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

their time preaching from their latest dream or angelic visitation rather than the Word of God.

Bad Fruit in the Local Church

In addition to the negative fruit in the lives of vulnerable people, the fruit of false ministries as it relates to the local church is also bad. As a rule they are more interested in building their ministry and a personal following than they are in building the local church. They are more interested in garnering support for themselves and often do so by undermining local leadership and forcing people to choose where their loyalties lie.

There are some common attributes of these ministries as it relate to local church where they may attend (for a season).

1. False ministries often cause division and strife (Rom. 16:17).

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. They do this by sowing discord among the saint by offering then a different “take” on the things that church leaders have been teaching. Notice that the divisions and offenses referred to in the above passage have to do with the doctrine or teachings of the local church. And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things that are contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. – NLT

2. False ministries are a source of constant friction (I Tim. 6:3-5, NIV).

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