Dear Family and Friends,

Because of the pandemic world we’ve lived in for almost two years, many of us have turned to online services or recorded sermons for our spiritual food. There is nothing better than hearing a live speaker, but it can’t be helped.

Many of us started off the pandemic watching our home church’s service. But since then, there’s been an increase in the searching and exchanging of information about other churches within the Christian community.

In the past year, many of the nationally known pastors saw increases in traffic on their websites. Isn’t that the way we normally determine if a pastor is worth our time – by the popularity of the pastor, the size of his church, or the sales of his books? If he’s successful, his messages must be good.

I once felt that way as well. Until I visited the church of a very popular pastor while on a trip. This church was mega huge with locations in multiple states. The pastor was well known, not just within the Christian community, but by the general public as well. I watched a few of his sermons online before going and yes, he was good and very charismatic.

If you are one who decides on which pastor to watch based on his or her popularity, or the size of the church, or the recommendation of friends, allow me to add an additional step to your list. It’s a step suggested by Jesus Himself.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-20 ESV

What are the fruits to look for?

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

Do you notice that the words a person speaks is not on this list?

The fruit can be found in the character of a person, not words. A person’s character is revealed in how they treat all others, their morals, their humility, their chosen lifestyle, their gentle spirit, and how they react when things don’t go according to plan.

One can also look for their fruit in the members of the church. Do you see followers of Christ or followers of the pastor? Do you see the fruit of the Spirit in them?

Now you may be wondering, can we realistically look for a preacher’s fruit online?

I’ll admit it’s harder to do. But just as we do with people we first meet, it is possible to get a glimpse of a person’s character by the words they choose to preach.

So, as we listen to a preacher, take note of who the pastor glorifies more: God, or themselves and their church?

Check that the knowledge and truth taught comes only from the Bible, and not some internet website. Listen and discern that the wisdom shared is from God, and not man.

Jesus said all the law and the prophets hang on the two love commandments, love God and love others as we love ourselves. Be wary of teachers that promote division or cast judgment on others.

In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV, Paul warns of what has been a continuing struggle in the church. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

If your ears itch, scratch them rather than chase after those with questionable motives. 

My message for all of us today is beware. Be aware that there are false teachers in the church today. Be aware of taking in the unspiritual food they offer. Be aware of our own tendencies to follow the herd in choosing who to watch and follow.

This message also highlights our need to read our Bibles. This is the best way to discern when a preacher is not sharing God’s truth.

Please know that I share all of this with a great deal of reluctance and sadness. It’s hard to find humor in any of this.

In case you were interested in my impressions from that visit to the mega church – my mother told me that if I don’t have anything good to say about someone, say nothing.

In love always,