Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9)

Does the minister abide in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ?? When you look at their teachings, and read them along with the teachings of Christ and the Apostles, do they match or do they look different and "new"?? Can you see the words they preach coming from Christ's or the Apostles' lips?? Are they something they twisted OUT of Scripture rather than what Scripture actually teaches??

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9)

This is why it's so important to study the Word for yourself and find men who are proven teachers of Truth to help you. Just because someone uses verses from the Bible when they teach doesn't mean they are teaching you the Truth.

Remember when Jamal taught that Delilah was giving Samson oral sex because her head was in her lap?? Then we went to Judges and discovered that it was Samson's head on HER lap, and it had ZERO allusions to oral sex?? Remember how the congregation, Bibles in their laps, hooted and hollered "PREACH BLACK MAN!!" ?? Jamal preached FROM the Bible, but twisted it so there was no Truth coming forth.

Did the folks bother to check it out?? Nope. Did it pass the test of being in accord with the rest of the Scripture?? Nope. Could you picture Christ or the Apostles teaching this as you read their writings and sermons?? Nope.

Then, the Holy Spirit gives us the "fruit test"

Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Look at the fruit of their lives. Is it the fruit of the Spirit??

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self‑control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

Or is it the fruit of the flesh??

Gal 5:19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery (fornication, adultery,pedophilia) ; 20 idolatry (love of money or power more than God for example) and witchcraft (manipulation for selfish gain); hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God..

Do these ministers live unrepentantly in this state?? Then they are not sheep, but hirelings and wolves.