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

The third one that is to be preferred is to be like the Bereans, openly listen, hear it out and then scrutinize it against the Scripture before you embrace it and integrate it into your body of truth and lifestyle.

14. Watch out for doctrines that lead to spiritual pride or exclusivity.

Then if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Christ!” or “There!” do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, “Look, He is in the desert!” do not go out; or “Look, He is in the inner rooms!” do not believe it. Matthew 24:23-26 There will always be those who pattern themselves after the “Gnostics” of old who promote the idea that they have a secret body of knowledge that is reserved for those who are more spiritual and want to journe y into the “deep things of God.” People are invited into this inner circle of people who often meet in homes and rarely have any local church leadership present. These teachers often set themselves up against the leadership of the local church and expl ain that “your pastors and leaders have not received this higher revelation.” There are teachers today who would divide the Body of Christ into select groupings or companies. All of this teaching is divisive and produces schisms in the church. Paul tell s us very clearly that there is but “one body” (Eph. 4:4).

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