Learning how to discern

[Lik3]

I have trouble detecting who is a false Christian preacher from one who is true? First off, are ALL tv preachers or those who decide to preach on tv false? Do at least one of them hold true to bible doctrine? I ask God for discernment in that I will not be deceived.

 

[CGL1023]

I have trouble detecting who is a false Christian preacher from one who is true? First off, are ALL tv preachers or those who decide to preach on tv false? Do at least one of them hold true to bible doctrine? I ask God for discernment in that I will not be deceived.

I am under the tutelage of an ultra-conservative teacher. She says that virtually all TV preaching amounts to false doctrine. This can be seen in the many gimmicks used to sell merchandise; increase audience/viewership with rap, rock etc.; take audiences back under the Mosaic law with Jewish religious paraphernalia; compromise/dilute the Word of God; etc.

Her rule of thumb in judging a church externally is that, if the church is relatively large, then the pastor is not offending enough people. Pastors fear alienating people and losing church membership by not teaching the hard, unpleasant messages including hell, lake of fire, white throne judgement, tribulation and rise of Anti-Christ.

The best way you can judge a church is to ask if a given church is carrying out the activities Mark 16:17, 18. By the preceding scriptures, there should be demonized people being delivered, people getting healed and the people being baptized with the Holy Spirit and operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Warrioress]

I have trouble detecting who is a false Christian preacher from one who is true? First off, are ALL tv preachers or those who decide to preach on tv false? Do at least one of them hold true to bible doctrine? I ask God for discernment in that I will not be deceived.

One of my favorite TV evangelists/ministers is Dr. Charles Stanley with IN TOUCH.ORG. He is really awesome. He is plain spoken and anyone could see that his faith is totally genuine. I've seen few speak against him. He would be wonderful to regularly watch for any believer in Jesus Christ.

 

[HeadHeart]

I love Dr. Stanley, too. He has a large church. He sticks well to orthodoxy. Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church under James Kennedy was another. But there are many large churches that sacrifice the truth for attendance and donors. The Church Growth Movement is all about not offending anyone. They will avoid topics such as homosexuality, the evils of Islam, gay marriage, and salvation through Christ alone - so they won't offend anyone. They will avoid applying scripture to current events and "politics" to avoid controversy, in spite of the fact that the Bible records all sorts of events of Jesus and his apostles confronting current events and the politics of their day. Instead these mega churches and mega church wannabees focus on entertainment and feeling good, creating a new gospel that holds high self-esteem at any price above Godliness. Yuck!

 

[tturt]

Discerning of spirits is a gift and operates like all the other gifts in that the information has to come from Yahweh or it's us with all our bias. Desiring spiritual gifts is scriptural such as 1 Corinthians 14:1 "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy."

Yes, I love what Dr. Stanley teaches also. Plus I receive what I need to from some of the others. In fact, just listened to two sermons in a row about receiving Yahweh's forgiveness. (paraphased) One of them pointed out that we can repent because of Yeshua's sacrifice and that when we repent Yahweh forgives and forgets. Since He forgets why do we spend so much time thinking about it? Not that we shouldn't learn from our mistakes but we need to stop repeatedly repenting for things in our past (things that we've already repented of) and move on by accepting His forgiveness, His love, His mercy. I'm thanking Yahweh for this revelation by some television ministers.

 

[brittany111]

I have trouble detecting who is a false Christian preacher from one who is true? First off, are ALL tv preachers or those who decide to preach on tv false? Do at least one of them hold true to bible doctrine? I ask God for discernment in that I will not be deceived.

The important think to ask yourself when you're not sure what you hear is truth is to relate it to the Word. Ask yourself if what the preacher is saying is Biblical, take notes writing down the scriptures he uses and check it out for yourself. Read and pray, the Holy Spirit will reveal to the truth.

I would not go so far to say that all tv preachers are false. While there are some that I question, there are others that I enjoy listening to. One of my favorites is Pastor Brian Houston from Hillsong Church. He exhibits both the truth and love of Christ in his messages.

 

[WinBySurrender]

One of my favorite TV evangelists/ministers is Dr. Charles Stanley with IN TOUCH.ORG. He is really awesome. He is plain spoken and anyone could see that his faith is totally genuine. I've seen few speak against him. He would be wonderful to regularly watch for any believer in Jesus Christ.

Amen. You can put Dr. Chuck Swindoll, Dr. Tony Evans, and Dr. David Jeremiah in the same category.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

The important think to ask yourself when you're not sure what you hear is truth is to relate it to the Word. Ask yourself if what the preacher is saying is Biblical, take notes writing down the scriptures he uses and check it out for yourself. Read and pray, the Holy Spirit will reveal to the truth.

I would not go so far to say that all tv preachers are false. While there are some that I question, there are others that I enjoy listening to. One of my favorites is Pastor Brian Houston from Hillsong Church. He exhibits both the truth and love of Christ in his messages.

I agree. We base our judgment on what the Bible says.

We must remember that the whole Bible was written for us, but not all the Bible was written to us. What was applicable to Old Covenant people under the Mosaic Law is not necessarily applicable to New Covenant Christians, unless the teaching is reflected in the New Testament. Not even all the teaching of Jesus is applicable to us unless it is repeated in the letters of Paul, Peter, and John. This is because Jesus ministered to Old Covenant Jews during His time on earth.

So, discernment comes more clearly when we not only know what the Bible teaches, but to whom it is directed.

For example. In the Law it says that disobedient children should be taken outside the camp and stoned to death. Do we follow that instruction? Why not? God said it. But, you see, He said it to the Old Covenant Jews, but not to us, therefore it does not apply to us.

Another good example is Job's three friends. They said a lot of things which could be good wisdom in their right context. But we don't follow what they say because they said it to Job and God did not approve of them saying it.

So, knowing that nine out of every ten impressions we get are from the world, flesh or the devil, mental impressions are not reliable for discernment, so knowing the written Word of God is the best foundation for accurate discernment.

 

[katautumn]

I have trouble detecting who is a false Christian preacher from one who is true? First off, are ALL tv preachers or those who decide to preach on tv false? Do at least one of them hold true to bible doctrine? I ask God for discernment in that I will not be deceived.

Most televangelists are Word of Faith or some form of prosperity gospel, name it and claim it, etc. I do like Charles Stanley, but I don't know if he comes on TV any more. He pastors First Baptist Atlanta, so the services used to be televised on our local news stations on Sunday mornings.

The best way to discern is to test what they are saying in light of the Scriptures. If it seems a preacher or evangelist is twisting the Scriptures or adding to doctrine to suit their agenda or if something about their delivery of the Gospel doesn't set well with your spirit, that's when you will know.