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

by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting , 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16 We do not want to be those who believe or accept every wind of doctrine that is preached in our day, even if that teaching comes through those we consider to be reputable. We want to be discriminating like the Berean believers who searched the Scriptures to see if these things were true (Acts 17:11). Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Acts 17:10-11 It is not a sign of rebellion to challenge what is being said by leaders in the church or to question things that are written in Christian literature or on Christian websites. In fact, Paul had good things to say about these Berean believers who were open to new understanding, but before they bought in 100 percent, they were going to check it all out.

The NIV says this about the Berean believers:

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. — NIV

A leader never has to be afraid of listeners who search the scripture to see if the things that they are teaching are truly

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