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

“From the least to the greatest, they trick others to g et what does not belong to them. Yes, even my prophets and priests are like that! They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when all is war. Are they ashamed when they do these disgusting things? No, not at all-- they don’t even blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be humbled beneath my punishing anger," says the LORD. Jeremiah 8:10b-12, NLT Characteristics of False Ministry False ministries may present themselves as true anointed ones, they may even believe their own advertising, but on the inside or in the background things are not so appealing. The New Testament mentions nine different characteristics of false ministry. While no one ministry is likely to have all nine, it is good to be cautioned by them. 1. False ministries draw disciples to themselves rather than leading them to local church leadership (Acts 20:30). They lead people away from God-ordained committed relationships. I know that after I leave , that savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:29-39, NIV

2. False ministries speak misleading things and distortions of the Gospel (Gal 1:7; Acts 20:30).

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to

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