Over the past few years, as I’ve grown deeper in my walk with Christ, one of the most sobering truths I’ve come to realize is this: not everyone who claims to represent God actually speaks for Him. And some of the most dangerous deceptions don’t come from atheists or activists—but from inside the Church itself.
I’m not writing this to condemn anyone. I’m writing it as someone who once chased feel-good spirituality without ever opening my Bible. I’ve been the guy who wanted the “uplifting message” more than the truth. But now that I’ve studied God’s Word for myself, I can’t unsee how far much of the modern church has strayed from Scripture.
Today, I want to talk about a topic that needs boldness and grace: false teachings in the Church. Not out in the world—but in pulpits, conferences, livestreams, and bestselling Christian books. And I want to highlight four influential figures who have led many people—including sincere believers—into confusion, compromise, or flat-out error: Pope Francis, Andy Stanley, Joel Osteen, and Creflo Dollar.
Why This Matters
Scripture is crystal clear about the danger of false teaching. Jesus warned in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Paul echoed that in Acts 20:29-30, saying false teachers would arise even from within the church to lead people astray.
False teaching doesn’t always look like heresy. Sometimes it’s subtle. It starts with softening truth “for the sake of love,” or prioritizing feelings over faithfulness. But the enemy loves that tactic—because a watered-down gospel is no gospel at all.
Let’s look at how these four leaders, knowingly or not, have done just that.
1. Pope Francis — Blessing Sin and Blurring Truth
I want to start with compassion here. I believe Pope Francis sincerely wanted to show mercy and compassion to marginalized people. But mercy without truth is just sentimentality. And as the leader of over a billion Catholics, his words carried global weight.
In 2023, Pope Francis approved blessings for same-sex couples through a Vatican document called Fiducia Supplicans. While he didn’t redefine marriage sacramentally, this act sent a message that same-sex relationships—openly contrary to Scripture—could be spiritually affirmed.
Romans 1:26–27 couldn’t be more clear:
“God gave them over to shameful lusts… men committed shameful acts with other men.”
What’s more, Pope Francis often emphasized that people are “fundamentally good”—a view that clashes directly with Jeremiah 17:9:
“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
I’m not saying the Pope was a bad man. But his teachings reflect a disturbing trend: affirming people in sin rather than calling them out of it. That isn’t love—it’s compromise.
External link: Vatican approval of same-sex blessings
2. Andy Stanley — “Unhitching” the Old Testament
I live in Georgia, where Andy Stanley’s influence is massive. I used to admire him. But in recent years, he’s made some incredibly concerning statements.
In a 2018 sermon, Stanley said Christians should “unhitch” from the Old Testament. He later walked it back slightly, but the message stuck. In his book Irresistible, he went further—claiming the Ten Commandments have “no authority over you” and that Christians shouldn’t live by them.
That’s not just off-base. It’s dangerously misleading.
Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:17:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets… I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Paul affirmed in Romans 7:12:
“The law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”
Stanley has also hosted LGBTQ-affirming conferences and defended Christians in same-sex marriages as simply choosing “companionship.” That’s a betrayal of biblical teaching, no matter how nicely it’s packaged.
External link: Albert Mohler critique on Stanley’s “unhitching”
Internal link: Read my blog on supporting biblical marriage
3. Joel Osteen — The Gospel of Self-Esteem
I used to love Joel Osteen’s smile. Who doesn’t? But the more I’ve studied God’s Word, the more alarmed I’ve become by what Osteen leaves out.
Joel Osteen preaches what many call the “prosperity gospel”—the idea that God wants to bless you with health, wealth, and happiness if you’ll just think positively, declare abundance, and give generously. The problem? That’s not the gospel.
In Luke 9:23, Jesus said:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
There’s no cross in Osteen’s message. No repentance. No sin. No call to holiness. Just inspiration and self-help with a Bible verse thrown in.
Here’s what that leads to: people who feel uplifted but never get saved.
Osteen has also repeatedly dodged questions about sin and salvation. In a 2005 Larry King interview, he refused to affirm that Christ is the only way to God. That’s not bold faith—it’s soft universalism.
John 14:6 says:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
If we’re too afraid to say that, we’re preaching a different gospel.
4. Creflo Dollar — Tithing for Blessings?
Creflo Dollar is another massive figure in the prosperity gospel world. He built his ministry on the idea that financial giving—especially tithing—is the key to unlocking God’s blessings.
He once said, “If you don’t tithe, you’re robbing God,” and even suggested that Christians should be punished for not giving. That’s spiritual manipulation, not biblical teaching.
In fact, in 2022, Dollar made headlines when he admitted much of his past teaching on tithing was wrong. That’s commendable—but it also proves how dangerous his earlier influence was. Entire generations were led to believe that giving 10% was the key to spiritual favor.
2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us:
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Tithing isn’t a formula. It’s a matter of the heart. And no preacher should guilt you into giving so they can buy another jet.
So What Do We Do With All This?
If you’ve followed or admired any of these leaders, I get it. I did too. But here’s what I’ve learned: we can’t build our faith on personalities. We have to test everything against Scripture—everything.
Paul praised the Bereans in Acts 17:11 because they examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul was teaching was true. If Paul wasn’t above scrutiny, no preacher today is either.
I’m not here to cancel anyone. I’m here to challenge all of us—including myself—to hold fast to truth. Because truth is what sets us free. Not motivational speeches. Not progressive theology. Not feel-good religion.
The Call to Discernment
We are living in a time when deception often wears a smile and quotes a Bible verse. That’s why discernment isn’t optional—it’s critical. 1 John 4:1 says:
“Dear friends, 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.”
If a message makes you feel good but never confronts sin—be careful. If a church platform prioritizes crowds and comfort over conviction and Scripture—run. And if a pastor says something that doesn’t line up with the Bible—don’t excuse it. Expose it.
We need courage. We need clarity. And most of all, we need Christ.
Arch Kennedy
Where Faith Meets Culture — Bold, Unfiltered, and Unafraid
When Faith Becomes a Target
This is the work of a true believer! Keep it going this is great. We are living in the last days !
I’m so thankful for a Holy Spirit guided message from a man who understands the difference between living right and living God’s truth. Thank you once again for being bold in sharing biblical truth. We all need to hear it!