Watchout For WOLVES: Keys To Discerning Authentic Ministries & Evaluating Doctrinal Trends

7. Watch out for teachings that elevate emotional experiences above the principles of God’s Word .

For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My be loved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:16-21 At times people can exalt visions, dreams, personal prophetic words and displays of the miraculous above the simple word of God. Peter had some of the greatest experiences that any human being could have, but he was able to say we also have a prophetic word which is even “more sure” than this (KJV). He was of course referring to the Scripture. We know that the last days will be characterized by lying signs and wonders (2 Th. 2:9). We know that false ministries can and will operate in signs and wonders (Mt. 24:3-5, 11, 24-26). We know that the ability to operate in the gifts of the Spirit does not authenticate the ministry but the ministry is authenticated by the fruit of the Spirit (Mt. 7:16, 20). So why are we so easily led by these things? Or why do we believe because we had an emotional encounter that it must prove what was being taught?

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