I attended a church years ago, where I encountered my first experience with a pastor who was not who he had proclaimed to be. At the time, I had sort of a preconceived notion, that in general, all pastors were good. Unfortunately, I found out that, that, is not always the case. Although, like the rest of us, pastors are not perfect; most are genuinely doing what God has instructed of them. This pastor that I am referencing however, was not who he presented himself to be. He was not a man of God. At the time, I sought him out for counsel and realized that what he was saying was not lining up with God’s word. Something inside of me felt very unsettled with him. I left his office feeling disheartened, instead of encouraged. I spoke to my dad, who later observed the same thing about this said pastor. Fortunately, many people in the congregation started seeing his true colors. In fact, many people in the congregation left; seeing the truth, beyond his title. 

The reason I share this my friend, is please be careful. A title of faith, does not make a person of faith. Anyone can say that they love God and have been sent by God. Please do not ever be afraid to challenge them on whether or not their words align with Scripture. Listen to that still small voice. If something does not sit well with you and things do not line up with Scripture; it is okay to back away. They may not be from God. 

Friend, no one is perfect. We are all sinners and fall short. However, there is a line between an imperfect person loving God honestly, and an imperfect person honestly trying to steer you from God, proclaiming to love Him. May we all ask God for guidance and wisdom in everything in life; especially with those that we seek to help guide us in our faith.

Erin Fitts-Brower 

Matthew 7:15-18 NIV

 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.