Discernment ministry

A discernment ministry is a type of Christian ministry that focuses on identifying, analyzing, and warning against what it sees as false teachings, unbiblical practices, or theological error within the church or broader Christian culture. In Christian theology, discernment refers to the God-given ability to distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, or the genuine work of the Holy Spirit from deception (Hebrews 5:14, 1 John 4:1, 1 Corinthians 12:10).

A discernment ministry exists to help Christians remain faithful to biblical doctrine and avoid being misled by heresy, spiritual abuse, or what it considers to be false teachers. Such ministries often publish articles, books, websites, podcasts, or videos critiquing teachers, movements, or trends in Christianity (e.g., prosperity gospel, New Apostolic Reformation, Word of Faith, liberal theology).

These kinds of ministries often address issues such as:

• Doctrinal deviations (e.g., denial of the Trinity, Scripture’s authority)
• Practices deemed unbiblical (e.g., certain charismatic manifestations, mystical practices)
• Cultural compromises (e.g., accommodation to secular ideologies)
• Criticism – While some Christians value discernment ministries for guarding against deception, others criticize them for being overly negative, divisive, or lacking in charity—sometimes focusing more on “calling out” other believers than building up the church.

See also

• List of discernment ministries