"Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand." - Jesus, Matthew 24:23-25
There are many fake ministers today, masquerading as Christ's very own. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself said this will happen, according the Scripture above. As such, we've got to be very careful as to who we listen to.
In this article we will talk about signs that will help us distinguish between an authentic minister of Christ and those who aren't. Knowing the difference will help us in our walk with the Lord.
Without further ado, here are a few signs to watch out for.
1) They present themselves as someone important
The Lord Jesus Himself said that these people are "false christs" or "false prophets." As such, we can expect them to be a people who present themselves as someone with legitimate spiritual authority.
Many abusive leaders in Christian circles are like that: they talk as if they're the only ones who understand God's word, or worse, they're the only ones who can hear God accurately.
Then they speak to their congregations as if they were called to do something "great." They exalt themselves by saying that "God has given them a great vision" or something like that. They use the name of God to get people to hear and believe them.
Consider a few examples: a certain self-confessed "anointed son of God" and successor to Christ in Asia, and a "prophet" who sits in a golden throne and has the members of his congregation kissing his feet. There are many more.
2) They can use signs and wonders for their own gain
Jesus promised that signs and wonders will follow those who believe in Him. But believers aren't the only one who will have such signs and wonders following them - fake ministers moving in the power of Satan will also do them.
Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10,
"The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved."
How do we determine the fake from the genuine if they can both do outward miracles? We take a look at their inner intentions: their motives.
Fake ministers will use these things to draw people to them, not to the Christ. These signs and wonders will vary, but their main intention or purpose is to lure people away from the sheer simplicity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here's a very simple, but obvious example: when a minister promises that God will "bless you and grant your dreams" or "make you great and fulfill your ambitions" only if we obey them, tithe to them, and serve at their whims, then we know who we're dealing with.
3) Their words may seem legit, but their lifestyles aren't
Friends, we've got to check the lifestyle that every minister we listen to has. Preachers may preach a fiery message with all the Christian words but live like they're friends with the devil.
We've got to be very careful.
A minister must live a life honorable before God. His words will be judged by his actions and the very way he lives.
Ministers of God reflect God's person. 1 John 1:5-7 tells us,
"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
Shady, secretive ministers should be avoided. We must be discerning of Christian ministers who live double-lives.
