By Prof. Oyewole Sarumi
In a world where spiritual leaders and religious figures abound, the ability to discern truth from deception has never been more critical.
The Bible warns us repeatedly about false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing, and those who would lead believers astray (Matthew 7:15).
Yet, many today are easily swayed by charismatic personalities, flashy titles, and seemingly miraculous displays. This is often because they lack a solid foundation in the faith of Christ Jesus, a deep understanding of His doctrine, and the spiritual discernment to test every spirit (1 John 4:1).
This piece seeks to shed light on the importance of grounding oneself in biblical truth, sharpening spiritual discernment, and recognizing the dangers of falling for spiritual charlatans.
The Danger of Being Ungrounded in Faith
If you are not well-grounded in the faith that is in Christ Jesus, you will see a pulpit hustler and call him a father-in-the-faith. The apostle Paul warned Timothy to “continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it” (2 Timothy 3:14).
Being grounded in the faith means having a firm understanding of the gospel, the person of Jesus Christ, and the teachings of Scripture. Without this foundation, it becomes easy to mistake smooth-talking, charismatic individuals for genuine spiritual leaders.
The Bible reminds us that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). If our faith is not rooted in the Word of God, we become susceptible to deception.
We may elevate mere motivational speakers to the status of apostles or prophets, simply because they appeal to our emotions or desires.
This is why Paul urged believers to “no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:14).
A lack of grounding in the faith also leaves us vulnerable to emotional manipulation. Many false teachers’ prey on the desires of their audience, promising wealth, health, and success without emphasizing the need for repentance, holiness, or a relationship with Christ.
Jesus Himself warned, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Without a solid foundation in the faith, we risk chasing after worldly gains at the expense of our eternal souls.
The Need for Spiritual Discernment
If your discernment is not sharp or you are unwilling to test every spirit, you will see a witchdoctor behind the pulpit and call him a “prophet” of God.
Discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit, but it is also a skill that must be cultivated through prayer, study of Scripture, spiritual guidance from correct and well test disciplers, and obedience to God’s Word.
The Bible instructs us to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
Discernment allows us to recognize when someone is operating under the influence of a spirit that is not of God.
For example, a so-called prophet who focuses on trivial matters like ‘eating mustard seed from Israel or the colour of someone’s undergarments, rather than calling people to repentance and holiness, is clearly not aligned with the mission of Christ.
Jesus Himself warned, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Without discernment, we risk being devoured by these wolves.
The Bible provides us with clear criteria for testing the authenticity of spiritual leaders. In Matthew 7:16-20, Jesus said, “You will recognize them by their fruits.” A true man or woman of God will produce fruit that aligns with the character of Christ—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Conversely, false teachers often exhibit pride, greed, and a lack of genuine concern for the spiritual well-being of their followers.
Understanding the Apostolic Doctrine
If you don’t understand the apostolic doctrine, which is also the doctrine of Christ, you will call every smooth-talking motivational speaker behind a pulpit an apostle of Jesus Christ.
The apostolic doctrine is centred on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it calls believers to live in obedience to His teachings. Paul emphasized this when he said, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
Today, many so-called apostles preach messages that are more aligned with worldly success, financial prosperity, and self-help than with the gospel of Christ. They may use biblical language, quote scriptures, but their teachings lack the depth and truth of the apostolic doctrine.
This is why it is crucial for believers to study the Scriptures and understand the core tenets of the faith. As Hebrews 5:14 explains, “solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
The early church was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
Their teachings were rooted in the truth of the gospel and focused on the salvation of souls. In contrast, many modern-day “apostles” prioritize building their own kingdoms (and we are witnesses to this today) rather than advancing the kingdom of God.
They may amass large followings and impressive ministries, but if their message does not align with the apostolic doctrine, they are leading people astray.
The Word of God as Our Foundation
If the Word of God does not richly dwell in you, you will see someone practicing diabolical spiritism and say, “This is the supernatural power of God in operation.”
The Word of God is our ultimate standard for truth and our safeguard against deception. Colossians 3:16 instructs us to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.”
When we are saturated with Scripture, we are better equipped to recognize when something contradicts God’s truth.
Unfortunately, many today are drawn to sensational displays of power that mimic the supernatural.
They mistake the workings of dark forces for the power of God because they lack a deep understanding of Scripture. Jesus warned that “false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24).
Only by grounding ourselves in the Word can we avoid being led astray.
The Bible also serves as a mirror, revealing the true condition of our hearts and the nature of those who claim to be spiritual leaders. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we gain the clarity needed to discern truth from error.
Spiritual Enlightenment and True Men of God
If you are spiritually unenlightened, you will see “men of gold” and call them “men of God.” Spiritual enlightenment comes from the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth (John 16:13). Without this enlightenment, we may be dazzled by outward appearances—wealth, large building/cathedrals, charisma, or popularity—and fail to see the true character of a person.
The Bible teaches that “man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
True men of God are not defined by their titles, wealth, or influence, but by their faithfulness to Christ and their commitment to His gospel.
They preach repentance, holiness, and the need for a personal relationship with Jesus. As Paul said, “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:17
Spiritual enlightenment also enables us to recognize the difference between genuine miracles and counterfeit signs.
While God still performs miracles today, not every supernatural display is from Him. The Bible warns that Satan can masquerade as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), and his servants can deceive many through false signs and wonders. By seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and staying rooted in Scripture, we can avoid falling for these deceptions.
The Rise of False Apostles and Prophets
Our religious ecosystem today has witnessed the emergence of titled apostles who don’t preach Jesus and His message but instead promote esoteric spiritual principles laced with motivational speeches.
Similarly, we have seen the rise of titled prophets and pastors who don’t preach repentance or call people back to the path of truth but instead focus on trivial and sensational matters.
These individuals often exploit the ignorance and spiritual immaturity of their followers.
They may perform signs and wonders, but their motives are self-serving. Jesus warned that “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). We must be vigilant and discerning, ensuring that those we follow are truly aligned with the will of God.
The apostle Peter also warned about the rise of false teachers, saying, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1). These false teachers often appeal to the desires of the flesh, promising prosperity and success without the need for repentance or sacrifice.
The Responsibility of the Believer
If you fall for these charlatans, you are the cause of your problem. The Bible places a significant responsibility on believers to guard their hearts and minds against deception. Proverbs 4:23 advises, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” This means being intentional about what we allow into our lives—what we watch, listen to, and read.
We must also take responsibility for our spiritual growth. This involves regular prayer, Bible study, fellowship with other believers, and accountability to mature Christians. We must strive to become a disciple of Jesus, rather than a member of a denomination.
As Peter urged, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). Spiritual maturity is not optional; it is essential for navigating the challenges of our faith journey.
You have the responsibility to ensure your personal spiritual development and growth. Yes, attend fellowship, but become a ‘berean’, and study your Bible to show yourself as a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed as your correctly explains the Word of truth to those who desires to know!
Conclusion
In a world filled with spiritual deception, the responsibility falls on each believer to ground themselves in the faith of Christ Jesus, sharpen their spiritual discernment, and immerse themselves in the Word of God. By doing so, we can avoid falling prey to false apostles, prophets, and teachers who seek to lead us astray.
Let us heed the words of Paul: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). May we strive to be spiritually enlightened, rooted in the apostolic doctrine, and vigilant in testing every spirit. Only then can we truly recognize and follow those who are genuine men and women of God.
As we navigate the complexities of our religious environment, let us remember that our goal is to glorify Christ and advance His kingdom. By staying grounded in His Word and led by His Spirit, we can stand firm against deception and shine as lights in a dark world (Philippians 2:15).
I come in peace.
