Beware of Internet Websites

There are a gazillion websites on the Internet that put a lot of time and effort into telling us that some other person or ministry is either in error or false in its teaching. I am particularly responding to a website that was posted in this forum.

I looked at it and saw faces I have learned things from. My heart sank and then wondered, where is the website of the "good" preachers. Now having mentioned that, I am sure there will be many website forthcoming in this forum and that is good. But if all of these preachers are bad preachers including the directors of international tv stations where is the "good" tv stations with all those good preachers. It would seem to me that the good preachers should learn from the other preachers and get the "real truth" out there.

In the new testament some of the believers said they were followers of Paul, others followers of Jessus and others were "followers" of other apostles. Isn't this what we do within all of Christianity? And what did Paul say, he criticised all of us by dividing the church. I guess some could feel a call to find all the "false prophets". But is certainly does not sit well with my soul to point the finger at the "faults" in other Christians when I know I still have another gazillion in myself to deal with.

The world is suppose to know we are Christians by our love for one another. I don't think that these "false prophet" websites do a very good job at that.

Bruce

Bruce, you have missed it from the very start. What the bible warned is not Beware of Internet Websites, but:

Mat 7:15 [b]Beware of false prophets,[/b] which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Why?

Because:

Mat 24:11 And [b]many false prophets[/b] shall rise, and shall [b]deceive many[/b].

Even:

Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and [b]false prophets[/b], and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall [b]deceive[/b] the very elect.

Bruce, I am not saying that you are, but your attitude of coming here, without introducing yourself, and defending the 'ministry' of one of the notorious false prophets of these days, seems like you have been sent directly by him.

I'm not surprised at all by that, I am expecting more and more in the future, because it is said so in the bible and we are to watch about this. Many of this millions deceived are sincere people, not knowing what is going on behind the scenes. The Websites that you are saying people to be beware of, has helped a lot of people to be informed of the reality of what is going on.

About good preachers, yes, there are good preachers, the Lord is raising faithful prophets, just search, you will find them. Don't search them on tv stations, that's pretty much wrong place for the start. And the very fact that you are on this site, you have come to right place where you will find many of the remnant preachers. But the time will show your motives of coming here. Just know that you are not here by accident.

Just the other day I heard, the prophet you are defending:

[i]Interviewer: My question is, Jesus never asked for money, why do you?
Benny Hinn: [b]Well, Jesus didn't have a TV Program.[/b]
[/i]
And he is saying this without shame.

And I believe these 'ministries' are allowed by God and are in control, that to be discern who are for Him and who are for healing and money as goal.

But:

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; [b]God is not mocked:[/b] for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

The world is suppose to know we are Christians by our love for one another. I don't think that these "false prophet" websites do a very good job at that.

Firstly, you must to discern the false from the true brother. The promotion of this kind of love in the name compromise and another gospel, will be rejected by the living Body. There is an expansion of this kind of love, just check these sites:

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/who-are-we.html
http://www.ncccusa.org/
http://www.unity.org/
http://www.uua.org/

They are millions, all they work in the name of love and peace. But this adulteress unity will not work on the true Body of Christ.

May God bless your stay here,
Kire

bnutting wrote:
There are a gazillion websites on the Internet that put a lot of time and effort into telling us that some other person or ministry is either in error or false in its teaching. I am particularly responding to a website that was posted in this forum.

I looked at it and saw faces I have learned things from. My heart sank and then wondered, where is the website of the "good" preachers. Now having mentioned that, I am sure there will be many website forthcoming in this forum and that is good. But if all of these preachers are bad preachers including the directors of international tv stations where is the "good" tv stations with all those good preachers. It would seem to me that the good preachers should learn from the other preachers and get the "real truth" out there.

In the new testament some of the believers said they were followers of Paul, others followers of Jessus and others were "followers" of other apostles. Isn't this what we do within all of Christianity? And what did Paul say, he criticised all of us by dividing the church. I guess some could feel a call to find all the "false prophets". But is certainly does not sit well with my soul to point the finger at the "faults" in other Christians when I know I still have another gazillion in myself to deal with.

The world is suppose to know we are Christians by our love for one another. I don't think that these "false prophet" websites do a very good job at that.

Bruce

Bruce,

There is a goldmine of good preachers right here. As for TV, it is still a wasteland. I don't think there is a definitive "good TV" network, but several good preachers have TV ministries. As an adherent to reformation theology, I can recommend RC Sproul and John McArthur, but several Bible preaching Arminians come to mind as well. David Jeremiah, Chuck Swindoll and Greg Laurie come to mind. Forgive me brother, I don't own a TV so I really don't know who all the preachers are with a TV ministry.

I would say be leery of preachers with shows that spend half their TV time digging into your pockets or offer miracle prayer kleenexes or want you to touch the TV screen while they pray. From what I understand "Praisathons" are nothing more than "pay-a-thons."

SDG,

Dave

Bruce,

I know reading/studying the sites that evaluate ministries/teachers/preachers can and are quite depressing. But have you ever been deceived? Ever believed in a false doctrine? And acted on it? Brother, you know what happens when you realize you have been misled? You will whip yourself for having been so stupid, so blind that is requires a lot of grace from the LORD to enable you to forgive yourself, especially if you have verbalized your philosophy of life.

So, I would suggest, if you find these sites discouraging, study the genuine, the real THING and see what happens to your mind and soul. The LORD might actually give you insights which will rival these discernment ministries'!

Blessings,
ginnyrose

PS: Unfortunately, there is a great variation among "christians". Some are genuine and some are wolves in sheeps' clothing, and wolves are out to get you at a weak moment because they are hungry and want to consume YOU!

In the new testament some of the believers said they were followers of Paul, others followers of Jessus and others were "followers" of other apostles. Isn't this what we do within all of Christianity? And what did Paul say, he criticised all of us by dividing the church. I guess some could feel a call to find all the "false prophets". But is certainly does not sit well with my soul to point the finger at the "faults" in other Christians when I know I still have another gazillion in myself to deal with. The world is suppose to know we are Christians by our love for one another. I don't think that these "false prophet" websites do a very good job at that.

I don't know what website you are referring to so I can't comment on that but I would like to address some of the thoughts that I have quoted above.

The fact that you have faults yourself is no excuse for not seeking discernment in spiritual matters or warning others when false teaching is found.

Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life" , anyone who teaches another way is nothing more than a thief. One need only read 2 Peter 2:1-22 to understand God's contempt for those who use another way in the Church. Unity is important but it must never come at the expense of truth. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Woe be to the man who uses the bride of Christ for his own gain.

In Christ,

Ron

Quote by ginnyrose: Some are genuine and some are wolves in sheeps' clothing, and wolves are out to get you at a weak moment because they are hungry and want to consume YOU!

Absolutely!

One thing that should be noted about this site, Bruce, and the posting of all these messages and all that the brother who started the site has done, and those who post on here and etc. is the fact that they are not "getting" anything from you. SI just sponsored a Revival Convention a few months ago, if you have not yet read about it in which the stipulation was that not one of the brothers who preached at it was paid to come, and the stipulation was that none of the guests who came were to be charged for coming.

Jesus said to John's disciples when they inquired whether He was the Messiah or not: "Go tell John that the poor have the Gospel preached to them".

As for the "love" thing:
There is a balance in the Word of God from Genesis through Revelation that shows us clearly that the Love of God is balanced by His hatred of sin, hypocrisy, evil, idolatry, and etc. God has called upon us to discern between the holy and the profane (Ezekiel 44:23) by the Word of God, to search the scriptures to see whether what is preached is true or not (Acts 17:11). And the foolish error that all we are to do is have “love” is one of those lies of the devil that has been used so effectively in these last days. You cannot love without hating those things that would destroy the object of your love.

Those who love eternal souls, and thank God you will find many on this site that do, are not going to idly stand by and allow a wolf to devour the flock if at all possible. Not one of the New Testament writers… not one, failed to warn of deception, and deceivers. In fact the Lord Jesus Christ made that the hallmark of the last warning to His disciples before the crucifixion regarding the last days. See Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13.

Babes in Christ like natural babies desire milk, candy, and a whole host of things in their diet that would destroy them, but a good parent will not allow their desires to destroy them… and Paul said of these days that men would not endure sound doctrine (I am paraphrasing) but seek those that will accommodate their petty little appetites… and it has always been so… “prophesy smooth things”.

But try these verses for some balance in the diet.

Psalms 97:10 - 11 (KJV) 10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Psalms 119:113 - 118 (NASB) 113 I hate those who are double-minded, But I love Your law. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word. 115 Depart from me, evildoers, That I may observe the commandments of my God. 116 Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. 117 Uphold me that I may be safe, That I may have regard for Your statutes continually. 118 You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes, For their deceitfulness is useless.

Psalms 119:163 (ESV) 163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.

Ecclesiastes 3:8 (KJV) 8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Proverbs 15:9 (NKJV) 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness.

Amos 5:15 (NASB) 15 Hate evil, love good, And establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the LORD God of hosts May be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Proverbs 17:15 (NKJV) 15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

Proverbs 29:27 (NKJV) 27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

Matthew 6:24 (NKJV) 24“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Please search this site out and listen to some of the "old path" preachers who did not fleece the flock but laid themselves out "for" the flock and if, and that is an important if, if you want the truth, you will find it.

The best way to discern the counterfiet is to study the original. The original being the very WORD of God.

God bless you,

Clint

I looked at it and saw faces I have learned things from. My heart sank and then wondered

Bruce, your questions have dogged me ever since I read them...now I would like to respond to the above quote.

Consider this from Matthew 13:25-30: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among, the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares
He said unto them,An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."

Perhaps this will explain to you why a false teacher can edify a person. When we allow ourselves to become so closely attached emotionally to a person, we will ignore the red flags we see because we just do not want to believe it for whatever reason, one being that we have enjoyed this person so much. The best thing is to distance yourself emotionally from others. What that distance should be would best be taught to you by the Holy Spirit.

Another question that can occur is "why does God allow this to happen?" This is one of the mysteries that belong to God whose answer is ellusive except to say that in God's economy, he makes use of everything. Consider Pharoah: An ungodly man whom God used to demonstrate his power and majesty. And I would guess this happens oftener then we think, but the incidents just may not be as obvious to us humans. (Phil. 1:16-18)

Hope this helps.

ginnyrose