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

T his includes focusing on the ABC’s or the fundamentals of Christianity including repentance, faith, water baptism, Holy Spirit baptism and discipleship. Jesus indicated that part of our commission is to teach all nations to observe all that He had commanded. Often times, people are prone to deception and false teaching because they lack an understanding of the basic doctrines of the Bible. What does the Bible say about God, Man, Sin, Satan, Angels, Christ, Redemption, the Holy Spirit, and the Church? They say that the best way to teach people to identify counterfeit money is to have them handle the real so much that as soon a s something doesn’t feel right, red flags go up. The basics also include building strong marriages and families. Some have said that the church is only as strong as the families are strong. If we breakdown in the home, we are vulnerable to attacks of the enemy. One of the primary functions of spiritual leadership is that of a watchmen. A watchman is someone who is on guard, watching for anything that could come in and cause damage to the work of God and the people of God. Paul told the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28-31, Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. Guarding the Flock

82