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

would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds. Jeremiah 23:21-22

The second negative aspect of the fruit of false ministries is that, since they do not challenge people’s lifestyle and live a compromised lifestyle themselves, it actually strengthens the hands of evil doers. It becomes easy for people to say that if these ministries can live this way, then it must be alright for me to do so as well (Jer. 23:14). And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah. Jeremiah 23:14, NIV The third negative fruit of false ministries is that they cause people to stray and they lead them into err (Jer. 23:13, 32; Mic. 3:5). “Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the LORD, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:32 This is what the LORD says to you false prophets: “You are leading my pe ople astray! You promise peace for those who give you food, but you declare war on anyone who refuses to pay you.” Micah 3:5

The fourth negative fruit of false ministries is that they make people worthless (Jer. 23:16-17).

Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the LORD. They continually say to

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