By Evangelist Bee

(WARNING-SOME OF THE PICTURES ARE VERY DISTURBING)

While preparing to write this sequel to the question “ s this Christianity? Is this not foolishness or plain purposelessness?”, I watched  CNN  Soledad O’Brien special feature on Jim Jones and the mass murder he carried out in Jonestown, Guyana. He did it in the name of religion and it increased my sense of urgency. I believe there are red flags that can be spotted to know if one or  a loved one is gradually getting into any strange and concocted version of Christianity. I believe there are symptoms that are indicative of underlying tendencies that we need to be sensitive to.They are sometimes subtle  but  there are clues that are visible and should be respected. If  these red flags  are observed and the hints they proffer are  respected, these strange versions of  Christianity will not be able to thrive! More lives will be saved from the kind of pain the 27 year old I mentioned it the first part of this write up went through. You can get the first part at http://www.evangelistbee.com/2010/11/what-is-this-is-this-christianity-is.html

Will knowing these red flags eliminate the trend completely? No. It will save you at least. You cannot prevent a bird from flying over your head but you can prevent it from building a nest on your head. I will be using recorded facts from the  Jim Jones story  and the young woman’s story mentioned in the previous write up once in a while as a reference point to show what these red flags are.
My heart cry is that we will sincerely evaluate our lives and ministry and make necessary adjustments before it’s too late. I am hoping that we will take up the challenge  of change. That we would account  not for ourselves only but also for  the people who “pastor” or “ lead” us in whatever capacity.

Remember,
 

The list of these red flags are not exhaustive and some are manifested at different levels than the other but the critical path is that whenever any of these is spotted – there is need for caution. In another sequel to this, I will be discussing what to do to avoid being a victim or contributing our own part as leaders to stop these  tendencies, my focus here is just to raise alerts!

In chemistry class, when I was young we were thought  of a test called the “ litmus test”. We were taught that you know whether a matter or substance is acidic or otherwise based on the color of the litmus paper after contact with the material. Once you start seeing a minister of the gospel who starts doing things that He cannot support with the scripture, it  is time to flee! I  know that most of us are like me who do not have PH.D in the study of the word, however, if in doubt, we can ask! Ask outside the circle of the influence of the “man of God”. The circle of influence of these Pastors who do these non-scriptural things could be very wide and powerful. They could drown you – to the extent that you might “join” them to do the same things later  even though you know this does not agree with the scriptures. Be accountable to God. The good nature of the intent does not override the reality of this flag! The proper balance and correct interpretation of the word of God is the ultimate check.
If it is not right and does not align with the Word of God – Speak out. Do it in love. Do it out  of genuine concern – not hate and  not with ulterior motives. Be firm,not rude and surely not violent. Error cannot  be used to correct error.

I know someone who in the name of correcting others, condemns everything from giving, praying, tithing, preaching on prosperity… everything! And it’s done in a way that  the noise/ego around what she is saying masks the facts! Stay with the facts. Meanwhile I have not seen what alternative she is contributing to make the changes in the  kingdom apart from being an arm chair critic.

A prophet once told a man that in order for his wife to overcome years of childlessness, he needs to open up the blockage by sleeping with her. She told the husband! Not the woman! Can you see how bold falsehood can be? He based his premise on the scripture that says , the light shines in darkness and  darkness cannot comprehend it. He claimed he is the “light” whose light is “stronger” than that of the husband to dislodge the darkness. The husband knew better having been in faith for a while and fled. You don’t argue when it gets to this kind of junction – You flee.
2Jn 1:10  If there come any unto you, and bring not this (original) doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

This looks extreme but we have heard of people who killed themselves because they were told to do so “for God”. The truth is that abuses like this had gone unannounced when people confront these errors alone. Imagine if it was the desperate woman who just got born again  that went alone to the false prophet not knowing her left from the right. That “word” and “revelation” from this deranged prophet looks attractively meaningful in context of him “having power to dislodge darkness”  but it purely contradicts so many other scriptures. Even if a year after,  the” miracle” of a baby happens it still does not remove the fact that more basic scriptures about adultery, marital commitment and simple obedience had been contradicted!
Long before (almost a decade) before Jim Jones killed 914 – 638 adults and 276 children in 1978 see the non scriptural red flag in this finding–

Please check NOW, Is the belief/doctrine you are following scriptural? Let’s do like the Christians in Berea who double checked whatever they are taught.

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Any message or instruction that is given and takes away our peace, joy and confidence in the Lord  should raise an alert. Anyone that asks you to go and sell your house, sell your properties, leave your job by instruction through an “executive order” without  you having a say and having a voluntary conviction wants to rob you and not minister to you. Looks extreme? How do we respond when we are told that we should make and bring a  pledge even it has to be “taken”  from the offices where we work as a cashier? When requests and demands are made that causes rest of mind to leave, it’s a clear red flag. I recently handled a case of a young woman who kept stealing at work to please  the “ man of God” and “ church projects” at the detriment of her conscience and peace.

You might have known this person or Pastor for years. It is not a guarantee that what he is doing now is right. People change and get infected with the “error – virus”

Pro 10:22  The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

He promised rest, not pain. His servants too should release rest and peace – not Pain.

Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Are you loosing your peace or literarily loosing your mind ? Get help! Its might be time to relocate.

I believe the way a minister or ministry talks about and how they use money is indicative of what their approach, fundamentals and priority is. Money is good. Money had its relevance in all the phases of life. The Gospel too needs it too. However, spiritual things are spiritual and monetary issues are financial. Once a ministry or minister starts asking you to pay before being attended too or giving a spiritual promise in response to a direct paying of a particular amount, it is time to move on. Giving must always be done willingly  and money itself will not guarantee a spiritual reward. It must be given willingly and in obedience to God (not just the Man of God)
 

Once ministry work becomes like going to the hospital and you have to pay “consulting fees”, “deliverance fees’ before you see the man of God, there is fire on the mountain. The way ministries spend the funds  can  also show red flags! If different needless projects are being created and not implemented – it is time to go! The giving that has  reward must excite  the  giver to do even though sacrificial!

2Co 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

When Jim Jones knew the end was near, he moved away about $500,000 accumulated from forced submission of people’s wealth before killing all the 900 people in his camp. The way money is viewed and used  is indicative of the state of the heart of a  man of God or a ministry.

4.         ABUSE

All forms of abuse (no matter how small) is a red flag to know if true Christian principles are being followed. Exhibition of abuse is a manifestation of the level of the commitment to service to the people

I  had some experience of how sensitive we need to be to this clues on abuse. Some years back when I was much younger in ministry I was invited to preach by a Pastor friend who I hold very dear and I respected. It was a wonderful vigil and when we finished, some people wanted to see us for counseling and I asked the usher to bring a chair for people who wanted to see me to seat. The Pastor fought me to standstill for allowing them  to seat while talking to me! They should be on their knees while speaking! What an abuse! Christianity is not slavery. What has kneeling down got to do with meeting the needs of people! That was  the last time I ministered there. Another Pastor did not even allow his church members to see me after service. He was so violent about it. I did not even know until his members sneaked up to me by the car to for counseling! That was my the last time I was in His church .

A couple once told me about a church they have been going to for a long time. The General overseer was becoming overbearing because of their growth and  success. He felt they were not bringing enough of their breakthrough “ seeds” and started using them as preaching tool and manipulating them. They moved!
There was this Reverend in jail now in Nigeria for the murder of a church member who he wanted to punish  for her sexual sins with fire. He simply burned her up alive after pouring petrol on her! The abuse was obvious at a distance before that day. The girl joined his church as a virgin  who innocently wanted to serve God. She was selected as worthy to serve the Leader in his house until he started demanding she serves him his food naked and turned her to a sex slave! What’s this? Help me? Evil has no other  Name.

When you see a man of God and a church leadership that does not respect the sanctity of the human body being decently covered (publicly or privately), you need to be wary. I have seen a lot of people start well but never got over their weaknesses  from past sexual behaviors even now that they have become Christian leaders. Some of them have demonic pasts in the world or in other religions where women are treated as sex slaves. When such people get converted to Christianity and do not get  adequate discipleship they tend to confuse the fact that they are anointed to  mean that they could  be irresponsible.

Thank God for our sisters but I feel they also encourage this acts. Deliverance has got nothing to do with illicit sex or invasion into your privacy! I was struck some 20years when a young woman told me her story. She was in a taxi with  3 other men  on a 45minutes journey and they were discussing  on  seemingly innocent spiritual topics and she joined. However, she  later confessed that some of the things they were saying never gelled with the scripture and she should have dropped. One of them started playing on her mind by telling her things in her past and she got carried away . The scripture says:

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 
It is gone. Don’t let anyone play on your past.  End story – He started conducting deliverance by putting His hand in places that should not be. When she got married, she spent years waiting for a child until God truly now delivered her from what the mad man placed on her.

I once counseled a woman. After teaching the scriptures, I prayed with her –this took almost an hour. When I finished she asked me, “Is that all?” What else does she want? We need to free our mind from always expecting some gross acts from a minister to meet our needs.

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

This is the ultimate test and it shows in different dimensions. A Christian leader should and must feel – Empathy. When they  were hungry, Jesus fed  them – He did not collect their possession and increased their problem. The fruit matters. You can’t hide  forever.

Mat 7:16-20  You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. A healthy tree bears good fruit, but a poor tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a poor tree cannot bear good fruit.  And any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. So then, you will know the false prophets by what they do.

Look at the friends and  the atmosphere around the man of God. It looks outdated  but do you see this:

Gal 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance:

Does he claim the glory rather than give it GOD? – no meekness; Does she tell you to keep the money being brought to her as a prophetess a secret from your husband ? – no love; Are emphasis been excessively laid on cloth, oil, washing in water etc – no faith.
Don’t be gullible-do something now! And if you are still hoping to mix true Christianity  with your old background in witchcraft and spirit-ism the Bible says:

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

In the next sequel, I will discuss why People become susceptible to this error and why people engage it this strange things they call Christianity.

Let me have your comments as I pray that the  story of the Jim Jones will not repeat itself while we are there. Jim Jones himself pasted on his altar  as shown  in the pictures and it said –

 MAY WE NOT BE ONE OF THEM IN JESUS NAME – AMEN.