The church of Christ is not what it seems today. What with a lot of false preachers running the pulpits with a strong notion of self rather than the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Many of these false pastors and Bible teachers can be detected from the fruits they bear. Many are interested in glorifying themselves, or interested in self material and financial enrichment especially at the expense of the church members.

This does not come as strange to those who are well versed in the teachings in the Bible or those with a strong sense and discernment for deception. On the other hand for those who are not, there is the danger of suffering the fate of this verse:

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, (2Th 2:11)

so that all those who do not believe the truth, but delight in unrighteousness, might be condemned. (2Th 2:12)

But the joy in all this is that there is hope and true salvation for the true believers and those given to the work of Christ

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brothers beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, (2Th 2:13)

to which He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2Th 2:14)

The ability to discern when something is amiss in the church does not come naturally. This ability has to be nurtured over time and constant reading of the Bible and meditation on the Word of God. Going back to the basics I believe is one of the most important messages for the church today. Many Christians have lost the vision and mission of the Gospel and have been taken over by false teachings.

Sometimes it is not easy to recognize a situation when you are in such a church that does not conform to the teachings of the Word of God and so I have this list that will somewhat help you.

What of the Church Service Environment

1. The structure of the church leadership. Can it be defended by scripture? Can the people that the church has placed in leadership and service be disqualified by scripture?
2. How about the atmosphere. Is it one of reverence and order or is it more like a circus act? Where it is centered around Marketing schemes and hype. Is the general service more like a circus act?
3. How does the Bible fit in. Does it find its presence in the service. Is it being referred to and included in all aspects of the service?
4. Holy Communion. Is it being practiced according to how it has been prescribed in the Bible
5. Baptism. Just like Holy Communion. Is Baptism by immersion in water being practiced according to the way it has been prescribed in the Bible?
6. Is there primary or excessive emphasis on selling Books, CDs, DVDs, T-Shirts and other stuff that primary lead to the profit of the stewards of the church?
7. How about the singing, or should I say the praise and worship. Is it glorifying God? Is it lifting up the Lord? Is it in remembrance of Jesus? Or is it centered on “I”, Is it about “what is in it for me”. Is it centered on my emotions? Is it repetitive or rather chant like, that leaves people in or induces trance-like states?

How About the Preaching?

1. Who is the Gospel about? Does the sermon push a message centered on you or is it centered on the Lord?
2. The people’s convictions. Are people led to the repentance of sin, does the preaching offer the congregation the way to find salvation in Jesus Christ through grace by faith?
3. How about who Jesus is? Is Jesus taught as the true and only way to the Father in Heaven?
4. How does the Bible fit into the sermons. Is it just a by the way with verses thrown in the ease the doubts of the people as the pastor gives an enlightened talk on his person opinion and imaginations and those of his peers? Or…
5. Does the preacher back up his teaching and claims from the Bible in the full context and is he bold enough to let the scripture examine his teachings?
6. Does the preaching flood you with five, seven, ten and so on steps to a better you, or what you must do to be a better you rather than the believe and have faith in the complete work that Jesus did on the cross and when He walked this earth and what Jesus continues to do in us today
7. Does the preaching flood you with five, seven, ten and so on steps to a better you, or what you must do to be a better you rather than the believe and have faith in the complete work that Jesus did on the cross and when He walked this earth and what Jesus continues to do in us today
8. Is the Bible recognized as the true Word of God, the infallible, the inerrant, the inspired and living Word of God that must be taken and preached as is rather than a mere good book with interesting stories about a God who is old fashioned and which should not be taken literally.

I think this is a comprehensive list that you can use to have an idea of the point I am making here. Pray that God can open your eyes and ears to be more keen and discerning about what is happening in the church all over the world today, how it is being infiltrated by false preachers and teachers of Gods Word.

Stand firm on the Word of God and put your trust in Him. Search the scriptures and prove all that is taught to you as being the Gospel of Jesus Christ and God is faithful enough to reveal the truth to you.