5 Steps to Avoid the Dark Side of Discipleship.

Typically, when we discuss discipleship, it is viewed in a positive context fostering relationships with others for the purpose of mentoring and supporting their continued spiritual growth in Christ. However, in a broad sense, discipleship is simply about teaching others how to live like Jesus.

We teach them about God. How to understand who He is in our limited capacity. How to speak to Him. How to communicate with Him through prayer and the Word of God. How to understand the model of Jesus and how to apply it to our lives. The concept and teachings of discipleship are not only based on an intellectual context, but also a spiritual, and relational context.

If discipleship can be viewed as a tool to develop, in this case, models of Jesus, then it can also be leveraged, distorted and twisted by the enemy to develop models of this world. Have you ever stopped to think about how the enemy uses discipleship to create divisions, confusion, chaos, confrontation, and other negative situations that contradict and contend with God's truth?

Some people may argue that discipleship can be problematic or even harmful in certain contexts. For example, if the mentor or disciple-maker holds too much power or authority over the disciple, it can create an unhealthy dynamic that limits the disciple's ability to think and act independently. This can lead to groupthink and a lack of critical thinking skills, which may hinder the disciple's personal growth and development. Our human need for social acceptance will become a driving force when it comes to this problem.