The Two Types of Fruit According to Walter Martin

(Originally Published 08Aug08)

I many years ago, I heard Dr. Paul Martin discuss spiritual abuse, making this distinction about exactly how we recognize false prophets, teachers and spiritual con-artists.

As I noted in this previous post, the Word of God does not focus on the evaluation of teachings or doctrine when identifying "wolves in sheep's clothing." We should identify them primarily through their works and their fruit:

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Considering the Biblical Model of Examining Behavior to Identify a Spiritual Abuser

Dr. Paul Martin

Dr. Paul Martin presented a workshop at the Evangelical Ministries to New Religions Conference on March 7, 2008 discussing why Christians should understand the dynamics of spiritual abuse.  (Dr. Martin was a former member of the cultic Great Commission, and after leaving, became one of the most respected psychologists in the study of cults but also in the area of Christian counter cult apologetics.  He also founded the first accredited inpatient treatment center for people who have exited cults and abusive relationships, the Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center in Albany, OH.)  Along with impressive research concerning abusive religious groups that he presented at his workshop, Why Evangelicals Should Believe in Thought Reform (“Brainwashing”)," Dr. Martin also included some interesting information about what the Bible has to say about false teachers and wolves in sheep's clothing.

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Martin's Biblical Analysis of False Prophets

Dr. Paul Martin presented a workshop at the Evangelical Ministries to New Religions Conference on March 7, 2008. Along with impressive research concerning abusive religious groups that he presented at his workshop, "Why Evangelicals Should Believe in Thought Reform (“Brainwashing”)," Dr. Martin also included some interesting information about what the Bible has to say about false teachers and wolves in sheep's clothing.

Of the 210 verses that refer to false prophets, priests, elders and Pharisees, here is a summary of their content:

• 99 verses (47%) concern Behavior
• 66 verses (31%) concern Fruit
• 24 verses (12%) concern Motives
• 21 verses (10%) concern Doctrine

It is interesting that most Christians who deal with apologetics, false teachers and Bible-based cults are most concerned with doctrine only. When discussing the patriarchy movement on SharperIron.com and ibelieve.com earlier last year, I was told by many that it was not appropriate to discuss much of anything save these folks' misuse of Scripture. But doctrine represents only a small portion of what Bible speaks about concerning false teachers.

According to the Scriptures, we should be very concerned with both the behaviors and the fruit of spiritual leadership in the church and in parachurch organizations. This is not gossip or mean-spirited criticism but what Scripture actually teaches us to observe.

Dr. Paul Martin (an evangelical Christian) is CEO and Founder of the

Wellspring Retreat & Resource Center

(A residential treatment center in Albany, OH for those who have been abused in relationships, cults, or by professionals or clergy. They offer hope and help through a program of counseling, education and retreat.)

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