A Time to Stand ...or Fall!

There may have been a time that we, as a church, could overlook certain things that happened in our various fellowships and denominations. Perhaps there was an eccentric pastor or a questionable activity occasionally. But by and large, we knew that the Gospel was being preached in most Christian churches. But now, we no longer have the luxury of being quiet about the aberrant things we see and hear coming from the pulpit! As stewards and ambassadors of God’s Word, we need to take a stand!

What specifically am I referring to? Let me give you some examples:

Manifestations of the spirit in church –Many churches rely on these manifestations more than the Word of God. Like the Gnostics in early church history, they believe the experience (subjective) is more important than what has been revealed in the Bible about God (objective).  Personal prophecies (“The Lord told me to tell you”), tongues with  no interpretation,  being “slain in the spirit” by the touch of the minister, shaking uncontrollably and dancing wildly “in the spirit” are all signs of individualism, pride and a reliance on the experience! When the whole of God’s Word is not taught, when we forsake the creeds and confessions of our faith, we are left only with the manifestations, signs and wonders. As people become dependent on the manifestations they tend to focus less on the Word and it’s authority! This is never how God intended it to be. To attribute things to the Holy Spirit that aren’t His work is a grave error and we must speak out against this!

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

1 Corinthians 14:22-25  Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.  (23)  If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?  (24)  But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,  (25)  the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

Putting church leaders on a pedestal – When a pastor has the power to control your actions, rather than teach and influence you to follow Christ, then this is what we call spiritual abuse. Leaders are treated like kings instead of servants and their power becomes absolute in the church. They talk down to members, control them with fear and psychology, they can’t be questioned on their doctrines or actions and they give themselves great titles and privileges which go against what the bible teaches. I personally know pastors who rebuke members from the pulpit openly for things such as not standing in the proper place as an usher or a member not meeting his pledge obligation on time. With this group are also those who claim to be prophets in the Old Testament sense and claim to hear directly from God concerning your situation. When it might go against what is in scripture we are told that the “letter kills but the spirit gives life”.  They hold themselves to be a special group of people to whom God has blessed with the ability to exercise the gift at will and in all situations. It doesn’t matter if they are wrong sometimes, they are still learning to use this great gift (prophet schools??) and it cannot be questioned.

2 Corinthians 1:24  Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

1 Peter 5:2-3  shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;  (3)  not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Adopting new “fads” without using discernment – This has always happened throughout church history, but never more than today.  A few years ago it was the Toronto blessing, with all the associated nonsense like barking in the spirit and the laughing revival. How does this edify the church or the individual? Before that, it was the positive confession and word of faith movements, which have grown and morphed over the years. To them God is nothing more than the big investment bank in the sky.  Put in $100 and you will receive $1000 back from the lord. Not the Lord of Hosts, but perhaps the lord of money. This scam has made those who promote it very rich men! Those who want to be rich are given all the scriptures that contain “prospering” and “receiving” despite the fact that they are all taken out of context. These same word of faith proponents also boldly say that you should be in perfect health, and if you’re not, your faith is lacking in some area. How many people have been hurt and discouraged by this false teaching? How many have waited on a line to be touched. While God is concerned with our physical health, He is much more concerned with our spiritual health and if we are in communion with His Son Jesus Christ, who died for our sins in order that we might have a relationship with God! But these deceivers think only about their power and wealth and pervert the truth for greed’s sake. The emergent church also falls in the fad category but we will give this a more detailed look in the next section on culture!

Hebrews 5:14  But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

1 Timothy 6:3-5  If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,  (4)  he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,  (5)  and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 

The culture dictates how our churches operate – What is known as the Emergent movement has leaped into prominence fairly quickly! Churches have now become culturally relevant and have, in many cases altered the message of the bible to fit the needs of the people. Like those who rely on the manifestation of the spirit, they feel experience is more important than doctrine and reason, thus the quote “doctrine divides” has become a popular mantra for the emergent folks. I can’t believe how many people have said that doctrine is not that important because my “experience” lets me know about God. Because of the low view of doctrine, ecumenism has seeped in and many churches with all types of beliefs and practices, are uniting for a supposed common good! They do not real that they are becoming apostate in their search for unity. This move is subversive because from the outside it would seem like a great idea to unite under one banner, but inwardly it is making the church weak and ineffective. When we hear a Christian pastor say that there are many ways to God (universalism) and that we need to connect with those from other faith on common beliefs,  I believe we need to stand up for the truth and say that “Jesus is the ONLY way!” In my opinion, the emergent church movement is very dangerous because it will include elements from all of the aforementioned topics and fold them into group. The culture cannot dictate how we preach, teach and interact with the world. The bible is our guide and the truth is not culturally relative.

Titus 1:9  He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,  (4)  and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Now more than ever, we who hold that God’s Word is the absolute truth, and the revelation of God’s grace and gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, must stand ready to defend it by, reproving, rebuking and exhorting with sound doctrine. Some naively think that just because the word “church” is attached to an organization, that it is somehow magically protected from the attacks of the enemy. Nothing could be further from the truth. The enemy of our souls seeks to divide and destroy from within. He uses our own pride, thirst for power, ambitions and greed to assist his evil plans to destroy the church. He disguises himself as an angel of light to deceive, kill and destroy. To be sure, many people caught up in these things are good, sincere Christians who just happen to be under false teachings. But we must ask ourselves this: Is it healthy to be in a place where the Holy Spirit in continually grieved? If the foundation of your biblical teaching is wrong how can you become a mature Christian? I am convinced that many of these sincere Christians, if they hear the true Gospel message and sound doctrine, will receive it and leave the false teachings behind. But how can they hear without a (true) preacher? If all they are getting is a culturally relevant gospel, or a gospel promoting health and wealth, how will they understand the true message of the Son’s sacrifice, repentance from sin and the grace and salvation offered by Jesus Christ?

We who have been in trusted with God’s truth, the humble servants and ministers of Christ, must proclaim the truth. Although we may be the minority in our churches and congregations, we must now take a stand, or the next generation will be doomed with even more heresy and false doctrine. False doctrine, left unchecked, only morphs and mutates into more false doctrine. It is like a virus that grows and adapts to changing environments. If the church had come out strongly against the word of faith movement back in its early days, perhaps it would not have the worldwide effect and reach that it has today. This is just speculation of course. We have to deal in the realities of the present day. And the realities of today are that the church is under attack from many different directions. We must take a stand for the truth and proclaim the gospel. We must return to using the Word of God as the basis for our faith and not our feelings and emotions! This call is for church leaders and lay people alike for we all compose the real church and it is our God ordained responsibility to stand and proclaim His word.

Ephesians 6:13-18  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  (14)  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  (15)  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  (16)  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  (17)  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  (18)  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints