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Preach Another Gospel
We read the following scripture and believe that it is nearly impossible to hear, believe, or even we ourselves speak "another gospel." In fact, Paul was puzzled himself about such a proposition and by revelation of the Holy Ghost he said,
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)
We must be very watchful that we do not preach another gospel because God may curse us. It is far easier, however, to "pervert" the gospel than directly preach another. But why would it be easy to pervert something with such dire consequences? The answer is simple; we do not want to overcome the world. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4). Rather, we choose to cope with it because the world of God is too different from anything else we have ever experienced. Thus, having an angel preach another gospel to us is almost too much, all we need to hear is a gospel that appeals to our sensibilities. Sensibilities are things that we have become used to: feelings, emotions and practicality. We are ruled by our feelings and emotions even though as Christians we are supposed to "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). This is the reason why these topics are at the forefront of most of the discussions we have with regard to the Word of God. One can hear people "philosophizing" about "why I hate people," "why I have judged someone," "why I am bitter" or any other subject that has its implications on the level of self, and these conversations or discussions are then considered "non-intellectual," even "spiritual." As long as the person is talking about judgment, anger, bitterness, ideas that are related to how they feel, they are deemed to be talking about things that are known to be spiritual. But if they talk about things they cannot see such as the resurrection, circumcision of the heart, or even sin nature, these discussions will be rendered "intellectual." In the scheme of things, however, the latter topics are even more valuable. When we are caught up in strife, anger, and judgment, we are being carnal.
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)
If our conversations stay there, we are then bordering on carnality as well. "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8). Preaching the Word of God involves more than just talking about one's "worldly" existence. It also involves discussing the world to come. When we call our fixation on feelings and emotions spirituality, we miss God and his power. Rather, we end up relying on our senses. Our emphasis on practicality is also a hindrance. Most churches preach on how God will provide for us financially and yet Jesus himself said not to worry about such things.
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:31-34)
We believe we are addressing the real issue when we talk about things that "affect" us. To us, certain things in the Bible are more pertinent than others. In fact, we have judged in ourselves that the Bible does not have all the answers to our problems. As a result, we pick and choose in the scripture what we believe addresses most specifically what we are dealing with. One would ask where does all of this come from? Since we do not begin and end our relationship with God through Christ; focusing on anything else besides Christ spells disaster. Well, there is a problem, if we do not conduct our relationship with God through his Word (Jesus Christ) then we have missed God completely. We are not worshipping God; we end up worshipping ourselves, and worse, Satan. This is what brings a curse. But how could we do something so evil and destructive and not see it? It is because we tell ourselves that we are serving God. But we do it with a different focus. That is through our relationship with what we call "the Holy Spirit."
THE HOLY SPIRIT
Popular theology has elevated the holy Spirit of God, whose name is the Holy Ghost, from his role as a teacher, a guide, and a testifier (John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13), to the role of Jesus Christ the mediator of the new covenant and even to the role of God the Father himself. They are continually trying to usher in the Spirit of God—the presence of the Lord. Apparently, singing emotional praise songs, praying or singing to the Holy Ghost, and/or repeatedly beating the cymbals on drums brings the presence of God into a place. Much like the mythical rubbing of Aladdin's lamp causes a genie (a powerful evil spirit) to appear who is bound to do the bidding of the person holding the lamp.56 Jesus faced the same foolishness in his time, the Pharisees kept wanting to see a manifestation of the kingdom of God: "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21). As far as prayer is concerned, our prayers are to be directed at all times to God the Father not to the holy Spirit nor even to Jesus: "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name" (Matthew 6:9).
We all know that the Holy Ghost is extremely important to anyone who is a Christian. No one can be a Christian without the Holy Ghost dwelling in them. "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9). Our focus according to the Word, however, is never to emphasize worship of the Holy Ghost. We know that the way to the Father is Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost testifies of Jesus. Jesus (the Word) is our focus; he is "the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by [him]" (John 14:6). The Holy Ghost is a catalyst to empower us to be like Jesus: to be conformed to image of Christ (Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19; Philippians 2:5). What is one of the roots to this focus on the Holy Ghost? One of the many roots is idolatry, which thrives on a lack of faith—a belief founded in the traditions of the world. People who operate their Christianity through this understanding simply do not understand their Bibles; else they would see that their doctrine was flawed. Additionally, because they do not understand their Bibles they cannot have much faith, because "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). They lack a foundation in the Word—they lack wisdom.
The stress on the power of the Holy Ghost and "feeling" the presence of God through the "spirit" sets up a false framework for understanding the Lord. People begin to believe that they understand God by "something cool coming over me," or "how I felt in my spirit," or by "what the Lord revealed." There are many more expressions that people use to describe the sensations they experience when they come and/or relate to God, but these are some prominent ones. Also, let it be stated from the outset that there is no assertion here that God does not show us himself through the phrases above, but that these are not primary. Nor should they be considered to be the main way we know God is with us. Our main source is through Christ (the Word). As a result, we should be seeking God through his word and not some feeling. We can all remember times when we heard many preachers preach falsely, yet still have an emotional impact on us. They would be preaching false doctrine but yet we still felt like what they were saying was anointed. The reason is because it made us want to stand up, shout, or even cry, and yet what they were speaking, was against God's will. Believing in one's feelings as the main source for one's relationship with God connects to the tradition spoken about earlier. Many people in particular say they have the Holy Ghost in them when they dance or do something that can be equated to emotionalism (see "Church Practices"). In fact, for people who trust in God through this means, they are trusting in their emotions, and like a good enemy, Satan influences your emotions so you will believe what you're doing is correct; even if God is really saying do not do it. If we attempt to understand God this way, not only do we not have faith; but we are guilty of idolatry. Paul dealt with this issue in when he was in Athens.
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things (Acts 17:22-25)
The people were serious idol worshippers; they had an idol for almost everything. They even had an idol to the "Unknown God" just to make sure if they missed one he would not be mad at them. Paul explained that the God that was unknown to them was the only real God. The reason is that all of the other gods had false names and false jobs. The real one was the one they did not know. But as did the Athenians, so do we. We try to concretize God into something we can control and manipulate upon necessity. The reason we relegate the Lord to how we feel is because we do not want to have faith in what he has told us in his Word. Rather, like the Athenians, we try to have a physical manifestation of him as a sign that he is there. Now again, there is no assertion being made here that God does not necessarily show himself physically or allow us to feel his presence. What is being asserted is that, "the just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17), which doesn't rely on physical manifestations but rather on the fact that God, who cannot lie, made the promise and we believe it. We trust in feelings and emotions because we trust that God will fit into our frameworks so that we can understand him through them (mysticism). In effect, our feelings and emotions become God to us and we end up worshipping ourselves (humanism). "Every individual mind being a kind of labyrinth, it is not wonderful, not only that each nation has adopted a variety of fictions, but that almost every man has had his own god. To the darkness of ignorance have been added presumption and wantonness, and hence there is scarcely an individual to be found without some idol or phantom as a substitute for Deity. Like water gushing forth from a large and copious spring, immense crowds of gods have issued from the human mind, every man giving himself full license, and devising some peculiar form of divinity, to meet his own views."57 We are not to trust in our sight, or our senses, we are to trust in the Word of God; "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18). For, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
SPOILING WITH PHILOSOPHY
Popular theology has made a "science" of philosophizing the Word of God. They use worldly logic to try to explain godly wisdom. "But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel" (Micah 4:12). We have been admonished to "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8). What's more, "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). Only God by the Holy Ghost can explain his Word: "the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 2:11). After all, "no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, instead of philosophy "get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7) and remember what Jesus spoke to all believers: "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).
A preacher operating under "The Principality of Witchcraft" relies on "good preaching" and letting those who follow determine how they may follow the biblical directions given. When messages are preached from a preacher, who directly or indirectly is operating as a false prophet, that does not help the follower come to a clear understanding of what is expected, the follower is liable to create his or her own understanding of what he or she is required to do. Such is the case if this spirit is operating in the leadership in the church. We must remember that messages in the Gospels were preached to folks (Jews) that knew the Word by memory. They did not need as many specific examples as we do. For our purposes in God, it is absolutely necessary that we learn what the scriptures mean and how to understand them further. If someone preaches a sermon on not following tradition because tradition makes God's Word of none effect, then there should also be some definitions as to what tradition is so the person can evaluate his or her own life to see if that is true. But if there is no discussion of this nature, the person may believe the message is not for him and as a result assume that tradition means eating communion on the fifth Sunday of the month and this only. People in many churches mislabel many things with "spiritual" labels but they do so because they talk about situations without first going to the Word of God for understanding. Anything someone says that they disagree with is deemed "judgment" or anything said about someone, no matter how true, is deemed "judgment." Judgment, as we have described it is misinterpreted alongside words like "love." Love means to be nice to others in this day of popular theology. Being nice means do not bring correction. These two ideas impact each other in the wide scheme of scenarios that are played out in our church. If we expose sin, we are probably judging and, as a result, we are not walking in love. Again, see "Judge Not" for more on this.
Generalities are often used to "not offend," or "to keep the peace," or "to be nice." The problem is that generalities become doctrine and move us away from the foundation of the Word of God. Many words are preached without definition. Words, labels, phrases like "submit," "bitter," "Holy Ghost," "walk in the Spirit," "spiritual," "don't trust your feelings," "love," "walk by faith," "trust the Lord." Preaching must go beyond telling what not to do; it must also include how to take action. For example, the scripture "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22), is often preached, however, it is not often explained. Therefore, wives interpret for themselves whether they are submitting or not and, of course, often determine that they are indeed submitting. They generally are not. See "Love at Home" for more on this. The persistence of disunity and separation among the people of God can only exist with a Gospel that both affirms:
- The magnification of having the Holy Ghost above Jesus; and,
- a generalized message.
The expressed motive for preaching a generalized message is to hit all relevant points with which people are dealing. In actuality, this turns out to not be the real reason. Properly understood, a generalized message thrives on the precept of distance between the speaker and the hearer. "If I preach a general message, the person does not feel threatened and can respond as they feel led." A generalized message works for the minister who wants the people to be self sufficient with their Christianity, allowing them to make individualized decisions with individualized outcomes. The problem with this way of thinking is that it is not the way God intended. He clearly tells us to think of others before we think of ourselves. At minimum, we are not the only ones that are supposed to factor in our decision equations. So for those who adhere to this generalized message the person at the forefront is "I."
Supporting the individual indirectly or directly is what the generalizing minister does. The generalizing preacher would preach, "you must pray," or "you must love one another," or "you must study your word," or "be godly." Whether consciously or subconsciously, and ultimately exercised in the person's actions, the individual will probably act out the following messages as follows, in order mentioned: "I am praying for myself three hours a day"; "I love my family and friends"; "I will study certain scriptures that I understand and give me victory"; "I will be filled with the Holy Ghost so I can have power for me." Notice how all of these messages are translated to suit the individuals wants. This understanding of the commandments of God is detrimental because it is a complete mistranslation of what God has done and wants to do for his people. The minister who operates this way is not innocent. He stands under God's judgment because he is an absentee leader. Thus, making dissension possible, and thereby scattering and destroying the Church of God. The warning from God is clear: "Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 23:1). He refuses to truly teach his people what they are to do, thus allowing them to define how to obey the Word of God based on their personal experiences (see "Personal Savior"). He is also at fault for another reason; he chooses not to be specific because he does not want to be persecuted. Even though we know those who truly lead the life of a Christian will have to suffer persecution, and we know suffering for the cross is expected (see "Understanding Discipleship").
ENTICE WITH WORDS
Popular theology, in attempt to attract more members and grow in popularity, has moved away from preaching the gospel as commanded by Jesus and exemplified by the "fire and brimstone" preaching of the early 18th century. "Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup" (Psalm 11:6). Very few today are preaching about resurrection, final judgment and the damnation of sinners to the lake of fire forever (second death). "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). Like Satan utilizing witchcraft in the Garden of Eden, popular preachers have effectively removed the consequence of sin: "Ye shall not surely die" (Genesis 3:4); thus enabling unbelief and judgment of God. "Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment" (Lamentations 2:14). To not talk against sin is to condone sin—condone death and damnation. These preachers have been noted to say that preaching about sin is akin to, "beating people down."
Well, I think that most people already know what they're doing wrong. And for me to get in here and just beat 'em down and talk down to 'em, I just don't think that inspires anybody to rise higher. But I want to motivate. I wanna motivate every person to leave here to be a better father, a better husband, to break addictions to come up higher in their walk with the Lord.58
The only way for people to "already know what they're doing wrong" is to be a mature Christian, well versed in the Word of God—in the Word of righteousness, "who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:12-14). For everyone else, however, the words of Jeremiah ring true: "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). Besides, Jesus at the beginning of his ministry said, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17), and "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34). And, in what appears to be harsh, Jesus states "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:43-44). Sin should not be accommodated it should be eradicated: "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin" (John 8:34). "Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins" (Lamentations 3:39)? "Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth" (Job 11:6). These popular preachers, not "knowing therefore the terror of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:11), are NOT attempting to urge Christians to seek repentance out of fear of divine wrath and punishment. Thus, many Christians today do not identify with the sentiment expressed by Apollos in the book of Hebrews: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31). "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10). Moreover, instead of having dominion over sin, many of these Christians still serve sin and are, therefore, separated from God: "For when ye [are] the servants of sin, ye [are] free from righteousness" (Romans 6:20) and "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9)? Thus, "your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2). Therefore, many Christians on the day of judgment are in for a surprise. "And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 8:11-12).
Motivational Speaking
Popular theology, through witchcraft, has brought in the fundamentals of public speaking, specifically motivational speaking, to replace preaching of the gospel as led by the Spirit of God (Matthew 10:19-20). Public speaking is "speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners ... The purpose of public speaking can range from simply transmitting information, to motivating people to act, to simply telling a story. A good orator should be able to change the emotions of their listener, not just inform them."59 The problem with applying public speaking methods to preaching is twofold: 1) public speakers decide what to say based on their audience, and 2) public speakers are often trying to elicit an emotional response from their audience. Public speakers use "enticing words of man's wisdom" that result in their audience's faith being based on the wisdom of men (1 Corinthians 2:3-5) and not on the wisdom and power of God.
Preachers, however, are not to premeditate, based on their own power and might, on how or what they are going to say; they are to rely on the Spirit of God to speak through them as did the disciples in Acts chapter 2. "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you" (Matthew 10:19-20). Furthermore, we are commanded to preach the gospel, Jesus Christ and him crucified. "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). Preach about the Word made flesh: "Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2); that is, preach about Jesus and the need for Jesus, for the glory of God. Many, however, preach the "applied" word: they preach words to tickle the ears; words that cater to what the people want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4); words that are popular and that make the preacher popular (for the glory of man). "If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people" (Micah 2:11). Scripture, however, states "let no man glory in men" (1 Corinthians 3:21). "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). The applied word deals with life's issues and how to overcome them using the Bible; that is, the focus is on the effects of the Cross of Christ. While this has some utility, it is akin to giving someone a fish on a regular basis versus teaching him or her how to fish. It is out of either ignorance or judgment that preachers believe the gospel of Christ cannot fill seats or will not satisfy the need of the people. Paul states, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16).
One of these motivational speakers, often called America's most popular preacher, recently "confessed" to not really being sent by God: "I mean, there's a lot better people qualified to ... explain the scriptures to you. I don't think that's my gifting."58 Wow, this "preacher" doesn't think that explaining the scriptures is his gifting! God calls and sends preachers to preach the gospel—the gospel of Jesus Christ—the Word of God. "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things" (Romans 10:15)! "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" (John 3:34). By his own mouth, this popular "preacher" has proclaimed what many knew already: God did not send him. He is preaching his own gospel—man's wisdom not the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 2:4-7). "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:17-18). So much for "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). Notice, Jesus sent his disciples to preach the gospel: "And [Jesus] said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). "And they went out, and preached that men should repent" (Mark 6:12). The gospel of Jesus Christ, not the gospel of psychology, is the most motivating message a person can receive. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-19). "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power" (1 Corinthians 4:20).
Group Dynamics
These motivational speakers use motivational techniques and group dynamics to sway large crowds of people. They make use of emotionally charged "praise" music, false prophesies of prosperity and peace, and speeches (a.k.a. sermons or messages) that are intended to generate an emotional response (see "Church Practices"). They utter false prophesies that include phrases like "God is doing a new thing," "Your breakthrough is now," "This is your season," "This is your turning point," "God is about to bless your finances," "A mighty harvest season will begin soon," "The anointing of increase is about to be released," "There is a mighty anointing here," "the glory, the glory ... If I don't release the anointing I'll blow up," "No more struggles," "Your troubles are over," and "You are sons and daughters of the Most High God! You are gods!" to name a few. These same false prophecies are uttered year after year yet the people still grasp at these "spiritual straws" forgetting that the prophet (or more increasingly, "the prophetess") spoke the same false prophecy last year or last month. Scripture calls this phenomenon: "the blind lead[ing] the blind" (Matthew 15:14); the people have what Mike Oppenheimer of Let Us Reason Ministries calls "spiritual amnesia." Oppenheimer wrote the following on false prophets:
This has become Christian Hollywood on Christian TV and no one seems to notice the difference from what the Bible says. Why? Because most do not care about the Bible as much as the man standing on stage with all the power being displayed. The Bible has been reinterpreted by [these] mediator[s] for God who people wholeheartedly believe [are] anointed beyond others. [They are] anointed because of the supposed signs and wonders [the people] see ... [The people come] to get the anointing to see a miracle to FEEL the power.60
In addition to "spiritual amnesia," these motivational speakers know, from a basic understanding of group dynamics, that individuals will take more risk in a group than individually. James Neill of Syque says the following on risk taking within a group:
When people are in groups, they make decision[s] about risk differently from when they are alone. In the group, they are likely to make riskier decisions, as the shared risk makes the individual risk less.
They also may not want to let their compatriots down, and hence be risk-averse (this is sometimes called cautious shift). The overall tendency towards a shift in risk perception is also sometimes called choice shift.61
Thus a minister who is assumed to be representing God's Word can have tremendous sway over a large group of people. Christians not strongly versed in the Word of God will often opt to go along with the group, especially a group that is supposed to be "blessed" of God. It is way too easy for an "anointed man of God" to direct a group of Christians to join hands (surety), listen to some "prayer" or "prophecy," and reinforce their agreement, already implicitly given by the joining of hands, by having them say, like good little puppets, "Amen!" "A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend" (Proverbs 17:18). What's more, scripture tells us to lift our hands to God: "Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens" (Lamentations 3:41) and "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD" (Psalm 134:2). No Christian should agree—say "Amen"—to something that does not line up with the Word of God. Being in one accord requires all participants to have the same understanding from scripture (Amos 3:3). "How shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest" (1 Corinthians 14:16)? The lack of discernment—lack of the wisdom of God—of many Christians leaves them vulnerable to the influence of strong motivational speakers and group dynamics. The Bible states on these matters: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment" (Exodus 23:2); and, "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" (2 Corinthians 10:12). In recent times we have seen this "magic" of group dynamics work with Christian groups to very disastrous results; as shown in the two examples below:
Jonestown was the communal settlement made in northwestern Guyana, by the Peoples Temple, a cult from California. Jonestown was founded in the mid-1970s by the cult leader, Jim Jones, for whom it was named, but it was occupied for only a few years. It stood amidst jungle, about seven miles (11 km) southwesterly from Port Kaituma. Jonestown gained lasting international notoriety in 1978, when nearly its whole population died in a mass murder-and-suicide ordered by Jones. Jones himself was among the slain, numbering somewhat over nine hundred men, women and children.62
Heaven's Gate was the name of a cult co-led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Smith. The cult's end coincided with the appearance of Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997. Applewhite convinced thirty-eight followers to commit suicide so that their souls could take a ride on a spaceship that they believed was hiding behind the comet carrying Jesus; such beliefs have led some observers to characterize the group as a type of "UFO religion." They believed that the Earth planet is about to be recycled (wiped clean, refurbished and rejuvenated), and the only chance to survive is to leave it immediately. The group was formally against the suicide, but they were convinced that their "human" bodies were only "vehicles" meant to help them on their journey, though they likely thought that their actions were something different as well.63
The Generic God
Another popular preaching technique is to talk about God (or Jehovah) and not mention Jesus Christ. Generally the Old Testament is used and taken out of context: the Old Testament provides physical examples of spiritual realities that are manifested in the New Testament. "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted" (1 Corinthians 10:6). For instance, some preach about keeping the Sabbath day even though Jesus ushered in the true rest: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:29). "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God" (Hebrews 4:9) through Jesus and there is no longer a need to reverence any particular day (see "Justified by the law?"). "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath" (Mark 2:27). Furthermore, the Old Testament, the law and the prophets, testified of "the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:11). "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it" (Luke 16:16). Thus, New Covenant preaching should also testify of "the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." For scripture says that we are to be, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). As Jesus said to his disciples "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Moreover, Jesus said, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30), "He that hateth me hateth my Father also" (John 15:23). Our attention first and foremost has to be on Jesus Christ the way to God. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:1-2).
All For One and One For All
Another popular preaching technique is to extrapolate from a singular biblical event to the masses. For instance, they often take the events in the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis and generate "spiritual principles" for everyone to follow. They will say something like,
Joseph knew he was going to receive his breakthrough because he had a dream ... The reason Joseph found favor with the Lord, the reason he prospered, is because he shared in the dreams of others ... Participate in someone else's dream and you're next in line!
Brothers and sisters this is false! We are all not dreamers like Joseph. Most of our dreams may not come from God. Just because we want something does not mean it is for us nor does having a dream about it imply the same thing.
God's Promises
Finally, another popular preaching technique is to expound on receiving the promises of God without detailing the prerequisites that must be met to receive the promises. This includes preaching on popular subjects like financial prosperity, "Name it & Claim it," and "Believe and Receive." For instance, they will preach, "[the Lord] shall give thee the desires of thine heart." They do not, however, explain what it means to "Trust in the LORD, and do good" (Psalm 37:3), to "Delight thyself also in the LORD" (Psalm 37:4) nor to "Commit thy way unto the LORD" (Psalm 37:5). What's more, they almost never tell that an unpurified heart "is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9) and that "God is angry with the wicked every day" (Psalm 7:11). In addition, God will not reward the wicked with the desires of their heart; rather, "The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked" (Proverbs 3:33). Thus, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded" (James 4:8). We discuss this more in "In the Name—The Harry Potter Christianity" which is our discussion of how Christianity has morphed in sorcery.
Conclusion
"The Gospel of the grace of God awakens an intense longing in human souls and an equally intense resentment, because the revelation which it brings is not palatable. There is a certain pride in man that will give and give, but to come and accept is another thing. I will give my life to martyrdom, I will give myself in consecration, I will do anything, but do not humiliate me to the level of the most hell-deserving sinner and tell me that all I have to do is to accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ."150 As a result, many Christians do not have the power of God working for them. "We have to concentrate on the great point of spiritual energy–the Cross, to keep in contact with that centre where all the power lies, and the energy will be let loose. In holiness movements and spiritual experience meetings the concentration is apt to be put not on the Cross of Christ, but on the effects of the Cross."64 Preaching is intended to be God speaking through the speaker. Not the speaker speaking what they have decided needs to be said. "God has to destroy our determined confidence in our own convictions. 'I know this is what I should do'—and suddenly the voice of God speaks in a way that overwhelms us by revealing the depths of our ignorance. We have shown our ignorance of Him in the very way we determined to serve Him. We serve Jesus in a spirit that is not His, we hurt Him by our advocacy for Him, we push His claims in the spirit of witchcraft. Our words sound all right, but our spirit is that of an enemy. 'He rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.'"65
The warning from the Lord to these motivational speakers masquerading as preachers is expressed in the following scriptures: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:18-19). It is time for all Christians to grow up, stop drinking milk, and eat spiritual steak that we may discern both good and evil. The solution against deception is to know and understand the truth: the Word of God. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).
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