5 ways to spot fake pastors

The world is crawling with fake pastors. They are everywhere, deceiving people with their sweet tongues and carriage. The Bible already confirms that there will be false prophets in the end times, and people should beware of them (Matthew 7: 15). So, it’s not surprising that they exist today, abi no be end time we dey?

God is God, and He cannot lie. So these fake pastors may get away with their shenanigans, but it’s only for a while. Every day is for the thief, but one day is definitely for the owner. It’s not today that some pastors have been exposed as fake. But before we start pointing accusing fingers, let’s understand who these fake pastors are and how to identify them.

Table of Content hide 1Who is a fake pastor? 2Fake pastors issue in Nigeria 3How to spot a fake pastor 3.11. Preaches more about tithing and sowing seeds than any other important Biblical messages 3.22. Tells the followers what they want to hear 3.33. Sells “miracle” items 3.44. Performs weird miracles 3.55. Makes the followers treat him or her like a demigod 4Conclusion

Who is a fake pastor?

A fake pastor is a person who dresses himself up mentally, spiritually, and physically in religious ways to deceive followers by extorting money and other material gifts for self-enrichment. He or she does not necessarily believe in God or is even a Christian. Indeed, some known babalawos have been identified as pastors performing “miracles” in God’s name. Some fake pastors have been exposed for patronising dibias for spiritual powers to perform signs and wonders for their followers.

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Other fake pastors don’t have any powers, but they are trained well enough to convince people to follow them and give them whatever they desire. The successful ones go ahead to live lavish lifestyles at the expense of followers, some of whom suffer.

Fake pastors issue in Nigeria

Some time ago, I had an interesting conversation with a friend about fake pastors in Nigeria. We wondered how Nigerians still follow certain pastors who have been exposed as fake. My friend admitted the trend was worrisome but defended their baffling actions. He said when one finds oneself in a dire situation, one is ready to do anything, including patronising fake pastors, to get out of that situation.

I agreed with him. The truth is Nigeria is a highly religious country. Half of the population are Christians, making being a pastor a profitable business if you know what you’re doing. We all know the situation in the country. The poverty rate is rising, food prices have skyrocketed, unemployment is becoming an epidemic, the healthcare system is wack, and so many problems. Nigerians have been groaning under the burden of insecurity and a dying economy for decades.

The people need hope. So, here come pastors who are ready to give them that hope by quoting Bible scriptures as illustrations. While some pastors genuinely believe in their calling as servants of God sent to bring salvation to the people, others simply took up the “ministry” as their own tactics to escape poverty and other hardships. All they have to do is develop oratory skills that will make a Boko Haram terrorist sing “Jesus, I love you” and capitalise on the skills to swindle followers of their properties.

The Holy Book also says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you,” (Luke 6:38). Fake Nigerian pastors have taken advantage of this Bible verse to swindle their followers. They have twisted the scriptures for selfish reasons. The issue of “sowing seed” came from the above quoted Bible verse. Fake pastors have made followers believe that God will not answer their prayers if they don’t sow “dangerous” seeds.

Many gullible followers have fallen for it and given up many seeds at their own expense and at the expense of their families. I personally know someone who gave school fees as seed in his church. Another person I know gave up his mother’s car as seed to his church without her permission. A lady gave up her family’s upkeeping money to her church and left her family starving. The stories about this giving “dangerous” seeds to some Nigerian churches are crazy.

Let’s not forget tithing. Oh, the controversy surrounding giving tithes in the church are still ongoing. Skabash had reported a pastor who advised his followers to increase their tithe from the usual 10% because “things are hard.” Taking advantage of Malachi 3:10, fake Nigerian pastors have succeeded in guilt-tripping their followers into paying through their noses in the name of paying tithe.

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How to spot a fake pastor

Here are five ways to spot a fake pastor.

1. Preaches more about tithing and sowing seeds than any other important Biblical messages

You can always tell a pastor is fake when all or almost all his preaching is about sowing seeds and paying tithes. The pastor doesn’t necessarily concern him or herself with messages of sin and salvation and giving your life to Christ. They only preach that at the end of the service when they do alter calls to win more followers for their own selfish reasons.

2. Tells the followers what they want to hear

A fake pastor is not ready to tell you the truth if it’s not going to favor him or her. He’ll rather tell you what you want to hear even if that thing will kill you. Ever wondered why there are so many churches focusing on signs and wonders and prosperity preaching? It’s because that is what most people want. Very few people want to hear about sin and salvation. They just like listening to pastors preach about prosperity and becoming a billionaire without working for it because you’re operating under “grace.” Oh, that prosperity comes with sowing seeds and paying tithes, even if it’s your last card.

3. Sells “miracle” items

You see all those pastors who sell miracle holy water, anointed oil, powder, handkerchiefs, and so on, at astronomical prices in their churches; beware of them. They’re fake. Jesus and the early apostles indeed used some of these items as channels to perform their miracles. But it’s not recorded anywhere in the Bible that they sold them. It was all for free with no charges attached. So I wonder where these pastors got the idea that miracle items must be sold?

4. Performs weird miracles

We’ve seen many weird things happen in churches in the name of miracles. Some pastors are known to bathe their naked followers in their churches. Some have also been known for spitting into the mouth of their followers. A video circulated about how a pastor wiped his hands on the heads of his followers after eating fufu. Mehn, tins dey occur. Avoid any kind of pastor who does this kind of miracle. He’s fake.

5. Makes the followers treat him or her like a demigod

A pastor who elevates himself so much that the followers or congregation treats him or her like a demigod is fake. As a pastor, you’re supposed to be a servant, not a master. Jesus himself washed his disciples’ feet as an illustration that a leader must serve rather than be served (John 13:2–17). This means a minister of God who is always looking to be served or wants accolades for any little deed is fake. This also includes any pastor who charges exorbitant prices for consultation.

Conclusion

Knowing all these about fake pastors, what should you, a Christian, do? Study your Bible and pray, believing that God has answered your prayers. Also, work hard to achieve your dreams while inviting God to take charge. Serving God is not an excuse for laziness. After all, it’s the same Bible that said he who does not work should not eat.

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