Truth Talk Tuesday: Faith & Culture – Spotting Wolves in Worship Clothing

A biblical look at charisma without Christ, catchy lyrics without truth, and how to spot the spiritual impostors leading worship today.

The Wolf at the Worship Mic

You’d think spotting a wolf in the church would be easy. Fangs. Red eyes. Maybe a pentagram necklace. But nope. These days, wolves tend to wear denim jackets, sport trendy haircuts, and know all the right bridges to build a big emotional moment in a worship set.

Welcome to the modern Church stage, where not all who sing “Jesus” are surrendered to Him.

We’ve confused anointing with aesthetics. If the lights are low, the mood is right, and someone is passionately singing about "the fire falling"—we assume it’s from the Holy Spirit. But let’s ask a hard question:

Are we feeling the Spirit… or just vibing to a really well-engineered key change?

Jesus wasn’t vague about this. He said:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
—Matthew 7:15 (ESV)

And let’s be honest: wolves have upgraded their wardrobe since biblical times. They’ve learned how to speak fluent Christianese, drop just enough Scripture to sound legit, and create worship experiences that leave people in tears… but not in truth.

Because here’s the reality: just because something feels spiritual doesn’t mean it’s biblically sound.

In fact, some of the most seductive wolves in today’s Church aren’t preaching from pulpits—they’re leading worship sets. And instead of devouring sheep with false doctrine, they lull them to spiritual sleep with emotional manipulation and half-true lyrics that sound deep but don’t mean much.

And before you think this is just a grumpy takedown of modern worship: it’s not. This is a call for discernment. For tuning our ears to the Word, not just the beat. For realizing that spiritual warfare doesn’t take breaks during the third chorus.

So as we dive into this discussion, remember:

• We’re not here to bash gifted worship leaders or beautiful music.

• We’re here to guard the flock, test the fruit, and stay alert—because if wolves can fool the flock, they’re absolutely going to try the band.

What Scripture Says About Wolves

Look, the Bible doesn’t give us a checklist for worship leader auditions—but it absolutely gives us warning signs for spiritual deception.

Jesus didn’t say “Hey y’all, just trust anyone who can hit the high note in ‘Reckless Love.’” Nope. He said:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
—Matthew 7:15 (ESV)

Notice He didn’t say they’d come looking like wolves. That would be easy.
He said they come looking like sheep.
Translation? They’ll blend in. Use all the right phrases. Maybe even cry on cue during altar call.

But their hearts? Not aligned with Christ. Their mission? Not to glorify God—but to gain a following.

Paul backs this up in Acts 20:29–30 when he warns the Ephesian elders:

“I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them.”
—CSB

These wolves aren’t strangers. They’re insiders.

Satan doesn’t usually bust through the front door. He slips in through the side entrance labeled “worship team tryouts.”

Paul also said this in 2 Corinthians 11:13–15:

“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.”

Mic. Drop.

Wolves don’t announce themselves. They disguise themselves. They mix truth with flattery. They rebrand deception as “fresh revelation.” They sound right... until you compare them to the Word of God.

And that’s the secret: if you don’t know the Word, you won’t spot the wolf. Because they’re not growling—they’re leading the next chorus.

Real-World Discernment: Red Flags and Recent “Revelations”

We’re not here to gossip—we’re here to guard the flock.

And sadly, we have to say this plainly: there are wolves in the pulpits, wolves in the green rooms, wolves on stage, and wolves on livestream. Some wear suits, some wear skinny jeans, and some wear “prophet” like a name badge they printed themselves.

This list isn’t exhaustive, but it’s a start. These are leaders and organizations where red flags, allegations, or clear doctrinal concerns have emerged. Some are under current investigation. Others are still broadcasting to millions.

This is not about condemnation. This is about discernment. And discernment starts when we stop pretending everyone with a Bible in their hand is teaching it faithfully.

📍Pastors and Teachers Where Serious Allegations or Concerns Exist:

• Perry Stone – Accused of sexual misconduct and misusing spiritual authority. Many followers still defend him without question.

• Tom Kesee (Faith Life Church) – Accusations of spiritual abuse, manipulation, and a toxic leadership culture have surfaced from multiple former members.

• Todd White – After preaching for years, admitted he hadn’t actually shared the full Gospel until 2020. What was he sharing before that?

• Shawn Bolz – Known for dramatic “prophetic” statements with vague or unverifiable results. Prophetic showmanship shouldn’t replace biblical substance.

• Andy Stanley – Continues to blur doctrinal lines on sexuality, biblical authority, and the centrality of Scripture, often prioritizing cultural appeal over clear truth.