1) Line up all things with God's Word.
Prove all things according to the Scriptures. When someone is teaching contrary to Scripture, it is time to discard their teaching. Read verses within context. Never take one verse out of context. God has given us all the verses for our learning. God never contradicts His Word so what He meant in one chapter is what He conveys in another.
Beware of false preachers that twist the bible to fill their wallets. Remember God does not use "guilt trips" to convince you of anything. The Holy Spirit
does not ever condemn the Saint of God, nor does He lead our thoughts unto ourselves but rather unto Christ Jesus-- Who is able to forgive us, help us, give us grace in time of need and sustain us. The Holy Spirit always points us to Christ Jesus.
John 16:13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
2Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Notice that the Holy Spirit shall teach and bring all things into remembrance of what Jesus said. Knowing God's Word is what matters.
2) Pray for discernment, wisdom and integrity.
Prayer is essential in the Christian's life. Prayer is communicating with God.
We must humble ourselves before God. We do not know all the answers but God is the ultimate Teacher. He gives wisdom to anyone who asks Him for it. God is no respecter of persons. Discernment is so needed within our churches and among the pastors and lay workers. Integrity is part of the Christian's character. In all things, speaking the truth in love.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Hebrews 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.
1John 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.
3) Understand the tactics of our spiritual enemy--
the devil.
"We are not ignorant of his devices..." (2Cor 2:11) Learn what God's Word says concerning our archenemy.
2Cor 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself
is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end
shall be according to their works.
The devil comes to church with a bible under his arm, ready to twist and
distort the Word of God. Recognize his tactics. Understand that he is the accuser of the Brethren and is relentless in his attempt to destroy your faith
and reputation.
1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
The devil cannot take away your salvation but he will certainly try to destroy the faith that you have so that you will feel discouraged and defeated. The
devil desires us to walk in defeat...live a defeated life. He attacks the Christian daily. The Bible tells us to "Resist the devil and he will flee from you...”
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
2Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Satan's greatest attacks come when one is at his weakest. This is why it is vitally important to remain in God's Word; to pray to the Lord, to be on guard for false doctrines-- that will try to creep into the Church. AND...To fellowship with like-minded Believers who love the Lord.
John 10:10 [The Lord Jesus said:] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and
to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
4) Understand that whatever the sermon topic may be, it better point the listener to the Lord Jesus Christ-- His Deity AND His Finished Work.
All teaching must point to Christ for He is the CENTER of Scripture. A sermon that dwells on Moses and does not point to Jesus-- whom Moses was a type of, is a sermon that is unbalanced. Every sermon should point to Christ Jesus-- our Crucified and Risen Savior and Lord. He is our Solid Rock and Foundation.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
2Cor 4:5-6 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light
to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:27-29 To whom God would make known what is the riches
of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature.
CONCLUSION
Knowing God's Word and reading it within context and cross-referencing it is the first and best line of defense in combating false doctrine. If something the preacher said "Just doesn't sound right..." examine the matter by opening up your bible and ask the Lord to show you His truth. God's Word is the ruler we must use to measure all forms of doctrine. Pray for wisdom and for discernment.
Remember that the devil will twist the Scriptures so it is important to KNOW the meaning of what the Scriptures say. Remember that every sermon must be "Christ Centered"...with the focus staying upon the Biblical Jesus.
3John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Prove all things according to the Scriptures. When someone is teaching contrary to Scripture, it is time to discard their teaching. Read verses within context. Never take one verse out of context. God has given us all the verses for our learning. God never contradicts His Word so what He meant in one chapter is what He conveys in another.
Beware of false preachers that twist the bible to fill their wallets. Remember God does not use "guilt trips" to convince you of anything. The Holy Spirit
does not ever condemn the Saint of God, nor does He lead our thoughts unto ourselves but rather unto Christ Jesus-- Who is able to forgive us, help us, give us grace in time of need and sustain us. The Holy Spirit always points us to Christ Jesus.
John 16:13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
2Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Notice that the Holy Spirit shall teach and bring all things into remembrance of what Jesus said. Knowing God's Word is what matters.
2) Pray for discernment, wisdom and integrity.
Prayer is essential in the Christian's life. Prayer is communicating with God.
We must humble ourselves before God. We do not know all the answers but God is the ultimate Teacher. He gives wisdom to anyone who asks Him for it. God is no respecter of persons. Discernment is so needed within our churches and among the pastors and lay workers. Integrity is part of the Christian's character. In all things, speaking the truth in love.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Hebrews 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.
1John 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.
3) Understand the tactics of our spiritual enemy--
the devil.
"We are not ignorant of his devices..." (2Cor 2:11) Learn what God's Word says concerning our archenemy.
2Cor 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself
is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end
shall be according to their works.
The devil comes to church with a bible under his arm, ready to twist and
distort the Word of God. Recognize his tactics. Understand that he is the accuser of the Brethren and is relentless in his attempt to destroy your faith
and reputation.
1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
The devil cannot take away your salvation but he will certainly try to destroy the faith that you have so that you will feel discouraged and defeated. The
devil desires us to walk in defeat...live a defeated life. He attacks the Christian daily. The Bible tells us to "Resist the devil and he will flee from you...”
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
2Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Satan's greatest attacks come when one is at his weakest. This is why it is vitally important to remain in God's Word; to pray to the Lord, to be on guard for false doctrines-- that will try to creep into the Church. AND...To fellowship with like-minded Believers who love the Lord.
John 10:10 [The Lord Jesus said:] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and
to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
4) Understand that whatever the sermon topic may be, it better point the listener to the Lord Jesus Christ-- His Deity AND His Finished Work.
All teaching must point to Christ for He is the CENTER of Scripture. A sermon that dwells on Moses and does not point to Jesus-- whom Moses was a type of, is a sermon that is unbalanced. Every sermon should point to Christ Jesus-- our Crucified and Risen Savior and Lord. He is our Solid Rock and Foundation.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
2Cor 4:5-6 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light
to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:27-29 To whom God would make known what is the riches
of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature.
CONCLUSION
Knowing God's Word and reading it within context and cross-referencing it is the first and best line of defense in combating false doctrine. If something the preacher said "Just doesn't sound right..." examine the matter by opening up your bible and ask the Lord to show you His truth. God's Word is the ruler we must use to measure all forms of doctrine. Pray for wisdom and for discernment.
Remember that the devil will twist the Scriptures so it is important to KNOW the meaning of what the Scriptures say. Remember that every sermon must be "Christ Centered"...with the focus staying upon the Biblical Jesus.
3John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
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