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

16. Watch out when the vessel does not confirm the message.

Jesus was clear that ministries were not to be judged based on the gifts or anointing that they seem to possess but by the fruit that is manifest in their lives. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sh eep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:15-20 With the potential for all of these negative winds and turbulence, how can we ensure that we will not be blown off course or deceived by these winds? One thing we can do is to pay attention to the 16 warning signs that I just pointed out. These are defensive measures. But we can also go on the offense against such deception by focusing on three key things. First, we should continually cultivate our personal relationship with the Lord. Paul wrote this to the believers at Ephesus who were doing well up to that point (Eph. 1:15-23). This is what he told them: Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you Believe it or not there are many who espouse a particular truth who live their lives in serious sin. Ensuring Our Safety

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