How to Discern Those in Leadership:What to do when church leadership is not operating according to God’s Word

Greetings! This month we are going to look at a lesson that God has put on my heart for the times that we are living in.
Because we are living in the last days, I wanted to remind and to warn us not to get caught up in the prestige and titles that people carry, but rather discern people by the Spirit of God. People seem to esteem things that are only visible to the carnal eye rather than allowing God to lead them by the Spirit to see things from His perspective in the spirit. Looking on the outer man only is how the enemy is able to deceive many people into believing something that is false. If what you are hearing and seeing does not line up with God’s Word and your spirit is not at peace, then you should not receive or agree with what is taking place. God’s Word gives us our standard. That is why it is so important to study God’s Word for your self. If those who lead go in a direction that is in error, you need God to lead you in how to deal with the situation and at the same time, not dishonoring the person’s position or rebelling against leadership.

What is a True Prophet?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a prophet is “one who utters divinely inspired revelations” from God.

How do we know when someone is a true prophet?  

We will know when what they say lines up with God’s Word and what they say comes to pass.

2 Timothy 2:21 NET
Titus 1:16 GNT
1 Kings 17:24 KJV (true)
1 Kings 17:24 NET (true)
1 Kings 13:18 NLT (false)

What is around us in these Last Days?

Matthew 24:24 GWT
Jeremiah 14:14 ESV
Jeremiah 23:16 NLT
Jeremiah 29:8 GNT
2 Peter 2:1 GNT
Ezekiel 13:6 NLT

How do we respond to what is around us in these Last Days?

Matthew 7:15 NLT
1 John 4:1 NLT
1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 NLT
2 Timothy 2:14 CSB
Proverbs 14:15 NET
Proverbs 14:15 BST
Proverbs 14:15 ISV

How do you know when you have received a word from the Lord?

When a word is from God, it is confirmed in your spirit, it lines up with God’s Word and you have the peace of God.

Psalm 119:38 CSB
John 14:27 GNT
Colossians 3:15 GNT
Philippians 4:7 CEV

Not Questioning Callings and Praying for Leadership

I have actually seen websites and YouTube videos where people try to discredit men and women of God that they have either been offended by or feel that they are in error. That is not the way to deal with those type of situations. We should always begin with and stay in prayer for those we may have been offended by or those we feel may be in error.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 NLT
Romans 11:29 GWT
Romans 15:14 GWT
Colossians 1:9 CEV

Watching How You Treat Those in Authority

Romans 13:1-4 BSB
Proverbs 28:2 NIV
1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV
1 Peter 2:13 NLT
Proverbs 24:21 GNT
Titus 3:1 GNT
Proverbs 24:21 CEV

Allowing God to Handle Those in Leadership

We must take on the same position as David and allow God to deal with those in authority.

1 Samuel 24:6 BSB
2 Samuel 1:14 BSB
1 Chronicles 16:22 BSB
Psalm 105:15 BSB
Ezekiel 13:9 ESV
Deuteronomy 32:35 BSB
Hebrews 10:30 BSB
Leviticus 19:18 BSB
Romans 12:19 NLT
Zechariah 2:8 GNT

Not Allowing Offense to Cause Us to Miss the Blessing of Being Under Authority

We must not stay in a place of bitterness or unforgiveness because of the actions of those in authority.

Proverbs 17:10 NET
Proverbs 17:9 NLT
Proverbs 18:19 NIV
Proverbs 16:32 KJV
Proverbs 19:11 NET
Colossians 3:13 NLT

I pray that you have been blessed by this lesson and that you will operate with discernment and walk in love towards all people.