Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.     Matthew 24:11 HCSB

If you search how to spot a counterfeit bill. They will first be sure you know all the characteristics and distinguishing marks found on real money. You have to understand what real money looks like before you can determine if money is counterfeit.

Jesus warned that many false prophets will come. As baby Christians we are like small children. Our brains are like sponges wanting to soak up all the Jesus we can. That’s a good thing, but in doing so we can easily be led astray. Some false teachers will do a good job of looking and sounding like the real thing.

2 Corinthians 11:14 tells us Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. He capitalizes on our love of the light to deceive us.

In 2 Timothy 3 we are warned that difficult times will come in the last days and tells of how men will behave. He ends by saying they will be holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. He warns us to avoid these people!

By holding to a form of godliness, this means these men will claim to be Christians. They will present themselves as godly men, but it is all for show. Usually, it is for notoriety and specifically for financial gain. They talk a good game, but if you examine their lives, you see a different side of them.

As a young or even baby Christian, I was sucked into believing in one such pastor. I was so disappointed when I attended a women’s conference at their church only to hear the women talk only about all the money they had, and they were spending. Of course, this was after the offering plates had been passed and filled.

With us having the internet these days, we can search the name of any pastor who is in question. See what there is to see about them. Of course, you can’t believe all you read on the internet, but some will even give some pretty big clues on their own websites as to their true intentions.

We have to pray for wisdom and discernment. James 1:5 says if we lack wisdom, we should ask God who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to us. Pray daily for wisdom and discernment. Don’t consider yourself to be wise.

Proverbs 3:7 says, “Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. We should never trust in our own way of thinking. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust in the LORD with all our heart and not to rely on our own understanding. It goes on to say we should acknowledge him in all we do, and He will guide us on the right paths.

Our pastor always tells us not to take his word for it, but to fact check what He says in our Bibles. The internet is filled with all types of heresy. There are many false teachers and preachers out there. Don’t believe everything you hear on the television and the internet.

When it comes to following a particular pastor check them out on the internet. See what they believe. What do they preach? What is their testimony? Does is all line up with Scripture?

Years ago, when I was a baby Christian, I began listening to Jesse Duplantis. He was strongly connected with Kenneth Copeland, it didn’t take long for me to figure out these men were not doing what they do to promote God, they were in it for the money.

Look at who these televangelists are associated with, check out their friends in the industry. And pray continually for wisdom and discernment.

I truly believe we are in the end times, my friend. It’s so important to seek the truth. The only truth we can count on is God’ holy word. Don’t listen to anyone whose preaching doesn’t line up with what is in the Bible.

Luke 8:17 says nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Luke 12:3 says whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on rooftops.

Pray for God to show you the way. Be very careful to be able to discern between those who are truly godly and those who hold to a form of godliness but deny its power.

Study God’s word diligently. Pray daily for wisdom and discernment. Check the facts. This is how you can know when it’s fake.

Have a great day!