There are at least four warning signs of false teachers or false prophets:
1. They may appear to speak God's message (be religious) but they do not live out His principles.
2. They water down God's message trying to be relevant and please their listeners.
3. They encourage their listeners, even passively or subtly, to disobey God.
4. They often tend to be arrogant and self-serving (but can be so with poor self-esteem.)