Good works do not make someone a ‘man of God’ – Even the Devil can do so!

This morning, I came across a news report that left me deeply troubled.

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It spoke of self-styled “prophet” Walter Magaya, who is currently in remand prison after being arrested on multiple charges of rape and fraud.

According to the report, Magaya has been performing “good works” behind bars — paying bail for fellow inmates and even covering their legal expenses.

Those who have benefitted from his generosity have described him as a “humble man of God,” with one individual saying Magaya’s help was heaven-sent after he had spent five months in remand due to a lack of bail funds.

Let me be clear — no one can deny that these actions are commendable.

I can easily imagine the relief and joy of someone who had lost hope of ever getting justice simply because they lacked money for bail or a lawyer, only to find their burden lifted through this assistance.

Anyone who ridicules such generosity is insincere.

However, where I draw the line is in calling Magaya — or anyone else for that matter — a “man of God” simply because he does good works.

That is where discernment must come in.

Today, to be honest, I wanted to rest from writing.

But as a staunch believer and follower of Jesus Christ, there are certain misconceptions within the Church that I cannot stay silent about — and one of them is the false belief that doing good deeds automatically makes someone a servant of God.

This article is not a judgment on Magaya or his case.

What he has done or not done is entirely between him and Jehovah God, who alone — through His Son, Christ Jesus — has the right to judge.

My concern is with the broader issue that has plagued the modern Church: the shallow understanding of what it truly means to be a “man of God.”

Many have been deceived because they equate acts of charity or kindness with divine anointing.

Yet Scripture is abundantly clear that not all good works come from God.

In fact, the Bible explicitly warns us that “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

This means the devil can disguise himself as a force of goodness — performing deeds that appear noble — in order to deceive and ultimately destroy.

The same passage goes on to say that “false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerade as apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13), but their end “will be what their actions deserve” (verse 15).

Jesus Himself issued a sobering warning in Matthew 7:22–23: “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’”

These verses leave no room for confusion.

Even people who perform seemingly great works — feeding the poor, healing the sick, or funding others’ needs — can still be far from God.

What defines a true man or woman of God is not the number of good deeds they do, but the fruit of their entire life — their humility, repentance, integrity, and obedience to God’s Word.

There have been many so-called “men of God” whose good works blinded people to their wickedness.

In Zimbabwe, we saw this in the case of the late Robert Martin Gumbura, founder of the RMG End Time Message Church, who was sentenced to 40 years in prison for sexually abusing dozens of women in his congregation.

Before his crimes came to light, he was revered by many as a generous, caring pastor who helped the needy and supported church members financially.

Yet his actions revealed the darkness behind the mask of false holiness.

Across the world, the pattern is the same.

American preacher Jim Jones started as a champion for racial equality and social justice — building a community that cared for the poor — yet he later led over 900 of his followers to mass suicide in Guyana in 1978.

Similarly, David Koresh, leader of the Branch Davidians, presented himself as a teacher of righteousness, yet his manipulation and sexual abuse led to a deadly siege in Waco, Texas.

Closer to our times, scandals involving prominent televangelists — from sexual misconduct to financial fraud — continue to emerge, leaving behind shattered congregations and disillusioned believers.

We have seen figures such as Jim Bakker, who was imprisoned in the late 1980s for fraud after exploiting followers through his PTL (Praise The Lord) ministry.

Jimmy Swaggart, once one of America’s most influential preachers, also fell from grace after being caught in repeated sexual scandals.

Benny Hinn has faced widespread criticism and investigations for manipulating followers through promises of miraculous healings in exchange for money.

These examples show how easily fame, wealth, and charisma can blind believers to deception — and how “good works” can be used to disguise corruption and sin.

In nearly all these cases, followers testified that their leaders were “kind,” “helpful,” or “humble servants of God.”

But kindness without holiness is counterfeit.

Generosity without righteousness is deception.

Even the most notorious “sinners” in history have been known for their “good works.”

Pablo Escobar, the Colombian drug lord, is a prime example.

He built schools, sports facilities, and houses for the poor.

In the poverty-stricken communities of Medellín, he was revered almost as a saint.

Statues were even erected in his honour.

And yet, this same man was responsible for the deaths of over 4,000 people — including police officers, judges, and innocent civilians — while his drugs destroyed countless lives around the world.

If we were to use the same logic applied by some Christians today, we might as well call Pablo Escobar a “humble man of God” simply because he built houses for the poor!

This shows how easily we can be deceived when we judge through our physical eyes rather than through spiritual discernment.

The Bible tells us in James 1:5 to ask God for wisdom, and in John 16:13 we are reminded that the Holy Spirit “will guide us into all truth.”

True discernment comes not from our emotions or from being impressed by someone’s generosity, but from the Spirit of God revealing the truth behind appearances.

Many believers have fallen prey to false prophets because they wanted to believe in what they saw — the donations, the miracles, the flashy acts of kindness — instead of seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

But Scripture repeatedly warns that in the last days, many false prophets will arise and deceive even the elect.

These deceivers will not appear as monsters; they will look compassionate, humble, and loving — precisely to gain our trust.

That is how the devil works.

He does not come with horns and a tail; he comes with a smile and a gift.

Therefore, we must stop equating good works with godliness.

The true measure of a man or woman of God is their faithfulness to Christ’s teachings, their humility, their obedience to Scripture, and their ability to bear the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

These cannot be faked for long.

Yes, we should appreciate acts of kindness wherever they are done — even by those in prison or those accused of wrongdoing.

But let us never confuse human kindness with divine calling.

Good works may impress the world, but they do not impress God.

As Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits.”

The Church must wake up.

It is time to look beyond the glitter of good deeds and discern the spirit behind them.

Because, as Scripture has already warned us — even the devil can do good works.

• Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to WhatsApp or Call: +263715667700 | +263782283975, or email: mbofana.tendairuben73@gmail.com, or visit website: https://mbofanatendairuben.news.blog/