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

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

Notice the negative fruit referred to in this passage includes…

Controversies

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• Quarrels (about meaningless things) • Envy • Strife • Malicious Talk • Evil Suspicions • Constant Friction

3. False ministries unsettle souls (Acts 15:24).

Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” --to whom we gave no such commandment… There are two words in this passage that describe the fruit of false ministries in the local church. First of all, false ministries “ trouble ” the souls of people. The word “trouble” in this passage means to cause inner commotion , to take away peace of mind and to make restless through anxiety or fear. I suppose telling a whole room full of Gentiles that they needed to be circumcised to be saved would cause a little restlessness.

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