Discerning Prophetic Deception in the Church

Exposing the Sin of Prophetic Leaders

Recently, Shawn Bolz, another prophetic leader in the Charismatic community, has resigned because of accusations of creating false prophetic words and inappropriate sexual behavior. Sadly, it seems almost a trend that individuals are being exposed for their ungodly character. There are a few important things I’d like us to consider. First, although I believe sin needs to be exposed and is an important aspect, especially for pastors, evangelists, teachers, and prophets in the body of Christ. I also believe we must do so with truth, clarity, and precision. We must address the exposed sin with the accused and give them the opportunity to repent. We should provide victims with prayer and counseling, and we should encourage other victims to come forward. And then move on to the healing process.

Clickbait Podcasts

I’ve seen way too many YouTube podcasts of those who expose leaders and then ramble on for four or five hours. This is not edifying the body of Christ. We need to know about the sin, but we don’t need to overindulge in conversation about it. Anything after the initial exposing of sin and proof that it is true becomes clickbait. It actually does more harm than good. It sets the stage for many to deny the work of the Holy Spirit today.

The Masquerader of Signs and Wonders

Listen closely; I believe wholeheartedly that signs and wonders still happen today. I have seen miracles, deliverance, and healings in many lives, including my own. But we cannot forget that there is an enemy at work attempting to set us off course into seeking signs and wonders more than Jesus. Satan mimics false miracles, healings, and yes, many fall prey to his deception. That is why, I reiterate in my book, Behind Enemy Lines: An In-depth Insider’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare, we must be a discerning people.

Discerning the Voice of the Prophet

You can’t rely on your pastors, youth leaders, or other spiritual mentors to be your mouthpiece of God. Many receive prophesies, but not everyone is a prophet. To be a true prophet (one who speaks on God’s behalf), one must have a divine calling over their life; the prophecy must align with Scripture and be 100% accurate (Deuteronomy 18:21–22). All too often we listen to self-proclaimed prophets, or carelessly apply a title to someone who does not adequately qualify according to God’s Word. While the prophet is accountable for bringing forth the prophecy, those who hear also have a responsibility. It is essential to test the spirit to discern whether the message originates from God or another source.

False Prophets Among Us

You must learn to discern that which is of God and that which is not. For that, you need to be in a relationship with Jesus and spend time in God’s word. Nothing else will do. In the end days, and even now, there are false prophets among us. They’re not going away; in fact, they will increase in the latter days. We cannot rely on man to tell us who to listen to, who to follow, and who to avoid. We must be able to discern for ourselves. Imagine if those who’ve become victims of these fallen leaders had discerned the spirit at work? They would have avoided the pain suffered. Despite the name or status of the leader they fell prey to, having discernment and heeding the Holy Spirit’s warning would have protected them.

Discernment is the Key

Many years ago, I had a similar situation to the recent accused. We were working with a man on a marketing project for my first book when I discerned an ungodly spirit at work. He was like a snake-oil salesman, searching the internet for information to create a prophetic word intending to give to others. His search for my information came up void. God protected me. The man professed to be Christian, and I knew he attended the church where I used to go. He was even leading a Bible study in his home. I could have relied on the church leadership’s gift for discernment and ignored my own. But I was aware of this tactic of the enemy, and stood against it. It didn’t take long before the Holy Spirit exposed the adulterous sin in this man’s life. I brought the information I had to the pastor, who was his spiritual authority. We cut ties with him, and the Lord opened the door for someone else to take over our marketing project. Remember, the enemy comes as an angel in disguise. Discernment is the key; don’t navigate through this life without it.

©By S. A. Tower, 2026