YOUR PASTOR: A FALSE PROPHET?
Could your pastor actually be a false prophet or teacher?
Scripture gives us a criterion for a reason. With so many church growth philosophies and church reinvention trends going on today, many pastors have inadvertently fallen into the trap of falsehood in their teachings and techniques and how they "do church". When was the last time you took a serious hard look at what's going on in your church?
Jeremiah chapter 23 gives us a picture of a false prophet or teacher. Do these descriptions apply to your pastor? If so, you should seek God's direction in prayer and have a serious talk with your church leadership:
-Does he scatter the flock, driving members away? (vs. 1, 2)
-Does he neglect to bestow care for the believers? (vs. 2)
-Does he give the flock false hope? (vs. 16)
-Does he speak visions from his own mind and not from scripture? (vs. 16)
-Does he say to those who despise God "You will have peace"? (vs. 17)
-Does he neglect to warn the people of God's judgment? (vs. 17)
-Does he run with his own message, preaching from his own mind and not from scripture? (vs. 21)
-Does he speak of his own dreams for the church and not God's dreams? (vs.21, 25, 26)
-Does he come up with new methods or techniques not from scripture? (vs. 25)
-Does he boast and brag of his own goals and plans for the church? (vs.27, 28)
-Does he get his sermons and teachings from sources other than the Holy Spirit through scripture? (vs. 28)
-Is he reckless and careless with plans for the future of the church? (vs. 32)
-KCO
Scripture gives us a criterion for a reason. With so many church growth philosophies and church reinvention trends going on today, many pastors have inadvertently fallen into the trap of falsehood in their teachings and techniques and how they "do church". When was the last time you took a serious hard look at what's going on in your church?
Jeremiah chapter 23 gives us a picture of a false prophet or teacher. Do these descriptions apply to your pastor? If so, you should seek God's direction in prayer and have a serious talk with your church leadership:
-Does he scatter the flock, driving members away? (vs. 1, 2)
-Does he neglect to bestow care for the believers? (vs. 2)
-Does he give the flock false hope? (vs. 16)
-Does he speak visions from his own mind and not from scripture? (vs. 16)
-Does he say to those who despise God "You will have peace"? (vs. 17)
-Does he neglect to warn the people of God's judgment? (vs. 17)
-Does he run with his own message, preaching from his own mind and not from scripture? (vs. 21)
-Does he speak of his own dreams for the church and not God's dreams? (vs.21, 25, 26)
-Does he come up with new methods or techniques not from scripture? (vs. 25)
-Does he boast and brag of his own goals and plans for the church? (vs.27, 28)
-Does he get his sermons and teachings from sources other than the Holy Spirit through scripture? (vs. 28)
-Is he reckless and careless with plans for the future of the church? (vs. 32)
-KCO
posted by kennyo at 10:50 AM
5 Comments:
Did you notice something about the verses you were using from Jeremiah?
They are all talking about the Lord being the shepherd and man being the false shepherds. After all who can take his place?
Therefore:
Does he call himself the name pastor and get others to call him pastor even though Jesus said
"I am the good shepherd"
"There is one shepherd and one flock"
"Do not call yourself Father or teacher for one is your father and teacher and you are all brothers etc..."
By definition this would make him a false shepherd if he longs to be exalted above the brothers and set himself up in place of the true shepherd.
Great criteria for listening to any teacher, Kenny. Your attitude is right. We should test ALL teachers.
Phil Perkins
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
I like this.
Yep,
Your list pretty well matches up with my pastor (ex-pastor) right down the line. When I left a couple of weeks ago I really had a hard time explaining to my wife why we were done there, but this is what the Spirit was telling me.
Thanks you!
In Christ
Mike Ratliff
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