Are Christians Called to Expose False Teachers?
Should Christians publicly call out false teachers? Are we being judgmental when we question the teachings of pastors and church leaders? Are we causing division in the body of Christ? And does exposing someone's teaching mean we lack the fear of God or are even blaspheming the Holy Spirit?
These are questions I regularly receive because I speak publicly about false teachings, questionable ministry practices, and church leaders whose teachings contradict Scripture.
There seems to be a growing attitude in some Christian circles that questioning a pastor, exposing a false teaching, or publicly correcting a ministry is somehow wrong. People are quick to accuse others of being judgmental, divisive, arrogant, or lacking the fear of God.
But what does Scripture actually teach?
Are Christians supposed to remain silent when false teachings spread? Should church leaders be exempt from biblical examination? Does biblical unity mean accepting every teaching and ministry without question?
The Bible gives us clear instructions. We are commanded to test everything, examine the teachings we hear, recognize false prophets, and expose works of darkness. These responsibilities do not disappear simply because the person teaching holds a position of authority or has a large following.
Below are some of the most common questions I receive about calling out false teachers and questioning church leaders, along with answers from Scripture.
QUESTIONS ABOUT BIBLICAL DISCERNMENT
Q1: Didn't Jesus say in Mark 9:39–40 that we should not stop someone who is doing works in His name because whoever is not against us is for us? Doesn't that mean we should stop criticizing other ministries and church leaders?
A: Not at all. Read the passage in context.
Jesus was correcting His disciples because they wanted to stop someone simply because he wasn't following their particular group. Jesus was teaching them not to be territorial or exclusive.
Jesus was NOT telling Christians to accept every preacher, ministry, or teaching without examination.
In fact, the same Jesus warned us about false prophets and instructed us to recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15–20). He also warned that false prophets would arise and deceive many (Matthew 24:24).
The Apostle John instructed believers to test the spirits because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1). The Apostle Paul warned that false apostles and deceitful workers disguise themselves as servants of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:13–15), and that even from within the church, people would arise, distort the truth, and draw disciples after themselves (Acts 20:28–30).
Being open to genuine believers outside our own circle does not mean abandoning biblical discernment.
Q2: Doesn't exposing someone's teaching or questioning their ministry mean they have no fear of God? Aren't they blaspheming the Holy Spirit, as Jesus warned in Mark 3:22–30?
A: Absolutely not. Read what actually happened in Mark 3.
The scribes witnessed Jesus performing genuine works through the power of the Holy Spirit, yet deliberately attributed those works to Satan. They were calling the work of God's Spirit the work of the devil. That is the context of Jesus' warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Examining someone's doctrine, questioning their spiritual claims, or exposing teaching that contradicts Scripture is an entirely different matter. Do not confuse testing teachings against God's Word with attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan.
In fact, the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth and guides believers into all truth (John 16:13). He convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit's ministry of truth includes bringing false teachings and misuse of Scripture to light, as well as convicting people of sin.
We should never use the fear of God to stop people from questioning what is being taught or from holding church leaders accountable. Truly fearing God means taking His Word seriously, including His warnings about false teachers, false teachings, and deception.
If we stay passive while false teachings propagate, or if we dare support those false teachings, is there any fear of God in us?
Be careful not to defend what God has condemned!
QUESTIONS I GET FOR CALLING THEM OUT
Q3: Why do you judge church leaders? Only God can judge.
A: There is a difference between judging someone's eternal destiny and examining their public teaching and conduct.
Scripture commands Christians to test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21), use discernment, and expose works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). If we're not exposing false teachings and false teachers, we are allowing works of darkness to advance.
Q4: Why do you call out church leaders publicly? Can't you approach them privately?
A: When a false teaching is public, it affects a large number of people. The response should also be public.
Paul publicly confronted Peter when his conduct compromised the truth of the Gospel (Galatians 2:11–14). Public error can require public correction. This is not about seeking conflict; it is about defending the truth and protecting those who may be led astray.
Q5: Why don't you humble yourself and look at the log in your own eye?
A: Jesus explicitly commands us to judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24).
Jesus also warns us about false prophets and tells us that we will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15–20).
How exactly are we supposed to recognize false prophets without exercising discernment and examining their teachings and fruit?
Jesus' warning about the log in our own eye is not a command to abandon discernment or ignore the sin and error of others. It calls us to examine ourselves before correcting someone else.
Q6: Do you think you're Jesus, going after the Pharisees?
A: No. But Jesus did publicly confront religious hypocrisy, false teachings, and false spiritual authority.
We are called to follow Him, not imitate the silence of those who refuse to confront error.
And don't forget the Apostle Paul. Did Paul remain silent when false brothers infiltrated the church? No. He opposed them so that the truth of the Gospel would remain with the believers (Galatians 2:4–5). Paul also exposed false apostles as deceitful workers (2 Corinthians 11:13–15).
Q7: Who are you to question God's anointed servants?
A: No pastor, preacher, or church leader is above biblical examination.
Even the Bereans examined the Apostle Paul's teaching against Scripture (Acts 17:11). And this was the Apostle Paul's teaching we are talking about! How much more should we examine the teachings of preachers today?
A title, position, platform, or claim of divine anointing does not place anyone above God's Word. Scripture is the standard by which every teaching must be tested.
Q8: Aren't you causing division in the body of Christ?
A: There is such a thing as a healthy division when truth divides from error. Not all division is bad.
There is a difference between division caused by exposing false teaching and division caused by teaching falsehood.
In 1 Corinthians 11:18–19, the Apostle Paul explains that divisions among believers can reveal who is genuinely standing for the truth. Paul also instructs Christians in Romans 16:17 to identify and avoid those who cause divisions contrary to sound doctrine.
Biblical unity was never intended to come at the expense of biblical truth.
Q9: Why focus on the negative instead of spreading the Gospel?
A: The Gospel includes warnings against deception.
Jesus, Paul, Peter, Jude, and others continually warned believers about false teachers and false teachings. Warning people about spiritual deception is not a distraction from the Gospel. It helps the true Gospel go forward while protecting people from false gospels.
We cannot claim to defend the truth while refusing to speak against teachings that distort it.
Q10: What gives you the authority to correct pastors?
A: Scripture is the authority, not me.
Every Christian has a responsibility to examine teaching against God's Word. No leader gets a free pass simply because they occupy a pulpit.
The responsibility to test teaching is not reserved for pastors, theologians, or people with large platforms. It is a responsibility given to believers.
The Bereans were commended for examining what they heard against the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). That example has not become irrelevant simply because today's preachers have titles, followers, or influential ministries.
SCRIPTURE COMMANDS US TO TEST EVERYTHING
Consider these instructions from God's Word:
Test everything; hold fast what is good.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
These are not suggestions. They are biblical instructions. We cannot ignore them simply because confronting error makes people uncomfortable.
IN CLOSING
Biblical discernment is not arrogance. Exposing public error is not hatred. Remaining silent in the face of deception is not humility.
We are called to love the truth more than men. We are called to examine what is being taught, recognize false teaching, expose error, and hold those who teach accountable to Scripture.
We are not called to protect people's platforms. We are called to defend the truth of God's Word.