In every generation, the people of God are called to walk in love, but we are also called to walk in discernment. Scripture teaches us that not everyone who claims to represent Christ truly lives under the authority of Christ. Some may use Christian language, associate themselves with the church, or even appear outwardly religious while their lives and teachings contradict the Word of God.
This is why the child of God must remain watchful, prayerful, and grounded in Scripture.
Jesus gave His disciples a serious warning:
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
— Matthew 7:15
The warning is clear: appearances can be deceptive. Someone may look like a sheep outwardly while operating with motives and teachings that are contrary to Christ.
Do Not Believe Every Spirit
The apostle John gave the church a similar warning:
“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
Notice that Scripture does not tell believers to accept every spiritual claim without examination. We are instructed to test what we hear.
Discernment is not hatred. Discernment is not persecution. Discernment is the responsibility to distinguish truth from error.
The question should always be: Does this teaching, behavior, and message agree with the Word of God and point people toward Jesus Christ?
Not Everyone Who Says “Lord, Lord” Belongs to Him
One of the strongest warnings comes directly from Jesus:
“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.”
— Matthew 7:21
These words should cause every believer to examine his or her own life.
Confessing Christ with our lips is important, but genuine faith produces obedience. Jesus continued:
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?… And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
— Matthew 7:22-23
This is a sobering biblical warning.
It is possible for someone to speak religiously while continuing in rebellion against God’s authority. It is possible to use the name of Jesus while refusing to submit to the teachings of Jesus.
Therefore, we must never confuse religious appearance with spiritual transformation.
Examine the Fruit
Jesus gave us an important principle for discernment:
“Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
— Matthew 7:16
Fruit reveals what is happening within a person’s life.
This does not mean that believers should expect perfection from one another. Every genuine Christian is growing, learning, repenting, and being transformed by the grace of God.
But there is a difference between stumbling and practicing rebellion without repentance.
A person who genuinely follows Christ may fall, but they should desire to get back up. They may make mistakes, but they should be willing to receive correction. They may struggle, but they should not proudly celebrate disobedience to God’s Word.
Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit produced by the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
These qualities should increasingly become visible in the life of someone who claims to follow Christ.
Beware of Those Who Twist Grace Into Permission to Sin
The New Testament also warns about people who distort God’s grace.
Jude wrote:
“For there are certain men crept in unawares… turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Jude 1:4
Grace is not permission to rebel against God.
Grace teaches us to live differently. Titus 2:11-12 says that the grace of God teaches us to “deny ungodliness and worldly lusts” and to live “soberly, righteously, and godly” in this present world.
True grace does not make sin comfortable. It leads us toward repentance, righteousness, and obedience.
Watch the Doctrine
We must also pay attention to what people teach.
Paul warned the Ephesian elders that after his departure, “grievous wolves” would enter among them and that even from among themselves people would arise speaking “perverse things” to draw disciples after themselves (Acts 20:29-30).
This demonstrates why believers must know Scripture for themselves.
We cannot simply accept a teaching because someone has a title, a platform, a following, or a religious reputation.
The Bereans were commended because they examined what they heard against Scripture:
“They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
— Acts 17:11
A spiritually mature believer does not merely ask, “Who said it?” They ask, “Is it biblical?”
Pray Before You Judge
While Scripture commands discernment, it does not give us permission to become arrogant, hateful, or judgmental.
We should never assume that we know someone’s heart simply because we disagree with them. God alone knows the heart perfectly (1 Samuel 16:7).
Instead, we should pray for wisdom.
James 1:5 says:
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.”
Before confronting someone, pray. Before making accusations, examine Scripture. Before separating from someone, seek wisdom. Before speaking about another person’s failures, examine your own heart.
Jesus taught us to remove the beam from our own eye before attempting to remove the speck from someone else’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5).
Discernment must be accompanied by humility.
Do Not Be Deceived
The Bible repeatedly warns believers about deception.
Paul wrote:
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:33
Our associations matter. What we continually listen to, celebrate, tolerate, and imitate can influence our spiritual condition.
This does not mean isolating ourselves from everyone who does not believe exactly as we do. Jesus Himself ministered among sinners.
Rather, we must be careful about allowing people who openly oppose Christ’s teachings to become spiritual authorities over our lives.
Proverbs 13:20 says:
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Choose your spiritual influences carefully.
The Warning to the Church
The church must never become so concerned about appearing loving that it becomes afraid to speak the truth.
Biblical love and biblical truth belong together.
Jesus was full of “grace and truth” (John 1:14). We are called to follow His example.
There are times when believers must lovingly confront error. There are times when boundaries are necessary. There are times when false teaching must be rejected rather than entertained.
Paul instructed Timothy:
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
— 2 Timothy 4:2
The purpose of biblical correction should not be humiliation. It should be truth, restoration, protection, and faithfulness to Christ.
Test Everything by the Word of God
Our ultimate standard is not personality, popularity, culture, emotion, or personal opinion.
It is the Word of God.
Isaiah 8:20 declares:
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
When someone’s teaching contradicts Scripture, we must choose Scripture.
When someone’s behavior celebrates what God calls sin, we must choose God’s standard.
When someone’s influence pulls people away from Jesus Christ, we must step back and seek the Lord.
A Final Biblical Warning
Church, stay awake.
Do not be deceived by appearances. Do not assume that everyone who uses the name of Jesus is submitted to Jesus. Do not allow charisma to replace character, popularity to replace truth, or religious language to replace obedience.
Jesus warned:
“Take heed that no man deceive you.”
— Matthew 24:4
The warning is not intended to produce fear—it is intended to produce watchfulness.
Pray for discernment. Search the Scriptures. Examine the fruit. Test the teaching. Guard your heart. Walk in love. Refuse bitterness. Refuse compromise. And above all, remain firmly established in Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul gave this instruction:
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21
And John gives us the encouragement we need:
“Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
— 1 John 4:4
We do not have to be afraid of deception when we remain close to Christ and anchored in His Word.
Be loving—but discerning.
Be gracious—but truthful.
Be watchful—but not suspicious of everyone.
Be prayerful—but also obedient.
And above all, remain faithful to Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Father, give us wisdom and discernment in these last and difficult times. Help us recognize truth and reject deception. Guard our hearts from bitterness, pride, and deception. Teach us to examine everything according to Your Word. Give us courage to stand for truth while maintaining the love and humility of Christ. Keep us from false teaching, spiritual deception, and compromise. Help us to remain faithful to Jesus, walking in holiness, truth, love, and obedience. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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