There Will Be False Christs and False Prophets

A tree is known by its fruit — The mission of prophets — Extraordinary phenomena do not prove moral authority — Do not believe every spiritual communication — Instructions from the Spirits: false prophets and criteria for discernment.

A tree is known by its fruit

1. Jesus teaches that a tree is known by its fruit. In the same way, what is in a person's heart appears in their actions and words. (Luke 6:43-45)

2. Jesus warns against false prophets and says that they should be recognized by the fruits they produce. Religious appearance or convincing speech is not enough; results and conduct need to be observed. (Matthew 7:15-20)

3. Jesus also warns that people could use his name to deceive others. The advice is not to automatically accept anyone who presents themselves as a spiritual authority. (Matthew 24)

The passage speaks of false Christs and false prophets capable of producing impressive signs. The central message is that extraordinary events alone do not prove truth, goodness, or divine mission. (Matthew 24:4-5, 11-13, 23-24; Mark 13:5-6, 21-22)

Mission of the Prophets

4. In the biblical sense, “prophet” does not mean only someone who predicts the future. It can mean a person regarded as a messenger of God, responsible for teaching or transmitting a spiritual message.

Some prophets were also associated with predictions. For this reason, over time the words “prophecy” and “prediction” became very close in common usage.

Extraordinary events of false prophets

5. Kardec analyzes the biblical expression about false prophets producing impressive signs. He questions the idea that an extraordinary phenomenon is, by itself, proof of divine origin.

The reasoning of the work is that the laws of Nature could not be used as an automatic seal of holiness or moral authority.

If morally different people could present similar phenomena, the phenomenon itself would not allow us to decide who is telling the truth. Other criteria would be necessary.

Many events have been considered supernatural simply because their cause was still unknown. As knowledge advances, some of these phenomena come to be understood through natural explanations.

Throughout history, people have also used knowledge that was unfamiliar to the public to gain prestige, money, or power. That risk remains current: an extraordinary claim needs to be examined, not merely admired.

For this reason, Kardec places the moral criterion above extraordinary appearance. A supposed spiritual mission should be evaluated mainly by the values, attitudes, and effects it produces.

Do not believe every Spirit

6. The First Epistle of John recommends: “Do not believe every Spirit; examine whether they are from God.” The principle is discernment, not automatic acceptance. (1 John 4:1)

1 John 4:1

7. Kardec states that Spiritism should not ask people to believe in “miracles” as proof of its validity. Its proposal is to study phenomena and seek their causes.

The work compares this project with sciences that investigate the laws of Nature and states that there would also be laws governing relationships between the material and spiritual worlds. This last claim belongs to the Spiritist doctrinal model and does not by itself represent current scientific consensus.

Even within this view, a phenomenon should not automatically be used to legitimize someone who presents themselves as God's messenger. Character and moral effects would remain fundamental criteria.

The message values investigation and clarification as ways to reduce deception and manipulation.

In the Spiritist view, there could also be communications attributed to deceptive Spirits capable of using respected names to give authority to their own ideas.

Kardec reports that some communications claimed to come from important religious figures. For him, a famous name in the signature is not proof of identity or truth.

The recommendation is to examine a communication according to moral criteria, reason, coherence, and comparison with other sources. The work also refers to The Mediums' Book for this discussion.

In summary: just as a tree is evaluated by its fruit, a spiritual communication would be evaluated by the quality of its content and the effects it produces, not by the name it presents.

Instructions from the Spirits

False prophets

Louis - Bordeaux, 1861

8. The instruction repeats the warning: do not follow someone merely because they claim to have a special mission. Observe the “fruits,” meaning their attitudes and results.

Love, charity, understanding, kindness, and consistency between words and actions would be more important signs than titles or claims of spiritual power.

Be wary of pleasant speeches used to win submission and also of those who claim to possess all truth alone. Healthy spiritual authority should not depend on monopoly, fear, or control.

The message values humility and modesty. Pride, exploitation, and a constant need for personal exaltation are signs that call for greater care and analysis.

The next invitation is to continue one's own spiritual development without fear, seeking a faith that produces comfort and moral progress.

The message speaks of death as a passage and reunion according to Spiritist belief. This is a religious hope of the Doctrine and not a claim that can be demonstrated here as scientific fact.

The final guidance in this part is to continue learning and seeking moral progress.

Characteristics of the true prophet

Erastus - Paris, 1862

9. Erastus warns that periods of change can attract ambitious people who present themselves as saviors, exclusive reformers, or special envoys. The recommendation is to maintain discernment.

Great responsibility requires preparation and ability. Therefore, a claim of an elevated mission should be accompanied by competence, balance, and responsibility compatible with what the person claims to represent.

The message interprets great missions within the Spiritist theory of evolution and reincarnation. Its practical point is that moral influence should be accompanied by maturity and the ability to produce good.

If someone's conduct constantly contradicts the greatness of the mission they claim to have, this inconsistency is reason to question the claim.

The message states that people truly dedicated to a mission often work without needing to announce that they are special. The results of their actions would speak for them.

Humility and modesty are presented as positive signs; arrogance, personality cults, and exploitation of others' trust as warning signs.

The instruction uses the example of people who claimed to be Christ himself. Instead of accepting the statement, it recommends comparing actual conduct with the qualities attributed to Jesus.

If someone claims extraordinary spiritual identity or authority but shows greed, pride, and lack of charity, their own conduct contradicts the claim.

The recommendation is especially important when there is financial, emotional, or psychological exploitation. Faith should not prevent questions, verification of facts, setting boundaries, or seeking help in the face of abuse.

False prophets in the spirit world

Erastus, disciple of Saint Paul - Paris, 1862

10. In the Spiritist view, false prophets could also appear in mediumistic communications, using language of love while promoting division or harmful ideas.

A message that encourages isolation, hostility, and a feeling of superiority deserves special attention. The claimed spiritual identity should not replace evaluation of the content.

The instruction recommends passing ideas through the examination of reason and common sense. Claims that contradict well-established knowledge require proportional evidence and should not be accepted merely because of claimed spiritual authority.

The original text also uses collective acceptance as a criterion for comparison. That criterion alone does not guarantee truth: many people can believe something incorrect. The useful point is not to depend on a single source and to compare information critically.

Be wary of advisers who claim exclusivity, encourage isolation, and use excessive praise to control people. These patterns can facilitate manipulation whether the claim is spiritual or not.

The message criticizes groups that believe they alone possess a special truth. For Kardec, important teachings should withstand broad and independent comparison.

According to the theory of universal control presented in the work, an important principle should appear independently in different serious groups and not depend on a single person or closed circle.

Kardec calls certain situations of persistent spiritual influence over mediums “obsession.” This is a Spiritist doctrinal concept, not a medical or psychological diagnosis. Experiences of suffering, loss of autonomy, intense fear, or changes in perception may also require professional health evaluation.

The central recommendation remains simple: submit spiritual communications to reason, logic, and careful analysis.

A person or group can be mistaken. Kardec therefore proposes comparison with other sources, available knowledge, and moral evaluation rather than absolute trust in a single medium or leader.

See also the Introduction to this work and The Mediums' Book, chapter XXIII, on the Spiritist concept of obsession.

Jeremiah and the false prophets

11. Jeremiah warns against prophets who present their own thoughts as though they were God's word and promise safety without foundation. (Jeremiah 23)

The passage criticizes people who say they speak in God's name without having been sent and who use dreams or visions to give authority to their own claims.

The principle is not to turn a personal experience into unquestionable authority over other people. (Jeremiah 23:16-18, 21, 25-26, 33)

Louis relates this passage to charlatans who, even in ancient times, exploited people's trust by presenting their own ideas as divine prophecies.

The instruction reminds us that pleasant predictions can also be used to gain money, prestige, or influence. A message that tells us exactly what we want to hear still needs to be examined.

Dreams, visions, and personal experiences can be meaningful to those who experience them, but they do not automatically become objective proof or mandatory guidance for other people.

The message returns to John's advice: examine before believing. Within Spiritism, this is also applied to mediumistic communications.

The conclusion is prudence: do not turn every communication, impression, or claimed authority into truth without careful analysis.