25 Ways to Spot a False Preacher and False Teachers

25 Ways to tell a False Preacher or a False Teacher. This article ties up with the recent articles False Prophets and False Prophecies and Mega Preachers and Mega Churches. Links to those individual articles include also the Mega Preachers Exposed series where individual Preachers are put under the microscope. Links at foot of this article.

We are living in an age of deception and the Christian Religion is no exception. We have wolves in sheep´s clothing in our midst who´s sole objective is to lead congregations astray and get rich in the process. The techniques False Preachers  use are increasingly complex and cunning but after analysing a number closely, they all are unique in their own way but they all have some glaring similarities.

A recent video featuring the founder of this website talking about personal experiences with False Preachers.15 signs that are a dead giveaway!



These are the Top 25 things in my opinion that give the False Preacher and False Teacher game away, some are obvious, some are not, some are unusual or unorthodox but are sure fire ways to ensure that you are not getting caught up in lies and deception and ultimately in a situation where your faith could be compromised as a result. Listed afterwards is what the Bible has to say on the matter which obviously has precedence over the 25 points mentioned here.

A video featuring the owner of this website sheds some light titled 15 Signs of a False Preacher

1. The eyes. They are the windows to the soul. If you see an angelic looking Preacher/Teacher wearing very Christian looking clothes and acting Christian, talking Christian, check the eyes...they will always give the game away. Remember the fruits of the Christian Spirit will be love, joy, humbleness, peace whereas an Evil Spirit will have Anger, Hate, Aggressiveness and restlessness about them. Stare into the eyes of a sheep and the eyes of a wolf and you get the point I´m trying to make here. You will not miss the difference!

2. Body language and hand motions. Check this fascinating article from Olivet Journal on some of the Mega Preachers in action and watch the hand signals they use. If they are using ny of these then you are being exposed to Freemasonry, Illuminati or some other Secret Order. All Mega Preachers will introduce these hand signals into their sermons and most people don´t even notice.

3. Sermon delivery. Is it fast, energetic, full of jokes, much pacing up and down and is the delivery like a stand up comedian. Do they use the Bible and quote from it? OR do they just wave it around like a fashion accessory or worse mistreat it or ignore it the whole sermon and just read from notes.

4. Do they add, subtract or twist the word or use sentences such as "It´s not in Scripture so it must be OK" or "That was never mentioned by X so it is not a problem". Do they create scripture from silences or blanks in the Bible? Do they use words such as "Yes the Bible says this, this and this.............but NO NO NO what is really being said here is that, that and that"

5. Are they mixing other beliefs and introducing their words into their sermon such as New Age, Islam, Hindu, Buddhism or Pagan and passing it off as Christianity. Do they talk about other religions and bring that into the sermon, maybe even promoting that Religion. Do they use Christianity as some sort of self help platform or as a positive motivational self improvement course to give what they are promoting more credibility.

6. Do they use a strange version of the Bible or one especially produced for them, or do they use multiple versions.

7. Do they claim to have a special gift and that they are in regular communication and have some sort of hotline with God and try to act as a mediator so you can communicate with God just like they do.

8. What are their fruits? Are they storing treasure here on earth or in heaven? Do they have the fruits of someone with the Holy Spirit or something else?

9. Where do they stand on Christian Beliefs. the Trinity, Sin, Hell, Heaven, God, Jesus, Prayer and Fasting and Salvation and the other foundations of Christianity?

10. Do they appear on Religious TV networks such as CBN, CTN, Daystar or others? If a Preacher appears on one of these and these networks are commercial, what is their objective?

11. Look at the congregation. What do you see? Do you see Christians or do you see "The World"?

12. What religious symbolism is at the venue.....if any......is it Christian in nature.........or something else? More to the point ....what is the venue. Does it resemble a football stadium?

13. The glaring mistakes, slips of the tongue and blatant scripture misreading or analysis. False preachers rely on Biblical iliteracy to ensure that they are leading you away from the truth with false doctrine.

14. Their private life, where is their heart. Are they practicing what they preach or are they merely preaching and living like the world? Basically are the walking as Jesus walked?

15. Who do they associate with. You are who you hang with. Granted Jesus did hang around with sinners, publicans, the sick and lame, prostitutes, alcoholics and others because he said the Righteous do not need help but sinners do. But Jesus did not hang around with False Preachers and False Prophets!

16. Do they have a testimonial. How did they get "Saved". Is there a marked difference in their lives before and after the event or are they carrying on just living as the world.?

17. Are they of the world and telling you what you want to hear (ear tickling) or are they telling you what God wants you to hear.

18.Do they push the donate or Tithe lie saying if you do not Tithe you will not be blessed or maybe even cursed. Tithing is old covenant, something that was done away with the Christian New Covenant where we are told instead to help the needy, poor, sick, lame, widow and orphan and others in need.

19. The Spiritual Vacuum syndrome? If you have been part of their congregation for some time, is your life starting to bear spiritual fruit or are things the same for yourself and the rest of the congregation and you get the feeling you are in a Spiritual Vacuum.?

20. Do they constantly talk about Satan, Lucifier, the Devil but refer to him as the enemy. Is this enemy mentioned more times than God or Jesus during a Sermon. My local church this Sunday I never heard any reference to Satan once?

21. Some Preachers will say they hear from God and have some amazing gift, but does what they hear check against "The Word"?

22. They will try to spiritually control you and claim THEY will guide you to God and help you understand him when if you are truly Saved and Born Again then the Holy Spirit will guide you and help you to understand God There is no need for a Pastor/Preacher/Teacher to do this and act as some sort of gateway.

23. Confusion. After listening to a Sermon are you left more confused afterwards than you were before? Confusion is never of the Lord!

24. The warm and tingly froth and foam syndrome? After listening for ten minutes to said Preacher are you left with a distinct feeling that nothing much has been said in that period of time? Basically what you have heard is a lot of "Hot Air" and you are seeing a lot of "Foam" and not much else. BUT you have a nice warm tingly feeling?

25. The Self Do they use words like I, You, We, My, Us, Our, Me, Myself. If these words dominate in their sermons you can bet that you are being preached a Word of Faith or Prosperity Gospel where the centre of the universe is yourself and not God?

These are just 25 ways (some unorthodox) of sussing out whether you are being confronted with a False Preacher or False Teacher. Of course if you have the Spirit you will in all probability have the gift of discernment and confronted by one of these "Wolf in Sheep´s clothing" types alarm bells will be ringing very loudly indeed. What do you do in such a situation? Run and avoid in the future! The Bible does mention confronting such a person and maybe with others on the issue but "Run and Avoid" is your best option and alert others.

Bible Quotes:
Romans 16:17-18 (KJV) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

1 Corinthians 14:3-4 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

Ephesians 4:14-17
14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Matthew 7:15-20
15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Galatians 5:19-25
19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
James 2:17-18
17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

1 John 2:6
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Acts 20:28-30
28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

2 Peter 2:1-3
1. 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, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Matthew 7:21-23
21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 24:4-5
4. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.