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How to Recognize an Impostor

  • Rev. Ronald Stelzer
  • February 25, 2023
How to Recognize an Impostor

How can you recognize a religious leader who is an impostor, an agent of satanic deception, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Jesus and his apostles warned there would be many. I myself have seen and heard many of them. I see them on television sometimes. I’ve heard of them in our community from trusting followers who have been burned by them. I’ve been fooled by some. How can you recognize an impostor before you get burned–before you get burned eternally!?

Here are some question you might ask yourself:

1. Has this person profited — living a materialistic lifestyle that is far above that of his followers and contributors? Is money for himself seem to be his motive?

2. Does he advertise himself as a miracle worker and make extravagant claims and worldly promises to his supporters, appealing to the flesh?

3. Does he claim to have a private pipeline to God and indicate that if you disagree with him in any way, you are resisting the Holy Spirit? Does he claim to have all the answers?

4. Does he play on emotions at the expense of solid, balanced Biblical truth?

5. Does he have a humble and gentle spirit, or is he easily angered and manipulative? Is he approachable?

Applying God’s perspective to personal and societal issues.

6. Is his personal and family life a good example and above reproach? Does he walk the talk?

7. Is he a man of God’s Word with an obvious love for Christ?

8. Is his preaching centered on the cross?

9. Does he take any stands that clearly identify him as a follower of Christ and God’s Word, even at the expense of losing members or of peace and popularity with the culture and the world, with people of power, prestige and wealth?

10. Is he building his own kingdom or Christ’s?

Humble, Sacrificial Servants

Jesus and all his apostles and the prophets before them lived as humble, sacrificial servants, speaking the truth in love with grace, for the benefit of the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd, many to the point of martyrdom.

“Not everyone who says unto Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

About The Author

Pastor: Rev. Ronald Stelzer is a 3rd generation minister in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and 2nd generation teacher and coach in Lutheran schools. He was raised in a six-child family in Kansas and Indiana, graduated from St. Paul’s Lutheran School and Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Davidson College in North Carolina and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and Fort Wayne. He and wife Margaret of 35 years have six grown children and six grandchildren. He has served two years in sports ministry with Athletes in Action, a year in youth missions with Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ, four years as chaplain/teacher/coach at his high school alma mater, and 35 years as pastor of Our Savior, where he helped found and lead Our savior New American School 28 years ago.

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Our Savior Lutheran Church is true to its name, focused on Jesus Christ and to historic Lutheran commitments to Christ alone, the Bible alone, Grace alone and Faith alone. Its concern for Christian education not only involves a Sunday school, Confirmation, Youth Ministry, and Bible Classes, but also led to its founding of Our Savior New American School.

This church belongs to our Savior, who paid for it with His blood, and who has commanded us, His people to: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all people, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded.”

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