by Rick Duncan, Founding Pastor of CVC
Jude 3 urges believers to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” Similarly, Hebrews 13:9 warns us, “Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings.” In a world overflowing with podcasts, YouTube preachers, TikTok theologians, and self-declared spiritual influencers, we need these reminders more than ever.
But how do we discern between true and false teaching? How can we know when someone is subtly distorting the grace of God or quietly denying the Lordship of Jesus—often using the same vocabulary we do?
The best answer is clear: Know the real thing.
Federal agents aren’t trained by studying every possible counterfeit bill. That would be impossible. Instead, they spend hours handling real currency—learning to recognize the weight, texture, markings, and detail of the genuine article. They know the real so well that when a fake comes across their hands, they can feel it instantly.
The same principle applies spiritually.
The more familiar you are with the real thing—the truth of God’s Word, the gospel of grace, and the character of Jesus—the more easily you’ll spot error. The deeper you walk with Christ, the more quickly you’ll sense when something’s “off.” Even if it sounds spiritual. Even if it’s popular. Even if it’s emotionally moving.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). But if we stop listening to His voice in Scripture, we’ll eventually become susceptible to all the other voices in the world—some of which sound like Him but aren’t.
This is why biblical discernment is not optional—it’s essential.
- It’s why Paul told Timothy, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16).
- It’s why the apostle John said, “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).
- It’s why the Bereans were commended for searching the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11).
And it’s why we need a clear, biblically grounded checklist for evaluating teachers and teachings today.
False teachers don’t announce themselves as false. They are subtle. Their charisma exceeds their character. Their message may seem insightful or liberating—but in the end, it downplays God’s holiness, minimizes sin, dilutes the gospel, or ignores the authority of Scripture.
So how can we spot the counterfeit?
Checklist for Evaluating Christian Teachers and Teachings
Use these questions to help assess whether a teacher or teaching is worth your trust:
- Orthodox Doctrine Alignment
Does their teaching consistently align with historic creeds, catechisms, and our church’s statement of faith?
- Scripture-Based, Not Speculative
Do they base their teachings solely on Scripture, avoiding claims of secret knowledge, novel interpretations, or personal prophetic declarations like “God told me…” that elevate their own authority over the Bible?
- A Theology of Suffering
Do they preach the whole counsel of God—including suffering and sacrifice—not just health, wealth, or personal success?
- Rejection of the Prosperity Gospel
Do they reject the prosperity gospel and emphasize grace, godliness, and endurance over material gain or physical comfort?
- Financial Integrity
Is the teacher’s ministry free from excessive personal wealth or luxurious lifestyles? Are there signs of sacrificial stewardship, not extravagant gain?
- Support for the Local Church
Do they affirm the importance and authority of the local church in the life of every believer? Or do they encourage isolation, criticism, or suspicion of spiritual leadership?
- Embodied, Transparent Leadership
Is this a leader you can actually know and follow in real life—not just a digital personality? Are they rooted in community and accountable to other leaders?
- Holy Living and Submission to Christ’s Lordship
Does their teaching reflect a life of holiness? Do they reject the distortion of grace as a license to sin, and call people to obey Jesus as Lord—especially in areas like sexual purity, truthfulness, humility, and integrity?
Recommended Resources for Biblical Discernment
Here are trusted tools that can help deepen your confidence in God’s Word and sharpen your ability to recognize truth from error:
Study Bibles
Systematic Theologies
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
Christian Theology by Millard Erickson
Systematic Theology by John Frame
Daily Doctrine by Kevin DeYoung
One-Volume Commentaries
New Bible Commentary (21st Century Edition) – Wenham, Motyer, Carson, France
Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible
New International Bible Commentary – F. F. Bruce
Curated Resources from CVC
Visit our curated bookshop through 10ofThose for hand-picked, trusted resources:
https://us.10ofthose.com/partners/cvconline
This link is always readily available at the bottom of our home page.
In a world where deception is common and spiritual confusion is rising, God has not left us helpless. He’s given us His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Let’s grow in truth. Let’s cling to grace. Let’s exalt Christ. Let’s know the real thing—so well, so intimately—that when the counterfeit shows up, we don’t fall for it.
