A hungry person will eat from any hand that feeds them. In the same way, spiritually hungry people settle for false teachers and prophets because they’re sheep without a shepherd yet have a hunger to be filled and a thirst to be quenched.

In the previous article about 8 Signs Of False Teachers, the blind and deceived spiritual leaders will lead you into a pit. Every Christian should learn to go to the source of life-giving bread and living waters that never run out – Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Word and Truth of God who sets us free. His Word is the bread and water that satisfy us in this life and eternity.

Here is how to escape and avoid the false men of God;

#1: Stop Listening To Their False Teachings And Ground Yourself In Biblical Truth

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to his people:

“Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you,
filling you with futile hopes.
They are making up everything they say.
They do not speak for the Lord!” (Jeremiah 23:16)

When you study and apply truth in your life, you can easily discern falsehood. Rather than ask, “What does my pastor say?” ask yourself, “What does the Bible say?” Be like the Berean. (Acts 17:11)

Jesus said that sheep don’t follow a stranger because they don’t recognize His voice. We must run from anyone who ministers to us in a different voice other than Jesus Christ, who is the Word and the Truth. (John 10:5)

Often, the temptation is to think we’re discerning or wise enough to only consume the good things from these men and ignore the bad, only to be caught up in their error. Once we have discovered their lies, the best option is to cut them off. Have nothing to do with them. Why?

Because truth and lies don’t flow from the same source. Darkness and light can never co-exist.

“And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.” (Romans 16:17)

” ¹⁰ If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement.

¹¹ Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.” (1 John 1:10-11)

#2: Stop Judging Ministers By Their Eloquence, Worldly Wisdom, Prophecies, Miracles Or Possessions But By Their Teachings And Fruit. (Titus 1:16, Matthew 7:15-20)

I know a pastor and a prophet I admired while growing up. Both left their wives and children for other women. If you were to analyse their lives in the days I knew them, there was little of the Spirit’s fruit and eventually, the harvest was pain and destruction.

That’s why Paul told Timothy to “keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

And be careful not to fall for the good things they do for others. Even the best of Satanists are philanthropic. They give money and stuff with one hand and they take what is precious from you with the other. Just because a minister is generous does not make them a true minister.

#3: Stop Idolizing Or Elevating Any Man Of God Above Jesus Christ

Some Christians look up to their spiritual leaders as their source of comfort, strength and mediator before God. Don’t fall for that.

Let Christ reign in your heart and be the centre of your life.

Ask yourself, does your spiritual leader point you to Christ or himself? Who has the final say in your decision-making?

Even the prophet who hears from God doesn’t know everything or understand God’s will for every member of the congregation. Even Moses, who spoke face-to-face with God, needed the wisdom of his father-in-law.

Yes, the men of God in our lives deserve double honor because of the great responsibility God has given them to watch over our souls. We should imitate them as they imitate Christ but they must never take His place.

Therefore, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:3)

#4: Stop Fearing False Teachers, Expose Their Evil Works And Defend The Truth

We should fear no minister because fear of man is a snare. Some will threaten to curse you but the curse without cause won’t catch you. The One in you is stronger than the one who is at work in them. (Proverbs 29:25, 26:21, John 4:4)

Stand firm for truth and be ready to defend what the Bible says. (1 Peter 3:15. Jude 1:3)

“Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11) This may come with persecution and rejection from the false ministers and their followers but be of good courage because that’s how they’ve always persecuted children of God.

“But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24)

#5: Stop Supporting False Teachers’ Ministries And Help The Needy

“If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement.” (1 John 1:10) Do I say more?

“Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.” (Galatians 2:10) Do you see a genuine eagerness to help the poor?

#6: Stop Being A Miracle Chaser And Pursue Christian Maturity

The Israelites witnessed many miracles in Egypt but because of their unbelief; they complained and worshipped a calf in the desert. God had delivered them but they perished on the journey and failed to enter the Promised Land.

Jesus too performed many miracles, yet many people didn’t believe that He is indeed the Son of God yet no man had ever done such miracles. We’re blessed that the gospel books recorded His miracles so we can believe. (John 20:31. Joshua 4:24)

As Christians, we don’t have to see more miracles to believe. We already believe. Satan tempted Jesus to prove He is the Son of God. Likewise, he tempts Christians to crave miracles, material wealth and outward success to prove they serve a powerful God. But we shouldn’t be striving to prove anything to anyone except that we love one another as Christ’s disciples. (John 13:35)

Any miracle or blessing we receive from God is for accomplishing His purpose and for His glory, not for showing off. God often performs miracles as signs for nonbelievers to believe. He performs them at His pleasure, not because we have fasted, spent nights in prayer or sowed a seed to the ‘man of God.’ Christians should stop being miracle chasers and seek to become mature Christians.

If the miracles of the Bible are not enough to convince you that God is a miracle worker, then no miracles you witness will ever convince you. For this reason, we should examine our reasons for following Christ. Do you love and serve God so He can help you solve your problems and achieve your goals? Or do you love Him for who He is and are ready to sacrifice everything, including your life for His sake?

A person who doesn’t believe who Jesus Christ says He is, what He did and promised in scriptures as revealed in the holy scriptures can’t be convinced by any miracle, sign, healing or prosperity.

Jesus says,

“Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.” (Matthew 16:4)

Is the sign of Christ’s death and resurrection enough for you? Or do you demand other signs for you to fully trust and find rest in God?

Final Thoughts On False Men Of God

One time I felt so enraged by false teachers I wanted to start a YouTube channel to expose them one by one. But I quickly realized I don’t know most of them personally and may end up accusing even the true ones of being false teachers. Then I considered what the Bible says,

#1: No one can stop false teachers. They were there in the early church and they will be here until Jesus comes back. (2 Timothy 3:13)

#2: God lets the tares or weeds and the wheat grow together until the great separation. Uprooting the tares will uproot the wheat, too. (Matthew 13:24-30) Therefore, no particular Christian or ministry has the task or mandate of uprooting every tare in the body of Christ but we’re given the mandate to teach and defend the truth.

For instance, a Bible teacher who studies cults and exposes their false teachings is defending the truth. And this shouldn’t be done in secret. False teachers propagate their teachings in public and should be avoided and rebuked publicly. (1 Timothy 5:19-20) We must expose their errors. (Ephesians 5:11)

#3: Servants of God are His business, not ours because He is their master and their judge. They should not keep us awake wondering why they’re causing havoc or thinking of ways to bring them down. Instead, we should focus on the Great Commission. God will deal with them in His way and in His time.

“So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)

#4: Christ knows His invisible church and will come for it. And just as there were only eight in the ark of Noah so it is that those who are truly in Christ are few. Never think that things are out of hand in the world and the church because the true body of Christ is strong, growing and advancing. God is in control and on schedule with His agenda for mankind.

“But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” (2 Timothy 2:19)

#5: Let’s be careful not to condemn or accuse Christians from other churches of being lost, false and blind because our very churches, which we think have the truth have such people, too.

Rather, let’s encourage everyone who claims to be a Christian to focus on the written truth in the scriptures and let’s be willing to learn and teach each other. Perhaps God will lead them out of where they are or preserve them there and use them to be the light and salt.

#6: The best way to fight false teachings is to teach and learn the truth as a fellowship or church. Even if we eliminate false teachers and Christians don’t know the truth, another false teacher will crop up among the very Christians. I’ve seen a Christian leave one church because of conflicts and join a cultic church without realizing it because they lacked discernment. It takes eating solid food and training to recognize the difference between right and wrong. (Hebrews 5:11-14)

#7: God will judge false teachers more strictly. (James 3:1) Meanwhile we should judge each other in the church when we have disputes or someone in our midst is living in sin or teaching false teachings. (1 Corinthians 5:12 – 6:1-5)

Paul named several false teachers in his writings like Hermogenes, Hymenaeus, Philetus, Demas, among others. Elsewhere he called them wolves in sheep’s closing, antichrists and dogs to show the gravity of their damage (Acts 20:28-29, Philippians 3:2) But we shouldn’t name-drop without showing the false teaching and the biblical truth that counters it.

What Next If Discover Your Current MOG Is False?

Don’t panic. Don’t be afraid.

First, establish whether you believe the true gospel. How did you become a Christian? Why did you become one? Can you explain the gospel of Jesus Christ to someone who is not born again? If you believed a false gospel, you may not be born again. It’s shocking but very possible.

Use this article to examine your salvation status; THE PRECIOUSNESS, POWER & PRODUCT OF THE TRUE GOSPEL| Reject different Gospels & Christs

Second, go back to the basics of who God is, who you are in Christ, what your purpose and assignment in life is and learning to study scriptures. A good discipleship class will help you make progress.

Third, pray that God opens your eyes to see the truth and opens your ears to hear the voice of Jesus Christ through the scriptures. As you study them, the Holy Spirit will teach you and lead you into all truth.

Out of this intimacy with your heavenly Father, your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and your Helper and Counsellor the Holy Spirit, you’ll grow in your discernment and understand the will of God for your life.

“And so, dear brothers and sisters,^] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-12)

A Christian who is not yet discipled or mature often makes the mistake of leaving a false church only to fall into another false church.

It may be hard for some to find a Bible-teaching church in some places. If that’s the case, study the Bible with your family in your home and as you grow, God will lead you on the next steps and where to pray from.

When you’re convinced that you’re in a false church, it’s time to walk away. This is not easy and you’ll pay a price for it but it’s inevitable for the sake of your soul. You rather have fellowship with two or three true believers in your home than with a thousand believers under a false teacher.

When you cut them off, you won’t share in their evil worship and deeds. Apostle Paul says,

⁹ When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. ¹⁰ But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.

¹¹ I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

¹² It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.

¹³ God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

(1 Corinthians 5:9-13)

Thank you for reading this article. I welcome your comments and questions – as iron sharpens iron, let’s sharpen each other.

“Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (John 13:17, James 4:17)

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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