What I would say to every one of us is this: We need to be sure that whoever we listen to and learn from for our spiritual growth, centers always and primarily on the Person and work of Jesus Christ. The presentation of the reality of Jesus Christ must not be peripheral, it must not be simply mentioned in the mix of an otherwise “self-help message,” it must not be a side note; rather, the presentation of the Person and work of Jesus Christ must be altogether the central focus.
He is, in fact, the thread of all of Scripture – from Genesis to Revelation. All other issues – psychological, mental, spiritual, physical, financial, relational, society – ALL other issues are secondary to the issue of building trust in and relationship with Jesus Christ. The other issues resolve themselves in Christ, and in Christ alone.
We should walk away from any preacher/teacher thinking, “Jesus has been made bigger and clearer to me.” We should fall deeper and deeper in love with the Savior – not deeper in love with a philosophy or a method of helping ourselves.
Always discern the core and details of messages. Always weigh all things against the Bible. In this season of a growing antichrist spirit, we will find Jesus “once removed,” if you will, from many messages and teachings. He is “added in,” but He is not the focus.
It is impossible to identify every teacher/preacher/ministry/church that is biblically “off” to some degree. But IT IS possible to know and love the truth, in order to spot what is counterfeit with Holy Spirit-empowered discernment.
That is my word of advice, after having served the Lord all these years, after having taught and preached the Word all these decades in churches of many denominations, after having specialized in apologetics and Christian worldview training, after studying deeply and broadly biblical prophecy, and after growing every single minute in my pursuit of a better relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.
– Shelli Prindle
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 1:7)
You examine the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me; and yet you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. (John 5:39-40)