Tag: deception

Some say I’m too picky. But as a person who was once deceived by NAR and Word of Faith teaching, I know firsthand how dangerous false teaching is. Satan is very tricky and he would like nothing more than to lead Christians down a dangerous road of deception. He is very good at what he does and it won’t be obvious. You can be sure of that.

Women’s Bible Studies often center around a popular Christian author and teacher. I began to notice that many of their teachings were based on their personal experiences. They weren’t really teaching the Bible. Instead, it was more about them, what God had “told” them, and their fascinating experiences. I remember thinking, “Wait! Where’s that in the Bible?”

For me, red flags go up when a “Bible teacher” says, “God told me…” or “God said…”. I haven’t always seen that as a red flag, but I do now. Here’s why:

These “Bible teachers” are often funny and entertaining, so you can see why they would be popular. The word gets around. Hungry believers, seeking to learn about God, consume their books and videos. The motives of these believers may be pure, but pure motives aren’t enough. We must study the Bible for ourselves or risk being misled.

I know this is true because it happened to me. The problem is this: if you learn from the wrong teachers you will undoubtedly be led into error. Of course, they get a lot right, but it’s what they get wrong that is the problem.

You can usually find out a lot about popular teachers on their own websites. Who do they learn from? What books and/or teachers have influenced them? If they are influenced by the New Age, Mystics, NAR, or Word of Faith that’s all I need to know. I don’t listen to their teaching and neither should you. Jesus said,

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:13-15

I’m afraid this kind of advice isn’t very popular today. It would be more acceptable if Jesus would have said not to be concerned about who we listen to as long as it has a Christian label on it. But that is not what He said. In fact, the Bible says,

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Nowhere is this more evident than in the “Prosperity Gospel” teaching of preachers like Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Jesse Duplantis, Joel Osteen, T.D Jakes, and others. The Bible clearly teaches that anyone who teaches these things has been robbed of the Truth.

So-called “Bible teachers” are standing in line to say what people want to hear. According to Publisher’s Weekly, one popular teacher (that I won’t name) generates over 30 million dollars a year in book sale revenues!

“If anyone … does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. ⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:3-10

I don’t know how it could get any clearer than that. Yet “Prosperity preachers have huge followings and live in great abundance and wealth.

“Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 11:14b

And in case you aren’t convinced yet, remember these words of Jesus:

 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23

Final Word: The Bible is more precious than silver and gold because God’s Word, and God’s Word alone, will keep you on the narrow road. Don’t neglect this precious gift from God.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

All Scripture references are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.

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