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

be built. This is equated to building on a rock foundation that can weather the most severe winds and waves that might come against it (Luke 6:46-49). Jesus said the following to His followers (John 7:17): If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.

Concluding Thoughts

In all these guidelines we want to remember that God uses winds to bring positive growth, change and movement.

Most of the winds have an element of truth and contain something that God is really wanting the church to hear. This is why it is critical to use righteous judgment to test the winds. I heard Jack Hayford say once that winds of doctrine that come through the church are like waves on the beach. When the tides are coming in the waves can bring a lot of good things to the shore. When they recede they can leave a lot of debris on the beach. We want to prove all things, hold fast to the good and spit out the bones (so to speak).

15 9