The Bible warns Christians about false prophets and false shepherds, but they are not always immediately recognisable. Jesus said:
“15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”
— Matthew 7:15–16 (KJV)
Their words may sound compassionate and spiritual, yet their behaviour can reveal pride, dishonesty, greed or a lack of genuine love. Two everyday scenarios can help illustrate what these warning signs might look like.
Public Kindness That Is Merely an Act
Imagine a pastor driving down the road who sees someone from the church but initially pretends not to notice them. The pastor then worries that the person may have realised they were deliberately ignored, so they suddenly smile and wave. Here is an illustration for you to better understand.
The motive behind it is not love. It is a deception and instead of that pastor sitting down and talking with this person over what the problem is, they just bury their head in the sand.
Jesus strongly criticised religious leaders who performed good deeds simply to be noticed by others:
“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,”
— Matthew 23:5 (KJV)
A false or spiritually unhealthy leader may be more concerned with appearing caring than actually caring. Their warmth may be switched on when people are watching but disappear when there is no audience.
Scripture teaches that Christian love should be genuine:
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
— Romans 12:9 (KJV)
“Without dissimulation” means without pretence or hypocrisy. Genuine pastoral care should not be a staged performance. A faithful shepherd should value people privately as well as publicly.
It is quite sad when a pastor cannot show basic manners like saying hello, how are you? But instead run away at the sight of a church congregant. Could this be a sign of a false prophet?
One awkward encounter does not automatically make somebody a false prophet. People can be distracted, anxious or unaware. It is repeated behaviour—the person’s continuing “fruit”—that should be considered.
As Christians we are called to have face to face meetings and if someone has sinned that sin should be pointed out to your fellow brother or sister, here is the scripture confirming a face to face meeting should take place.
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
— Matthew 18:15 (NIV)
If they cannot follow scripture one would have to ask why not? It could be they are to timid.
Saying “It Is Not About Numbers” While Privately Counting People and Money
In the second scenario, a pastor tells the congregation from the pulpit that church is not about numbers or impressive attendance figures. Later, in the church office, the same pastor boasts that another member is “in the bag” and that the person’s money will soon be coming into the church. Here is an illustration for you to understand better.
This exposes a disturbing difference between the public message and the private motive. The individual is no longer being regarded as a person who needs love, discipleship and spiritual care. They are being treated as a statistic and a source of income.
The prophet Micah warned about religious leaders who ministered for financial advantage:
“The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us.”
— Micah 3:11 (KJV)
The apostle Peter instructed church leaders to care for people willingly and not because they were seeking dishonest gain:
“ Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.”
— 1 Peter 5:2–3 (KJV)
A faithful pastor sees people as souls entrusted to their care—not customers, financial opportunities or additions to an attendance report.
Jesus also warned that a person cannot serve both God and money:
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
— Matthew 6:24 (KJV)
Church growth is not wrong, and churches require money to operate and serve their communities. The danger arises when increasing attendance, income, influence or personal status becomes more important than caring for people and faithfully teaching the truth.
Looking at the Fruit
Jesus taught that leaders should ultimately be assessed by their 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.”
— Matthew 7:18, 20 (KJV)
Warning signs may include:
- Kindness that appears only when others are watching.
- A large difference between public preaching and private conversation.
- Treating people as numbers, trophies or sources of money.
- Obsession with attendance, finance, reputation, status or personal influence.
- Manipulating people through fear, guilt or promises of blessing.
- Avoiding accountability and reacting aggressively to honest questions.
- Using Scripture to control others while refusing to live by it personally.
- Neglecting vulnerable people who cannot offer money, status or influence.
By contrast, the fruit of the Holy Spirit is described as:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
— Galatians 5:22–23 (KJV)
These qualities should increasingly be visible in the conduct of every Christian leader.
Discernment Without Rash Judgement
Christians are called to exercise discernment, but this should be done carefully and in some cases over long periods of time. A single mistake, unkind moment or poorly chosen sentence is not enough to declare somebody a false prophet. The Bible encourages believers to test what they hear and observe:
“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 (KJV)
The important questions are whether there is a persistent pattern, whether the leader’s teaching agrees with Scripture, whether their public and private lives are consistent, and whether they respond to correction with humility and repentance.
A true shepherd may make mistakes, but they will seek forgiveness and correction. A false shepherd protects the performance, exploits the flock and places personal gain above truth and love.
Ultimately, spiritual leadership is not proven by a title, a full building, a polished sermon or a public smile. It is demonstrated through truth, humility, integrity and genuine care for people—even when nobody else is watching.