How to recognize a true man of God

Ever since he deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden, Satan has assaulted God’s truth with lies. He and the purveyors of his demon doctrines have lured multitudes onto the broad path that leads to eternal destruction. The early church faced two major issues: persecution and false teachers. The leaders of God’s people must vigilantly guard those entrusted to their care from those who would lead them astray.

Over and over again the Bible warns against the danger of false teachers. Jesus said, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). The prophet Jeremiah warned, “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority; and my people love it so!” (Jeremiah 5:13). Paul said, “Evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). The Apostle John said, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

The best way to avoid being taken in by a counterfeit is to study what is genuine. In our day, when Christianity is desperately awash in a flood of false teachers, the Bible provides desperately needed instruction in discernment. Believers must be able to pick out the voice of the good shepherd (Jesus) and his genuine under shepherds amidst the howls of Satan’s wolves. 2 Corinthians 10:7-11 reveals five marks of a true man of God.

• The first mark is that a true man of God is known by his relationship to Jesus Christ. “If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we” (verse 7). True men of God have an intimate walk with Jesus that is seen in their lives. Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). A biblical leader understands that Jesus is the son of God. He understands that Jesus died upon a real cross for our sins. Jesus lived a perfect life. He offered a perfect sacrifice. Our only hope for salvation rests in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In contrast, a false teacher is not orthodox. A false teacher’s aberrant doctrine will eventually manifest itself in sinful behavior in his own life and in the sinful lives of his followers.

• The second mark is that a true man of God is known by his impact on the church. Paul said, “For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame” (verse 8). A true man of God will have a positive impact on the church. He will strengthen, edify and mature the church. Paul preached the gospel with power. He saw many come to saving faith in the Lord Jesus. False teachers bring discord, disunity, destruction and even death to the church.

• The third mark is that the true man of God is known by compassion for people. “…for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.” (verse 9). False teachers are arrogant, self-centered and abusive. People mean nothing to them. True men of God are marked by compassion. The ultimate true man of God is Jesus. He is the good shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep (John 10:11-13). Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heaven laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

• The fourth mark is that the true man of God is known by his reliance on God’s methods. “For they say, ‘His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible” (verse 10). The true man of God does not manipulate. He does not rely upon slick methods. Instead, he preaches the word of God clearly and powerfully so that people’s “faith will not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5).

• The fifth mark is that the true man of God is known by his integrity. 2 Corinthians 10:11 reads, “Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.” Paul’s life was consistent. He was the same person “in deed when present” as he was in the letters he wrote “when absent.” In contrast to true men of God, false teachers are often quite different in private from the public image they project. The scandals that have rocked their ministries over the years bear sad testimony to that reality.

The church today faces the same challenge it has always faced — to sort out the true men of God from the false deceivers. The sad story of the Corinthian church’s gullibility has often been repeated throughout history.

True men of God are not showmen. They do not intimidate people. They value truth enough not to tolerate error. They have a high view of Scripture. They preach the pure, unadulterated gospel. They exalt the person of Jesus. They lead lives consistent with their teaching.

0They seek eternal glory and not temporal acclaim. Finally, their work results in stronger lives and better churches.

Ethan Hansen is pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. He can be reached at ehansen@biglakefaithbible.org.