By Evangelist Bee
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In the first part of these series we asked the basic question of whether some of what people do and call Christianity is correct. In the second part we discussed the red flags that can alert us to check whether we are about to become a victim of a strange and concocted version of Christianity.
In this last part of the series, we will look at why people start or perpetrate things that are not scriptural in the name of Christianity. Why are we vulnerable? What can we do to discourage this trend by looking at the root causes? My desire is that we will read with an open heart that the Holy Spirit can work on.
Rev 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
1. PAIN AND NEED
In the scripture, we saw that a lot of people came to know the Lord because they were in need and they wanted the needs met. There is a measure of desperation in human nature and psyche when they need something – immediately and most times urgently. Blind Bartimeaus cried with all his might because he realized that his chance of getting his sight was sliding away as Jesus was almost getting out of reach. There was a strong sense of urgency about the need for change in his lot and destiny.
Mar 10:48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
This desperation too was manifested by the woman with the issue of blood. She has no plan B or C any longer. All plans had failed. The medical system failed her. All alternative plans had failed. The only option now can and has to be Jesus. She came from behind. She struggled against the tide and pressure of the multitude to touch Jesus. It was obvious that something happened as Jesus announced the effect of the touch.
Luk 8:46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
My search and feedback on the previous write-ups revealed clearly that these strange and demonic versions of Christianity thrives on this basic human quest for resolution to their pain and need. Some pointed out that many Christians are not patient enough to allow God to do it. I understand that fact but we have to also know that when time is running out and people run out of options, they will be desperate. This is natural. Jesus did not condemn the urgency and desperation carried by those He ministered to! NO! He met their needs. In one case they removed a roof to get the patient to Doctor Jesus. If that is not desperation, I don’t know what it is.
The issue is that we need to be aware that we are more prone to be victims of these strange practices when we are in need. We tend to oblige and compromise on things that are not right when we are in pain!
Most encounters usually start with stories similar to that of the 27 year old I mentioned in the first part of the these series at http://www.evangelistbee.com/2010/11/what-is-this-is-this-christianity-is.html. All she wanted was help with the job she could not get after several attempts!
I had people giving feedback that started with,”when I was having problems in my marriage?” Some said, “ when I was looking for a job after so many years of leaving school…..I met a Pastor” Others said things like, “when I was sick and the Doctors could not do anything more… I was taken to a prophet…”
Another dimension to this challenge is that there is need for GENUINE and TRUE servants of God to raise their levels and stand up for the weak. We need to stop sitting in the armchair condemning issues when we are not doing anything. Everyone will naturally want help but is it available by those who Heaven has committed to fill in the gap?
Eze 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Yes. We agree we should not go to the fake ones. Will the true ones rise up? The location does not matter. People will go to any distance to get the original. Naaman came from Syria to get help from Elisha in Samaria to get freed from leprosy.
2Ki 5:3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.
Lost but not found – Original servants of the most high. Where are agents of change?
2. GREED
Greed in any form is clearly another reason why men practice these strange stuffs in the name of religion. The real intent of going into ministry these days is not to work for Heaven by relieving the pain men are going through. The real intent by most is accumulation of proceeds.
Any ministry with greed as its foundation will find itself in error sooner than later. This is due to the fact that a lot of programs, procedure, events and appointments in the church and ministry will be based on how much money can be generated/preserved/accumulated. It will not be based on whether the Lord wants it that way. Neither will they be designed to affect and change lives.
The fact that it looks good and sometimes works does not make it RIGHT. In spiritual things, the end does not justify the means. Never! The means is more important to God! Look at what Saul said to Samuel,
1Sa 15:20-21 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
Who sent him the second part of the assignment he carried out! Samuel replied,
1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Jesus declared what the basic intent of ministry should be.
Joh 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
My challenge to men of God is to ask them what their priority is? If their priority is right then there is need for urgency to correct any money making schemes that does not glorify God.
Joh 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
The balance is moderation in ministry. Indulgence puts pressure on the man of God to compromise!
Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
3. IMPATIENCE
There is need for us as Christians to step back after exercising our faith and allow God to do His own part of it! When Jesus healed the lepers, the healing happened on their way after leaving Jesus.
Luk 17:14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
It was not all the miracles in the scriptures that were immediate and instant! We need to give God chance to prove His faithfulness and show His power by being patient. This age of “Macdonald’s drive in” approach to miracles is fueling a menu of “Error-spiced Christianity”. I believe this is also one of the reason why there is so much emphasis on contact points like oil, handkerchiefs etc than basic spiritual strength building and non-material acts like praying and fasting, vows, restitution etc.
I don’t have anything against using anointing oil or contacts in ministry but I say no to its abuse and use for what the scripture did not prescribe them for. They are not meant for sale! They are not food nor are they dessert to be taken like blood tonics. They will always remain secondary and less to direct prayers made by faith. They can never replace them. There is no power in the oil more than the pronouncement made by a man of God on it.
Let us wait! For Him and on Him!
Psa 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psa 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
While waiting – load on the word!
Psa 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Waiting patiently gives strength and power to overcome and avoid error.
Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
4. BANDWAGON EFFECT
The fact that someone you respect is doing it does not make it right. I shared in the second write up of the series(http://www.evangelistbee.com/2010/12/what-is-thisspotting-red-flag-jim-jones.html) about how a pastor I used to preach in His church believe that it was right to insist on people kneeling down to talk to him! This is pure Insecurity on the part of a man of God. If you are not grounded, you get carried away to start doing some of these things because others are doing it!
I heard a story from Pastor Tunde Bakare some long years back. He had a very close buddy in ministry. He observed the way his friend treats his church members and workers. He abuses them with words and tells them something like “there is only a main door here, you can walk out if you don’t agree”. Even though He knew it was harsh and highly unproductive and he has more than one door in his own church, shortly after he started saying to his own workers “there are four doors here, you can walk out if you don’t agree with me”. He got free only after he faced the reality of the need to let go of that friendship.
Exo 23:2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil;
Mike Muddork said,”people who spread the truth also has capacity to spread error easily without being detected”
5. IGNORANCE
The paramount reason why these error based version of Christianity thrives is that the perpetrators and mostly the victims do not know the difference. They get sidetracked easily because they are blind and work in darkness. You can be sincere and wrong. Sincerity itself does not guarantee accuracy.
In the African part of the world, our culture worsens the spread of ignorance. Our culture thrives on fear and secrecy! People who knows what is right believes they have to hide it to remain relevant. We have carried this culture for generations from our fathers where only a few people know the “formula” and “solution” into issues. Christianity is different! This is what the word says,
Deu 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
God knows and he reveals it to whoever is interested.
Jas 1:5 But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.(GNB)
Ignorance is not an excuse. It kills. I dealt thoroughly with Ignorance in my write up on Helen the maid at http://www.evangelistbee.com/2010/10/what-is-this-power-of-ignorance-story.html
Joh 8:32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Seek the truth and you will be free. Buy it and keep it and no “man of God” can take you for a ride.
Pro 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
My heart cry is that these series on finding the true Christianity handed over from the days of the apostles will encourage you to walk in the truth and be a victor and not a victim.
God bless you.
EVANGELIST BEE
No. 116 –18TH DECEMBER 2010
No. 116 –18TH DECEMBER 2010
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9 Comments
Pastor,
Greed. Greed. Greed
I totally agree that this makes room for error.
God deliver us all from what man will eat and what man needs to do to please God. Amen
There is so much need in the body (material, emotional and spiritual) that even God's people become vulnerable to self styled merchants whose God is their belly! No wonder Proverbs 27:7 says 'He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet'.
Bro Femi,
That Scripture is very Apt!
" but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet"
He will Help us sir
EVB
Good job, Bro Banji. Well written. My God continue to give you the strength and grace to spread his word. Your gift is a special one and God will continue to increase you in wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
Stay blessed and have a blessed week.
Doyin,
Thanks for the encouragement. Am grateful.
EVB
Thanks for the write up EVB; God bless you.
Any thoughts on young men/women who are waiting on the Lord and the pressure from society/church/parents/elders to get married? This is especially tough on women who may sucuumb to these pressures and settle for less than what God has in store for them.
SALT Lady, Houston.
Salt lady,
My thought on the matter of pressure from family on singles are simple:
1. Any form of pressure can also lead to error. The pressure of marriage may even be from peer or due to age and delay/frustration.
2. We must always focus on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus himself endured the pain of the cross because of the coming joy.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
May Heaven continually strengthen us in Jesus name.
EVB
Evangelist Bee,
What is your take on believing God for a miracle and coming out for the alter call for the said issue?
I'm believing God for the fruits of the womb and I've gone out for the alter call for special prayer in church several times during the year.
When exactly do I begin to exercise faith and stop coming out in front of the church to pray on the same issue?
My sister I encourage you to be strong.
Coincidentally I was just reading in their newspaper two days ago about a woman who gave birth after 21 years of marriage and waiting.
The critical issue is not necessarily about the number of times you come out to be prayed for and that itself is not the exact measure of your faith. We did not know the exact time Blind Bartimeaus he cried but we know its more than once. He cried until he got attention!
What really matters is that you remain steadfast in YOUR HEART about your confidence in God to do it.
He will do it – in His time and make all things beautiful. If you are not comfortable with such calls again, stop and stay to thank Him in advance for doing it.
If you are okay with it and you believe that a particular one is the touch – go for it.
Wait I say on The Lord and He will not disappoint you.
2011 will be your year of visitation. God bless you.
EVB