I was having a conversation with one of the other ministers on our staff about how frustrating it is to work with people who’ve had their minds closed by churches. It is ironic that churches, tasked with “making disciples,” can be so adept at teaching members certain doctrines and then “brainwashing” them to be totally immune to EVER rethinking those beliefs. Oddly, this is most common in some of the largest churches, even “nondenominational” ones. The resultant type of member is really the OPPOSITE of a disciple. Hence, rather than making disciples such churches are actually not doing what Jesus asked at all! Churches that do this are doing the same thing the Pharisees were doing that Jesus called “shutting the kingdom against men.”

Every Christian needs to “examine” himself/herself to see if they’ve actually become a disciple (2 Cor. 13:5), or if they’ve rather been brainwashed to a denominational creed. We generally associate brainwashing with dangerous cults, but we fail to recognize that mainstream churches become equally dangerous when they lead members to be prideful, defensive, closed-minded individuals masquerading as disciples. Disciples are learners. Disciples have their antennas up and their power on. Disciples have the volume turned up so that they can hear the Spirit of God over the teachings of men. Disciples are the true sheep that hear the true Shepherd’s voice and follow none other (John 10). Disciples flee those who try to make them followers of men. Disciples “see to it that no one takes them captive by hollow and deceptive philosophy that depends on human tradition…rather than on Christ” (Col. 2:8). Disciples watch their “life and doctrine closely” (1 Tim. 4:16). Disciples know that God is looking for learner’s hearts that are radically sold out to Christ—followers who will go anywhere, do anything, and believe anything that God leads them to no matter who agrees or disagrees. Disciples seek to grow to the future rather than cling tenaciously to the past.

Listen to those who lead you or have led you. Turn on your spiritual discernment. Is the leader in actuality quite prideful or vain? Is the leader a know-it-all? Is the leader truly humble and broken? Is the leader real and open? Does the leader teach what the Scripture says or does he/she use it to teach what’s already believed?

Here are some test questions you can ask yourself to see if you’re really a disciple of Christ:
1. Do you study the Bible to support what you already believe?
2. Do you feel or get defensive or even angry when alternative views to yours are expressed?
3. Do you find yourself using certain Scriptures to teach things they really don’t teach?
4. Do you get upset or emotional if anyone questions you about your life and doctrine?
5. Do you take pride in your preacher more than in your Savior?
6. Do you feel a sense of arrogance or “rightness” about your belief system?
7. Do you take pride in your denominational brand name?
8. Do you feel allegiance to some particular version of the gospel?
9. Honestly, have you been taught to be closed minded to any view other than your church’s?
10.Do you only read books and listen to sermons that agree with what you’ve always been taught?
11.Do you believe, consciously or subconsciously, that false teaching is anything you don’t already believe?
12.Or rather, do you have a heart to find and own the truth, no matter what it is and no matter what the cost?

Hint: the only “yes” answer should be to the last question.