Peter Popoff was one of the most popular religious celebrities of the 1980s. He was a flamboyant millionaire with staggering fame. Millions of men and women of faith clung to his every word. Thousands hoped for the miracles and healing his ministry promised. And many gave to his ministry in order to get those healings.
His career of deception was briefly derailed in 1986 when he was exposed as a charlatan on national television. He went bankrupt the next year, but revived his career years later — and is shockingly still active today!
There are many others who have been exposed too.
Mid-19th century showman P.T. Barnum is commonly associated with the famous saying: “There’s a sucker born every minute.” There’s insufficient evidence to prove Barnum actually said these words, but the words nevertheless seem to be true — and they are often true when it comes to people of faith.
Or I should say misplaced faith!
Almost from the very beginning, scam artists and charlatans have led many people astray and have helped give the Christian community a bad reputation.
All Christians need to beware of any televangelist, preacher, or ministry that claims the power to heal or produce miracles on demand — especially if they are making money off doing so!
Don’t get me wrong. I believe in healing and miracles. I just know Who does the healing and Who is behind authentic, God-honoring miracles.
Unfortunately, too many men and women over the years have masqueraded as God-anointed miracle workers and faith healers – and have done so for personal fame and fortune. And too many Christians have fallen prey to their lies and deceit because too few Christians exercise discernment or obedience to the word of God.
That’s right, I said “obedience.” James said, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22, KJV). We can’t just hear or read the word. We must obey it. And what does the word of God say with respect to not falling prey to spiritual deception?
Well… a lot!
- And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God. (Ezekiel 13:9)
- Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:15)
- And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:4-5, KJV)
- For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (Mark 13:22)
- Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17)
- For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (II Corinthians 11:13-14)
- Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (I Thessalonians 5:20-21)
- For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. (2 Timothy 4:3)
- 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 Peter 2:1)
- Beloved, 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)
Those are just a few of the many Bible verses that address this important topic.
We could also, of course, look at the Law of Moses which talks about stoning false prophets along with sorcerers, witches, and the like. But we’re not living in a theocracy today under the Mosaic Law. So we don’t need to stone anybody — but the principles still apply!
You would also be wise to read the Book of Proverbs — which emphasizes the need for wisdom and discernment. The importance of avoiding deception is, I strongly believe, one of the reasons the Book of Proverbs is in canonized Scripture!
When it comes to discerning which churches, ministries, or Christian leaders are legitimate (and which aren’t), I like to apply four tests:
Do they lift up the Name of Jesus and the Gospel of Jesus?
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:14-16)
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9)
Do they stand on the Word of God?
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (I Timothy 3:15)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (II Timothy 3:16)
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. (II Timothy 4:2)
What is the “Fruit” (outcome, legacy, testimony, results) of their Ministry?
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:15-23)
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (I Timothy 3:2-7)
Do we see Evidence of “Heavenly Wisdom” or “Demonic Wisdom” in their ministry?
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:13-18)
And…of course… Ask God to direct you
The preceding questions are a great test. They are not fool-proof, because we can be foolish and so can others. And because everyone is imperfect and fully capable of falling into sin. But…
The preceding four questions are nevertheless a pretty solid litmus test. If a church, pastor, evangelist, televangelist, author, ministry, or spiritual leader meets the criteria of the preceding four questions, that person is probably (generally speaking) pretty solid. But…
There’s still the question of what God wants of you.
In other words, there are many great churches in the area I live. But there’s only one church that God has me at right now and that’s Olney Baptist Church in Montgomery County, Maryland. So…
The best thing you can do is ASK GOD.
As the Book of Proverbs reminds us…
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
May God lead you in the paths of His righteousness and His plan for your life, and may He lead you away from temptation and deception, as you seek His face and strive to serve Him.
God bless you!
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