Consider the dangers of judgmental finger-pointing in the church, urging believers to discern truth by studying God’s Word and recognizing patterns of deception rather than condemning individuals.
Return to love, humility, and the simplicity of Christ in navigating spiritual battles.
Years ago, I stumbled across a website where a man listed every Christian teacher I’d ever known or sat under—giants and lesser lights alike. He branded them as peddlers of “evil doctrines,” urging his readers to steer clear. I was floored. Many of his critiques hit home, but something gnawed at me. Who made him judge and jury? Why should I trust his verdict or let it shape my choices?
I prayed, asking God to show me what I needed to see. The verse came to mind: “Judge not, lest you be judged” (Matthew 7:1). But then I wondered, “How do we discern truth from error?” Another thought followed: “If you wanted to warn the Body of Christ, how would you approach it?” Then Ephesians 6:12 hit me—“We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.”
Any video, article, or book that points fingers and screams, “Stay away, they’re evil!” misses the mark, at least in my understanding of how Jesus moved. Being told what to believe isn’t the same as learning to spot the enemy’s patterns. Our fight isn’t against people—it’s against belief systems that fuel sin. Pride, fear, narcissism—these are the engines of destruction, not flesh and blood.
Scripture does name names sometimes. Paul called out Hymenaeus and Alexander in 1 Timothy 1:19-20 for shipwrecking their faith, and Hymenaeus and Philetus in 2 Timothy 2:17-18 for spreading lies about the resurrection. He even confronted Peter in Galatians 2:11-14 for hypocrisy that misled others. But context matters. These weren’t casual callouts—they addressed serious harm to the church, done with a heart for correction, not condemnation. Paul also urged gentleness in 2 Timothy 2:24-25, saying the Lord’s servant should correct with kindness, hoping for repentance. Galatians 6:1 calls for restoring sinners gently, mindful of our own flaws. Jesus, in Matthew 18:15-17, laid out a process—start private, escalate only if needed. Proverbs 15:1 and Colossians 4:6 hammer home the need for gracious speech, even in conflict.
The pattern? Naming names is rare, reserved for extreme cases, and always aimed at restoration, not division. It’s never about pride or proving you’re right. Public shaming as a first move? That’s not how scripture rolls.
When we fixate on names, we breed fear, distrust, and uncertainty—not discernment, peace, or wisdom. It’s a different energy. I’ve seen videos and read articles that dive in with “So-and-so’s a heretic!” and I’m done. No matter the research, that approach distracts from teaching people to recognize deception’s patterns. It’s projection, laced with just enough truth to hook you, but it doesn’t equip you to navigate the mess. Instead, we’re called to “study to show ourselves approved” (2 Timothy 2:15), testing everything against God’s Word, not swallowing someone’s verdict because it sounds convincing.
Scripture says truth and lies grow together—wheat and tares—until the harvest (Matthew 13:24-30). Believers must learn to spot God’s truth, even from flawed mouths, like a leader with a megaphone, a mansion, and a jet. I’ve asked God, “Why are miracles happening in ministries I know are tainted by hypocrisy or harm?” His answer shook me: “I’ll always respond to a heart that cries out to Me, no matter who’s at the pulpit. I can speak through a donkey or a broken man. They’ll face judgment, but My people? They don’t know My voice. They chase others’ voices instead.”
My church journey’s been wild—scandals, hypocrisy, even personal wounds. As a former pastor, I got asked constantly: “How do I hear God’s voice? Is this the enemy, my friend, my ego?” I gave the pat answers I was taught, but experience showed me they were shallow. Ego often drove those “right” answers, not truth that frees.
The enemy’s slipped into the church, sowing fear, pride, and division until God’s people can’t discern His voice from fearmongering. Scripture calls us back to the simplicity of Christ, to be known by love, not judgment (John 13:35). Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners—the “enemies” of His day—and they crucified Him for it. Not much has changed.
The real battle isn’t naming and shaming—it’s teaching people to discern, to spot patterns, to study God’s Word for themselves. Pointing fingers at a few distracts from the systems that keep churning out false leaders, in and out of the church. I’ve sifted through countless videos, books, and articles. I know where to open my heart and where to draw the line. One line? When anyone’s branded “the enemy.” That’s a red flag.
If a message moves you, tell me what you learned. What patterns stood out? Let’s talk that instead of names. I’ve been condemned, called dangerous, even warned against as a threat to faith. Just last night, my friend Laura read me an email from a Christian urging her to ditch me or risk her walk with God. Old news. I’ve heard it all—pastors fearing me, men warning their wives to avoid me, all because I asked questions and shared what I felt God showed me. My heart was never to harm, only to seek truth.
I don’t sweat the critics anymore. God knows my heart. I’ll keep chasing His truth—the kind that sets free—no matter who’s speaking it. Let’s learn to discern together, to study, to see the patterns, and to trust God’s Word over any man’s word.