8 Signs Of True Vs False Men Of God|Share Not Their Judgement

We live in difficult times. 

Scriptures clearly state in the last days, imposters, false ministers and messiahs will arise. They’ll flourish, perform signs, wonders and miracles and thus attract a large following.

When a ‘man of God’ (MOG) appears in a nice suit or pompous car, speaking passionately and eloquently on the pulpit, TV, radio or social media while quoting familiar scriptures, claiming to perform miracles and parading testimonies before a large crowd, we lay down our guard.

In our minds, they’re blessed, anointed and we dare not touch the anointed. But we forget that Satan often appears as an angel of light and corrupts the simplicity of the gospel through deceptive craftiness. Likewise, his servants pretend to be apostles of Christ and “transform themselves into ministers of righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Yet behind the scenes, they’re vicious wolves, charlatans, fake, apostate and deceitful men and women who don’t care for the sheep God has entrusted to them. Jesus called them thieves, robbers and hirelings who run away when a wolf attacks the sheep. Apostle Paul called them dogs. (John 10:1-16, Isaiah 56:11, Philippians 3:2)

A little poison from snakebite can kill. Likewise, a little false teaching is enough to poison your entire biblical understanding and destroy your spiritual, mental, emotional, social and physical well-being.

Many times, in their history, the Israelites preferred to listen to false prophets who told them what they wanted to hear. God allowed false prophets to test their allegiance to Him, whether they’ll cling to God’s Word or not. (Deuteronomy 13:3)

Therefore, divisions and heresies, even in the church, are for the good of those who love God and His ways so they can know the true from the false, the approved and the rejected. (1 Corinthians 11:19)

It’s also clear in scripture that when people insist on believing a lie, they become deceived and the judgment of God is to give them over to the lie.

God says,

“¹¹ “But no, my people wouldn’t listen, Israel did not want me around.
¹² So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.” (Psalm 81:11-12)

In that state, they’re so blind no light can penetrate their eyelids and so deaf no bell can awaken them. That’s why taking truth for granted is the greatest error anyone can ever make. It cuts one from believing and coming to salvation.

Concerning the man of lawlessness who is already at work in the world today, Apostle Paul writes,

“⁹ This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.

¹⁰ He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.

¹¹ So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies.

¹² Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

That is the reality of the world today!

To Christians who love and accept the truth, let’s focus on Christ and God’s Word more than the so-called anointed words, deep revelations and powerful prophecies of false men of God. Like the Bereans, let’s examine what we’re taught on the pulpit, media and Bible studies, and follow those who follow Christ.

In summary, a false man of God misuses and misinterprets scriptures to say what he wants them to say. They refuse to listen or be questioned by other believers or ministers, and what’s even sadder is that they don’t practice what they preach. Jesus called them blind guides who lead the blind into a pit. They shut the door for those who want to enter the kingdom of God. And make the lives of those who enter God’s Kingdom worse than they came in. (Matthew 15:14, 23:13-15)

False Ministers Are Robbers

One Tuesday evening my wife and I went for a cell fellowship. When we returned to our house, we discovered that someone had broken the outside padlock of the back metallic door. I entered the house and realized a thief had entered and gotten away with our laptop, camera and other things. That day I understood why people bit thieves to death. The pain of being robbed was thorough.

We hate robbers who steal what we own but the worst robber is the one who keeps from us what belongs to us. That’s what these false teachers do. They keep us in the darkness of all the wonderful truths God wants us to know and we walk through life blind, bound and begging.

The enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy in John 10:10 is not Satan in that context but the hired shepherd who sneaks over the wall to deceive the sheep. Watch out for such thieves and robbers who have made their way into our churches.

A true shepherd sacrifices for the sheep but a hired shepherd will run away or sacrifice the sheep to save his life. The false ministers are not willing to suffer for Christ and they milk and squeeze every drop of money and time from their members so their families and ministries can flourish.

The worst and most painful result of sitting and serving the false MOGs is wasting the best of your years, missing out on God’s purpose and assignment for your life, never knowing your true identity in Christ and coming to the end of your life frustrated and disappointed. And worst of all, risking your soul to eternity in hell with them.

The victims of false teachers remain naïve, weak, gullible and immature because they’re fed on the wrong diet. Because they don’t know the truth, the lies keep them hooked on their spiritual leaders and don’t even realize it.

Our Only Hope Is Truth

The first way to avoid a false teacher is to know what a true teacher or minister looks like, according to scripture. And the way to detect false gospels is to know the true gospel and the way to discern the fake christs is to embrace the true Christ.

Only the true gospel can achieve the work of God in our lives. Christians become stunted and struggle in their faith because they heard a false gospel, believed a false christ and keep feeding on false teachings at the feet of a false MOG.

These false MOGs are hard to detect because they mix truth with error. They can say truthful things about God while in the same sermon, they go against scriptures, misinterpret or ignore other portions of scripture.

These errors are a poison that brings confusion, distraction, deception and death. That’s why you must be a student of the scriptures and a seeker of godly wisdom. Don’t just believe everything you hear. Even as you read my articles and books, have the Bible by your side and read the references. That’s what it means to be a part of the most wanted Christians in the world today like the Bereans!

The Judgement Of Teachers Will Be More Strict

In the Old Testament, when a prophet said something was going to happen, and it didn’t happen, they were false prophets and the people stoned them. (Deuteronomy 18:15-22)

How many modern prophets would be dead by now if the body of Christ applied this law?

Here is what God has against them;

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep?

You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve.

You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended to the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty.

So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal.

They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them.” (Jeremiah 34:2-6)

God will expose the deceit and folly of these men, whether here on earth or Judgment Day, and their colours will be clear to all men. He has already rejected them and decreed their destruction. (2 Timothy 3:8-19, 2 Peter 2:1,3)

Another important consideration is that people expect those who teach to be exemplary in everything they say and do. That’s because followers are watching them and imitating their ways.

“Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1)

The impact of Christians is not felt in some countries, despite having more churches than schools and hospitals. The ones God has entrusted with the responsibility of watching over souls are using people for their selfish ends and keeping them from the truth that would set them free and save their souls.

Not everyone who teaches something wrong or interprets scriptures differently is a false teacher. I give the benefit of the doubt to genuine untrained ministers who received the wrong teachings themselves. Still, ignorance is no defence because they nonetheless cause harm to themselves and their followers.

If such a minister is willing to learn, be challenged and corrected, that’s a sign of humility and evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives. If they deny clear scriptures that contradict their false beliefs, woe unto them.

It’s also true that none of us understands everything about God but that which He has already revealed in the scriptures is our standard and final authority. My disagreement is with those who deliver sermons that contradict the scriptures without remorse or repentance.

As Christians, let’s search, study, obey and defend truth more than our love and loyalty to any man of God, no matter what they claim to be or what miracles they perform.

8 Signs Of FALSE & TRUE Men of God According To The Bible

#1: They Don’t Teach The Whole Counsel Of God’s Word (2 Peter 2:1)

False MOGs use convincing words, saying what people want to hear. (Galatians 1:10, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Romans 16:18, Jude 1:16)

They take sin lightly in their teaching and lifestyle. They fear confronting or calling out sin because they don’t want to offend anyone.

They rarely preach on repentance and the reality of sin and hell, holiness and heaven and the second coming of Christ. They’re motivational speakers whose primary focus is to dominate and succeed in the earthly kingdom. (Colossians3:5-6, Jude 1:4)

They parade fresh revelations from their dreams, visions and voices that speak to them frequently. (Jude 1:8)

Rather than focus on the truths of the Bible, they quote from secular philosophers, gurus and authors. They use Bible verses out of context to prove and approve their lies, half-truths, human traditions, strange doctrines and delusions of their minds. (Jeremiah 14:14)

Many of their teachings are doctrines of demons. They’ve opened themselves to seducing spirits. (1 Timothy 4:1) Because of these, they’re smooth, secretive and sound true. Most of their listeners cannot discern their trickery and deception. (Romans 16:18, 2 Peter 2:1-2)

Of them, God says,

“If they had stood before me and listened to me, they would have spoken my words, and they would have turned my people from their evil ways and deeds.” (Jeremiah 23:22)

True ministers preach the true gospel and focus on the whole counsel of God’s Word. They teach what God wants them to say not what people want to hear. (Acts 18:28, 20:27)

^“11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.

¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

¹³ This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.” (Ephesians 4:11-14)

#2: They Love Large Crowds & Go To Great Lengths To Attract As Many People As Possible (2 Peter 2:2, John 12:18-19)

They shamelessly boast about the mighty things God is doing through their lives and ministries rather than giving glory to God. Their success is about the numbers that give their lives to Christ, the miracles they perform, the size of their church membership and the grandeur of their projects and programs. (2 Peter 2:18, Matthew 24:24-25)

The number of followers and size of the congregation matter more than their spiritual health and turn down ministry to small numbers. Why? Because big numbers mean more affluence and influence.

They’re more concerned about their titles, like apostle, prophet, pastor, doctor, bishop, and social media ratings than the souls of men. Nowadays, they purchase doctorate degrees from sham academic institutions and are proudly called Dr even when they don’t have any theological training.

They flatter and promote each other, even when they disagree on fundamental doctrines of the Bible, to get what they want! They’re funny, witty and eloquent in their use of language to deceive their listeners. (1 Corinthians 2:1). And they’re organized, well connected to powerful people (government, lawyers, journalists) in the land and have great public relations.

Touch or expose them at your own risk!

Because they attract huge crowds in their meetings, have many followers on social media and own TV and radio stations, naïve and immature Christians think they are true servants of God. But the Bible clearly says that the false teachers are many and they attract larger crowds. (1 John 4:1, 2 Peter 2:2)
A megachurch is not the sign of a good and godly church.

True ministers are humble servants who do everything to the glory of God and to please their commander Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:10) They serve faithfully even when serving a crowd of one! They rarely blow their own trumpet or demand to be addressed by a specific title.

#3: They Live Ungodly Lifestyles of Greed, Arrogance, Sexual Sins & Luxury Without Repentance (2 Peter 2:10, 2:19)

Like Balaam in the Bible, these men and women teach the Word and appear godly on the pulpit but behind the scenes, they’re friends to God’s enemies. They conspire against those who fear God and they live for sensual pleasures.

They affirm, tolerate and encourage sin in their ministries as long as their followers are supporting and serving them. They give much attention to nice suits, big cars, posh houses, first-class flying and staying in five-star hotels in the name of being blessed by God.

Their end will be like that of Balaam. Their souls will perish. (Numbers 31) If you see such ungodliness in your ‘man of God’ or see tolerance of sin in their ministry, please avoid them. (2 Corinthians 6:1-18.) They’ll do you harm rather than good.

They take advantage of weak-willed women both single and married, and widows by using them sexually, getting hold of their money and using them to volunteer in building their ministries at the expense of their families, careers and spiritual growth. (2 Timothy 3:6)

True ministers imitate Christ. They live as Jesus lived. They practise the truth they teach. The fruit of the spirit is evident in their lives. They face persecution, contempt, and being regarded as the filth of the earth, but they persist in teaching the true gospel and serving the Lord who called them. (1 Corinthians 4:9-13)

#4: They Despise Being Under Authority (2 Peter 2:10)

False MOGs are accountable to no one, not even a board of elders in their ministries, if they have any. They keep church finances secret among close family members or a small circle of loyal followers and use them as they please.

Financial accountability is their major weakness because “in their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money.” (2 Peter 2:3) Apostle Peter continues to say, “…They are well trained (experts or professionals) in greed.”  (2 Peter 2:14) (emphasis mine)

They hate being rebuked, corrected and disciplined. They lack godly submission to anyone but love to associate themselves with powerful ‘men of God’ like them who never call them to order. In simple terms, they’re rebels before God and His people. (Luke 17:3, Titus 2:15, Revelations 3:19)

Should they be above rebuke and correction?

One time, Apostle Paul rebuked Apostle Peter in public. (Galatians 2:11-13)

Sadly, false MOGs threaten, slander, curse and may even result in violence against those who challenge and expose their errors. When someone crosses them, they unleash their anger against them, and the bitterness in their heart comes to the surface. They use their social connections and money to cover their evils and clean up their scandals. Like the Pharisees, they’re like graves that look nice on the outside but inside they’re full of bones of their victims. (Matthew 23:27)

True ministers submit themselves to elders and other godly ministers and accept correction. (Acts 18:26) Even Apostle Paul submitted himself to the church council in Jerusalem. (Acts 15) They’re loving and gentle toward those who oppose them, praying that God will reveal the truth to them. (1 Peter 3:15, Ephesians 4:2)

#5: They Make Grand Promises Of Wealth, Health, Success And Miracles To Those Who Sow Seeds Into Their Ministry (Jeremiah 23: 16-17, 2 Peter 2:19)

They love money and use every opportunity to squeeze money out of their congregations. In fact, they ride on people’s greed, ignorance and personal problems to exploit them by promising them miracles, financial breakthroughs or miracle money and displaying fabricated testimonies so people can give or sow seeds in their ministries. (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Have you ever wondered why they don’t encourage their members to give directly to needy people but to give directly to their ministries?

I heard one pastor say that if you give to a blessed (materially rich) person, you become blessed. If you give to a poor person, you become poor. The context was about giving and you can already tell the pastor regards blessings in terms of money and possessions. But the Bible says we lend to God when we give to the poor and whoever gives gifts to the rich will become poor. (Proverbs 19:17, 22:16)

As we mentioned, they love luxurious living – posh cars, mansions, jets, five-star hotels etc. (2 Peter 2:3, 14-15, 2 Peter 2:13) Much of the collected funds go into their personal, family and church expenses and not helping those in need or promoting the gospel. Many of them don’t even take good care of fellow full-time ministers in their ministries.

They think and teach that public display of godliness through giving and sowing to them, serving in their ministry, praying, fasting and spending nights in prayer, is a path to financial gain, good health, favour before men and answered prayers. (1 Timothy 6:5)

They give their members false hopes of deliverance from Satan and generation curses. (Jeremiah 23:16) They say it is well when it’s not. They promise peace when judgment is coming. They whitewash the evils of the people and keep silent when the name of the Lord is slandered in their midst and in the land. (Ezekiel 13:9-12) They’re cowards who lack the courage of the righteous to stand for truth and die for it. (Proverbs 28:1)

They love to broadcast the miracles that are happening on account of their ministries. Many of the miracles are fake. They even sell anointed items like water, oil, shawls, and rice among others. They’ll do anything to attract people even if it means buying actors to fake miracles.

These MOGs in the church have replaced witch doctors. Both offer the same services and demand the same payment but the MOGs dress in modern suits and read from the Bible. Beware!

Sadly, the hopes of their members are often dashed and they blame them for not having enough faith, not praying enough, not committing enough and not having enough understanding. They promise air and the members grow weary chasing the wind.

Some of the false ministers use divination to prophecy and Satanic powers to perform signs, healings and miracles like the sorcerers who challenged Moses before Pharoah. Jesus told us they’ll do this to deceive even true believers. (Mark 13:22)

True ministers are lovers of God, not lovers of money, and neither do they manipulate people to give to their ministries. (1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Peter 5:2) They genuinely care for orphans, widows, foreigners, prisoners, the sick and the poor. (Galatians 2:10)

#6: They Have Dysfunctional Families And Cover Up Their Family Problems (1 Timothy 3:4-5)

Many would disqualify themselves from ministry because they have failed to lead their families well. Some of them have divorced or separated from their spouses. Others cheat on their spouses and people close to them know! How can such a minister manage God’s church if they can’t manage their family? What example are they giving to their congregation?

True ministers raise godly families and give time to their spouses and children.

#7: They Demand Blind Following & No One Questions Their Teachings, Authority and Actions

They teach whatever they want, rarely engage in Bible study discussion, run superficial discipleship programs and hate to be questioned about their teachings.

They call themselves spiritual fathers, prophets and apostles who hold the last word in the lives and marriages of their followers. For instance, some wives and husbands honour and respect their MOGs more than their spouses.

Apostle Paul expressed shock at the Corinthians for allowing the false ministers to take advantage of them. He says,

“You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face.”  (2 Corinthians 11:20) This is the sad state of some congregations. Such church members don’t know their God and identity in Christ.

When someone raises questions or challenges them, they say, “Touch not the anointed,”. Whoever questions them becomes their enemy and they will discredit and destroy those who oppose or expose them. Even when the wrongs of their fellow ministers come to light, they defend them and ask Christians not to judge, to be understanding and forgiving because all people have weaknesses.

Worst of all, they claim God speaks to them all the time – in their devotions, over breakfast, in the bathroom. Their motto is “God told me or God spoke to me.” How can they hear God yet contradict what God has already said in the Scriptures? This was a major problem in the time of Prophet Jeremiah. So God say;

“²⁵ “I have heard these prophets say, ‘Listen to the dream I had from God last night.’ And then they proceed to tell lies in my name.

²⁶ How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say.

²⁷ By telling these false dreams, they are trying to get my people to forget me, just as their ancestors did by worshiping the idols of Baal.

²⁸ “Let these false prophets tell their dreams,
but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word.
There is a difference between straw and grain!
²⁹ Does not my word burn like fire?”
says the Lord.
“Is it not like a mighty hammer
that smashes a rock to pieces?

³⁰ “Therefore,” says the Lord, “I am against these prophets who steal messages from each other and claim they are from me.

³¹ I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who say, ‘This prophecy is from the Lord!’

³² I am against these false prophets. Their imaginary dreams are flagrant lies that lead my people into sin. I did not send or appoint them, and they have no message at all for my people. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Jeremiah 23:25-32)

True ministers welcome feedback and dialogue, especially where it concerns the doctrines of our Christian faith. They’re eager to answer questions and have discussions about God’s Word. (Acts 17:12) They work with fellow ministers as co-labourers and value transparency, integrity and collaboration. They’re also careful not to engage in foolish and meaningless discussions that add no value to listeners. (1Timothy 1:4-6. 6:20. Titus 3:9)

“²⁴ The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient,

²⁵ instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.

²⁶ Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

#8: They Despise Theological Schooling And Other Forms Of Formal Training

They claim that theologians are cold and not filled with the Holy Spirit. Rather than depend on a proper understanding, interpretation and application of scriptures, they rely on the inspiration and revelation of the Holy Spirit. Some dare to correct writers of the Bible because they didn’t have the right understanding while writing the scriptures.

Rather than go to theological school and study, they buy doctorate degrees to have the title Dr, yet they despise theology and have no humility to read books that correctly divide the Word of God. After all, God speaks to them all the time, so why bother reading books of people who are less anointed than them?

If your child got sick, would you take them to a childhood friend who stopped in secondary school but now calls himself a doctor, puts on a white coat and runs a hospital? Would you trust them with the health of your child?

Why then do we trust our spiritual health with men who have no theological education, no leadership training and no clear discipleship or mentoring background?

We expect doctors, accountants, pilots, drivers, pharmacists and school teachers to be qualified and certified but we let MOGs who have no training whatsoever stand before us and tell us whatever they want even when it’s false.

You may say that most of Jesus’ disciples were uneducated. Yes. But they spent three years in the school of Jesus and when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they united about the true gospel. Sadly, false teachers arose in the church and began fighting against them.

Not that ministers who study theology can’t become false teachers. When you train a devil, he’ll become an educated devil.

True Ministers value the importance of continuous learning, they expose their members to wholesome counsel of scriptures and they encourage their fellow ministers to get formal training.

In conclusion, I leave you with this wonderful example of a true man of God;

“²⁶ I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault,

²⁷ for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.

²⁸ “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.

²⁹ I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.

³⁰ Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.

³¹ Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

³² “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

³³ “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes.

³⁴ You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me.

³⁵ And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20:26-35

Read the qualifications of an elder or minister in the church 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Does your MOG live up to this biblical standard of a church leader?

In the next article, we shall look at how to guard yourself against false men of God and escape them before it’s too late.

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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