Discern False Teachings

God will judge those who explain false doctrines. James 3:1 "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." Jesus said in Matthew 7:22-23"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!' Watch out for "wanna be" preachers. There are spiritual leaders and followers who are depending on doctrines rather than God to guide them in their Christian living practices without obvious agendas such as certain movements. We are living in the times of confusion and it is sometimes hard to distinguish the false from the true. The main problem is false teachings being taught within the Christian community. This is an area in which people are highly vulnerable to self-deception, where likenesses and differences are so difficult to distinguish in the "Christian" world. People often do not escape deceptions around the world unless they REALLY know the Word. This is a TWO-WAY street between the Church leaders and the members. Accountibility goes BOTH WAYS. It is ALL of our responsibilities as Christians to discern and we don't want to be gullible. We either be gullible or discerner. We are to be watching for RED FLAGS. How do I look for red flags? My position is to look at the whole ministry rather than having a tunnel vision of a teacher. The over-all package. I will notice that if they "don't practice with they teach", its a flag. If I see alot of red flags, I am spiritually uncomfortable to even listen to them. 1 John 4:1 (NIV) [ Test the Spirits ] Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world