Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
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2 Timothy 3
[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
[5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
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We live in time when megachurch pastors and televangelists are drawing large numbers of followers.
Tragically, some of these “religious celebrities” become caught up in the fame, money and power. They yield to temptation and become entangled in sexual and financial scandals. They commit crimes and are sometimes imprisoned.
Examples are given at:
List of scandals involving evangelical Christians
List of religious leaders convicted of crimes
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Christians need to develop discernment along with a relationship with the Holy Spirit in order to judge whether a minister is teaching the truth. Here are some questions to consider:
1. Does the minister draw attention to himself or does he give the glory to God?
2. Does the minister wear expensive clothing and jewelry?
3. Does the minister have expensive cars?
4. Does the minister teach from the scriptures, or does he teach his own ideas?
5. Is the minister humble?
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Did Jesus wear fancy clothes and jewelry?
Isaiah 53:2
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
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Was Jesus humble?
Mark 10
[17] And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
[18] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
Jesus took upon himself our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane and died for us on the cross at Calvary.
John 10
[17] Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
[18] No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
– Tom Irvine