti 6:10; 2Pe 2:1-3, and 15). A false prophet may not exhibit all five of these characteristics, and not everyone who exhibits one or two of these characteristics is a false prophet. However, these traits are associated with the false prophets who were identified in the Bible and should be questioned.