3) Their preaching contradicts their lifestyle
Many preachers today are able to speak with power, but the power is only limited to the pulpit – their lives show no evidence of God’s redeeming and restoring power. Simply put, they don’t practice what they preach; they don’t walk the talk.
Paul warns us to stay away from such people, a people who have the form of Godliness but devoid of its power (see 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
The Lord Jesus Himself says we should be careful of such people. We should watch their “fruits,” the very things they do. He said in Matthew 7:15-20,
“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruit. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit. But a corrupt tree bears evil fruit. A good tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a corrupt tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruit you will know them.”
