JOEL OSTEEN and LAKEWOOD CHURCH
“I don’t get deep and theological.”~Joel Osteen, New York Times July 18, 2005
Note Joel’s own words here: “I don’t get deep and theological.” In other words: “I’m a spineless moral coward who refuses to stand on what God’s Word clearly states and don’t get into God’s Word or preach it – other than to misuse a verse here or there for my own self-serving purposes. No, instead I teach you the self-serving, luciferic doctrines that your unrepentant heart wants to hear. And I am a millionaire many times over for doing such. Thank you for being so gullible and biblicalically-illiterate and patronizing my church business – my empire.”
Have you stopped to think about the title of Osteen’s best selling book? Anyone living their ‘best life now’ … that means they are going to hell and have forfeited eternal glory in Heaven for this fleeting, sinful world. Jesus says “They have their reward.” (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16) If this life is your “best” life, that means you are going to hell because Heaven is going to be glorious for those who follow Christ to the end of their lives and “not be moved away from the hope of the gospel” by following greed-driven, lying wolves like Osteen (Colossians 1:22-23).
Osteen gets an “F” for his false teaching in “Your Best Life Now.” He gets an “F” because this book should have been titled “Your Best LIE Now.”
—IF YOU are defending Osteen, you are defending a known wolf and condemning others for not agreeing with you. YOU are the judgmental one. It’s time to really repent. — Anyone who can agree with this Christ-denying heretic (Osteen) is also an unsaved antichrist.
Notice below in this video clip how that it took the woman calling in to say the truth he refused to preach and even denied. Notice how he says repeatedly “I DON”T know” “I Don’t know” … does Joel not have access to a Bible? He says he judges no man – BUT JESUS WILL JUDGE ALL MEN and if they deny Christ with their own lips the LORD Jesus says we know them by that bad fruit because He says “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34) So we DO know other men’s heart to a good degree by the “fruit” of their mouths (Matthew 7:16, 20). Jesus says to discern others “by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16, 20). What you will see here is that Osteen doesn’t want ot take a stand for what the Bible says because he’s trying to please the world in order to continue to grow his own temporal empire in lieu of being a humble servant being used to build Christ’s kingdom by sowing the truth in the hearts of men. He lamely says “I’m going to let God be the Judge” and YET refused to say what the JUDGE has told us in His Word. The Judge is God and He has not been silent. His Word is clear: “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish (go to hell).” (Luke 13:3) Jesus also says “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God … ye must be born again.” (John 3:3, 7) Christ also states: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16) Oh and the LORD’s apostle Paul said: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
Did the JUDGE make Himself clear? Watch this lame, spineless, Christ-denying moral coward who isn’t saved ….
—- You know, people so love being lied to – being told that God just wants to pamper them – that if you dare interfere with the c-l-o-w-n whose lies they are devouring, they will viciously attack you. – “My people love to have it so.” (Jeremiah 5:31) Anyone who doesn’t see that Osteen’s “gospel” is completely irreconcilable with New Testament Christianity/doctrine/truth, has no clue what the Bible says. This hour was foretold: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (stories).” (2 Tim. 4:3-4) …. That’s all Joel does is tell stories …. he’s just a flattering story teller that makes unregenerate (unsaved) people feel good about themselves in their current lost, sinful condition. He refuses to tell his audience about sin and that they must repent or they cannot be saved from eternal damnation (Lk. 13:3, 5, etc.). Is that love or hate? Hate.
Playing stupid to protect the wolf who is telling your unrepentant heart what it wants to hear reveals self-serving cowardice. Ignorance is a curse, not a Christian/biblical virtue (Proverbs 15:14).
“The simple (Heb. silly, seducible, foolish) believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” Proverbs 14:15
Jesus says we ARE to “know” (discern) others “by their fruits” and Osteen’s fruit, his doctrine, is not the original Gospel (Matthew 7:15-21). Any second grader who reads the Gospels knows that. The apostle Paul says Osteen is “accursed” for preaching “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9)
Osteen refuses to preach the original Gospel once delivered to the saints (or anything remotely close to it) and by this alone we know he is “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9).
THE only reason people like Osteen is because he is telling them what THEY want to hear in their sinful, unrepentant, alienated, lost state. He is lying them into eternal damnation. No true, Bible-loving Christian would take this guy seriously. – “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)
Ever notice how Osteen holds up a Bible and has his audience make a confession? Part of Osteen’s canned script that he recites out loud and has his audience repeat is that “I am what it (the Bible) says I am.” Yet, you never hear Osteen lead his self-centered audience to say: “LORD, I know You promised suffering to those who truly follow You. And, if You say I must die to self and to suffer and be persecuted for serving You, then I know You will grant the grace for me to be brought through it all, come what may!” Red Flag!
Concerning the cross-less, counterfeit gospel preached by Osteen, Mark Heatherly notes:
“The cross has multiple aspects but the main one is to nullify the ‘negative’ elements that are deeply infused within the heart and soul of man. The cross serves as a filter of sorts to screen out all that is not in conformity with Christ , the new and perfect man. Everything in the old man is fallen; heart, mind, will and emotions and even the conscience. God placed us in Christ so that when He died, we died. This is the objective side and then on the subjective side, we then must ‘die to self, take up our own cross daily and follow Him.’
The cross has to work deeply and thoroughly throughout our inward parts (heart n soul) to bring us into conformity with Christ.
The practical working out part is every time we deny self-centered thoughts, desires, and impulses. The suffering the death of self involves when we endure sufferings and shame, when we give thanks sacrificially, when we turn the other cheek, or go the extra mile, and etc. Modern Christendom is in a state of apostasy… just as the Lord and His apostles foretold of these last days, people gather to themselves teachers who tickle the ears such as Joel Osteen! Hosanna, Lord Jesus.
The gospel Joel preaches is self exaltation! He does not preach the exaltation of Jesus Christ, the only truly good, righteous and perfect man. He actually preaches anti-Christ because everything he advocates is the opposite of the true gospel which is Jesus Christ, the hope of glory, and not me and what God has done for me. Rather, Jesus has said to lose your life while Joel says, ‘Your best life now’ The true gospel is Christ-centered while preachers like Osteen prostitute his followers out to self-indulgence in this fleeting world! Read James chapter 4! James clearly portrays us as being married to God who has given us His blessed Holy Spirit that we might be sanctified, set apart from the world and the self-centered, self-seeking indulgences therein which are of the enemy of God, Satan! James calls those who love the world, adulteresses because they have left their first love, abandoned the blessed Holy Spirit, and allowed their affections to go out to the world and the things therein through their self seeking flesh!
What Joel preaches comes straight from hell! It comes from the father of lies and all deception! Wake up people! Be SOBER and ALERT in your spirits for these things are ONLY spiritually discerned! You cannot discern this with your soul! Satan has dominion in that realm because of our flesh. The only safe haven, indeed even our rest, is within the human spirit where the Spirit of truth resides! Walk therein and do not be fooled. Just because someone stands in a church pulpit, holds up a Bible and says ‘God’ occasionally does not guarantee he knows God and speaks truth. Deception would have no fruit if it was fully exposed in light! A wolf could not walk and fellowship within the fold of the sheep, unless that is, he were clothed in sheep’s skin and looked just like them!” Mark Heatherly
It’s obvious that so many are passionate about their love for Osteen and his message. But why? With all due respect, I must refrain from endorsing such a ministry as Osteens. His message is full of fables and myths and is clearly not the true Gospel. Osteen refuses to preach the essentials of the original Gospel, such as repentance from sin, God is holy and commanded us to be holy, the death burial and resurrection of Christ, the soon return of Jesus, the divinity of Christ, etc., etc., etc.
How can any student of the Bible see anything but disparity, contradiction, and mutilation when they hear such flowery, flesh-flattering, sin-pandering speech such as what this smiling wolf spews out?????
ANY PERSON WHO WOULD DARE TO DEFEND THE PITIFUL FALSE TEACHINGS OF A MAN LIKE JOEL OSTEEN IS EITHER NOT SAVED OR IS A BABE WITH DANGEROUSLY MINUSCULE BIBLE LEARNING UNDER HIS/HER BELT.
Such a person has no clue to Bible doctrine. | See Cameo Collusions – Conspiring to “Destroy Souls!” Beware of the Cameo Appearance Hoax – There are Biblical Keys for Discerning Wolves.
Victoria Osteen: “We’re doing it for ourself, not God”
Of smooth talking wolves, Louise S. Writes:
“It really is NOT that difficult to tell who these false prophets are. The rah rah self-exalting sermons are NOT substance enough for the people of GOD seeking JESUS and HIS SPIRITUAL TRUTHS. They are just nice superficial speeches! There are NO solid convictions. It takes GUTS and FAITH to be a TRUE FOLLOWER of CHRIST and it will COST you EVERYTHING. The total surrendering of our WILL, PLANS, surrendering to HIS WAY and our own personal journey to the cross. That really is what is not preached in our churches. Most are NOT willing to pay the price to be a true discipline of CHRIST. Not an easy journey but worth it! HE, the GREAT I AM, made HIMSELF a whip and confronted face to face these false prophets, hypocrites. HE turned their money table over; and called them a bunch of adders (snakes) and said ‘your father is the devil!’ Is that BOLD enough for you? HE also said they would NOT see HIM again ‘until they said “blessed is HE who comes in the name of the LORD.’ These people use GOD, HIS teachings, for their own selfish gains but JESUS saw the corruption/whoredom within even though the outside looks fancy. They DO NOT follow the command and principal of GOD’s LOVE or work for HIS KINGDOM; but for their own! They hold NO real substance or depth within them. They are just empty suits making pretty speeches; tickling your ears, saying what they think you want to hear. They DID NOT appreciate or see the value in JESUS, the carpenter’s son, NOT knowing they were in the presence of Majesty. It is NO difference today!” Louise S.
Paul the apostle tells us that these smooth talking devils are “enemies of the cross of Christ” and that they “mind earthly things,” and that their “god is their belly” or carnal appetites (Philippians 3:18-19). That simply means they are in the “ministry” for self-serving purposes.
—- In light of this luciferic “we are little gods,” heresy, read this following Bible passage and note that this is perhaps prophetic of this late hour when so many have fallen away from Christ and therefore fall for these self-serving manipulations to get things for themselves.
“Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. 2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. 3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” Psalms 12:1-4
Note that “Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” (v4) This is a antichrist declaration of of the denial and refusal of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In other words “We will not trust in God to do HIS will in our lives but rather WE will use our own tongues to get what WE want – to confess blessings in to OUR lives!” This goes for PMA (positive mental attitude) and the so-called law of attraction Osteen uses also. The common denominator is complete rebellion and therefore seeking to make their own way, do their own thing, and be their own little god or ruler and determinator of their own “success” and destiny.
The word says that homosexuality is an abomination unto God. “Pastor” Joel Osteen has made a name for himself as a positive and uplifting minister who focuses in on life’s pleasantries. Despite his wild popularity, he‘s also frequently criticized by some who feel he doesn’t address some of the more nitty-gritty issues that exist in both the secular and religious worlds.
When it comes to sin — something Osteen clearly believes in but rarely discusses in his sermons — the faith leader is often targeted for not addressing the issue upfront and regularly. On Sunday evening, Oprah Winfrey interviewed Osteen on her new program, “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” where he delved deeply into his views on homosexuality and sin.
“Will a gay person be accepted into heaven, as you see it?,” Oprah asked the famed pastor. “I believe they will,” he responded. ”Sometimes we look at gay being a bigger sin than being proud or not telling the truth. I don’t think God categorizes sins.”
Here, Osteen made it clear that he believes homosexuality is sinful. But Oprah pushed him a bit harder to solidify his stance, asking, “Does that mean that you’re saying that you believe that being gay is a sin?”
“I believe that homosexuality is shown as a sin in the scripture,” he responded. “Oprah, it’s a hard thing in a sense, because I’m for everybody. I’m not against anybody. I don‘t think anybody’s second class,” Osteen continued, as he explained that the Bible’s message on the matter, in his view, is clear.
Notice Osteen, the spineless moral coward’s use of phrases like “Oprah, it’s a hard thing in a sense, because I’m for everybody. I’m not against anybody. I don‘t think anybody’s second class.” Did you catch what he is trying to do? Do you discern the self-preserving, manipulatory spin here? He’s trying to base what the definition of sin is by how HE feels about it and how people will respond to HIM if HE calls sin sin according to God’s definition. Yet, the God who made all that is gave us His Word and specifically lists and defines what sin is and how it offends Him and defiles the participant (Galatians 5:19-21). Only the LORD Himself is “Holy, holy, holy,” and only He can define what sin is and if these sin send people to hell (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). God defines what sin is, not man. So, Osteen is basing his answers to life and sin on how it will effect HIM and HIS REPUTATION and not on what God says. Osteen needs to repent and be saved (John 8:47; Romans 3:3-4). Osteen is clearly all about self and not the Savior and attracts those who are using Christ’s name in vain to greedily covet and get things, popularity, favor, and this fleeting worlds goods for themselves – because like him, they are serving the god of self, they are worshiping at the altar of self. He has repeatedly rejected Jesus Christ and anyone who thinks this man is a true pastor should themselves repent and be saved.
ANY person who thinks Joel Osteen is even saved is clueless and probably needs to get saved. What is it going to take!? How many times does this moral coward have to deny Christ publicly for people to see this stage show scam for what it is? Actually, God has a place for false prophets like Osteen. He uses dupes like this to set a hook in the jaws of all who do not truly love Him and therefore are not willing to lay down their lives to serve Him. … “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure (hold themselves accountable to) sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:2-4)
Disciple or “Champion”?
“You were born to win; you were born for greatness, you were created to be a champion in life” – Joel Osteen (p. 35).
“Born to win”?
“Born for greatness”?
Where’s that in God’s Word? Does Osteen know better than Jesus Christ, the prophets, and Christ’s apostles? After all, they made no such claim in the 66 glorious books of Holy Scripture. Christians are called saints and disciples, and followers of Jesus but never called “champions.” Such a term is a flesh-flattering ploy from the mouth of a modern deceiver who is using ancient methods to beguile the gullible.
– WARNING –
Enter this page at your own risk: This website is intentionally for those who love and seek to obey the LORD who is the Truth, are teachable, taking up their cross daily, and growing daily in His holy grace (Jn. 14:6; 2 Pet. 3:18). The information contained herein may be hazardous to falsehood and false prophets/teachers. There will be no pandering to deception, human sentiment, philosophy, flattery, or lies, but rather godly edification with truth and love (Jesus willing). Those of the true remnant of the LORD possess a heart after the LORD and mind the things of Christ and His kingdom and are not afraid to discover that a leader, whole movement, or teaching they have previously espoused is actually false when tested in the light of Holy Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Jesus is their “first love” and they will have no “idol shepherds” nor pet doctrines of men or devils (Mk. 7:6-9; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:4-5; Zech. 11:17). Those who seek to cover for and defend the very leaders Christ warned are ravening wolves who devour His people while operating in sheep’s clothing, will not enjoy this site (Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:27-32). Yet those who are “valiant for the truth” may very well love it (Jer. 9:3; Jn. 8:47; 18:37). Those who are fast asleep spiritually and therefore do not recognize the impending danger of deceivers and their distorted misrepresentations, are in for a shock (Exod. 20:3-4; 2 Cor. 2:17). Our prayer is that these will choose to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God in repentance and full obedience to His holy Word. God bless you richly in Jesus’ holy name.
In his blatant refusal to obey the divine command to “preach the word,” Joel Osteen is leading millions astray with his false gospel which couldn’t drown a flea in its spiritual depth (or rather, lack thereof). In his preaching and in his statement here (to the New York Times) Joel announces for all to see that he is not interested in getting into the Word of the God he claims to serve, much less instilling God’s truth in the hearts of his audience. This means he is creating a god in his own depraved image and selling it to the gullible. The fact that so many people think Joel Osteen is a Christian leader and embrace his ministry underscores the biblical illiteracy and “itching ears” among those claiming to be God’s children (2 Tim. 4:2-4). Where did the LORD instruct us to learn of Him, obtain His truth, and grow to become mature believers, rooted and grounded in Him? Try John 5:39; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17; Heb. 5:11-14; and 1 Pet. 2:2 for starters.
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick (living) and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word (nothing else); be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. “ 2 Timothy 4:1-4
Like Billy Graham, Joel Osteen continually refuses to tell America the truth when interviewed on shows like Larry King Live. What did the Son of God say of such cowardice?
“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38
Never in the history of this rebellious nation of people has there been a greater need for authentic men who fear God to stand up and tell people what the LORD requires of us (as individuals and as a people).
Christ makes it crystal clear here that “whosoever” is ashamed of Him and won’t speak His “words” before men, will be rejected on Judgment Day. The Almighty is not impressed with man’s temporary popularity; in fact He says it’s one evidence of the “false prophets.” (Lk. 6:26; 16:15)
“As the aging Robert Schuller, Billy Graham, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and Paul Crouch are being retired and shown the door, a spanking brand-new generation of ministers and evangelists are being ushered in by the Devil to take their place. The new preachers–men like California’s Pastor Rick Warren. The Purpose-Driven Life) and Texas’ Joel Osteen (Your Best Life Now) are flashy, shiny, and smiley. They use positive talk, make people feel good, and get them to thinking about ‘Me, Me, Me, Me…’ The Rick Warrens and Joel Osteens evade topics like sin, judgment, Hell, and condemnation. They trumpet the New Gospel–that God is always good and that He has a satchel-full of cash he’s just dying to give out to every believer if only they’ll think good thoughts. What about false religion?–Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Witchcraft? Don’t worry. God is working behind the scenes to get those people to Heaven–and they don’t need to be evangelized at all. ‘So long Christian missionaries–It’s been good to know you!’ Find your purpose, find prosperity–get greedy, stop barking. Surround yourself with purple haze–The New Generation of Christian leaders are here, and watchdogs everywhere have simply gone to sleep.” Tex Marrs
I am jumping on and staying on the JESUS bandwagon and departing from and exposing false ministries like Lakewood/Osteen which refuse to preach the original Gospel and are therefore preaching “another gospel” and are “accursed.” (Gal. 1:6-9). The first word of the Gospel is “Repent” and Osteen will never be heard preaching that men must repent (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Lk. 13:3, 5; Acts 3:19; 17:30…). “God … commandeth ALL men every where to repent:” (Acts 17:30)
Jesus says there is NO salvation without repentance (Lk.13:3, 5). Do you know these verses? If you go to Lakewood it points to a serious problem in your heart – you are not a truth seeker on your own (2 Timothy 2:15). You don’t know God’s Word for yourself and are being deceived and will be “destroyed” if that doesn’t change (Hosea 4:6). You only know the few little tidbits of Scripture Osteen deceitfully sprinkles out there. You are fulfilling the last days prophecy of 2 Timothy 4:2-4. These people are not seeking Jesus and His Holy Truth. If they were they would see right through the thin veneer of this scam. Do you know what 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 says?
WHAT OSTEEN PREACHES TO THE CHOIR
If you watch Osteen on TV or read his book, you will notice many essential components of the true Gospel missing, including what Christ taught about the denial of self in contrast to the elevation and worship of self, which is exactly what Osteen promotes through his new age success and positive mental attitude (PMA) teachings. If you do not have a life in the Word for yourself, you will never know what Osteen purposely leaves out. Joel Osteen champions the cause of those who worship at the altar of self. There is no mention of denying oneself, taking up the cross to crucify the lusts of the flesh, and following Jesus. Osteen’s message is all about self-attainment and self-promotion instead of self denial, which is what Jesus commands and His apostles taught. This alone makes his gospel another gospel, not the real Gospel.
“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 manpreach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9
In his messages, Osteen seeks to convince people, as he twists and misuses Scripture, that Jesus came to make them victorious in every area of their lives at all times. The great apostle Paul said that he learned how to abase and to abound. There were seasons of plenty and seasons of trial by having little. God provided. He said he learned to be content through those experiences and could have never learned such and been deepened in God without those precious trials where his Potter molded him more into His holy image (Rom. 8:29; Phil. 4:11-13; 1 Pet. 4).
Any person or even angel from Heaven (not hell), who preaches “ANY other gospel” than that seen in the record of the Word of God, is “accursed.” This simply means that if what a person preaches does not include the essential components of the Gospel found on the pages of the New Testament canon, he is false and cursed of the LORD. It does not matter how nice a person he seems to be. – “For the LORD seeth not as man seeth.” (1 Sam. 16:7)
WHAT OSTEEN PREACHES TO THE LOST
Universalism: The extreme form of universalism is the belief that all people are going to Heaven. The more subtle and just as deadly form of universalism is that anyone who is sincere about whatever religion they choose is going to the same Heaven Christ spoke of. The difference in Christ and these false prophets of universalism is that the Son of God told us that without repentance and the receiving of Him as LORD, hell is the eternal abode of all rebels. (Matt. 4:17; Lk. 13:3,5; Rev. 20:15, etc.) Christ is the one and only way to Heaven and the name of “Jesus” is the only name under Heaven whereby “we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Here is the official script of Joel Osteen on the Larry King Live show where millions were watching: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0506/20/lkl.01.html Read this and see Osteen do everything in his power to deny that Christ is the only way to God and deny what His Word says about homosexuality, Muslims, etc. Joel Osteen is clearly a man whom rebellious people have heaped to themselves, exalting into leadership, yet in this interview, 8 times he says “I don’t know.” He simply doesn’t know God’s Word or he has such a weak relationship with Him that he doesn’t possess enough spiritual prowess to have the bold unction of the Holy Spirit to declare the truth in love. Has Osteen ever been authentically born again? After all, in this interview he tells Larry King “I have always believed.” In the absence of any profession of faith like “I was born in sin but have now been born again/saved/washed in the blood of Jesus”, one must wonder. Was Joel born like only Jesus was – sinless? Or, does he have the sin nature like all of Adams descendants? – “All have sinned.” (Rom. 3:23) If Osteen was born in sin like the rest of us, then he must be born again to be in God’s kingdom. Why no mention? How can one “have always believed” if we are all born in sin? See Romans 5:12.
Osteen also says “I can’t judge somebody’s heart…I’m just going to let god be the judge of that. I don’t know. I don’t know… “ Okay, we all know God is the real Judge, but what did GOD tell us so clearly in His Word? Did the Almighty mean what He told us in His Word? What did God tell us about the things Mr. King was asking Osteen about — Muslims and atheists going to Heaven, homosexuality, etc.? Didn’t God give us His Word on these things and “all things that pertain to life and godliness”? (2 Pet. 1:2-4) Of course He did and yet Osteen copped out in order to protect his own self-serving agenda and reputation, instead of losing his life/reputation as Christ commanded we must do to be His (Lk. 9:23-24; Jn. 12:14-25). If this isn’t a denial of Christ, then what is?
Could it be clearer? “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” (2 Tim. 2:12)
Beloved, the fact that Joel Osteen didn’t have the simple answers to Larry King’s elementary questions alone should declare to any genuine born again believer that Joel doesn’t represent Jesus Christ whatsoever. And, the fact that Osteen doesn’t know the LORD enough to have enough boldness to proclaim the name of Jesus, the only name under which any person can be saved, should even further confirm His wayward spiritual state.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Osteen’s “apology letter” does nothing to negate the fact that he is simply not representing Jesus Christ and certainly not qualified to be leading others. He is leading them astray. Jesus warned us that blind leaders lead those who follow them into the ditch of deception and ultimately destruction (Lk. 6:39).
In his book, Your Best Life Now, Osteen states:
Pages 61-62: “Sadly, of all the people who came out of Egypt, only two men, Joshua and Caleb, ever entered the land God intended for them….Their lack of faith and their lack of self-esteem robbed them of the fruitful future God had in store for them…..Remember, God had already guaranteed the Hebrews the victory, but because of their poor self-images, they never made it into the Promised Land. They never fulfilled their destiny, all because of the way they saw themselves.”
One who read Joel’s book comments: “Wow that’s the most perverted view of that I’ve ever heard. Someone actually paid for a book with that in it!”
Of Osteen, Ingrid Schlueter writes:
“Osteen’s using 130 Scriptures (in his book) doesn’t mean a thing when it comes to biblical orthodoxy. Satan’s greatest successes have involved the rise of leaders who copiously quote the Scriptures to make their own heretical points. Scripture is not to be treated as a source for proof texts for false teaching. Osteen has no biblical defense for his ‘best life now’, ‘God wants you to be a success’ message. In fact, Osteen’s message runs counter to Christ’s clear command that we deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Him. There is no personal cross in Osteen’s message to the world, only a better, more effective ME. He has people raise a Bible over their heads at the start of his messages to assure everyone that he believes the Word of God. Then he proceeds to completely contradict the very Word he claims to follow. We are here on this planet for God’s glory, not our own. God does not want us on a journey of deeper ‘self-discovery’ as Osteen claims in his new book. He wants us to go deeper and deeper into the knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ. We are to decrease and Christ must increase in our lives. This biblical framework runs counter to everything that Osteen represents…Joel Osteen needs to repent of his false teaching and his man-centered gospel and stop misleading the millions of people who follow his ministry. He is a false teacher and the consequences are eternal.”
Want to argue with the Almighty? Go right ahead. Exposing is a biblical mandate and the sentimentality of men is not going to alter His divine nature in such a matter. Truth must be contended for in order to protect God’s people from being spoiled/deceived and led to damnation – Rom. 16:17-18; Eph. 5:11; Colossians 2:8; 2 Thess. 2:3,9-12; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Jude 3-4.
Most people have no idea how many verses and texts there are in the Bible concerning false prophets and their doctrines and methods.
Essentials of False Leaders | Scam Pastors | Sin: Man’s Core Problem | Goat Entertainers
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“Joel Osterizer does plenty to MixMaster the word of God til it is nothing like it is written. Just another lukewarm cherry picker.” Theodore W.
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“Why do you keep trying to tear down God’s children? … The heavenly Spirit that lives inside of us gives us a nudge when there is something that is not right. I am getting that nudge right now and I am in no way trying to degrade you. The Holy Spirit is just letting me know something is just not right with this.”
REPLY:
Hi Rhonda. The burden of proof is on you to proof that Osteen, a clearly false teacher, is a child of God. The Bible is God’s final Word and it says “damnation (hell)” lies just ahead for all “false teachers” and “false prophets.” – “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their DAMNATION slumbereth not.” (2 Peter 2:1-3) I have seen a lot in my day and time and this is just another sad case of one man tearing down another what without a just cause. So sorry for you.
You obviously love the wolves, the very “enemies of the cross of Christ,” more than you do the millions they are leading to hell (Philippians 3:18-19). Where’s the love of God in that?
I’m sorry you are currently so very blinded Rhonda. Feel sorry for yourself friend. If you can’t see that Joel Osteen is not preaching the original Gospel, you must not know or have forgotten the message Christ and His apostles preached. You are defending the enemies of the LORD and are in danger of His wrath.
You could not possibly be being moved by the Holy Spirit because He specifically mandated that true disciples of Christ “mark” those who cause division by preaching contrary to the doctrine of Holy Scripture (Romans 16:17-18). You have a problem with God friend. He mandated such. by name…… Are you daring to say that the LORD’s apostle Paul was not doing God’s will by marking the 8 wolves he marked in 2 Timothy (2 per chapter BY NAME)?????
– In Defense of Wolves (video) | Beware of the Wolf Defenders | Naming Names: Is it Biblical?
- Hello, I just read the article “Joel Osteen Exposed” and WOW I was reading the wrong book! I just moved to Florida and I wanted to know if you could recommend any church’s in the Brevard County area? Thank You, Lisa
Mind if I speak as a man? If so, here goes…..
I am really amazed at how people can be so clueless as to give even a moment to ministries like Joel Osteens. How plastic, canned, shallow, and fake does it get!? It just can’t get any more shallow and yet tens of thousands flock to that house of idol worship (of self) every Sunday and via the airwaves to hear how the god that Osteen worships and preaches can make them more happy as they enjoy their best life now. This is Satan’s message of deception – the message of trading one’s eternal birthright/blessing for a momentary bowl of soup (Heb. 12:16). This is what Esau did and God gave it to us in His Word to prevent us from doing the same thing – to throw away our eternity with Him for a temporal fix we won’t even remember a few days after we reach out for it. Who’s taking the bait? God help us!
Some of us are being led astray because we do not know the Word (Hos. 4:6). Choosing not to develop a deep love for divine truth and endure sound doctrine unfailingly leads to delusion and damnation (2 Thess. 2:10-12; 2 Tim. 4:2-4).
Listen to the words and goals of the apostle Paul in Philippians 3. Measure whether or not this is what Osteen (and any leader) is speaking. See if there is a difference – Read carefully here below what Paul spoke under the direct inspiration of the Holy Ghost:
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:7-11
Love gives and lust gets. Paul was pouring out his whole being – spirit, soul, and body to the One who bled for his innumerable sins and unspeakable degradation and depravity. This apostle of Jesus told us that he himself would lose out if he didn’t remain crucified to the world and the sin nature (1 Cor. 9:27). Jesus said one must give up all to be His:
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
In Osteen’s messages, nothing is ever mentioned of holiness or laying down one’s life. These truths are purposely ignored. In fact, I challenge anyone to find the word “holiness” in any of Osteen’s messages. Also, “sin” and specific sins in the Bible like “adultery,” “fornication,” “extortion,” “evil concupiscence,” “witchcraft”….. (see Gal. 5:17-19). The denial of self is never mentioned because it is the opposite of what Joel teaches – he teaches people to aggrandize and esteem their depraved selves, which is Luciferic (Isa. 14:12-15).
What do we not understand about the words of the One we claim to worship?
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:23-26
- Where do Osteen and the other false prophets of our day ever speak of eternal things and the jeopardy of soul for those who trade in their eternal birthright for temporary pleasures? Remember Esau?
Those who love the self-life love Osteen and his message. He champions the cause of those who have a mere form of godliness and yet deny the life of complete submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. For this reason, if you question Osteen, you mess with their little false security zone and you will be attacked and persecuted for it. But take heart, this means you are in the truth (Matt. 5:10-12; Lk. 6:26, 46; 16:15; 2 Tim. 3:12).
Do you not want a man who fears God with backbone and fortitude? How can we sit under such spineless and shallow messages and then turn around and defend such foolishness? How can this possibly be?! Do our hearts not hunger and thirst for the true milk and meat of His holy truth/Word? (Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2) Does deep call unto deep in our hearts? (Ps. 42:7)
I have personally had numerous people aggressively attempt to come to the defense of this false teacher and others. As the LORD would have it, many times they will initiate the conversation (having no idea of my view). When Osteen’s name comes up, I always ask a simple question: “According to the historic record of the Holy Bible, Did Jesus Christ come to the earth to make us happy in this life or to make us holy?” Joel Osteen stands or falls on the answer to this question. If you have ever watched him you know that he seeks to make people happy with as little truth or partial truths as he can get away with (it doesn’t take much in this biblically illiterate society of people who claim to know Christ). After watching Osteen for a few minutes this past weekend, all I can say is, “God help the next unsuspecting soul who comes along trying to justify Joel’s self-worship message!” You all pray for me okay – I need to try to be a good boy….oh and most of all, pray for whoever that poor unsuspecting soul might be! (j/k) You know I will be nice – for at least 30 seconds…..ha…LORD bless us to win others to You by speaking your truth in love and never to seek to just win an argument! God is love.
Friends, I am honestly trying to reconcile how in the world anyone claiming to be a Christian lines Joel’s message up with the Word of God and can possibly defend his message which is completely opposite of/opposed to what the LORD told us. This is sad, yet isn’t it a fulfillment of what was foretold of the very last days leading up to Christ’s return? Is the great falling away in full swing? (2 Thess. 2:3, 10-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-6; 2 Tim. 3:1-7; Jude 3-4)
Is Joel Osteen a true New Testament Christian leader or a perpetrator of the new age message of self-love? Does he preach the Gospel Jesus and His apostles preached that the self-life is to be denied and not fed and fattened?
Beloved, our standpoint is never to try to imbue others with our limited view or force people to see things our way – we are but men. But we freely speak as we are hopefully led according to the Word and Spirit and hope you will personally weigh all things in the light of God’s holy truth and be a Berean believer who studies to show your own self approved unto God so you will not be eventually ashamed at your own gullibility, but will rather rightly divide between the holy and the profane (unholy). See Prov. 14:15; Ezek. 44:23-24; Acts 17:11; Eph. 5:11; 2 Tim. 2:15. I don’t know about you but I have personally been deeply embarrassed at my own naivety in certain instances in this life and do not wish to ever be again. We must look well to our way, ever learning divine truth that we might not be misled.
“The simple (naïve) believeth every word: but the prudent (wise; discerning) man looketh well to his going.” Proverbs 14:14
This writer is just as prone to sin (and maybe more) than anyone else. That’s a given (Gen. 6:5; Jer. 7:9; Rom. 6-7). Yet, what good does it do to deny the truth and lie against it in order to justify living in sin? (Rom. 6:1-2; James 3:14) What will be our lot on Judgment Day if we deny the divinely-given truth of God’s Word that will judge us on that Day? (Jn. 12:48; Rom. 2:16; Rev. 20:11-15) Is soothing our consciences in this life more important than preparing to meet our Maker and spend forever with Him? Do we want to choose the honest or the dishonest approach? Will those who deceive themselves not eternally regret such a foolish decision? Consider the rich man who died in Luke 16. When he died he immediately awoke in the tormenting flames of hell because he refused to truly serve God in his brief earthly existence. Perhaps he went to church every Sunday, said prayers, etc. and had a form of godliness but denied Christ in order to serve his own selfish “needs” and desires (2 Tim. 3:1-7). Perhaps this same man worshipped God with his lips yet his heart and therefore deeds were far from Him (Mk. 7:6). This exact and real man Jesus told us about is at this moment still in the horrible and filthy bowels of the domain of the damned. In a million years he will still be there – not one second will have expired from eternity’s time clock. See Luke 16:19-31.
This story of this “certain man” Jesus spoke of in Luke 16 reminds me of a dream a God-fearing preacher once had (Lk. 16:19-31). He said he had a dream and in that vision saw a frantic man running through waist high fire picking up the bodies of men and after identifying them, throwing them back down in disgust. The hysterical man in this dream was furious. The preacher was shaken by what he saw and asked the LORD what this vision meant. The LORD answered: “This is an angry man in hell, looking for a preacher that lied to him!”
And we love and defend Osteen and the other pied pipers? Or, do we love Jesus as we claim? If so, we will embrace the words of the Master and reject the lies of Satan’s ministers who fill most pulpits in this late hour (2 Cor. 11:11-15). How can we love and create a soul-tie with any person who is leading others to the fires of damnation with these lies?
All who know and love Jesus and are going to Heaven, love and obey His words (Matt. 7:21; Mk. 8:38; Jn. 8:47). These same people “HATE every false way.”
“Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Psalms 119:104
“Therefore I esteem ALL thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Psalms 119:128
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” Proverbs 8:13
“Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment (truth; discernment) in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.” Amos 5:15
Let’s fear God in truth and fear no man!
Thank you for allowing me to openly share. Feedback encouraged.
Blessings in Jesus, Saints
Below is a very insightful response concerning Joel Osteen. There is much to be grasped here:
- “God bless you…Thanks for writing this and for supplying great scripture. I personally have experienced this ‘Joel Osteen love affair’ with (I thought) a true sister in Christ. When I visited her last yea, and saw his books all over her house, I lost it. I tried very hard to control my emotions and calmly explain to her that he is all about “self.” She is so angry with me and defends him and others, like Joyce Meyer, with a fervor. I thought if only she could have that kind of passion for God’s truth. We had a deep, close relationship, but that’s been stolen – which makes sense since the evil one comes to steal, among other things. After that instance, I tried to send her things to read and websites to go to so she can study for herself. First she told me that she could not access anything I sent her – and when I started cutting and pasting things for her to read (so she didn’t have to go to the website herself) she told me to remove her name from my e-mail addresses. She refuses to check him out. She is so convinced that I am judging another Christian and then she sort of gave me a compliment. She told me I have a problem with ‘sin.’ She said I have no tolerance for it and that we are all sinners, even me. She also kept bringing up my past sins too. This is a very scary situation because to me, Linda was a strong believer, but of course, I realize now that she is not studying the true Word of God (NLT and Amplified), and has created another image of God in her mind. She has a perverted understanding of grace. We often talked about this over the years – I never felt it was right in my heart and now I know that was the Holy Spirit. Linda insists a mutual friend of ours who has gone back to drinking is saved. I grieve for Linda personally because she is a mouthpiece and a so-called leader in her church – she is influential. Our mutual friend should be warned about her sin of drunkenness, but instead Linda tells her Jesus will never leave her. Linda is so headstrong and prideful. She wants to be right all the time and it’s so hard to get through to her. I pray that God has not sent great delusion on her and that there will be an opportunity for her to see the truth and be reconciled to the Lord. I continue to pray for God to guide me. Linda told me if I continued this way that I would not have any friends in my life – that I am too judgmental and do not represent the love of Jesus. While that statement hurt me for a while, I come to realize it was a spiritual attack and that I just need to continue speaking the truth and reminding Linda and others that real love is telling someone the truth – not what they want to hear. God’s Word is truth. She is not even willing to search out the truth about the bible translations. So, I guess it comes down to enduring to the end, keep on speaking and giving people the truth, so they can study and research for themselves because if they truly do that God will be faithful. If they don’t well, then they will be deceived because they are choosing to be.
Sometimes I just can’t understand – While people tell you they want God’s truth, yet they are not willing to seek it out and test the spirits. I just need to keep praying and seeking the Lord’s guidance to be a true witness for Him. I am giving books this year for birthdays, Christmas, whatever – books like yours (‘Lie of the Ages’) and from Gail Riplinger too – planting seeds so others will seek the truth. I can’t even find a pastor who teaches from the King James version. But God is good – He gave me your website and others who fear and honor God’s most Holy Writ. We persevere and endure to the end – Amen? Amen! Thanks again for your e-mail.” Laurie
Laurie rightfully speaks here of the “Joel Osteen love affair.” What is the root of those who would buy into, ardently defend, and follow this mere man who is teaching and leading people contrary to the very Word of God? Could it be self-love? Could it be that Osteen and a myriad of other seeker-sensitive leaders who pollute the landscape of “Christianity” in America are feeding the very thing Jesus commanded us to crucify? “Is there not a cause?” (1 Sam. 17:29)
It’s easier to go with the flow of the universal sinful nature. We all have it and deceivers capitalize on it by instructing people to feed it or ……… Think about the profitability here. This offers a lucrative opportunity. It’s easier to get people to remain in the depraved lifestyle by feeding their innate passions than to teach them that they must crucify their sinful nature (Rom. 6). One will live and the other die. The self-life must die if Christ is going to reign supreme (Gal. 2:20). In God’s kingdom economy there can be no resurrection before there is a willing death and burial of the old man. Jesus will reign supremely and victoriously in the life that is freely given over to Him. This is the life where that person has truly surrendered and given up his right to himself – the right to rule his own life. He has given over Himself to One who is mightier than he is, One who is all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful, and is love. He is worthy of our worship. We are nothing without Him. We can do nothing without Him. He who made all things an sustains all things by His very Word is to be considered to be laudable and worthy and given the throne of our hearts. He is worthy of all of the worship of His saints.
“When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” 2 Thessalonians 1:10
We see here that Jesus is “glorified in his saints.” This is a defining characteristic of those who are truly “his saints.” His saints don’t glorify themselves (self-idolatry), they glorify Christ the LORD! The LORD of all glory is truly and literally “admired in all them that believe.”
Beloved, please read carefully the following words of divine-inspiration:
“That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-31
When we see and observe how deceived even well-meaning leaders are in embracing and teaching the luciferic self-love message, it should cause our hearts to become ever more grateful for the holy Scripture in that “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” are contained therein (2 Pet. 1:3-4). The Precepts of the LORD given to us truly are a “lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.” (Ps. 119:105) “The entrance of his words” into our minds and hearts truly “giveth light” to the darkness of our understanding.
We can see today how many leaders and Christians have crafted their belief systems from the very things the Holy Spirit warned us of – “philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world.” Let’s peer into the more complete text from which this was taken:
“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. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:8-10
My question to those who still believe that Jesus Christ taught us to love ourselves is simple: Please show in context anywhere in the Scriptures that Jesus and or His holy apostles ever taught men to love themselves. Jesus repeatedly commanded us to “deny” ourselves so why would He ever tell us to esteem ourselves? He commanded us to love God and our neighbor, not ourselves. There are only TWO commands in Matthew 22:37-39 and not three commands! Go read this beloved. Friends, as we are becoming one with and more intimate with the LORD, we will have His identity in us as He fills our hearts and lives. He will build us up because we are complete in Christ (Phil. 2:8-10). Beware of psychoheresy!
My personal exhortation to you is to never believe or teach anything but what is in the Holy Scriptures and if the doctrine of learning to love oneself is not found in the Bible, do not teach it but rather expose it as false, a very “doctrine of devils.” (1 Tim. 4:1-6) We should at once repent of believing anything the LORD didn’t give us in His Word which contains “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” (2 Pet. 1:3-4)
Let Us Rejoice! – Jesus is Coming,
Todd
Pied Piper of the Self-Life
Tracking Osteen
Mind if I roll on a little bit more with the Osteen rant? Or is this a rage? Are we still open to learning? Are we learning to discern more effectively by the Word and Holy Spirit as the day of Christ nears and the foretold deceivers increase daily in their influence and deceptions? I believe talking about these things opens up conversation and deeper thought concerning what is going on and helps us all individually in sorting through to the heart of important matters. Father, in Jesus’ name please bless us to love You more and supremely and to be kept from the enemy and his agents and their doctrines of devils. Amen. Okay, here we go…….
It had been on my heart today to just try to communicate some edifying biblical truth about grace, and the fruit of the Spirit, etc. and be a good boy, letting everything else alone for a season. But Ouch! As I was brushing my teeth and picking out some casual clothes to wear and then leave my place and go do some writing and fellowship with some believers, Joel Osteen came on TV. So, I listened. Joel was speaking of “marked moments” in our lives where the LORD has ordained that we meet the right people and get a great deal on a house or are launched into a million dollar business deal. His whole message, as is always the case, dealt only with money and increase in this fleeting world. Did Jesus tell us not to lay up treasure in this life, but to lay it up in our heavenly home? (Matt. 6:19-21) Did Jesus tell us He was preparing a place for us here in this world or in His “Father’s house”? (Jn. 14:1-6)In Osteen’s message there was no mention of Heaven or escaping the wrath to come by getting into and remaining in the truth and not allowing any sin or false teaching to derail us. Every example of what he called “marked moments” was concerning money and real estate, and other earthbound pursuits. The Word “eternity” or Heaven we never mentioned. His whole messages deal with being “successful” in this life. But what did Jesus say about this in His kingdom message which directly opposes that of this world? In Luke 16, just before the Son of God spoke about a rich man and a poor man who went to different places in eternity, He told those who coveted the things of this world: “And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” (Lk. 16:14-15)Like the religionists of Christ’s day, there are many today in “Christian” circles who “justify” themselves and the messages and pretty boy pulpiteers they have linked into that tell them nice little flowery yet deadly things. This is the indication of “covetous” hearts that are not truly right with God – if they were right with God they would abide content with the truth that they have all because they have Jesus who is our “exceeding great reward” and the only true riches (Gen. 15:1; Eph. 5:5-9; Col. 2:8-10; 1 Tim. 6:9-11; Heb. 13:5-6). LORD Jesus please help us!“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have (2 divine commands)(WHY?) for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6Okay, back to the multitudes that want a “Jesus” and a salvation that doesn’t require anything of them, just a free ride to Heaven with no requirement to live holy in this life. Nothing has changed. Saints, there is truly no new thing under God’s sun – the depraved and “desperately wicked” hearts of men are “only evil continually.” (Gen. 6:5; Eccl. 1:9; Jer. 17:9). Watch this conversation in Jeremiah 30 for insight into what has always and is currently transpiring among the masses and their leaders:“(God told Jeremiah) Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers (leaders), See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit. For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” Isaiah 30:8-15 This is the telling statement: “Which say to the seers (leaders), See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.” (Isa. 30:9-11) Did you see that? The “rebellious people” who claimed to know the LORD were telling His leaders to speak “smooth things” to them and to “Get you out of the way.” In other words, “Get out of our way with speaking God’s truth! Stop hindering us living the way we choose to live! Stop telling us to deny ourselves and leave us alone and let us do our own thing without hindrance! Let us alone so we can be lawless – we are eternally secure! ”In Osteen’s message sin or suffering was never mentioned, neither was denying oneself, taking up the cross and following Jesus. The whole goal was the same as new agers – to be our own god by ordering your own world with your positive confession and positive thoughts. The typical light fanfare of Joel’s fairytale message that centers upon man was applauded by his audience. Nothing ever mentioned about reaching sinners with the law and the Gospel. The crowd applauded repeatedly and at certain landmark statements as if to say “Yes Joel! Just keep telling us what we want to hear and what feels good to us at the moment! Keep refusing to truly preach the full-counsel of God’s Word! We don’t want the hard truths. We will no longer patronize you if you preach on sin, holiness and the cost of being a true disciple of Jesus!” Beloved, if you know what goes on in these pleasure-seeker palaces of self-worship, you know that lives are not being changed. No, rather the rubber of reality hits the road as soon as those people leave the building in the vast majority of cases. When they leave, having not repented and drawn closer to the LORD – His way – they are left to deal with who they still really are. Throughout Scripture the LORD calls His people to return to Him – to repent and fall upon His mercy. “Repent” is the first word of the true Gospel and yet such a word will never be heard coming from the mouth of false prophets (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Acts 3:19). If a false teacher uses that word it will not be in its true or full biblical context. God wants to change who we are and bless us, but it must be via His prescribed method and process as given to us in His Word. This is where the deceivers are luring and capturing folks for Satan’s kingdom. People who are biblically illiterate do not realize the things the LORD told us in Deuteronomy 8, in James 1:2-4, and in 1 Peter 1-5. Do you? Beloved the message of the false prophets is the Laodicean message of being “at ease in Zion.” (Amos 6:1; Rev. 3:14-21) Where will those who follow these fables be when we soon are thrust into increasing and great tribulation? The ignorant and naïve who do not seek the truth are being set up by the false prophets to submit to the ultimate false prophet – the antichrist. This is the great falling away that will snare the souls of all those who do not love the LORD and His truth with their whole hearts (2 Thess. 2:1-12).Discernment key: Watch for the goal of a person’s message. Measure it against what the subject of the message of Christ and His apostles is in the Word. Beloved, simply listen to the message and meditate upon the Holy Scriptures. Compare the message and the goal of the message. The goal of Osteen’s message is to attempt to make people happy in this fleeting world, right? What was the goal of Christ’s message? “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.” (Col. 1:22) What was the openly stated goal of Jesus’ apostle Paul? “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Col. 1:28)So what is the difference between the false and true leaders today? According the Holy Writ, the difference can be seen in the goal and subject matter of their message. Is their message earthly or eternal? Does it pertain to getting stuff and becoming great in this life or in the one to come? The answer to this determines who is true and who is false. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 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 4:16-18 Is a man’s message vertical first and foremost, or is it merely horizontal? This is an acid test to identify the true and false leader. So, let us go forth from this moment forward more equipped to discern between messages that are true or false according to the Word of the One we love above all others (Ezek. 44:23; 1 Jn. 4:1-3).Saints, do you know anyone who is an Osteen fan? I seem to effortlessly run into Osteen fans every week and always shoot them to the page we have on the site. Go to ARTICLES page, then scroll down left column to sub-titled “Wolves Expose.” Below is a victorious example of how the LORD is using this page. This lady was initially upset as she listened in on a conversation her sister and I were having about Joel Osteen. Her sister and I agreed that Osteen’s gospel was false. Stacy became very upset and defended Joel and said he had a good heart. Not everyone is going to initially respond this way, but we must begin the process in their hearts, so they can begin to see the false Gospel and to draw near to Jesus. God is love, todd
Victorious Eye-Opening! Watch as this lady who once followed Osteen has her eyes opened by the LORD!
todd: do you want the truth?
Stacy: yes
todd: did osteen die for our sins? or did Jesus?
Stacy: Jesus
todd: good
todd: i want to shoot you to a resource to look at if you are open
Stacy: ok
todd: for further research so you can make a more informed conclusion
(10 minutes later) Stacy: i don’t think i can read anymore of this
todd: ok
Stacy: its an act
todd: an act?
Stacy: he’s (Osteen) not real, he makes it sound like an act, an easy life, people do this and that, is it hard to lead a christian life…i don’t think it’s that hard, to me, it’s fun, that’s not right at all (joel makes it sounds easy)
todd: who joel?
Stacy: yes
todd: are you seeing the light on him?
todd: do you now begin to see he is a false teacher?
Stacy: yes, absolutely
todd: praise God sister
todd: Jesus is the Truth
todd: and all who contradict HIM are false – including this fool
todd: still reading?
Stacy: yes, it gets worse and worse
todd: is God opening your eyes?
Stacy: yes
todd: Jesus be praised….we have no hope without Him!
Stacy: thank you
todd: yw stacy
todd: “the fear of the LORD is clean” Ps 19
Stacy: i didn’t believe you, i would have never believed you
todd: till you saw the Word on it?
Stacy: yes, i couldn’t find the Word in it
todd: God’s Word is truth
Stacy: it’s like he (Osteen) believes you just don’t have bad thoughts, there is no repentance …just close your eyes and pretend like it doesn’t matter, think happy thoughts and it goes away
todd: well put stacy
Stacy: yes, but i couldn’t find Gods Word in anything he said, it was all about him
todd: it’s like we are our own “little gods” and all we have to do is to think the right thoughts and say the right things and shazaam we order our own world and destiny…it’s totally God-less….nothing but a new age lie
Stacy: well i believed that lie and made myself my own little god
todd: Jesus loves you and is delivering you stacytodd: with His truth as you cling to Him alone
todd: and allow all idols of our hearts to be slain like dagon the false god 1 Sam. 5:1-7; Ezek. 14:3
Osteen says Mormons are Christians
Additional resources for your investigation and discernment. See what others are saying of Osteen below:
Joel Osteen: Christless “Christianity” (WHI) [1of4]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHglKISyaKsfeature=related
VIDEO of disciple outside Osteens church preaching
JOEL OSTEEN: True or False? http://av1611.org/osteen.html
OPEN LETTER TO THE DECEIVED JOEL OSTEEN
JOEL OSTEEN: Preaching a False-Positive with a Smile http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac29.htm
JOEL OSTEEN http://www.geocities.com/Bob_Hunter/osteen.htm
Osteen is classic word/faith, twisting Scripture, teaching a false Christ and purposely excluding many Bible truths from His messages in order to win men to himself. The fact is that Osteen simply does not preach the original Gospel which begins with the command to “repent.” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17; 30, etc.).
FALSE PROPHETS IN THE CHURCH http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/word-faith.html#josteen
Compromise – A False Gospel http://www.hissheep.org/messages/compromise-a_false_gospel.html
Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us (highly suggested book)
Predators in Our Pulpits (highly suggested book)
Osteen says Mormons are Christians
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Louise S. writes: “People of GOD need to Be in HIS righteousness and CALL it OUT, tell it like it is. We must watch for the false prophets and the whores of Babylonian. They are in politics, church, and business. I talked to a pastor friend of Joel’s and asked him if Joel was saved. He almost fell over saying “are you kidding, I pray with him and he acknowledges Jesus as Lord!” I said “No substance and half truths and nothing but rah rah self exalting sermons.” He was shocked at revelation but hopefully will start to pay attention to his friend’s sermons!!! Ken and Barbie Osteen, nice couple, right! For society’s image!”
Apostasy
Beware of the Crown Stealers! [video]

by Glenn and Dezi Langohr
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Revelation 3:11
In the next teaching we are going to go over all of PAUL’S WRITINGS that false teachers manipulate.
False teachers today — OSAS, Hyper-Dispensationalists, Free Gracers, and Pretribbers — are crown stealers . They twist Paul’s writings to promise a salvation that requires no endurance, obedience, or holiness. But Jesus and Paul speak the same Gospel . Jesus warned through parables: some hear the Word with joy but fall away in tribulation ; servants who neglect their calling are cut off ; virgins without oil are shut out of the wedding feast ; unprofitable servants are cast into outer darkness . These mysteries of the Kingdom reveal that salvation is conditional — not “once saved, always saved.”
Paul confirmed the same truth . He warned believers not to believe in vain (1 Cor 15:2), to run the race and fight the good fight of faith (1 Cor 9:24; 1 Tim 6:12), to hold faith with a good conscience or risk shipwreck , and to lay hold of eternal life through endurance. He declared that believers can be cut off if they do not continue in God’s goodness (Rom 11:22). He said Christ could be hindered from being fully formed in the heart (Gal 4:19). He exhorted believers to test themselves to see if they were truly in the faith, warning that without Christ in them, they would be reprobates (2 Cor 13:5). He even named names FOR CAUSING OTHERS TO SHIPWRECK THEIR FAITH LIKE PRETRIBBERS DO— Hymenaeus, Philetus, and Demas FOR FORSAKING PAUL DURING PERSECUTION FOR A LOVE OF THIS PRESENT WORLD — DEMAS was a fellow laborer with Paul so let that sink in. Paul preached the full counsel of God (Acts 20:27), the same Kingdom Gospel Jesus proclaimed, not a new “Paul’s gospel.”
Revelation seals the testimony . Jesus calls His churches to repent, endure, and overcome — warning that names can be blotted from the Book of Life (Rev 3:5) , crowns can be stolen (Rev 3:11) , and lukewarm believers will be rejected (Rev 3:16). Seven blessings are promised to the faithful: eating of the Tree of Life, the crown of life, hidden manna, authority to reign, the first resurrection, entering New Jerusalem, and eternal life with God. But alongside these blessings are terrifying judgments : beast worshippers tormented forever, Babylon’s fall, the great white throne, and the fearful and unbelieving cast into the lake of fire. The conclusion is clear: endure, overcome, hold fast — let no man steal your crown .
Follow the Langohr’s youtube channel here: Jesus Preachers
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Abiding
“Them that Seduce You” 1 John 2:26 [podcast]

From the book I Die Daily
“Them that Seduce You” 1 John 2:26
“He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” Matthew 27:42
“Come down from the cross” is the cry of the enemy of all souls. Here he inspired God-less men to tempt Christ to not complete the work of redemption. In the same way, today, God-less pulpiteers and writers say nothing of the daily cross Christ commanded to be taken up by any person who would follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). These are the very “enemies of the cross of Christ” Paul warned us about (Philippians 3:18-19). Of this phenomenon, a disciple writes:
“Satan works both angles. First, he tried to keep Jesus (and us as His body) from going to or staying on the cross. On the other hand, he puts us on the cross as per what he did through Judas, the high priests of Judaism, and Pilate, and the Romans. Satan is somewhat schizophrenic as to this. But 1 Corinthians 2:8 is making the point that had he, the main prince and his underling princes, if they had known what they were doing (defeating themselves as a house divided), they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory. Satan’s house is a house divided against itself and is therefore laid waste by his own forces just as Jesus stated in Matthew 12. Peter himself reviled Jesus when Christ told him He would be going to the cross. Jesus attributed that work to Satan.”
When Peter, being used of Satan spoke, the Son of God turned, and said to Peter…
“Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:23-26
Here Jesus spoke not only of the necessity of His own redeeming cross, but also of the daily cross to be taken up by each and every one of those who would follow Him. This should forever underscore and cement in our understanding the necessity of the daily cross.
One preacher wrote:
“Galatians 2:20 says, ‘I am crucified with Christ,’ and Romans 6:5 says, ‘For if we have been planted (united) together in the likeness of His death.’ These are both in the Greek perfect verb tense.
This indicates a past event WITH CONTINUING EFFECTS. So, it could literally say ‘I have been and continue to be crucified with Christ’ and ‘For if we have been and continue to be planted ….’ Romans 8:36, 2 Corinthians 4:10, and 1 Corinthians 15:31 clearly speak of a daily death with Christ.
Ephesians 4:22-24 talks of a continual putting off (death) of the old man, as does 2 Corinthians 4:16. Martin Luther taught of a daily Spirit baptism and called it ‘dying upward.’ These people who teach otherwise resist the daily cross. This is the error of triumphalism.
As we appropriate the finished work daily, we become more
and more what we already are. We possess our possessions.
Compare Colossians 3:3 with Colossians 3:5.
Let’s take the advice above and put together verses 3 and 5
of Colossians 3: “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ
in God … Mortify therefore your members which are upon the
earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil
concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
T. Austin-Sparks stated the following:
We have not to die; we are dead. What we have to do is to
accept our death … In baptism … we simply step in there and
say, ‘That position which God has settled with reference to
me is the one which I now accept, and I testify here in this
way to the fact that I have accepted God’s position for me,
namely, that in the Cross I have been brought to an end.’
The true disciple is always “delivered unto death for Jesus’
sake” (2 Cor. 4:11.) He has “crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts” (Gal. 5:24). He is daily putting to death
“the deeds of the body” and being “raised up” by the power of
the same Holy Spirit “that raised up Christ from the dead”
(Rom. 8:11, 13). He rejoices in “Christ Jesus” and has “no
confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).
“I die daily … Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake … that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 1 Corinthians 15:31; 2 Corinthians
4:10-12
Concerning the raising up process of the Gospel of God, T. Austin-Sparks wrote:
“The unalterable basis of an open heaven is a grave, and a
crisis at which you come to an end of your own self-life. It is
the crisis of real experiential identification with Christ in His
death.”
Though we entered into His death upon initial salvation, accepting and experiencing that death is still a daily choice, an individual decision to be made on an ongoing basis. One’s choice to continue to persevere, following Christ as He clearly prescribed, will determine his eternal destination (Luke 9:62; 19:13; 21:19; Romans 6:16; Galatians 6:7-9).
The insidious circumventing of the cross can come in many clandestine ways that are masked with pious outer garb. Today, while refusing to utter the full counsel of the One they claim to be representing, smiling and charismatic men stand in sheep’s clothing, promising heavenly life to those who live in sin. They only prosper due to the volitional biblical illiteracy of the masses. Ignorance of the truth is a choice with eternal consequences (Hosea 4:6; Matthew 22:29; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
Many like to hide behind works they do in and surrounding their local church home. They relish singing in the choir, ushering, doing drama or being a part of the technical team, helping in various ways, or even preaching a message, and yet the life of Christ is not manifesting in their personal lives as they go out into their world daily. His light in them is not bright enough to shine into the darkened hearts of men through personal evangelism. They have been steeped in a mere formula of godliness that does not manifest the evidential fruit of one who is truly in Christ, radiant by His glory, and flourishing in His life. A. W. Tozer wrote:
Another substitute for discipleship is: Our Lord referred to
this when He reproached the Pharisees for their habit of
tithing mint and anise and cumin while at the same time
omitting the weightier matters of the Law such as justice,
mercy and faith. Literalism manifests itself among us in
many ways, but it can always be identified in that it lives by
the letter of the Word while ignoring its spirit. It habitually
fails to apprehend the inward meaning of Christ’s words,
and contents itself with external compliance with the text.
If Christ commands baptism, for instance, it finds
fulfillment in the act of water baptism, but the radical
meaning of the act as explained in Romans 6 is completely
overlooked. It reads the Scriptures regularly, contributes
consistently to religious work, attends church every Sunday
and otherwise carries on the common duties of a Christian
and for this it is to be commended. Its tragic breakdown is
its failure to comprehend the Lordship of Christ, the
believer’s discipleship, separation from the world and the
crucifixion of the natural man.
Literalism attempts to build a holy temple upon the sandy
foundation of the religious self. It will suffer, sacrifice and
labor, but it will not die. It is Adam at his pious best, but it
has never denied self to take up the cross and follow Christ.”
Prayer—Forgive me, Lord, for trying to follow You without taking up that self-death instrument daily.
Yet another way the depraved heart, cloaked fully in a mere form of religion, seeks to circumvent the work of the cross, is by denying or ignoring that there is a cross to take up “daily.” The one whose theology is undergirded and poisoned with the unconditional eternal security lie, must resist all personal responsibility. He must take the line of least resistance. He is a moral coward, who while feigning to be walking in grace, has actually acquiesced to such a mythical position in order to avoid dying the death.
He refuses to buy into the truth of the Gospel when it threatens his own personal comfort zone he has built around himself, using half-truths and twisted and convoluted blends of philosophy, clichés, and Scripture. At all cost, he must remain intoxicated with the lie that he can do nothing to violate and fail the grace of God, and forfeit his place with God, which he erroneously believes is eternally secure—no matter what rebellion he may choose to commit against Him who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). So, he must fight the truth violently using his keyboard, pulpit, or pen to defend his paper-thin position. He must at all costs make sure anyone he leads believes that “God requires nothing of him, that salvation is of the LORD, and there is absolutely never any personal responsibility placed upon the individual recipient of salvation.”
What a tragic, fraudulent lie this deceiver is casting upon those naïve enough to give him ear! The bowels of hell have been nourished by millions who have bought this lie and have descended into the gaping and inescapable abyss (Isaiah 5:14). God forbid that anyone under the care of the “grace” deceiver be burdened with the slightest incentive or motivation to live holy, because in his evil theology, God Himself is no longer holy and just and doesn’t punish sin in His own people. Using whatever deceptive means and even Scripture-twisting, the deceiver will do away with all thought of personal responsibility from among his flock. He further seeks to lull them asleep with himself, as they bask in the lukewarmness of hell-bound Laodicea and those “at ease in Zion,” refusing to hear and hearken to the severe warning to turn back to the LORD—“Repent” and “Woe to them” (Amos 6:1; Revelation 3:14-21).
Circumventing Schemes
In order to accomplish keeping his flock asleep, the beguiler must only acknowledge the positional cross, while seeking to deny the experiential or daily cross Christ commanded His followers to take up (Matthew 10:38-39; Mark 8:34-39; Luke 9:23-24). Those who deny the “daily” cross Christ commanded, deny Christ (Mark 8:34-38). To deny His words is to deny Him (Mark 8:38; John 8:47; 14:21). Those who do not teach Christ’s command to deny self and take up the cross daily, hold a position of lawlessness; such are false teachers, “ungodly men” who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (a license for sin)” (Romans 6:1-2, 15; Jude 3-4). We are to “earnestly contend” against them and the heresies they spread.
Concerning the “remnant” which is a descriptive word defining the only people to be eternally with Christ, Isaiah 37:31 says: “And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.” No one can “bear fruit upward” unless he is willing to humble himself “under the mighty hand of God.”
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” 1 Peter 5:6
The Last Days
God’s Word forewarns us that only a few among those once righteous will be in Heaven. “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:18).
With all the popular last days type books in print, it is regrettable that few of them if any deal with readiness as the Scriptures present it. The human authors seem to completely overlook such an essential truth, because they have been schooled in this cross-denying way themselves. They completely overlook Christ’s severe words of warning in Luke 21:34-36. The typical modern church posture is that if one has at some moment in the past received Christ, he is forever and indelibly secure for Heaven no matter what, with no possibility of losing out with God. Is this what the Bible teaches us?
Great tribulation is coming, such as has never been experienced upon the earth. “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).
We are told by the Son of God that only those with the oil of God in their vessels will be admitted into the marriage feast of the Lamb (Matthew 25:1-13). Only those who are intently connected with Jesus Christ, foregoing the things that would hinder their relationship with Him, will “escape all these things that shall come to pass.”
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36
He told us that if we will overcome and be with Him, we must “be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” By this we know that some shall not “escape.”
The LORD Jesus beckoned those who would follow Him to the end, to be waiting and ready for His imminent and pending return:
“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:35-40
The enduring saints must discern keenly, and the only way to do such is to fully repent, love Him personally and supremely, and cast off all worldly ties that draw us from the Bridegroom (Revelation 3:14-18).
In order to escape this promised and epidemic onslaught of the enemy of God, one must be daily “crucified with Christ,” being separate from iniquity and abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6; Galatians 2:20). It is only in being “dead” that we are “hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). It is only in experiencing His “death” that His “life” can work in us and through us to others (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). It is only in taking “root downward” that He will raise us up to “bear fruit upward” (Isaiah 37:31).
As was prophesied, the enemy’s seduction of souls is in full swing and ever-increasing as the time of the return of Jesus draws nigh:
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the
devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because
he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Revelation 12:12
In the above passage, those who are already safe with Him in Heaven are told to “rejoice,” while those who remain upon the earth in this last hour are solemnly warned to beware because “the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Perhaps there would yet remain among us some who are still ignorant of the devices of the enemy, and not so sure about the activities he is perpetrating among the remnant. Listen closely to what Jesus says concerning the final days which we are now living in:
These things have I written unto you concerning them that
seduce you (this is John’s inspired reason for writing to us). But
the anointing which ye have received of him abideth (remains)
in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same
anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie,
These things have I written unto you concerning them that
seduce you (this is John’s inspired reason for writing to us). But
the anointing which ye have received of him abideth (remains)
in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same
anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie,
and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now,
little children, abide (remain) in him; that, when he shall
appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before
him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that
every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. Behold, what
manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth
us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons
of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we
know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we
shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him
(the hope of Christ’s soon return) purifieth himself, even as he
is pure. 1 John 2:26-3:3
According to these Holy Spirit inspired words penned by John the apostle, there are “many deceivers” seeking to “seduce you” (1 John 2:26; 2 John 7-11). One of the most insidious ways these wolves, who “lie in wait to deceive,” operate, is by refraining from preaching the true Gospel which includes the taking up of the daily cross (Matthew 16:24-27; Luke 9:23-24). If one will be safe in heavenly glory, never to suffer another iota of pain for all the eternal future, he must stay clear of the “many deceivers” who have answered the call of evil, and are sent forth to “deceive” those who would be prey due to:
• Having a lack of knowledge—not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God (Hosea 4:6; Matthew 22:29)
• Not watching and praying (Matthew 26:41)
• Not submitting to God (James 4:7)
• Not being crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)
• Not being “dead” and having their lives “hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3)
• Not having their affections set upon things above (Colossians 3:1-4)
• Minding earthly things (Philippians 3:18-19)
There is abundant proof that so many today vainly believe they can have the benefits of the cross without the responsibility of the cross. They want the crown but not the cross. They are self-serving (“whose god is their belly”) and so desire to feel secure by trusting that because Christ died and was buried and rose again, they are safe.
As was long ago foretold, many in this deceived generation are trusting in Christ’s atoning death without their own personal participation. They call Him “Lord, Lord,” but in the end will hear the horrific words of termination, “Depart from me” (Matthew 7:21-23.) From His blessed presence they will be forever alienated, vanquished into “the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (lawlessness).” Matthew 7:21-23
So many who claim the name of Christ conveniently ignore what Jesus said about taking up the cross and following Him to the end. In the riveting words listed in the above passage, did Jesus not tell us that only “he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” will be allowed into His Heaven? The daily denial of self, taking up the cross, and following Him is at the heart of the Gospel Jesus gave us.
According to the Son of God, overcomers will be allowed into Heaven and no one else (Revelation 2-3).
Readiness test:
• Are you daily taking up your cross? (Matthew 16:24-25)
• Do you daily deny yourself so that Christ can reign in your mortal body? (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:11-12)
• Are you following Christ in the way He prescribed? (Matthew 7:21; John 8:47; 1 John 2:3-6)
• Are you purifying your life of all that offends God? (Acts 15:9; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 3:3)
• Are you coming out from this sinful world system and the apostate religious system? (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:14-17)
• In obedience to the LORD, are you remaining clear of any and all wolves, who preach or pen a cross-less gospel? (2 Corinthians. 11:2-5; Philippians 3:18-19)
• Are you learning yet more and more to hate this sinful and rebellious world system, lest you become the enemy of God? (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17)
• Are you daily in the Word so the Word is getting into you and washing your heart and mind of all that is not according to the mind of Christ? (Psalms 119:9, 11; Proverbs 4:4, 21; Jeremiah 15:16; John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26)
• Are you keeping your lamp full by daily communion with Jesus? (Matthew 25:1-13; 1 John 1:3-9)
• Are you abstaining from fleshly lusts and departing from all iniquity? (2 Timothy 2:19; 1 Peter 2:11)
• Are you overcoming the wiles of the enemy who seeks to seduce you from self-denial? (1 John 2:26-3:3)
• Are you watching and praying, so as to be blessed to take up your cross daily and not be seduced from essential obedience in following Christ? (Matthew 26:41; Luke 12:35-40)
• Are you watching and praying so as to escape all sin and remain ever ready for Christ’s soon appearing? (Proverbs 8:34; Matthew 26:41; Luke 21:34 -36)
• Are you calling others to come to the Fountain of living waters from which all life flows, and in which all blessings abide? (Revelation 22:17)
In this late hour, may God bless each of us—His children—to be in fellowship with those who are embracing instead of evading the daily cross, and who “call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).
As we were long ago forewarned, the “great wrath” of the one who “knoweth that he hath but a short (brief) time” has “come down” upon us through an epidemic of apostate leaders, who like the deceivers of old, erroneously promise His eternal life to those who refuse to take up their crosses to follow Him (Jeremiah 23:17; Amos 9:10; 2 Peter 2; Jude 3-4). Beware! “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).
PRAYER: Jesus, please deeply quicken Your holy fear in my inner most being. From this instant forward, I look fervently for Your soon return. Heavenly Father, I beg You to unite my heart to fear Thy name and make ultra-sensitive my conscience—to be so easily convicted upon the slightest thought that varies from Your holy will. Into Your hands, I now commend my spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Capture Points
• Read and discuss Matthew 27:43 and how it applied to Christ when He was on the cross, and how this same temptation applies to the believer in his daily walk with Jesus.
• Transcribe 1 Peter 4:18 on an index card and discuss. (KJB recommended)
• Read and discuss Luke 12:35-40. (KJB recommended)
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Apostasy
“The Collection for the Saints”

Are Money Collections Biblical?
Yes, yet what should money be collected to do?
1 Corinthians 16:1
KINGDOM PERSPECTIVE: Money collections to do GOD’s work are not a sin but rather an opportunity for God’s people to crucify, to put off the sins of greed and covetousness and to lay up treasure in Heaven as He commanded (Matthew 6:19-21; Ephesians 5:7-9). Also, to say that allowing people to support GOD’s work is wrong, is to declare Jesus to be a sinner because He had a treasurer which could only mean that people chose to support the work.
Recently the subject of giving has arisen several times in a short period of time so I wanted to treat it with God’s Word. When the topic of the Word of Faith prosperity pimps came up recently, a few people raised the question as to whether money should be collected by anyone today (any ministry). In addressing the question as to whether or not it is right or wrong for a ministry to facilitate the collection of money, the following reply was given.
There were collections among the saints in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 16:1-3), Jesus had a treasurer in case people wanted to participate and lay up treasure in Heaven…. yet the prosperity scammers falsely teach people to give in order to get God to bless them instead of giving out of love, obedience, gratitude, and worship to the LORD.
Okay, let me insert this: ANYone who doesn’t like ministers speaking about money has money as their god and are not saved according to Jesus because they have chosen money/mammon over God (Matthew 6:24). Those who truly serve the One who gives all good gifts delight in giving Him the first portion of what He gives them (Proverbs 3:10-11). By doing so they continue to establish that He alone is LORD and Master of their lives!
Collections were taken up in the early church (1 Corinthians 16:1-3). Jesus’ apostle Paul wrote:
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-3
First off, this tells us that Paul set in order, set up the order, he had “given order to the churches” to collect, to take up a “collection for the saints” when they gathered. He instructs Christ’s saints to “let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” There is much in this revelation. The saints of Christ are to be intentional and order the wealth God gives them, according “as God hath prospered” them. They are to “lay be him in store” or store up, to set aside that which they are going to give. The implication seems that we are to do such deliberately, and with joy as God prospers us.
According to the Word of God and the pattern and teaching of the apostles and early church, each disciple of Jesus should weekly and cheerfully set aside money, etc. to give. He/she is to “lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Note that the “collection” was “for the saints” and not to be wasted on building a physical building of an enterprising pastor or to buy him a million dollar home, expensive cars, and watches, not to mention the extravagant accessories lavished upon many modern pastor’s wives. Oh, don’t forget that in the modern apostate church world, while some struggle to make ends meet and others go under financially, we must not forget to throw the pastor a birthday party and give him an expensive gift, right?
So, obviously collections are ordained of God to grant privilege and opportunity to those who would choose to give to His cause of helping Christians who lack and ministers of His Gospel. The collections are a blessing to us and yet, what we give to is the question. Supporting true, Great Commission, New Testament ministries is very important lest we fund a work that is not fulfilling the mandate of Christ and in doing so waste the resources He put in our temporal of care.
John Wesley writes:
“Let every one – Not the rich only: let him also that hath little, gladly give of that little. According as he hath been prospered – Increasing his alms as God increases his substance. According to this lowest rule of Christian prudence, if a man when he has or gains one pound give a tenth to God, when he has or gains an hundred he will give the tenth of this also. And yet I show unto you a more excellent way. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Stint yourself to no proportion at all. But lend to God all you can.”
Anthony Terry writes:
“Scripture is clear on the gatherings of the saints. They are for the saints only. They are to bring their offerings into the gatherings so when a need arises it can be met. Scripture also tells us that those with earthly goods should sell them when a saint is in need and to supply that need. This also is not done today. Too many are storing up treasures here and not in the kingdom. Scripture says if you have the ability to meet a need and don’t do it then how can you say God dwells in you? (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35)”
HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED IN THE MODERN HOUSES OF EXTORTION THAT SOME CALL “CHURCHES” THAT THE PASTORS WILL OFTEN SAY THINGS LIKE “WE’RE FAMILY” AND YET, WHEN YOU HAVE A NEED, THEY COULD CARE LESS? THEY ONLY CARE FOR YOU INASMUCH AS YOU ARE GIVING TO THEM! BUT THE BIBLE TEACHES EQUALITY AND EVEN DISTRIBUTION, ESPECIALLY AMONG THOSE WHO ARE TRULY WORKING AND DILIGENTLY OBEDIENT (ACTS 2:44-45; 4:32-35; EPHESIANS 4:28; 1 THESSALONIANS 4:11-12; 2 THESSALONIANS 3, ETC.).
To illustrate the gross misuse of money in the modern church world, please allow me to relate the following true story:
An example comes to mind that was related to me by a good friend. The story goes …. This brother and his family (close friends of mine) were struggling financially and were on the brink of their second foreclosure. Their house was getting ready to be foreclosed on and a few members of the leadership fully knew this. Yet, during this same time period those very leaders organized and solicited the people of that particular local church to chip in to buy the pastor a $30,000 watch for his birthday. They totally ignored the needy brother’s necessity/lack and so that brother’s house was foreclosed on. This is an example of unthinkable inequity and brazen disobedience to God’s Word where one member of the body of Christ was elevated unduly above the other members. Among the earliest believers there was equity. Take note to what was transpiring just after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost at the end of Acts 2. Compare. Take close note to the blessed and exemplary state of the church before the greedy, self-serving wolves and their thieving practices entered in among the people of God (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35).
Now, the above is a revelation to most today who have been duped into believing that all the giving must be done to some “official” mere man or board of mere sinful men who have set up their church franchise businesses all over our cities. Before we move forward, let’s expand that revelation:
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Acts 2:44-45
Notice in the above passage that “EVERY MAN” mattered and not just some group of thieving wolves who were collecting and squandering the money on their own self-serving lusts!
While the collection of money is biblical the misuse of the money collected is sin. And for this reason, we must learn from God’s Word what that collected money is to be used for.
WE MUST STOP FEEDING THE WOLVES FRIENDS! FIND INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE NEEDS AND GIVE TO TRUE GOSPEL WORKERS/MINISTRIES. THAT’S THE TRUE NEW TESTAMENT WAY!
To further establish that collections were always allowed and encouraged in the gatherings of our LORD’s people, check out this explosive message titled Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast]
Here’s more early church practice that we must model/follow:
“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own (they understood that God owns all and they were just stewards); but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4:32-35
Compare. You will want to read this passage prayerfully and several times, remembering where it is to share with others. Note in the above passage that “they had all things common.” In other words, as each individual saint had need, they would share. Today, we have multi-millionaire wolves who parade and flaunt their lavish riches before their prey who many times can’t even pay their bills. Go figure!
Collecting and giving are a vital part of the divine economy from Genesis to Revelation but not in order to misuse – to misappropriate those funds. That’s what covetous charlatans have always done and are doing today. Yet, such evil does zilch to negate the God-given personal responsibility the LORD has given every individual believer to be a giver – of their lives which will translate into the giving of their substance.
Now, so far we have exposed the greedy wolves we are so often warned about in the Scriptures. Yet, before someone gets the idea that God wants His honest, true workers broke, think again. The LORD says that those elders (Gospel workers, servants of God) are to “be counted worthy of double honour” which refers to a good financial reward. This would be at or a bit above the average income of the median earning man that that Gospel worker feeds/tends to. Paul also inserted in his longest discourse on this very topic that those who are called out to labor for Christ can have a wife and family which of course requires more income to support (1 Corinthians 9:5).
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18
Did you note that those who “rule well” is a condition and it is defined as “they who labour in the word and doctrine“? True Gospel work must involve diligently getting God’s Word into the hearts of men, especially God’s own people. It is never ending because there are always saints to edify, help mature, pray for, teach the Word to, etc. It never ends and neither does the need to reach lost souls.
Because so many wolves have devoured people’s lives and finances, some want to forbid any and all provision from going to God’s workers which would be unscriptural and certainly to Satan’s advantage. The distribution of resources is to go to all of God’s people, not just the people collecting the money, which is what the modern, apostate church is doing. Compare what they are doing to Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35. It’s a scam. People should study this topic in their Bible as the article link above seeks to help them do. We cannot exclude the provision of those God calls out into full-time serving. The apostles gave themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4) The Word of God sets forth the clear argument and case for provision for divinely called-out servants – those called out to give themselves to prayer and to the ministry of God’s Word. There’s no other calling so important in the earth or with eternal consequences. We must rightly divide and not overcompensate because others have abused. God bless you all.
Some people like to throw around cliches that are not direct Bible quotes such as, “Where God guides, God provides.” While that is generally true, we must be careful of blocking full-counsel Bible learning by cliches that are only half-truths. To stand on ANY cliches is a dangerous endeavor to the truth-seeking disciple. Stand on God’s Word alone which is what David said it is: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105) Of our Father’s written Word, Christ said “Thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)
God’s people are divinely called and are to be allowed and granted the blessed opportunity to give to HIS work – not forcefully coerced but given opportunity (2 Corinthians 9:7). This is clear in Scripture. When we give, we thereby learn to trust Him who replenishes our supply as He so often promised to do (Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.). It would be wrong to disallow God’s people from giving actually. Moses did not stop God’s people from giving until there was so much given by God’s people that there was nowhere else to contain it! He had to tell them to stop bringing their things to the work of the LORD because they had nowhere else to store it – there was too much of it (Exodus 35). To tell people not to give to God’s work(ers) would mean he forbade them from doing what the LORD told His people to do from the beginning – give. The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel set forth to continually worship and serve the LORD and His people and Paul, Christ’s apostle, draws from this very truth/fact in 1 Corinthians 9 – below.
God provides, yes, and His stated desire to supply, at least in part, is through His body – and that is so that they partake of the blessings both now and eternally (Galatians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). A proper and more thorough view of God’s kingdom reveals that to shut off the opportunity of giving and forbid His children from giving, stifles blessings.
The apostle Paul’s case for provision being given to called-out servants of Christ is clearly and profoundly set forth below.
1 Corinthians 9
1 Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
The above passage makes it abundantly clear that God wants those He calls out to serve Him full-time supplied.
Collecting money is biblical – for the right use and reason which the LORD reveals in His Word. We must simply make sure that the collection is going to bless the people of God and not just one or a few staged deceivers who are running an entertainment business they have set up and call “church.”
One problem we see today is the defense of these beguiling, thieving wolves by the covetous, greedy folks who support them. These deceived people are full of self and “love to have it so.” (Jeremiah 5:31) In other words they love the greedy, covetous wolves they have submitted themselves to because these worldly rich wolves model the lifestyle their greedy, self-serving audience want (Hosea 4:9; 2 Timothy 3:1-6; 4:2-4).
There is a correct use of collections. Receiving money for true Gospel ministry work is according to the apostolic doctrine which we are to continue “stedfastly in.” (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; Philippians 4, Acts 2:42, etc.) Now, manipulating people – making merchandise of them – is the work of “false prophets,” Peter told us (2 Peter 2:1-3). Yet, that doesn’t negate the opportunity given to disciples of Christ to lay up treasure in Heaven by giving to God’s true work (Matthew 6:19-21). The key is simply to make sure the ministry is doing the Word and not just entertaining and keeping folks biblically illiterate in order to be able to continue to control them.
It’s time to get biblically learned, astute and cease being ignorant! – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)
Further, Paul gave the divine promise that God would supply all the needs of those who gave (Philippians 4). That promise and blessing of divine provision is specifically to those who had given to Paul who was a Gospel worker.
“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.” Philippians 4:10
Taking care of those whom the LORD has called out – not self-appointed but God-appointed – is the privilege of the saints. Those giving are the blessed ones according to Jesus (Acts 20:35). If you can’t give out of a “cheerful” (joyful, generous, thankful) heart then don’t bother – you are wasting your money. The Bible reveals to us that Jesus actually watches each one of us and how we give (Mark 12:41-44). He looks at the heart posture and percentage that we give (Mark 12:41-44; 2 Corinthians 9:7).
You want to be blessed? If so, find a true Gospel worker and begin giving into his life and work. In fact, a lady called this week who said that as she gave to a certain Gospel ministry, God blessed her. This is biblical. It doesn’t matter if some have collected and wasted money. The true Gospel worker is “worthy of his reward” and not just honor but “double honour” which means sufficient supply, pay, and a bit more (1 Timothy 5:17-18). Anyone who doesn’t like that needs to take up their beef with the LORD. Getting a biblical foundation in this subject by thorough study of the Scriptures on this topic is essential. Begin with 1 Corinthians 9:1-14. Those who do the infinitely most important and only eternal work on the earth are the most worthy souls on earth to be sustained, and supplied – so they can continue to fruitfully serve the LORD and His blessed people, equipping them to “do the work of the ministry.” (Ephesians 4:11-12) This is God’s program and anyone who participates in it is going to be blessed – now and eternally!
The LORD told us He would fill the barns and overflow with blessings the person who puts His “firstfruits” into His cause (Proverbs 3:9-10).
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
It’s not a sin or wrong to facilitate what the Bible teaches – giving. The early believers in Jesus went so far as to sell off the things they didn’t need in order to liquidate and turn those properties, etc., into cash to help the other believers who were in need and surely a bit of that went to the apostles to sustain them as they gave themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4) See Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35. The apostles didn’t tell those people to take their money back because giving is an integral part of serving God who “So loved the world that he gave” (John 3:16) In fact, Christ says that “It is MORE blessed to GIVE than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) It would be wrong to disallow God’s people from giving actually.
Jesus Christ was betrayed by a thieving wolf!
Extorting thieves are nothing new. Jesus had one in His ministry while on earth. The fact that charlatans have misused money they collected from gullible people who didn’t discern correctly does not make giving wrong. The people who give must examine, best they can, if that ministry is fulfilling a New Testament purpose. Most people don’t even know the Bible, regrettably, so they have little to go by. A good place to begin is to see what Jesus’ commission to His church is (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20). After reading Christ’s commission, one should begin to examine the fruit of any ministry they are thinking of giving to – such as 1) are they endeavoring to teach the whole counsel of God’s Word in His holy fear and with no fear of any mere man (Matthew 28:18-20), 2) are they reaching out to lost souls (Mark 16:15-20).
Notice for example that the Word of Faith wolves don’t bother to give money to the general body of Christ – individual saints. That’s obvious in that they take that money to themselves in undue fashion and build mansions. Most of them have several mansions, fly over the the world on their own jets, stay at the most elite hotels, etc. This is complete misuse of resources given to them by people and fulfilling what Peter wrote about.
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
We have the divine promise here that God is going to eternally judge those who “make merchandise” of others. There are some extorting wolves operating as pastors, evangelists, etc., but that doesn’t mean His disciples shouldn’t give!
STEWARDSHIP IS SAID TO BE THE MOST PREVALENT OR FREQUENTLY OCCURRING SUBJECT IN GOD’S WORD. ACTUALLY, ABOUT HALF OF JESUS’ PARABLES DEALT WITH STEWARDSHIP. THIS IS A HUGE TOPIC AND VERY IMPORTANT TO THE LORD. HE TOLD US THAT WE ARE TO BE “RICH TOWARD GOD” AND THAT OUR VERY “HEART” AFFECTIONS WOULD FOLLOW WHERE WE PUT OUR “TREASURE.”(MATTHEW 6:19-24; LUKE 12:15-20, ETC.) OUR LORD EVEN TOLD US THROUGH JAMES THAT IF WE HOARD INSTEAD OF FREELY GIVING, THAT WHICH WE HAVE LAID UP WILL FRIGHTENINGLY BE A WITNESS AGAINST US IN THE JUDGMENT (JAMES 5:2-3).
Some hide their own greed behind exposing the obvious greedy wolves who hold ministry positions. They use those beguiling thieves as an excuse to stop giving altogether. Don’t cease giving just because you were deceived by a wolf. If you do, you will hurt and hinder the work of our LORD Jesus in this late hour. Continue to obey God by giving Him your whole being and will daily. Your treasure will be His as long as you are truly His (Matthew 6:19-24). Just pray for more discernment and stay in the Word. Measure everything according to His Word (Acts 17:11). Be ready to help other Christians in need all around you and prayerfully find a good called-out brother in Christ who fears the LORD truly and preaches His pure Word and begin giving to his life and work – God’s work! The LORD promises to bless you for doing so.
Where you give is very important. You should ask: Is this ministry or church fully vested in Christ and His mission to save souls and feed His flock and teach HIS pure Word? Such a question eliminates 95% of all ministries which are nothing more than a flesh-flattering entity designed to rob the resources Christ ordains to go directly into His work and workers. There is no work on earth today that has eternal ramifications except the work of Christ. Are you a contributor? Why did He give you a way or ways to earn money? See in Ephesians 4:28 and begin supporting His true Gospel work – His Great Commission.
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QUESTION:
“Should those in ministry take up collections? Is that biblical? Also, should those who write books have to pay for the whole funding of those books and for that matter, should they have to fund the LORD’s work themselves?” What does God’s Word tell us about money?”
ANSWER:
So, where are true ministries supposed to get their money/resources? Question: Is that not our privilege and opportunity to give and thereby support the work of Jesus? In fact, is this not exactly why God gave us an income – to support His work? And, on top of that He puts money into an eternal investment “account” in Heaven? Wow! Philippians 4:17; Matthew 6:19-21.
“Collections” are biblical yes and they are the privilege of the giver much more than the mere human servants receiving the treasures to be stored up in Heaven for their own eternal benefit (Matthew 6:19-21). Giving also keep idolatry and greed away from the one who gives, securing his eternal soul with Christ. These are clearly soul damning sins specifically listed in Holy Scripture as such (Ephesians 5:5-7; Revelation 21:8, etc.).
Is it a sin for a person in ministry to not have enough money to pay for everything? No, that’s not a sin at all and in fact, it’s a blessing to those ministered to by that outreach. God actually ordains it that way usually so that other of His people can lay up treasures in Heaven, just like Jesus told us to do (Matthew 6:19-21). In fact, the apostle Paul cared much about the heavenly “accounts” of those he ministered to and so should we – “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” (Philippians 4:17) Most men in ministry have not studied biblical stewardship very closely and for instance, do not even know about the verse posted in the previous sentence. God told us here that we have an “ACCOUNT” in Heaven. Now the question is, what’s in our “account”? What have we given into His true New Testament work?
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 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. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Some are misled by their own situations, opinions, and impartial knowledge of this important subject …. go read about some people Jesus actually puts in His trophy case in what we call “The Hall of Faith” …. read Heb. 11:37-39 and let’s talk about that.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) Notice that it’s not that most people don’t have at least some knowledge of a topic and yet that can be deadly. God is good….. a little knowledge is enough to kill us all.
Getting a tad of knowledge can be deadly …. if we don’t keep studying the topic all the way through Scripture to gain a thorough biblical knowledge on that subject and thereby be blessed to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Support | STORE | Podcasts | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Where to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Consider Your Ways [podcast] | Consider and Build [podcast] | Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] | Dollar Dialogue | Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | Escaping Sodom! | Waste | Stewardship | Giving
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