Ever sat through a sermon and thought, Something about this doesn’t feel right? Maybe you’ve seen pastors who flourish while their congregation struggles, or you’ve watched people get manipulated into giving, serving, or following blindly. You might’ve even walked away from church altogether, thinking, If this is what Christianity is, I want no part of it.
I get it. And believe it or not, the Bible does too.
When Caution Turns to Cynicism
There’s an old saying in church circles: We’re not called to judge, but we are called to be fruit inspectors. People love to quote “Don’t judge” whenever someone points out issues in the church, but Jesus Himself told us to inspect the fruit of those who claim to speak for Him.
• “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” (Matthew 7:16-17)
There’s a difference between healthy skepticism and cynicism.
• Skepticism says, I want to find the truth.
• Cynicism says, There is no truth. Everyone’s a fraud.
That second one? That’s a trap. Once you convince yourself that all preachers are corrupt and all churches are just power-hungry organizations, you stop seeking truth altogether. And that’s exactly where the enemy wants you—disconnected, disillusioned, and deceived into thinking Jesus isn’t worth pursuing because of how some people have misrepresented Him.
The Bible Warns Us About Bad Ministers
Let’s be real: some so-called ministers are a problem. The Bible doesn’t sugarcoat it:
• “They claim to be devoted to God, but they deny him with the way they live. They are corrupt and unbelieving.” (Titus 1:16)
• “They think godliness is a way to make a profit.” (1 Timothy 6:5)
• “They disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But they are deceitful workers.” (2 Corinthians 11:13)
So yeah, if you’ve spotted preachers twisting the Gospel for personal gain, you’re not crazy. But that doesn’t mean all ministers are wolves in sheep’s clothing. That’s where discernment comes in.
How to Be a Fruit Inspector
If you’re trying to figure out whether a church or preacher is legit, inspect the fruit before you consume it. Here’s how:
1. Does Their Teaching Match the Bible?
• “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
• If a minister is adding to, twisting, or contradicting Scripture, that’s bad fruit.
Don’t just take their word for it—read the Bible for yourself. A real teacher of God’s Word won’t discourage you from asking questions or digging deeper.
2. Is the Scripture Being Taken Out of Context?
• “By the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact will be established.” (2 Corinthians 13:1)
A powerful tool of deception is misusing Scripture to make it say something it was never meant to say. Just because someone quotes the Bible doesn’t mean they’re using it correctly.
The best way to test this is to ask:
✔ Does this interpretation agree with other Scripture in the Bible?
✔ What do other biblical writers say on this subject?
✔ Is the passage being used as God intended, or is it being twisted for someone’s agenda?
God’s truth never contradicts itself. If a teaching is isolated and doesn’t line up with the rest of the Bible, it’s a red flag.
3. Do They Display the Fruit of the Spirit?
• “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
• If their ministry is built on fear, pride, greed, or control, that’s bad fruit.
If a preacher is constantly angry, manipulative, or obsessed with money and power, that’s a red flag.
4. Who Gets the Glory—Jesus or Them?
• “We do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord.” (2 Corinthians 4:5)
A true minister points people to Christ, not themselves. If they’re more focused on building their brand, empire, or status than leading people to Jesus, that’s bad fruit.
5. What Kind of Disciples Are They Producing?
• “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
A good minister produces strong, biblically grounded believers who grow in their faith and follow Jesus—not dependent followers who can’t think for themselves.
The Danger of Ignoring the Warning Signs
The problem comes when people ignore the bad fruit because they like the way the preacher makes them feel. Maybe he’s a great speaker. Maybe the church has a good atmosphere. Maybe the messages are just encouraging enough but never challenge or convict.
But if the fruit is bad, the tree is bad. No matter how polished it looks on the outside.
For Those Who Are in Church: Know the Word for Yourself
If you’re already in church, don’t just assume that everything you hear is right. Be a fruit inspector:
✔ Study the Bible yourself. Don’t just take someone’s word for it.
✔ Ask questions. A healthy church allows and encourages this.
✔ Pay attention to spiritual fruit. If something feels off, it might be.
Final Thought: You’ll Never Find a Perfect Minister, But You Can Find Faithful Ones
Nobody gets it right all the time. Even the best ministers make mistakes. But there’s a difference between human imperfection and spiritual deception.
So don’t shut down your discernment. Test everything. Hold on to what is good. Reject what is false. (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)
Because at the end of the day, what you believe matters. And bad fruit will never nourish your faith. Keep seeking truth. It will stand up to scrutiny.
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