How do we test everything?How do we test a church to see if it’s following Jesus or it’s own pursuit of members and money? Or a pastor to make sure they’re not just up there because they like people looking at or listening to them? Or if a ministry is for real? Or a Christian school holds to Christ?

How do we know if these things are for real, genuine, authentic, godly? We test to see if they are in accordance with God’s word, of course. But sometimes people speak the truth and may even technically be doctrinally sound. Then what? I’ve run into this. Twisting truth and Scripture and God’s will.

Speaking with a couple fellow travelers this week, we talked about the horrendous wake that is left from a ministry gone awry. It got me thinking about tests to make sure you’re staying on track–for God, and not for self.

So here’s some thoughts that seem good to test these meditations against before sending them out. These can be for organizations, people…yourself:

• Does it inspire you to love God more? – Joy and inner peace
• Does it fuel your love for others? – compassion
• Does it build a healthier love of self – soul care
• Does it bring glory to God? In other words, does it promote and draw attention to Jesus or yourself?
• Does it draw you more toward God or away from God?

Many have spoken accurately according to the Bible and failed every above test.

I’d love to hear from you if you have more thoughts on this…

In the Name of Jesus,
Soli Deo Gloria