There are many who teach from the bible; how do we know when truth is spoken? How do we identify a false prophet? There is much instruction in the Scriptures to teach us how to identify a false prophet. Would you be able to identify a false prophet?
Do you really care?
Most likely not.
“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” -Proverbs 20:11
Examining the sermons or conversations of your ACOG leader can quickly reveal the God they serve.
Do they speak of God’s kingdom, His righteousness, and His love; or does their conversation center on the things of this world and life?
Some examples:
- Football bad
- American economic crash
- The European Union and Nazi’s
- Marijuana
- Clean and unclean food
- Your sex life
- The Catholics
- The beast power
- King of the north
- King of the south
- What is pagan?
- Nimrod
- Christmas
- Easter
- Brexit
Are your leaders peacemakers, that sow the seeds of mercy and love?
Are they gentle and patient, or do they lose their temper easily?
Example: Easily mark or disfellowship people in haste without biblical standards for such action.
Do they walk in faith, or are they looking or their personal needs to be supplied by others? Example:
- Did you build or buy the ministry a house?
- Do you supply the ministry with a car?
- Are you paying their bills?
- Why don’t they have another trade in which they can support themselves?
“…because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.” Acts 18:3
Are they always pressuring people for money or favors, or do they simply receive those gifts with thanksgiving? Example: Guilt tripping you into giving more.
Do they have the joy of the Lord, or do they minister to the flock as if they are policemen?
Are they truly joyous, or do they continually complain and bitch over crime, world events, different cultures, and what they don’t like about them, all the things that are not pleasing to them?
Is goodness evident in their lives instead of evil?
Example: Do they disfellowship a family who has had a child that was molested by a pedophile? (Church first, people second)
Do they put people in bondage by always threatening them with the wrath of God, or is the God given right, freedom of choice, extended with the warning of the penalties of sin? Otherwise, do they run your life or do you?
Do you really, really believe that Jesus came to set you free, and not to bring you under the bondage of men?
Is you minister Christ like or like Satan?
Can you see your leaders, and see if their fruit is good fruit?
Do they promote peace instead of strife?
Are they longsuffering (patient) or impatient, gentle or harsh?
Do they show love and tolerance for those that oppose them?
Are they meek, giving God the glory for their talents and gifts, or do they pridefully talk of all they are doing or what their group is doing?
Does temperance prevail not only in their lifestyle, but in their personal habits as well, or do extremes exist that do not glorify God? In essence they will not live for themselves, but for others as Jesus did.
Do they reflect Jesus?
Proverbs 20:11 says, “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”
Are they not to be patient and loving towards all of their brothers and sisters in the Lord?
To love God is to:
- Follow Him,
- Fear Him,
- Listen to His voice,
- Serve Him,
- Cling to Him
The false prophets of armstrongism have abandoned God and replace Him with mortal men.
Deuteronomy 13:4
The armstrongites do not love God, but do give Him much lip service.
Excellent article!
This is yet another message that is factual, logical, and even scriptural, and should cause readers to rethink their current church situation. Unfortunately, in the case of COG members, we are not so much dealing with the logical part of the human brain, in which this message would be received and processed in a positive manner, but with the programmed area of the brain, programmed by individuals who are thought to be apostles, prophets, and other messengers from God. This programmed area repels any truths which differ from the programming.
My challenge to any of the COG members reading this is to think the article through, consider it, and compare it with what you are going through today, or this week. Do you struggle with many of the things your minister says, does or expects? There really is a better way. You just have to find it. We’ve watched so many church situations over the years go from bad to worse, as members patiently waited for them to be corrected. And, they never are. Some of the COGs don’t so much have members any more as they do have codependents to bad ministry.
BB
It is actually possible to share in the wicked work of a false teacher like Weston, Flurry, Pack or even Bob Thiel.
Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work” (2 Jn. 9-11).