Beware!

By: Mae Archila

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." Matthew 7:15

Jesus warned us that false prophets and teachers would infiltrate the church. He said they will appear to be righteous but would be inwardly corrupt. False teachers usually target new believers, but they can cause great spiritual harm to the entire church. The NIV says, "watch out" and the NKJV tells us to "beware" of them. The best way to uncover these false teachers is by being fully aware of the promises and commands in God's Word.

Today, many of us use Google as a source of information. When my granddaughter tried to help me figure something out when she was young, she'd say, “Just ask Google.” But now that’s she’s in her twenties she says, “Don’t believe everything Google says!” Christ followers must always "beware" when we're seeking spiritual answers online. False teachers aren't just in the church; they're even more prevalent online! Remember, the wisest place to search for spiritual truth is within God’s Word.

To be able to spot false doctrine, we must be prayed up, read up, and filled up by the Holy Spirit:

1. Believe the foundation of our faith comes from One God that exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
2. Know God’s Nature and Character by reading His Word daily. Knowing the scriptures helps us discern God's truth and recognize false teachings.
3. Produce spiritual fruit. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the spiritual virtues a Christ follower should have, but we can only "produce" spiritual fruit when we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
4. Surrender to the Lord's guidance. Listen to the Holy Spirit when He warns us that something isn’t right. When it feels like a gimmick, it probably isn't based on the gospel.
5. Seek wisdom from someone who is more mature in the faith. When we're unsure, or we hear something that sounds off, wise counsel from other believers can help keep us on track.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

We can't resist Satan's attacks without the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-12). As our world evolves, more and more information is available. But that also means more and more false information will be out there too! Remember, a half-true statement is really no truth at all. If you're unsure about something, ask God for wisdom. Rely on the Holy Spirit, He will help you discern God's truth from the world's lies.

Remaining vigilant and being aware of false teachers isn't just a job for Pastors, it's a job for all of us!