Fake Pastors in Nigeria: 10 Ways to Identify Them

The biblical admonition “Not everyone that calls me Lord will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven” serves as a sobering reminder that not all spiritual leaders are genuine.

Unfortunately, the presence of counterfeit pastors is a troubling reality in many religious communities, including Nigeria. These individuals, who often appear pious and dedicated, are more interested in personal gain than in guiding their congregations toward spiritual truth.

Fake Pastors in Nigeria & How to Know Them

fake pastors in nigeria

This article aims to provide you with discernible criteria to help identify such deceptive figures.

1. One-sided Prosperity Gospel

True pastoral ministry involves a balance of encouragement and admonition, reflecting the full spectrum of biblical teaching. Genuine pastors will preach about God’s love and blessings but will also address sin, repentance, and the consequences of turning away from God’s commands.

If you encounter a pastor who exclusively focuses on prosperity, wealth, and blessings while completely avoiding topics like sin, repentance, or judgment, be cautious. This one-sided approach is often designed to appeal to the desires of the congregation rather than to impart the whole truth of the Bible.

2. Lack of Spiritual Depth

A genuine pastor is not only knowledgeable in the scriptures but is also deeply led by the Holy Spirit. They can provide guidance that goes beyond mere intellectual understanding of the Bible, offering wisdom that is spiritually discerned.

If a pastor seems to lack depth, offering only superficial interpretations of scripture or discouraging the pursuit of direct spiritual experiences with the Holy Spirit, it may be a sign that they are not genuinely connected to the divine source they claim to represent.

3. The Comfort Zone Pastor

Genuine spiritual leadership often requires making people uncomfortable with hard truths. If a pastor avoids topics that are biblically sound but potentially upsetting, such as discussions on sin, repentance, or moral discipline, they may be more concerned with popularity than with preaching the truth.

Authentic pastors prioritize God’s word over human approval and are willing to address difficult issues when necessary.

4. Overemphasis on Financial Contributions

While tithes and offerings are a biblical and traditional part of Christian worship, they should not overshadow other aspects of faith and practice.

Be cautious of pastors who focus excessively on the financial aspect of religion, particularly if they promise material blessings in exchange for monetary contributions. This behavior indicates a possible exploitation of faith for personal gain.

5. Inappropriate or Excessive Laying of Hands

The laying on of hands is a biblical act associated with blessing, healing, and spiritual impartation. However, this practice should be approached with reverence and discernment.

Be wary of pastors who frequently lay hands on people without proper context or consent, or who seem to use this practice as a means of exerting control or influence. Such behavior can be manipulative and potentially harmful.

6. Manipulation and Fear Tactics

Beware of pastors who use manipulation or fear to control their congregation. This can manifest in various ways, such as instilling irrational fears about external threats, claiming exclusive access to salvation, or suggesting that misfortune will befall those who do not follow their specific guidance or fail to give enough money to the church.

A true pastor encourages faith and trust in God, not fear of consequences or overly relying on human leaders for spiritual security.

7. Disregard for Accountability

Genuine pastors operate within a framework of accountability, often set by their denomination or religious community. They are transparent with their dealings, open to questioning, and adhere to a set of ethical guidelines.

If a pastor seems to avoid accountability, operates in secrecy, or becomes defensive when questioned, it may be a sign of dishonest intentions. True spiritual leaders welcome accountability as a means of maintaining integrity and trust within their congregation.

8. Excessive Emphasis on Miracles and Spectacles

While miracles are a part of Christian doctrine, excessive emphasis on signs and wonders, particularly when used as proof of one’s divine appointment or spiritual superiority, can be misleading.

Be cautious of pastors who claim to perform constant miracles, especially if these acts are used to attract attention or financial gain. True miracles are God’s work, not a tool for personal aggrandizement or spectacle.

9. Unbiblical Lifestyle

The personal life of a pastor can also be a significant indicator of their authenticity. Examine their lifestyle, values, and behavior both in public and private.

A genuine pastor will live a life that reflects the values of humility, service, and integrity as taught in the scriptures. Lavish lifestyles, moral failings, and behaviors that contradict biblical teachings might indicate that the pastor is not living according to the word they preach.

10. Contradictory or New Revelation

Be cautious of pastors who claim to have special revelations or new doctrines that contradict or add to the Bible. While spiritual growth involves continuous learning and understanding, any new revelation a pastor claims should align with the overall message of the Bible.

If they insist on teachings or practices that are contrary to biblical principles or claim authority or knowledge that supersedes the scripture, it is likely a sign of deception.

Wrap-up

Discerning false pastors is crucial for maintaining a healthy spiritual life and ensuring that your faith community is led by individuals with genuine commitment and integrity.

By being aware of these signs—distorted teachings, lack of spiritual depth, avoidance of uncomfortable truths, financial exploitation, and inappropriate practices—you can better protect yourself and others from spiritual deceit.

Remember, true spiritual leaders will reflect the character and teachings of Christ, prioritizing the well-being and spiritual growth of their congregations above all else.

16 thoughts on “Fake Pastors in Nigeria: 10 Ways to Identify Them”

  1. You are 100% correct.It tallies with what a man of God preached about signs of fake pastors.They are everywhere.They perform miracles whether God likes it or not,it must just happen.They put on fake humility at times and you giving to deceive people.In occult,giving or charity is one bait they use to catch their target. People mistaken giving for love.They don’t preach holiness,judgment, Rapture since they are not going to heaven,it is not important to them.They have informants and highly secretive and at the time paranoid and insecured

  2. Thank God for the news he has shared to us I believe this will help to figure out fake pastors all around the world and they will confess to the lord before the people of tha lord.

  3. As we have fake pastors so we have fake members also. Fake pastors are those who distort the gospel and the cardinal points; Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, Sin which God abhors, Salvation which needed to live eternally, Judgement, the resurrection and eternal life.

    Miracles are only spiritual gifts given by God to His people (not pastors alone) according to His will and the ability of the recipient to handle. Miracles, prophecy, and Speaking in Tongues, which the only gift from the Lord should not be used as the foundation for a ministry. However, it sad that many churches are founded on these gifts, thus making the gifts more important than the giver.

    Certainly, we need money to run a ministry but any work done in God’s way will get all that is needed to do it. There is no need for (a) Calling for sowing a seed in the church, (b) no special offering to proclaim a prayer and fasting for a church member, (c) No demand for money before revelation or prophecy – its a free gift, (d) there should be transparency in matters of leadership, finances and activities – remember the church is Christ’s not any individual’s. Any church that does not account for the money raised by its members will be judged by God. Tithes and offerings are raised by the members and therefore, they should know how their money is used. The pastors and his/her leadership should be subject to scrutiny by its members.

    Any pastor that puts himself above his members as such that he should not be asked about church matters is building his own kingdom, not the Lord’s Kingdom. Jesus was available to respond to every question from his disciples and the crowd. We are only God’s servants not lords of the people we serve.

    Furthermore, any church/ministry should have a written constitution to guide its operations. In this Constitution, members should be able to read the history of the church/Ministry, Aim, Objectives and pillars of the church/ministry, administrative structure, succession plan, financial and spiritual accountability.

    A church may be founded by a single member, but it belongs to the people who attend it. Therefore, they deserve to know everything about it and they should be made active and not passive members.

    Raise questions where:
    1. One pastor preaches all the time.
    2. No financial report explaining income and expenditure
    3. There is no functional Church board.
    4. The salary of the pastor(s) is not determined by the church board
    5. There is no constitution.
    6. There is no discipline of wrongdoers
    7. There is no annual conference to hear reports from church officers including the pastors and discuss future plans of the church.
    8. There is no succession plan for leadership. (I mean here the church does not state who takes over after the current leadership and how it is done. )
    9. The pastor’s wife is regarded as Associate Pastor/Overseer except if she is theologically trained and called by God into that ministry.
    10. The wife is regarded as successor after the retirement or death of the pastor-husband/overseer. It is not a divine plan.
    11. The church is not open to auditing.

    Feel free to contact me on my email.

  4. am interested in this case
    i have to gear it up
    fake pastors are everything,we needn’t to judge here bcos it’s only God dat knows who is truly serving him rite….

    knowing fake pastors is very obvious,let jus pray for God guidance nd protection.

  5. Pls d bible is not a history or govt textbook dat you just glance tru n begin to talk. Pls, let us b careful so dat we canot ignorantly scare unbelievers thinking we are working for God

  6. I don’t know where you got this false ways of Identifying fake pastor that is not mention like in the Bible. laying of hands is biblical, humility or easy going pastor is biblically right why God resist the pride. please you have to read Matt 7:21 very well.
    You knew a fake pastor by
    1 Not conformity to the words of God
    2 kinds of behavioral fruits he bears
    3 symptom of workers of iniquities
    4 love for money or wealth acquisitions
    5 Oppressive ideology
    6 Adding to the words of God
    7 Introduction of New doctrines that is not biblically

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