I was seeing a movie with my dear daughter the other day. In the movie, someone went to a pastor for ‘prayers’ and the ‘pastor’ began to roll out incantations in the guise of prayers. Then my daughter responded; “Daddy, is this how a pastor does? He will be saying bad bad things to people, he would not even pray for them”. I took the opportunity to tell her about false prophets and teachers.

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies…” (2 Peter 2:1). This is the reality of the days we are in. It is actually a combination of the activities of false prophets and teachers. People need to particularly watch out for false teachers because we are in an age of knowledge; the devil is counterfeiting truths today.

A false prophet (or teacher) is one who makes the road to Heaven wider than God made it while a legalistic minister is one who makes the road narrower than God made it (Matthew 7:13-16, Galatians 2:21, Colossians 2:20-23). Know the Bible for yourself. Don’t let anyone bewitch you as to turn you from the way of truth. Truth must become a stronghold in your heart that no deception of the devil would be able to shift you (Galatians 3:1, Ephesians 6:14, 1 Timothy 3:15).

You need discernment. If my daughter could identify a false pastor in that movie, you should also be able to identify one when you see it. We are admonished to; “…believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). You need the word of God and a well cultured spirit to do this (John 8:31-32).

You need to stay under a strong teaching ministry so that your spirit man can be cultured to discern truths from errors (Ephesians 4:20). If you are the type that are not exposing yourself constantly to sound teachings, you would believe lies without knowing; this is the advantage my daughter has. She has stayed under truth for years and could spot an error when she saw one (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11). This is why you need a sound pastor and Church (Jeremiah 3:15, 1 Timothy 3:15).

It is ignorant folks that empower the ministry of false teachers and prophets. These people prey on the ignorance of people (Hosea 4:6). Pastors must take time to feed the flock with truths, not with junks. Church members should love the truth and pay the price to get it (Proverbs 23:23, Isaiah 55:1-3). If you don’t pay the price to get God’s word, you would end up paying thousands of naira or dollars to buy ‘anointing oil’ or ‘special handkerchief’. When you know your God, you would do exploit and not be exploited (Daniel 11:32). Amen!

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria