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

those who despise Me, ‘The LORD has said, ‘You shall have peace’’; a nd to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, ‘No evil shall come upon you.’” The word for “worthless” here can mean that they “fill you with vain hopes.” Gill says, “ They filled their heads with vain and empty things, and their hearts with vain hopes, which deceived them.” Because they have their he ads “in the clouds,” it is difficult for them to deal with reality and truly see themselves as God sees them and truly embrace whom God has made them to be. “I have heard these prophets say, ‘Listen to the dream I had from God last night.’ And then they proceed to tell lies in my name. 26 How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say. 27 By telling these false dreams, they are trying to get my people to forget me, just as their ancestors did by worshiping the idols of Baal. 28 Let these false prophets tell their dreams, but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word. There is a difference between chaff and wheat! 29 Does not my word burn like fire?” asks the LORD. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes rock to pieces?” 30 “Therefore,” says the LORD, “I stand against these prophets who get their messages from each other--31 these smooth tongued prophets who say, ‘This prophecy is from the LORD!’ 32 Their imaginary dreams are flagrant lies that lead my people into sin. I did not send or appoint them, and they have no message at all for my people,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:25-32, NLT False ministries want people to be dependent on them rather than teaching them to receive directly from God through a personal relationship with Him. They spend all of The fifth negative fruit of false ministries is that they cause people to neglect God and His word (Jer. 23:22, 27).

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