Discerning false teaching at church - what to do

[Rachel15]

More and more i've felt that the Holy Spirit is wanting me to be discerning about teaching and where it is coming from. Lately at church a group was held to discuss christians at work and some teaching was given by an author called Stephen Covey. I was concerned and have found out that apparently he is a mormon. When this teaching was introduced we were told to go and pray about it and told that the man definitely knew God. Now i've found out about his beliefs i want to speak to the man who runs the workshop and i've found out about some books written by Christian authors, but i think that the pastor of our church supports the teaching. Should i speak with the man running the course, the pastor, or both?

In addition, our Pastor has spoken out about wanting to be a people of influence and encouraging entrepeneurial skills to make money for the kingdom of God. I don't think this sounds right. Would you write a one-to-one letter? Or since the teaching was given openly to the congregation would you address your concern more publicly.

I've prayed about this and believe God wants me to 'shine a light'. Has anyone else encountered this kind of situation and what did they do?

 

[Rachel15]

Just wanted to quickly update - think i have the solution after advice from a pastor. I'll write the pastor a letter letting him know about stephen covey being a Mormon. I think i may have misunderstood what our pastor was saying about wanting to be a people of influence but i may seek clarification about this and the encouragement of entrepeneurial skills since it seems to be power/money focused.
Sorry i'm not sure i should have posted the original query.

 

[Ronda]

Rachel,
Good for you to be a woman of God. It is always appropriate to approach a situation for a biblical perspective. In Matt 18 where it speaks of disciple you go to the person privately. Then if they do not turn you take another with you. Now bathing the situation in prayer is a must to keep our heart in the right attitude. It is not about what we think or feel. It is ever only about what God says!
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
2 Corinthians 11:13
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
Galatians 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
2 Peter 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

It may be the instructor is simply unaware of the background of this writer going to them with a loving spirit that you only want the truth for His church should be the focus.
Read these in their biblical context so you can see exactly what God says about it and His view for our main purpose is to glorify Him!!!

Just wanted to quickly update - think i have the solution after advice from a pastor. I'll write the pastor a letter letting him know about stephen covey being a Mormon. I think i may have misunderstood what our pastor was saying about wanting to be a people of influence but i may seek clarification about this and the encouragement of entrepeneurial skills since it seems to be power/money focused.
Sorry i'm not sure i should have posted the original query.

 

[Rachel15]

Thank you for your encouragement and the words from scripture Rhonda - i will look them up. To be honest i'm really glad that God's giving me discernment - i'm very grateful - but i've gotten kind of exhausted knowing the best way to handle it. Perhaps i've been worrying unnecessarily - after all, we're told, do not worry! I don't really know the guy who runs the course very well, or our Pastor, so it seems a shame to get to know them first of all through this, but i'm sure that the Lord wants me to say something.

 

[Maureen]

Rachel
if I could pat your back I would, but just want to encourage you.
I know prayer has power, but I also do understand that we are Jesus' hands, feet, voice His body, so if we don't do or say anything for Him, what use is that.
some people mean well I know when they say 'pray about it and leave it to the Lord' but the Lord wants us to be doers of His word.

I'm in a situation myself not like your's though but I also think the Lord would have me DO something regards it, and not sit back and do nothing.

you do what you feel the Lord Jesus has lead on your heart and I will to.

 

[Rachel15]

Thanks for your encouragement Maureen. Today i sent a text to the guy who ran the course telling him that i had found out that the material was written by a Mormon. I also offered to post him a magazine that another group of churches had written about Christians in business which I'd just discovered on visiting another church. It had Christian books and examples of support groups advertised. I said that i had prayed and felt that it would be wrong to follow the book and quoted 'do not be yoked with an unbeliever' from Corinthians which i believe refers to all sorts of partnerships not just marriage.
I'm going to wait a while and see if he responds - most of the church are away on a camp at the moment, including the Pastor. Depending on how he responds I'll mention this to the Pastor as well as seeking clarification over the Pastor's own enthusiasm to encourage entrepreneurial skills.

Actually I've realised that, not just because of this, I've lost confidence at the church and feel more comfortable at another church where they seem to take you more through the word more comprehensively when they preach rather than relying on direction from the Holy Spirit. I know it's good to be guided by the Holy Spirit but i'm really keen on getting a good biblical foundation so i can discern better. Also, I've been reading about women's roles in the church and I'm interesting in the 'complementarian' idea of men and women having equal value, but different roles and the other church is part of New Frontiers which supports that view.

PS I really want to encourage you too Maureen in your situation. For a while i felt really intimidated and stressed but it is so important to stand for the truth, and I'm realising more and more that its important to check things out when we are not sure. I guess people make mistakes - and we may be mistaken about something, but better to check.

God bless,

Rachel

 

[Maureen]

Rachel
thank you, my dilemma actually concerns the Jehovah Witness movement, whereas your's is regards the Mormon movement.

These cults have a habit of creeping in and disguising themselves as do gooders.

wolves in sheeps clothing is so true, but then isn't all of God's word.

 

[MavMin]

The Mormons are desperately trying to be accepted as an Evangelical group. One was mad at me because I would not call him Brother. He is in a sense by creation but definitly not by the new creation. Any group that teaches Jesus and satan are Brother t'ain't no brothers of mine.

The sad thing is I may have to end up voting for a Mormon over a BINO (Baptist In Name Only) come '08.

 

[Maureen]

oh dear, who said it was simple, it really is man who complicates it though.

why would you be voting for these, it is something to do with your government?
Sometimes it's best to remain nuetral, and not vote, when situations become sticky as this is.

I pray you will be shown the right thing to do.

 

[Ann]

Rachel Hi...

Just wanted to add that usually when we feel uncomfortable about a teaching it is the Spirit of God speaking in our spirit.

Discernment is a gift of God to all of us, we must use it and stand up for God and His rigteousness when we encounter false prophets - otherwise they will take many - who will stand at the door knocking and hearing the Lord say that He don't know them - with them to hell.

Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

I think it is great that you have the courage to question this issue.

Lots of love!

Blessings!

 

[Maureen]

I know what you mean Ann
when you say usually when we feel uncomfortable about a teaching it is the Spirit of God speaking in our spirit.
sometimes I'm lead to speak to my husband on matters that he asks me about, and sometimes not, I just know I'm to be silent, not that I ignore him, but just say I'd rather not speak on that Evan just now. Or I just let it pass and when he doesn't question my silience I know the Holy Spirit wants me to leave it with him.
It's just something you know how and when it's to be applied.
Discernment is a gift of God to all of us Amen