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21 Tests That Distinguish Between True And Fake Ministries

by Pastor QT Nyathi  
5/30/2013 / Christian Living

We live in the last days of great deception. How does one test the authenticity of a ministry so as to avoid abuse or bondage? Here are twenty one tests that you can use to expose false ministries and embrace true ones.

Test #1: Test of Covetousness.

Is money the prevailing motive of the ministry?

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgement now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.
2 Peter 2:3

Test #2: Test of Humility.

Is anyone other than Jesus being exalted?

He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30

Test #3: Test of the Inward Witness.

Do you sense peace or turmoil in your spirit when interacting with the ministry?

For the Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Romans 8:16

Test #4: Test of Confession of Jesus.

Does the ministry consistently confess, acknowledge, and preach Jesus Christ?

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God; every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
I John 4:2-3

Test #5: Test of Idolatry.

Is anything other than Jesus being exalted?

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Romans 1:25

Test #6: Test of Doctrine.

Do the teachings of the ministry line up with the Bible?

If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Isaiah 8:20b

Test #7: Test of Fruit.

Is the lifestyle of the minister holy?

You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.
Matthew 7:16-17

Test #8: Test of Holiness

Does the ministry turn people away from sin towards holiness?

But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
Jeremiah 23:22

Test #9: Test of Values.

Does the ministry esteem God's word far above everything?

For you have magnified your word above all your name.
Psalm 138:2b

Test #10: Test of Control.

Does the ministry manipulate and control people's lives?

In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.
2 Peter 2:3a

Test #11: Test of Love.

Is everything done in a spirit of love?

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8

Test #12: Test of Accountability.

Is the ministry accountable to apostolic authority or the leadership of the local church?

Give an account of your stewardship, because you cannot be steward any longer.
Luke 16:2b

Test #13: Test of Exclusivity.

Does the ministry claim to own the franchise on truth?

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and we forbade him because he followeth not with us.
Luke 9:49

Test #14: Test of Worship.

Does the ministry lead you to worship God or to move away from Him?

If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder and the sign or wonder comes to pass, whereof he spoke to you saying, Let us go after other gods which you have not known, and let us serve them; you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer of dreams.
Deut 13:1-3a

Test #15: Test of Methods.

Are the methods of the ministry biblical?

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2 Peter 2:2

Test #16: Test of Changed Lives.

Are lives being touched and changed by the power of God?

Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 9:2

Test #17: Test of Secret Knowledge.

Is there a select group that possesses special knowledge not accessible to ordinary members?

The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness hath He openly shown in the sight of the heathen.
Psalm 98:2

Test #18: Test of Teamwork.

Is the ministry a one-man-show or team-driven?

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said...
Acts 2:14

Test #19: Test of Salvation.

Does the ministry teach salvation by works or by grace through faith?

For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

Test #20: Test of Grace.

Does the ministry teach hyper-grace which condones sin or sober-grace which abandons sin?

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:1

Test #21: Test of Revelation.

Does the ministry claim to have a new oral or written revelation in addition to the Bible?

I warn everyone that hears the words of the prophecy of this book; if anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.
Revelation 22:18

Once you discern falsehood, run for your life. If you perceive truthfulness, sprint towards the liberating beacon of truth.

Pastor QT is a published author, copywriter and speaker. His sincerity, wit and candid style have endeared him to many hearts. His book DELIVERANCE UNPACKED has been warmly received globally. He conducts spicy marriage and singles seminars with his feisty wife Bonani.

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