There are so many Christian Influencers telling us who and who not to listen to when it comes to false preachers and teachers. I feel that they do not properly equip and empower us with the practical ways to use our discernment to identify for ourselves. When I rededicated my life to God, I wanted to jump all the way in and was listening to every preacher and teacher. I quickly found that some rubbed my spirit wrong, but I did not know why. I began desiring more bible teaching and not inspirational preaching. I wanted the WORD!!! So I began to read it for myself. Diving into it, learning about the context, the culture, trying to hear what God was saying through these words. It was a beautiful experience. As I read the comments on videos highlighting false teachers many of them are like how do you know? That was my question too. So I wanted to share my findings with you! Check out this post about studying your bible.

10 Biblical Ways to Identify False Preachers and Teachers

1. Check Their Doctrine Against Scripture

• Biblical Reference: Acts 17:11 (Bereans who examined the Scriptures daily).
• Test: Do they faithfully teach what is in Scripture, or do they add to or take away from it? Compare their teachings with the Bible to see if they align.
  • You have to be in your word daily or at least study the sermon or message throughout the week, reading the verses in context.

2. Examine Their Fruit

• Biblical Reference: Matthew 7:15-20 (A tree is known by its fruit).
• Test: What is the outcome of their ministry? Are people growing in holiness and Christlikeness, or is there a focus on material gain, division, or moral compromise?
  • Many people think fruit looks like huge following, many members, celebrity status, material goods etc. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us what the fruit looks like. Patience, self-control, etc.

3. Evaluate Their Christology

• Biblical Reference: 1 John 4:2-3 (Confession of Jesus Christ as come in the flesh).
• Test: Do they proclaim Jesus as the Son of God, fully God and fully man, the only way to salvation? A false teacher might diminish or distort the person and work of Christ.
  • Many times, I try to focus on how they connect their message to Jesus dying on the cross for us, rising with all power and that He is the only way to God the Father. I wait to listen to the call for them to surrender their lives to Christ and accept Him as their personal Savior. Sometimes they only ask people to join the church. That is not the Salvation message.

4. Assess Their Motivation

• Biblical Reference: 2 Peter 2:1-3 (False teachers exploit with deceptive words).
• Test: Are they motivated by love for God and others, or by personal gain, popularity, or power?
  • You won’t be able to tell right away but continue watching and listening to them. They will show and tell you their motivation and then it is up to you to see if it aligns with your values that should be formed by the Word of God.

5. Consider Their Teachings on Sin and Repentance

• Biblical Reference: 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (People wanting teachers to suit their own desires).
• Test: Do they downplay sin or avoid calling for repentance? True preaching addresses sin and calls for a turning back to God.
  • Many preachers are scared to lose members, so they avoid the hard stuff. They want to gain your support, so they cover sins and even celebrate sins labeling it as Love Your Neighbor. Love teaches, rebukes, corrects, and protects. Love tells you that if you are walking in the street, you could get hit by a car, love grabs your arm before the car hits you. Love doesn’t celebrate your freedom to play in traffic.

6. Test Their Emphasis on Grace

• Biblical Reference: Jude 1:4 (Turning the grace of God into a license for immorality).
• Test: Do they misuse grace to excuse sin, or do they uphold grace as a means to lead a holy life?
  • Grace is a gift from God that I am so grateful to have, and I try hard not to take advantage of that gift. When we do, we lose respect for it, we lower the value of it. So, what is the pastor’s stance on grace based on what he preaches and LIVES?

7. Examine Their Teaching on the Gospel

• Biblical Reference: Galatians 1:6-9 (A different gospel is to be rejected).
• Test: Do they preach the true Gospel—that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone—or do they add works or other conditions to it?
  • How will you know if you are not in your word? What does God say about this? Once you understand, let this be your basis for what they are preaching. False preachers will have you doing things to “earn” your salvation.

8. Check for a Balanced Teaching

• Biblical Reference: Acts 20:27 (Declaring the whole counsel of God).
• Test: Do they preach the full counsel of God, including the hard truths? Or do they selectively teach only the comfortable parts?
  • We need it all, the full counsel. I remember feeling empty with nothing to apply when the messages were fluff and inspirational. I would feel confused when the message was all about me, “start the business” “go to school” etc. stuff for the now and not focused on the eternal life.

9. Watch for Flattery and People-Pleasing

• Biblical Reference: 1 Thessalonians 2:4-5 (Not using flattery or pleasing men).
• Test: Do they seek to please God or to gain followers by telling people what they want to hear? Or do they flatter other preachers as if they are God?
  • I listened to a preacher preach about a pastor, they compared objects to the pastor in an irrelevant way. The message was all about a pastor and had nothing to do about God. It was as if he was trying to get in good graces with that pastor or get on the team. We shouldn’t be exulting people and if you want to honor them highlight their fruit and it should not have more time than God.

10. Discern Their Attitude Toward Authority

• Biblical Reference: Hebrews 13:17 (Obeying leaders who watch over your souls).
• Test: Are they accountable to other godly leaders, or do they resist oversight and operate independently?
  • Every leader should be accountable to other leaders, helping them and providing wise counsel. This may be challenging for us to see because we do not see behind the scenes but if you do get an opportunity, keep your spiritual eyes open.

God Can Still Use False Preachers

One thing I love about God is that He will use anything for His good. Even if the preacher we are listening to is false or teaching incorrectly, God can do whatever with that word and still be a blessing to you and all those that hear. So no need go telling people that these preachers are false but we need to do our part by studying the Word for ourselves and not fully relying on a preacher for our Christian life.

False Preachers Yes, But We Have to Do Our Due Diligence

Questions to Ask Ourselves Before Listening:

1. Am I approaching this sermon to be entertained or transformed?
2. Am I willing to be convicted and corrected by God’s Word?
3. Am I open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in discerning truth?
4. Am I comparing what I hear with the Bible to ensure it aligns with God’s Word?
5. Am I listening with humility, ready to obey God’s commands?

Prayer for the Right Heart Posture:

Lord, I ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide me as I listen. Open my heart to receive Your truth and to be convicted where necessary. Help me to discern what is from You and what is not. May I not be swayed by what sounds pleasing but be anchored in Your Word. Let me approach this time with a humble and teachable spirit, ready to apply Your Word to my life for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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