Away from me

Away from me
Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23.
Here Jesus makes things clear. Not everyone claiming to be a Christian, a follower of his really is. They will make claims that they did miracles, and drove out demons and even prophesied in Jesus name. Yet they will not get into heaven. Jesus saying “away from me you evildoers.”
The apostle Peter warns,
"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute." 2Peter2:1,2.
The apostle Paul warns,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
This has happened throughout the history of Christianity and is still happening today.
Here in North America where I live we have incredible freedoms. Sadly there are many claiming to be Christians who use that freedom for their unholy ways. Men and women who are everything the apostle Paul warned Timothy about.
Sadly also many who truly believe in Christ Jesus are being led astray by these people.
As believers in Christ Jesus it is up to us to study the bible. To use trusted commentaries on the bible that are not just from one point of view.
We need to carefully listen to what the preacher, evangelist, or teacher is preaching and compare it to what is said in the Bible. We need to pray and ask God to give us guidance. To look at the scripture they are quoting and see if it is not taken out of context. Check and see if it is truly the truth being taught and not a lie.
It can be a daunting task I know for many people. But I believe if we pray with sincerity asking God to show us what is right and what is wrong He will show us.
The key is reading the bible for yourself. Get to know what the bible says well. Take the advice of the apostle Paul who writing to Timothy said,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15.
Please think about it.

Watch out

Watch out
Jesus said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:15-23.
If ever there was a warning that needed to be heeded by Christians in the twenty-first century this is it.
We live in a multi media world that allows anyone to say anything with impunity. We in the west and particularly in North America live in a society with incredible freedoms.
The freedoms we have are very much a two edged sword. While they let us practice our faith. They also let those who teach false doctrine thrive.
Christians need to use caution. Christians need to be reading their Bible and studying it for themselves. Not just relying on what some pastor, evangelist or teacher says. Especially if those people are in the media.
It’s easy for false teachers to hid behind the right to free speech. It’s easy for anyone to take scriptures out of context and twist them to say things that are wrong. That’s why I encourage people to read the Bible for themselves. It’s the only way you will know if there are errors.
I would also urge Christians to find a good solid Bible believing Church. A Church who studies the Bible. I recommend Baptist Churches world wide because they are generally a good stable group.
What I also suggest is that if you support anyone in the media check them out. Ask them for a statement of faith. Check it out against the Bible to see that the scriptures they use to support their beliefs are taken in context. If they don’t give you a doctrinal statement have nothing to do with them. If you think what they say in their statement of faith is wrong ask them for clarification if they don’t clarify it have nothing to do with them.
If you want to support an evangelist or pastor financially also ask them for a financial statement. All good groups will willingly give you one. If they don’t give you one have nothing to do with them.
Ultimately the word to Christians is “beware”. There are a lot of false teachers out in the media today. They talk a good talk but are not staying true to the word of God.
The best advice I can give to Christians other than check them out scripturally, and financially, is to pray and ask God to lead you to good teachers. To a good Church.
Please think about it.

False Teachers

False teacher

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”
                                                                                                                                         2 Peter 2:1-3 
Christians should always be aware that there are false teachers in our midst. Peter in the above quoted Scripture notes them.
Unfortunately false teachers do not come with neon signs telling who they are. Many speak well. They even string scriptures together that sound good but when studied in context are found to be false.
Christians need to know the signs of a false teacher. In order to do that you need to study the Bible.
Peter notes,
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.”  
                                                                       2 Peter 2:1. 
False teacher will bring the word of God into disrepute among non-believers. It is therefor imperative we have nothing to do with such people.
Someone pointed out to me some time ago that we should be speaking out publicly against such teachers. Then noted but in the secular democracy with freedom of speech laws the way they are. Even heretics have the right to teach as they wish. He also noted that the person spoken against could possibly take legal action against the person who spoke up against them.
That being said we know God will one day judge the false teachers. Until then we should be quick to spread the truth of the Scriptures. We need to be both inside and outside our churches teaching the truth about Jesus Christ.
The voice of the true believer should be should be louder and more prolific than that of the false teacher.
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
                                                                         Matthew 28:18-20.
We need to be doing so with the truth. We need to be echoing the words of Jesus who when speaking of himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. 
                                                                                                                                 John 3:16-18.
We need to tell the world the words of Paul who said,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
                                                                     Ephesians 2:8,9.
We need to be telling people the words of Jesus who said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                             Matthew 11:28-30.

Please think about it.

Watch out

Watch out
Jesus said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ 
                                                                                                                      Matthew 7:15-23
In this day and age it can be hard to spot the good from the bad within the Christian community. There is no real oversight especially when it comes to Evangelical Christians.
If a Christian pastor or evangelist has a disagreement with the denomination they are with all they have to do is set up shop as an independent congregation. Then the only oversight there is, comes from a board elected by that independent congregation usually from suggestions made by the pastor.
Now don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with most independent Churches. Most are doing a good job and staying true to the word of God. Still there are some that are not.
The apostle Paul warned.
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 
                                                                                                        2Timothy 4:3,4.
It is these people we must be aware of. There are many charlatans out there claiming to be Christian, claiming to perform miracles and doing other wonders that are not.
Discovering who they are is very difficult in this multi media age. All too often we only see what they want us to see in the media.
These people string scripture together that sounds good. They even deliberately misinterpret scripture to take advantage of unsuspecting believers.
They make wild claims saying they have proof of what they are doing is true yet when pressed for that proof they say its confidential or make some other excuse. This should not be so.
Every church, every pastor, every evangelist should be open to scrutiny by those who support them.
If they make claims of healing they should be willing to give proof of the healing.
My pastor set the example for our congregation. He had colon cancer. When they went to operate on him they found the cancer was worse than they thought. They cut out what they could and told him, that had they known before they went in the extent of the cancer they wouldn’t have gone in. Now at best he had two years to live.
He believed God would heal him. Our church prayed for him and today five years on they cannot find the cancer. Our pastor was cured. The doctor told him it should be there but they can’t detect it.
It was proof God had healed him. All of this he shared publicly with our congregation.
This is how it should be with all who claim to have healed someone. The healing should be verified, preferably by a reputable independent source like a doctor.
Likewise when it come to handling of money contributed to the ministry. Every penny should be accounted for.
By law in Canada all charities and that includes churches have to give an accounting. Our congregation is given an accounting every year that includes not only what was paid out in expenses for various events and equipment for the church, but how much the pastor and staff are paid and how much was spent on travel by them.
It is a very transparent process that keeps everyone honest.
Thus it should be for every ministry. Christians need to hold all those whom they support to an accounting not just as to how the money is spent, but a spiritual accounting also.
If a miracle takes place it needs to be verified preferably as I said, by an independent source.
Even what the minister or evangelist is preaching needs to be checked periodically to see if it lines up with the scriptures. If it doesn’t the person needs to be spoke to.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                       1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Simply put we are not to judge those outside the church. Instead we are to keep our own house clean and expel those who are not properly administering the word of God from among us.
The apostle Peter said,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’ 
                                                                                      1 Peter 2:9-12.
This is what we as Christians should be doing ourselves and should be expecting our Christian leaders to live up to.
Please think about it.

False Teachers

False Teachers
The Apostle Paul writes,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 
                                                                                                    2Timothy 4:3,4.
What Paul is writing about is happening today in Christian circles. There are men and women in the media and churches that are not putting up with sound doctrine. This should not be so.
Christians need to be on their guard against false teachers.
False teachers can be hard to spot as they sound good. They put scripture together in such away that it’s hard to tell if they are right or wrong at times.
We had a man come to preach at our little church once. Our pastor was going on holiday and this man a former pastor himself came recommended.
I happened to be on sound that day and from the sound booth I could see he was getting the congregation excited.
Unfortunately he wasn’t far into his sermon when he started to misquote scriptures. There were several afterwards that came up to me and mentioned that what he was saying was wrong. I knew it, and took the tape and a written transcript of the tape of the sermon to our pastor noting the errors, when he returned the next week. These were errors a Sunday School child could see.
In the eighty minute plus sermon there were dozens of errors but.because he was an excellent speaker he made the garbage he spouted sound good.
The sad thing in all of this was the majority of the congregation did not see the errors. They trusted the man because he was in the pulpit.
That’s the way it is with many who support Evangelist and pastors in other churches and in the media. They trust a person simply because they are preaching from a pulpit.
Our church is only small but we conduct our bible study in a very open way. I lead the study but everyone in the study has the right to give their interpretation of what they are studying, and the reason they believe so. If people disagree with the interpretation they are free to express their disagreements and explain why they disagree.
Everything is up for debate.
It is our goal to get to the unadulterated truth in what we are studying. We used  various commentaries, not just one. We delve into the history books and other resources  if necessary to understand things.
    It has resulted in the changing of some peoples Minds on what they believed on some important issues.
I and other leaders in the church find that encouraging people to study the Bible themselves and asking questions is a good thing.
It keeps everyone on their toes and seeking truth.
This is what all who call themselves Christians should be doing.
Please think about it. 

False Teachers

False teachers
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
                                                                                                                                       2 Peter 2:1-3
Here Peter warns about false teachers arising. Introducing heresies and denying Jesus.
The apostle Paul also gives a warning about false teachers. He states,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 
                                                                                                      2Timothy 4:3,4.
As I look in the media I see these people all the time. Men and women who are perverting the word of God.
They talk a good talk but they are not speaking the word of God in spirit and in truth. It is these people we as Christians have to look out for.
I have heard a lot of wild claims made my men and women claiming to be speaking for God. Claims that have never been proven. Claims that have been disproved yet the people making these claims have not repented. They go on deceiving people usually for their own gain.
In the twenty-four seven multi media world we live in we as Christians need to be vigilant.
We need to be studying the word of God for ourselves. We need to be in a Church that treats the word of God with respect. With pastors that truly fear God and do their best to teach the Bible the way God intended it to be taught.
Pastors who believe the words of Ecclesiastes when he states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
We need to remember the words of Jesus who said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
                                                                                                                   Matthew 7:21-23.
Please think about it.

False Teachers

False teachers

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 
                                                                                             2Timothy 4:3,4.
I believe the above statement by the apostle Paul to Timothy. I also believe that, never in the history of Christianity is that statement more true.
Now don’t get me wrong there are a lot of good solid evangelist and pastors doing their best to serve the Lord and minister His word in spirit and in truth. Delivering the unadulterated salvation message of God.
Never the less there are many out there in the media that are not teaching sound doctrine. They are misleading people in many cases deliberately lying to people. Sadly all too many people are believing them. Christians who are not reading the word of God. Who are not studying. Who are relying on specific evangelist or pastors to teach them and never check to see if they are being taught correctly.
I watch a particular television network we pick up over the air from the United States. There are people their selling what amounts to at the very best secular products with a Christian wrapping at worst snake oil.
They are telling people to stock up on supplies for a year or more because the end is coming and Christ’s return in imminent. And of course they want you to buy the supplies from them.
I can understand people wanting Christ to return soon. Our society is on a slippery slope to hell. It’s wandering far from God’s ideals. Who wouldn’t want Christ to come back today.
I can also understand people wanting to stock up incase there’s a disaster. That is the prudent thing to do.
What bothers me is the millions of dollars these evangelist and pastors are spending on doom and gloom scenarios when they should be presenting the salvation message of God.
The gospel of Matthew however records,
“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.  
For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.  
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”  
                                       Matthew 24:4-6.
There is a lot of trouble in the world today. It seems like a great up evil is happening in the middle east. And yes the time for Christ’s return may be close at hand. Christians have believed this since the days of the apostles.
Still knowing this, we as Christians should be doubling our effort to reach people for Christ. Jesus gave the church it’s mandate when He said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
                                                                             Matthew 28:18-20 .
That age has not come to an end yet therefor we must work as hard as we can to reach the world for Christ.
Forget about selling or buying fancy face creams or survival rations that can be bought at a secular store.
We need to be putting our time our effort and our money, into reaching the world around us.
Good evangelist and pastors are preaching this message. Follow their examples and buy your face cream if you must from a local cosmetic store.
Please think about it.

Warning!

Warning

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
                                                                      Matthew 28:18-20.
The above scripture quite often called the divine commission is something we as Christians need to take seriously. Certainly the early church did. Within two hundred years of Christ giving it to the church, Christianity had reached the whole of the known world.
It gave to those who heard and accepted the teachings of Christ, freedom and hope not only in this world but for eternity to come.
These early Christians had a basic message. That message being “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved”.
They had no time to get involved in politics. They realized that short of Christ’s second coming there would be no Christian nation on this earth.
They never spoke against the civil secular governments. They simply presented the message. A positive message of love and life everlasting through faith in Christ Jesus.
Sadly as I look at some high profile evangelist in here in North America I see them turning from that message.
They make wild claims of healings that are not. They make prophetic predictions that don’t come true. They write books that make millions for themselves that contain wrong teaching and when they are exposed they don’t repent.
As Christians we need to be on our guard for such men.
The apostle Paul states,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                                 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Sadly we as Christians give such people the benefit of the doubt and don’t stand up to them. Letting them hide behind the words “don’t speak against God’s elect.”
The thing is that those who are not teaching God’s word correctly are not God’s elect.
To quote Paul again,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 
                                                                                                         2Timothy 4:3,4.
This is happening today, and thanks to the internet these false teachers and heretics are getting more exposure than ever before.
As Christians we need to be aware of this. We need to be studying the Bible directly more than ever before. We need to be praying and asking God to give us insight into His word. To show us what is truth and what is not.
We need to be questioning especially those in the media. We need to be asking ourselves is what is being taught truly sound biblical teaching.
Please think about it.    

Christians Beware

Beware

“But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 
They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”  
These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 
Be merciful to those who doubt;  snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”
                                                                                                       Jude 1:17-23.
Throughout the New Testament there is a call to beware of those who divide the church. Those who to quote Jude, “follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”
From my earliest days as a Christian I was taught to pray and read the Bible. To ask God to show me the truths there in.
I was taught by very good pastors to question what was being taught to make sure it was the truth.
There are many out there calling themselves Christians today who are not. They are following their own desires to either deliberately lead people the wrong way, to obtain wealth, or to gain power and prestige or all of the above.
The apostles warned about such men and women that is why we need to be cautious about who we support.
Jude tells us,
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life...”
The only way we can build ourselves up in the Holy Faith is to first pray, then study the world of God both on our own and with other believers.  We need to be around other Christians and discussing the word of God. This helps us grow and keep on track.
You can’t grow effectively if you are not around other believers. Watching a televangelist as good as the person may be shouldn’t keep us away from assembling with other believers.
The other thing Jude calls us to do is,
“Be merciful to those who doubt;  snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”
Put simply we are to help those who may have doubts about their faith. Additionally we are to reach out to the lost to save them from a Christless eternity.
Please think about it.

Christians Beware!

Christians beware

“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer  
nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith.  
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.  
Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.  
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.” 
                   1 Timothy 1:3-7
Time and time again throughout the Apostle Paul’s letters to the church he warns against false teachers. Today his warnings need to be heeded more than ever.
Christians are generally a trusting people. When someone say’s they are a Christian we believe them.
When someone speaks from the pulpit be that pulpit in a local church or in the media, and says they are a man or woman of God we believe them.
While I would say the majority of teachers, preachers and evangelist in the world today are honest men and women of God teaching what they believe, I know there are a lot of fakes out there. Men and women who would lead people astray or are trying to separate them from their money.
Sadly especially in the evangelical community in North America there is no real way of policing our faith for fakes.
I know of men and women calling themselves Christians who have threatened to take other Christians to court because they threatened to expose blatantly wrong teaching.
Christians should not be taking other Christians to court. Rather we should be willing to have any dispute we have with other fellow believes at the very least mediated by other believers to see if a solution can be reached.
The apostle Paul notes,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 
                                                                        2Timothy 4:3,4.
As Christians we need to on guard against those who teach falsely. Men and women who use the Bible for their own gain or to deliberately deceive others and lead them away from the truth about God and Christ.
That is why I urge everyone who claims to be a believer to read the bible for themselves. To pray and ask God to show them the truth in the scriptures.
To question those evangelist, pastors and teachers they are listening to. Don’t be scared to look up the scriptures spoken on by those whom you listen to.
Ask yourself and God are those scriptures used in the right context or have they been misinterpreted.
If you feel there is a conflict talk to others about your suspicions. Even ask the person you were listening to, to explain themselves better.
If you’re not satisfied then stop listening to them, don’t support them.
I am a firm believer in questioning everything that a pastor, teacher or evangelist says or does.
Christian leaders should be held up to a very high standard. Higher than the person sitting in the pew.
Remember the words of Jesus,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ 
Matthew 7:21-23
Remember also the words of the Apostle Paul who said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                        1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
So my advice to Christians in general is to guard against false teachers. Examine everything you are being taught or listening to.
Above all ask God to show you what is right so that you are not deceived or led astray.
Please think about it.