Testing the Preacher
It can be tricky to identify when a preacher might not be sharing the truth because it is unexpected. It is not blatantly obvious. For he may claim to believe the Scriptures and accept the responsibility of guiding and feeding the flock. So, how can we detect if a preacher is not sharing Biblical truth? The following points will help us identify how to do so:
1-The preacher would not teach “thus said the Lord” but rather would focus on human philosophies and traditions. “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
2-Aside from the preacher’s words, his life and labors may reveal that he does not believe Jesus is coming soon. “But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming” (Matthew 24:48).
3-The preacher does not stand “between the dead and the living” in a time of crisis. “And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped” (Numbers 16:48).
4-The preacher does not teach whenever he can. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).
5-The preacher fails to call sin by its name. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).
6-The preacher tends to be a people-pleaser by delivering watered down messages to his parishioners. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers” (2 Timothy 4:3).
7-He does not call his members to practical godliness in everyday life. “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
8-There are no appeals in his sermons to forsake the world and repent of sin. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
9-The preacher may fail to teach that God gives people complete victory over sin. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
10-He promotes unity with other faiths that is based on compromise instead of the unity that is based on upholding the Bible truth. “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:17, 21).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
