Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” is speaking for Jesus.
And in this digital age – where influencers have more reach than pastors, where a single post can reach millions, where “Christian” has become a brand rather than a commitment – we need to talk about something uncomfortable.
False prophets.
Now, I know that phrase might sound dramatic. Maybe even harsh. But stick with me, because this matters more than ever.
Because right now, people with massive platforms – political commentators, influencers, public figures – are using Jesus’ name to spread messages that look nothing like Jesus.
They’re wrapping hatred in Scripture. They’re baptizing conspiracy theories in “biblical truth.” They’re building empires on fear and division while calling it Christianity.
And people are following them. Millions of people. Good people. People who genuinely love God but are being led down a path that takes them further from Him, not closer.
So today, we’re going to talk about how to recognize false teaching. How to discern who’s actually pointing you to Jesus and who’s just using His name to build their own platform.
And as we head into December – into Christmas, into the season where we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ – I think it’s the perfect time to ask ourselves:
Who is the Jesus we’re actually following? And does He look anything like the Jesus of the Bible?
Because friend, if we’re not careful, we might find ourselves following a version of Jesus that He wouldn’t even recognize.
Let’s talk about it.
Today we’re getting real about something that’s been weighing on my heart.
Before we dive in, I want to say this: This episode isn’t about politics. It’s not about left or right, conservative or liberal. This is about Jesus. And when people use His name to spread messages that contradict everything He taught, we have to say something.
This also isn’t about judging individual people’s salvation. That’s not my job. That’s God’s job.
But discernment? That’s something we’re all called to. And discernment means being able to recognize when someone is leading people toward Jesus or away from Him – even if they’re using “Christian” language to do it.
So if this episode makes you uncomfortable, I get it. It’s uncomfortable for me too. But I’d rather have an uncomfortable conversation now than watch people be led astray because we were too afraid to speak up.
Alright. Let’s get into this.
SECTION 1: WHAT MAKES SOMEONE A FALSE PROPHET?
So what exactly is a false prophet? And how do we recognize them?
Let’s start with what Jesus Himself said in Matthew 7:15-20:
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
By their fruit you will recognize them.
Not by how many followers they have. Not by how confident they sound. Not by how much Scripture they quote or how “Christian” their branding looks.
By their fruit.
So what’s the fruit of their message? What’s growing in the lives of the people who follow them?
Are people becoming more loving, more humble, more compassionate, more like Jesus?
Or are they becoming more fearful, more angry, more judgmental, more divisive?
Are people being drawn closer to God?
Or are they being drawn into conspiracy theories, political ideologies, and culture wars that have nothing to do with the Gospel?
That’s the test. That’s how you recognize false teaching.
2 Peter 2:1-3 warns us:
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them – bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.”
Did you catch that? “In their greed these teachers will exploit you.”
False prophets aren’t just theologically confused. They’re often building something for themselves – a platform, a following, an empire – and they’re using Jesus’ name to do it.
They’re more interested in gaining influence than pointing people to Christ.
And here’s the scary part: They often look very convincing. They quote Scripture. They use Christian language. They might even seem sincere.
But Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”
That’s sobering. Because it means you can say all the right words, do all the “Christian” things, build a massive following – and still not actually know Jesus.
So how do we discern? How do we recognize false teaching?
We look at the fruit. We test the message against Scripture. And we ask: Is this leading me closer to Jesus, or away from Him?
SECTION 2: THE FALSE PROPHETS WE’RE NOT TALKING ABOUT
Alright, let’s get specific. Because false teaching isn’t just happening in obscure corners of the internet. It’s happening on some of the biggest platforms in the world.
And I’m not going to name names – because this isn’t about attacking individuals. It’s about recognizing patterns. And when you see these patterns, you need to be able to identify them.
Pattern #1: Christian Nationalism & Hatred Wrapped in Scripture
There are influencers right now – some with millions of followers – who are using “Christian” language to justify hatred.
Hatred of immigrants. Hatred of Jewish people. Hatred of women. Hatred of anyone who doesn’t fit their narrow definition of what America “should” be.
They’re not preaching the Gospel. They’re preaching nationalism. White supremacy. Misogyny. Antisemitism.
And they’re baptizing it in Scripture.
Friend, when someone uses Jesus’ name to dehumanize people, that’s not Christianity. That’s idolatry.
When someone twists the Bible to justify racism, that’s not biblical. That’s demonic.
Jesus didn’t die on the cross to build an American empire. He didn’t come to promote one ethnicity or one nation. He came to seek and save the lost – all of them. Every tribe, every tongue, every nation.
So when you see someone preaching hate while holding a Bible, run. Because that’s not Jesus. That’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Pattern #2: Conspiracy Theories & Fear-Mongering Disguised as “Biblical Truth”
Then there are the ones who’ve built empires on fear and conspiracy.
They’re telling you that there’s a global elite controlling everything. That the end times are here and you need to stockpile food and prepare for war. That everyone who disagrees with them politically is part of some demonic agenda.
And they’re wrapping it all in “biblical prophecy” and “spiritual warfare.”
Here’s the problem: Jesus didn’t call us to live in fear. He didn’t call us to obsess over conspiracy theories. He didn’t call us to build walls and hoard resources.
He called us to love our neighbors. To care for the poor. To be peacemakers. To trust Him, not the latest panic-inducing headline.
So when someone’s message leaves you feeling anxious, paranoid, and afraid – even if they’re using Scripture to back it up – that’s not the Holy Spirit. That’s manipulation.
1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.”
And 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
So if someone’s message is producing fear, anxiety, and division in your heart, you need to ask yourself: Is this leading me to Jesus, or is this just feeding my flesh?
Now, let me pause here and address something I know some of you are thinking:
“But what about discernment? What about being wise? What about recognizing evil in the world?”
Yes. Absolutely. We’re called to be wise. We’re called to test the spirits. We’re called to recognize false teaching.
But there’s a huge difference between godly discernment and conspiracy-driven paranoia.
Discernment leads to wisdom and peace. Paranoia leads to fear and division.
Discernment says, “I’m going to be careful who I listen to and test everything against Scripture.”
Paranoia says, “Everyone is out to get me and I need to constantly be on the attack.”
One comes from the Spirit. The other comes from the flesh.
Pattern #3: Judging New Believers & Performative Christianity
And then there’s this one – and I want to handle this with a lot of grace.
Recently, a public figure announced they’d become a Christian. And immediately, Christians online started debating whether it was “real.”
Why? Because their outward appearance hadn’t changed yet. Because their lifestyle didn’t immediately look “Christian enough.”
Listen, when someone says they’ve given their life to Jesus, our response should be: “That’s amazing. Welcome to the family. How can we pray for you?”
Not: “Prove it. Show me you’ve changed.”
Transformation is God’s job. Encouragement is ours.
Now, does that mean we throw out all discernment? No. If someone claims to follow Jesus but their life consistently bears fruit that contradicts Him, we can gently question that.
But we give grace. We pray. And we trust God to do the transforming.
Because here’s the thing: Every single one of us was a mess when we came to Jesus. Every one of us. And if the church had demanded we clean ourselves up first, none of us would be here.
So let’s not make new believers jump through hoops we never had to jump through.
Let’s celebrate when anyone turns to Jesus. And then let’s trust the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do.
Now, that’s very different from someone who’s been claiming to be a Christian leader for years while using their platform to spread hate or division.
That’s where discernment comes in. That’s where we say, “Hold on. The fruit here doesn’t match the message.”
But a brand-new believer who’s still figuring things out? Let’s give them the same grace God gave us.
SECTION 3: HOW TO DISCERN WHO TO FOLLOW
Alright, so how do we actually do this? How do we discern who to follow and who to avoid?
Here are some practical questions to ask:
1. Does this person’s message make me more loving or more fearful?
If you walk away from their content feeling anxious, angry, or afraid, that’s a red flag.
The Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Fear, anger, and division? That’s not from God.
2. Are they pointing me to Jesus or to a political agenda?
There’s nothing wrong with having political opinions. But when someone’s “Christian” message is really just political propaganda with a Bible verse slapped on it, be careful.
Because Jesus didn’t come to endorse a political party. He came to redeem humanity.
3. Do they display humility or do they position themselves as THE authority?
False teachers love to position themselves as the ones with the “real truth” that everyone else is missing.
They often speak with absolute certainty on things the Bible leaves room for nuance. They rarely admit when they’re wrong. And they tend to attack anyone who disagrees with them.
True teachers of the Gospel? They point to Jesus, not themselves. They display humility. They invite questions. And they’re willing to say, “I don’t have all the answers.”
4. Would Jesus recognize His own teachings in what they’re saying?
This is the big one.
If you took away the “Christian” branding and just looked at the message, would it sound like Jesus?
Does it sound like the Sermon on the Mount? Does it sound like “love your enemies”? Does it sound like “blessed are the peacemakers”?
Or does it sound like fear, division, and tribalism with a Jesus sticker on it?
Here’s the bottom line: If someone’s message produces the fruit of the Spirit in your life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness – they’re probably leading you in the right direction.
If their message produces fear, anger, anxiety, and division, you need to be very, very careful.
SECTION 4: PREPARING FOR THE REAL JESUS THIS DECEMBER
As we head into December – into Chistmas, into the season where we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ – I think it’s the perfect time to ask ourselves:
Who is the Jesus we’re actually following?
Because the Jesus of the Bible? He doesn’t look like a lot of the “Jesus” being preached today.
- The Jesus of the Bible was born in a manger – not a palace.
- He welcomed sinners and outcasts – not just the “righteous.”
- He served the poor and marginalized – not the powerful and influential.
- He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” – not “Blessed are those who win the culture war.”
- He said, “Love your enemies” – not “Destroy anyone who disagrees with you.”
He washed feet. He touched lepers. He ate with tax collectors and prostitutes. He rebuked the religious leaders who used Scripture as a weapon.
So if someone is preaching a Jesus who looks more like a political pundit than the Prince of Peace, be careful.
If someone is preaching a Jesus who sounds more like a warrior king than a suffering servant, be careful.
If someone is preaching a Jesus who aligns perfectly with your political tribe and demonizes everyone else, be careful.
Because that’s not the Jesus we’re celebrating this December.
The Jesus we’re celebrating came to save the world – not just the people who think like us, vote like us, or look like us.
And as we prepare our hearts for His coming, let’s make sure we’re preparing for the real Jesus. Not the one we’ve created in our own image.
TODAY’S CHALLENGE
So here’s my challenge for you this week:
Audit who you’re following online. Not just on social media, but podcasts, YouTube channels, news sources – all of it.
Ask yourself: Is this person pointing me to Jesus, or to fear and division?
Is this person producing the fruit of the Spirit in my life, or am I constantly anxious and angry after consuming their content?
And if you realize someone you’ve been following is leading you away from Jesus rather than toward Him – even if they’re popular, even if they’re influential, even if everyone else seems to love them –
Unfollow. It’s okay. Your spiritual health is more important than keeping up with the latest viral Christian influencer.
And pray for discernment. Ask God to help you recognize truth from lies. To give you wisdom. To protect your heart from false teaching.
Because there are a lot of voices out there claiming to speak for Jesus. But not all of them actually know Him.
As we enter this season of Chistmas, let’s prepare our hearts for the real Jesus. The One who came in humility. The One who loved without condition. The One who gave His life for the world.
That’s the Jesus we’re following. And anything – or anyone – that pulls us away from Him isn’t worth our time.
Thank you for reading! I know this was a heavier topic, but I believe it’s one we needed to address.
If this article resonated with you, share it with someone who might need to hear it.
Next week, we’re talking about who Jesus ACTUALLY is – and why He welcomes the very people the false prophets push away. If you’ve ever felt too broken, too far gone, or too unworthy, you’re going to want to hear this.”
Until then, stay rooted in Jesus. Test everything against His Word. And remember: Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” is speaking for Him.
I’ll talk to you soon!
~ God bless.
