In this episode of the Eyes on Jesus Podcast, Drew and Tim tackle one of the most divisive conversations in modern Christianity: false teachers, discernment, church culture, and the rise of “heresy hunter” content online.

Right now, social media is flooded with clips calling pastors heretics, false teachers, or wolves—and many Christians are left wondering:

What actually makes someone a false teacher?

Is every bad sermon automatically heresy?
Can a pastor say something wrong without being condemned?
And what’s the difference between biblical discernment and a critical spirit?

This episode dives deep into:

what scripture says about false teachers
why context matters with online sermon clips
how church culture can unintentionally produce critical people
the dangers of outrage-based Christianity
and why believers must know scripture for themselves instead of living off internet callout culture

Drew and Tim also share personal stories from ministry, discuss public Christian leaders like Joel Osteen, Steven Furtick, and Ravi Zacharias, and wrestle honestly with the tension between grace, truth, discernment, and accountability.

At the center of the conversation is a simple reminder:

Our eyes ultimately belong on Jesus—not internet controversies.

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💬 Comment below: Where do YOU think the line is between discernment and a critical spirit?

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00:00 – “Discernment is different than a critical spirit”
01:00 – Why false teacher conversations are everywhere online
02:30 – What 2 Peter says about false teachers
04:00 – The pastors Drew immediately thought about
06:00 – Joel Osteen and watered-down preaching
07:00 – Does a false teaching make someone a false teacher?
08:00 – Denominations, doctrine, and difficult questions
10:00 – Why preaching to millions changes things
12:00 – Sermon clips taken out of context
13:00 – Ravi Zacharias and hidden sin
16:00 – Viral clips and misunderstood pastors
18:00 – Steven Furtick’s “I am God” clip explained
20:00 – Why Christians must know scripture for themselves
21:00 – Heresy hunters and online outrage culture
22:00 – “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty…”
23:00 – Truth without love vs love without truth
24:00 – Tim’s struggle with a critical spirit
26:00 – Growing up around denominational criticism
27:00 – Toxic church staff culture and constant critique
30:00 – Learning what’s worth criticizing
32:00 – Speaking truth with love and humility
34:00 – Encouragement is a spiritual gift
35:00 – Why pastors need encouragement too
36:00 – Being specific with encouragement
37:00 – Letting God sort people out

Originally aired May 10, 2023