Mike Desario’s ministry is proof that just because someone is intense at communicating a message doesn’t mean their message is true.

(At the bottom of this page is the Testimony by Tommy Miner who was delivered from this dangerous cult.)

Mike Desario is now dead and presumably unrepentant and in hell and yet his cult and false teachings live on. Beware!

In short: Desario and his prey view salvation as their own departure from sin, to stop all sinning, as they claim. They view repentance as turning from sin instead of first and foremost turning TO God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Jesus seems to be edited out of His own salvation plan. After all, we can stop all sinning by ourselves so why do we need the Lamb of God? They hyper-over emphasize turning from sin out of its context and never mention how Jesus commanded us to love the LORD with all of our heart mind and strength (Matthew 22:37-39). Remember, holiness is not the way to Jesus – Jesus is the way to holiness (John 3:30). Why do they ignore and hide this? Why is there a complete ignoring of loving God as Christ commanded (Matthew 22:37-40). These are antichrists who are not in love with the LORD but rather full of self, full of self aggrandizement, self-love, self-righteousness, and vain glory. That’s the fruit of Desario’s followers. The spirit of antichrist possesses them and this is clear in that they have rejected Christ by elevating themselves as their own “savior” from sin instead of the nail-scarred risen Savior. Jesus Christ is not in their salvation plan – until after they earn or merit being with Him due to their own “natural ability” to turn from sin. Desario’s salvation plan is all about them overcoming sin – without Jesus. A sinner cannot save a sinner – if that were the case, WHY did Jesus bother coming to the earth? Only the sin-less One can save and forgive the sinner – (Matthew 9:6). ALL of our own righteousnesses are as filthy rags in His holy eyes (Isaiah 64:6). Our posture of heart concerning approaching God is “God be merciful to me a sinner” and not self-righteously coming to Him with “Okay God, I overcame all sin without You and so now I’m worthy, here I am.”

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke 18:13

Attention: Just because men have the ability not to sin does not make you your own savior and does not negate your need for the one Savior – Jesus Christ! You are not deep or some spiritual hero because you now realize that the Bible makes no excuse for any sinning (Romans 6:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:1). If it took Mike Desario to inform you of this basic Bible truth (no excuses for sin), that’s because previous to listening to Desario, you refused to repent and read God’s Word honestly for yourself. But Mike has poisoned the bread of Heaven, the Word of God, with much leaven. And we know that it takes only “A little leaven”, a little false doctrine, to poison, to affect, to ruin a whole person and damn their eternal soul to hell.

“A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Galatians 5:9

Because ALL of our own righteousness are as “filthy rags,” sinners cannot save themselves by obeying God (Isaiah 64:6). It was Christ Jesus from Heaven who came into the world to save sinners. No one else in history qualified (Ezekiel 22:30).

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15 

One will observe the gross silence, the absolute absence of any cult member of Mike Desario proclaiming their great praise and gratefulness for the saving, sheer mercy of God in saving them through the blood of Jesus Christ. No, they are focused on themselves, pretending to be sinless while they live in sin, the worst sin – self-righteousness. They openly reject the perfect sacrifice of the Savior.

Sin is overcome by the disciple’s submission to the LORD, to the daily cross… by the divinely enabling grace of Christ and not by human effort (Romans 6:14). Desario never says this. Run for your life. This guy, while pointing out one error, is committing many more himself. Read and obey God’s Word for yourself.

Overcoming all sin – yes, and yet, it’s not possible by way of the flesh but rather only by the divinely instituted cross prescription, cross life, the crucified life – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus being re-enacted in the life of the believer daily (Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.). Overcoming all sin does not come by self-will. Paul said “by the GRACE of God I am what I am.” (1 Corinthians 15:10) “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3) 

There is no cross in Desario’s message … no surrender = death and burial…. and then Christ reigning in our lives which alone pleases God and brings His overcoming victory (Romans 6).

The most immediate indication the discerning disciple will notice is that complete lack of joy in Desario. Jeremiah tells us that God’s Word, in the hearts of His people, produces “the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” (Jeremiah 15:16) Where’s the joy, the smile?

On his website, Mike Desario wrote the following, much of which is true and yet there’s poison in the pond, there are erroneous presumptions made:

“The Original Saints believed and taught that you MUST come clean with God in Repentance BEFORE the Holy Spirit would indwell. No one was ‘Saved in sin or did any early Saint teach that man was Born in Sin. They understood that man possessed free and unhindered ability to Obey God and DO what was Right. Most of professing Christianity today is under a massive System of Error that has negated genuine repentance and substituted it with a wretched man profession that keeps them in slavery to their sin. Our web site is dedicated to exposing these errors and pulling down the Strongholds so others may come to a Knowledge of the truth and escape the snare of the devil before it’s too late.” Mike Desario

Let’s break this down, piece by piece. I’ve indented his words:

Firstly we can observe that the name of Jesus, Christ, or the Son of God appear nowhere in this mission statement of Desario.

“The Original Saints believed and taught that you MUST come clean with God in Repentance BEFORE the Holy Spirit would indwell.” Desario

Repenting is essential (Luke 13:3, etc.).

“No one was ‘Saved in sin or did any early Saint teach that man was Born in Sin.” Desario

If there is no sin nature or inherent sin, iniquity working within fallen man, that means that sin is not sin, that it had and has no death, no evil and didn’t harm the human family. Mike’s statement begs the question as to why the Bible uses the words “were by nature the children of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:3) “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:3) Also, why did Jesus command those who would follow Him to deny self if there is nothing to deny? Why the cross – the crucified life He prescribed if there’s nothing that needs to die, to be crucified? (Luke 9:23-24) WHY did Paul teach that the believer must “put off the old man” if there is no “old man” in us to “put off”? (Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:8-10)

“They understood that man possessed free and unhindered ability to Obey God and DO what was Right.” Mike Desario

Notice how he seems to deify man’s obedience as the saving factor instead of Christ being the only Savior. He capitalized “Obey.” Our faith, repentance, or obedience do not save us. Only the LORD Himself can save us. No man can save himself.

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22

Obedience is essential and yet without love for Him, God is not pleased with our rote, mechanical obedience….. if it’s not coming out of our love for Him. Many times we here this verse slammed

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 

Okay so let’s say we are striving to obey Christ. Is Jesus going to save us if we don’t love Him? Are we dwelling on and hearing anything about actually, literally loving Jesus, from our hearts, “in spirit and in truth”? (John 4:23-24)

“IF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

Have you ever noticed the “If” of this statement by our LORD Jesus?

Okay, reread the words of Jesus above and see what comes first in the sentence— “love,” or keeping His commands? “IF you love me, keep my commandments” says Jesus (John 14:15).

Of these words of Christ, one source notes:

“Let’s break down the key elements (of John 14:15):

1. 1. Love for Jesus:
      • Jesus is emphasizing the importance of love. The context of this statement is Jesus speaking to His disciples during the Last Supper, preparing them for His impending departure. Love is a central theme in Jesus’ teachings.
   2. Obedience as an Expression of Love:
      • Jesus connects love with obedience. Keeping His commandments is presented as a tangible way to express love for Him. This implies that genuine love for Jesus is not just a matter of sentiment or emotion but is expressed through actions and obedience.
   3. The Relationship Between Love and Commandments:
      • Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus repeatedly emphasizes the connection between love and following His commandments. For example, in John 15:10, Jesus says, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”
   4. The Role of Commandments:
      • Jesus’ commandments, in this context, refer to His teachings and instructions. These include moral and ethical principles, as well as guidance on how to live in alignment with God’s will.

In summary, Jesus is teaching that true love for Him involves more than just emotional attachment or verbal expressions. It involves active obedience to His teachings and commandments. This concept aligns with the broader biblical understanding that love and obedience are intertwined. For believers, expressing love for Jesus is inseparable from a life of obedience to His teachings and a commitment to following His example.”

“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” 1 John 2:5

Matthew 7:20-23 The Judgment

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know (discern) them. 21 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. 22 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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:20-23

“Natural Ability”

If we could come to and serve God in our own “natural ability”, why did Jesus come? It is suspected that Mike Desario taught a version of Charles Finney’s “natural ability” doctrine which rightly claims that man has the God-given ability to obey Him. Yet, it’s not man’s “natural ability” but rather the grace, the divine influence and empowerment of God, that enables man to overcome sin (1 Corinthians 15:10). This doctrine seems to be antichrist in that it moves the attention and glory off of Christ and onto man.

“Most of professing Christianity today is under a massive System of Error that has negated genuine repentance and substituted it with a wretched man profession that keeps them in slavery to their sin.” Desario

Repentance and faith are the starting place with God (Acts 20:21) and yet repentance does not remove the inward bent toward sin (Romans 7). Repentance, faith, then abiding with Christ via the cross seems to more fully depict the salvation of Christ. The cross is what’s missing – the daily crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). Denying an inward bent does nothing to negate or do away with it. Reckoning with the flesh by crucifying it is essential to overcoming (Romans 6). Denying this inward “old man” that wants to do evil is not the biblical answer. Paul said he had to “keep under” his body, another name for “old man” or “the flesh.” (1 Corinthians 9:27) The flesh cannot be cast out, it must be crucified and denying it exists is paramount to attempting to cast it out.

Mike Desario rejected the concept of a substitutionary sacrifice. If substitutionary atonement is not correct that means no one came to stand in the gap, right? Is 59:16; Ez 22:30. Such a teaching is antichrist. We cannot atone for our own sins. Jesus alone did that (2 Corinthians 5:19, 21; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 John 2:1-2, etc.). Beware of “the spirit of antichrist.” (1 John 2:18)

The Bible uses the term “true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24) and so we know there is a feigned holiness. Satan only counterfeits the real. Beware. There is a self-dependent, fake, counterfeit holiness being spread by devils like Mike Desario (who’s dead now) and the dupes who have gullibly bought the lies. There is no holiness outside of the cross life (Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-25; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20; 5:24, etc.). Mike never taught the cross which means he taught another gospel, a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Jesus conquered sin and death by dying (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Beware of this fake holiness cult which teaches to trust in your own ability to overcome sin instead of the divinely enabling grace of Christ (Romans 6:14).

• Overcome all sin? Yes.
• Doing it outside of oneness (abiding relationship) with Christ? NO!

The fake holiness cult members never speak of seeking the face of and knowing Christ (relationship John 17:3; Philippians 3:10), the crucified life (daily cross), the grace of God, the mercy or love of God. These are all cardinal components of the original Gospel.

“True holiness” is brought out by GOD, as His disciple humbles himself, consenting to his own death that Christ might reign…. The Crucified Life Jesus calls us to.

Mike Desario did NOT preach the cross – the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.). The cross is the divine prescription for overcoming all sin and any other message is “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9)

Mike Desario (holdingfirmly / standinginthegap), who is now deceased and in hell, was very adamant about what he taught – much of what is truth mixed with deadly heresy. We can conclude that it’s unlearned, self-righteous people who have bought the package Satan handed out through this false teacher. Many of those who bought into these lies are the modern street preachers. Regrettably, their fruit is nasty as is no surprise because the root determines the fruit.

“But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

Many have bought into lies due to being persuaded by a good communicator. Instead of hearkening to the LORD – the full counsel of His Word, they place their allegiance in a mere man because he sounds like he knows what he is talking about. This is the case with those who’ve been duped by the false teachings of Mike Desario. Discernment needed saints.

Christ is the Center point of the real, original Gospel and not man’s obedience which is a subtle way of the spirit of antichrist to over emphasize our small part, participation! (Colosians 2:18-19) Christ alone can save. Our works don’t save us! Yes God requires our faith and yet that requirement of faith doesn’t save us – GOD ALONE CAN SAVE US! Mike Desario was very obviously a freakish antichrist who is now in hell no doubt.

Satan has an agent for every sector – every type person. In this writer’s opinion, self-righteousness is the sin that causes people to migrate to such a system of false teaching as Desario put forth. In his teachings, Desario is pointing out some things that are true and yet has a convoluted, false theology that is works based – grossly lacking in the faith of Christ (Romans 4:4-5). He catches the ear of those who view themselves as truth-seekers.

Desario and his followers are mean-spirited, stoic, and have no joy. Something’s not right. See Romans 14:17. The fruit of those who have bought this package from hell is anything but joy. Myself and others who stand against this evil system of theology combined have experienced some of the vilest of affliction and attacks from those Christ-denying counterfeits. Beware saints.

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Stopping sin is the first part of salvation. The next part is that we get justified which is by our works, not merely by faith. So Todd, you are in error.”

REPLY:

​You have openly denied Christ. You have spit in the face of the Almighty (Galatians 2:21). You are utterly deceived and misled by wolves (Finney, Desario, etc). The first part of salvation is Christ’s perfect sacrifice on that cross – “It is finished” – and then GOD’s drawing the sinner to Himself (John 12:32; 19:30; 1 John 4:19). “We love him, because he FIRST loved us.” (1 John 4:19) “WHILE we were yet sinners” Jesus came and died for our sins (Matthew 5:6-8). Sinful men don’t find God – God finds us! God is calling you to come to Him, before it’s too late. If you do truly repent and believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, He will deliver you from being an antichrist (anti = in place of). You’ve replaced the only Savior with the sinful god of self. “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10) You are a sinner and fooling no one but yourself to claim otherwise. God sees all your sins and will damn your soul eternally if you don’t come humbly to Jesus, admitting your utter need for Him and that you cannot save yourself (Matthew 5:3; 11:28-30). “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8

Not Original to Desario

The Finney Cult is alive and well today saints. When you understand the false teachings of Charles Finney, you will understand the error promulgated by Desario. I’ve had several people disown me due to pointing out the obvious errors of Charles Finney, an 18th century false teacher who is heralded by many today. Instead of studying and being astute students of pure Holy Scripture, they’ve learned the heresies of Finney, a man who denied the atonement of Christ. And, they are rabid in spreading these cancerous falsehoods. It sounds holy on the surface yet it’s a false holiness that enthrones man while demoting Christ. Perhaps Galatians 3:3 most poignantly exposes the regurgitated errors of Finney that have been passed on by false teachers like Mike Desario.

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

Dear Mike Desario cultist: So, are you made perfect by the flesh or by yielding to Christ and the Holy Spirit granting you His divine enablement? Read it again: “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

TRUE REMNANT SAINTS OF CHRIST ARE NOT ONLY SAVED BY GRACE BUT ALSO SANCTIFIED BY GRACE. YES, WE ARE FULLY ACCOUNTABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTIMATE, WORSHIPFUL, OBEDIENT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST, AND YET IT’S CHRIST ALONE WHO SAVES AND SANCTIFIES AS WE “abide” in relationship with him (JOHN 15:1-16, ETC.).

God requires repentance and faith to save an individual and yet, it’s CHRIST alone who saves. Though necessary, our obedience doesn’t save us – only God Himself can save. Have we done the mechanics while distancing our Messiah and Savior? We must be careful to never impersonalize salvation. It’s a relationship (John 17:3; Philippians 3:10, etc.). God forgive us for alienating our LORD and Savior in the busy-ness of the mechanics. Christianity is all about knowing, worship, and knowing intimately the LORD. Nothing is more important (Matthew 22:37-39).

WHAT DESARIO IS DOING IS ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT CALVINISTIC ERROR AND YET IN DOING SO BY MISUSING THE WORD OF GOD, HE’S CREATED AN EQUALLY DAMAGING HERESY AND JUST AS GUILTY AS THE WOLVES OF CALVINISM AND HERETICS LIKE CHARLES FINNEY.

Desario’s Dupes

The disciples of Desario often misuse verses like John 8:11 by only quoting half of Christ’s words:

“Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” John 8:11

Perhaps we should quote the whole verse. When we do it paints a different picture than those who beat up people with the last part of this verse. FIRST God redeems and forgives and THEN, after that He informs us that we don’t have to live in sin any longer (Romans 6:14).

They use the “go, and sin no more” to push a no-tolerance for any sin. There disposition is such that they feign to be sinless perfection and act as if there is no divine mercy for those who stumble and sin. The whole testimony of Holy Scripture stands against them. 1 John 1:9 anyone?

Jesus didn’t just say “go and sin no more.” No, the Son of God said to the woman caught in adultery “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11) Jesus first forgave her (represents salvation) and then told her she was free not to sin any more.

These vile wolves would have you believe that God is no longer merciful to those He saves! Nonsense. That notion is a doctrine of devils!

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Psalms 103:10-14

If God is not merciful, we are all in trouble. Thank You LORD Jesus for Your unmerited mercy you died to secure for Your people!

The new covenant in Christ includes mercy through His precious blood (Matthew 26:28). Only the spirit of antichrist would detract from the perfect sacrifice of the Son of God!

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12

Whenever you speak the BIBLICAL truth of God’s mercy and forgiveness, the demented Desario disciples immediately resort to their attack on your for “justifying sin.” Yet, this doesn’t fly, especially when you’ve written one of the most severe on sin books in existence – Lie of the Ages.

God is “Holy, holy, holy” and there is no justification for sin and yet the LORD is also merciful, gracious, and “ready to forgive.” (Psalms 86:5, 15; Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8) As seen in John 8, the only ones God is going to condemn are those who judge instead of extend the invitation of His blessed mercy! (Revelation 22:17, etc.) This would include the devils perpetrating the evil heresies taught by Mike Desario when he was alive on the earth.

Heart purity and a sinless life emanate only from a holy God and our consenting to the cross and not by human effort alone…. one cannot “stop sinning” until they come to Jesus and He saves them, making them new creatures in Christ. Only then can they put off the old man and put on the new man. There MUST be something to put off …. that inherent sinful nature, otherwise no such language would be in Scripture (Colossians 3).

Perhaps calling these self-righteous, bull headed devils Finney-ites would be the best way to define them. They have created a growing cult of believers in the Christ-denying false teachings of Charles Finney.

DESARIO TAUGHT THE HERESY THAT FALLEN MAN HAS NO INCLINATION TOWARD SIN OR DOES HE HAVE A SIN NATURE. HE TAUGHT THE FALSEHOOD OF FINNEY – THAT MAN’S OWN “NATURAL ABILITY” IS SUFFICENT FOR OVERCOMING SIN AND THEREFORE CHRIST CAME IN VAIN! AGAIN, THIS IS CLEARLY “THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST” THAT INFLUENCED BOTH THESE WOLVES (FINNEY AND DESARIO).

The Bible prescription for overcoming sin (an essential) is not by denying the inward bent of fallen mankind (Romans 7) but rather by dying to self – taking up the cross daily (Luke 9:23-24, etc.). That’s what Christ and His apostles taught.

We overcome sin daily – day by day – by the cross and not our own “natural ability” – a term heretic Charles Finney used. Mike Desario got his false doctrines from Finney.

To understand where Desario and the other modern wolves got these heresies, you will need to look at the false teachings of heretic Charles Finney who is viewed by some as a great “revivalist.”  Charles Finney Exposed

One believer writes:

“Holiness is first and foremost agape love. Unconditional love for all, including enemies of us and enemies of God. This over-emphasis on repentance can make us the initiator and God the responder if we are not careful. God is always the initiator.

Fake Holiness Deceivers …. Are just like the self-righteous man who went up to pray, who prayers didn’t leave the room he was in. They beat their chest before the LORD in prayer, proclaiming their own “righteousness” – which is as “filthy rags”? (Isaiah 64:6; Luke 18:9-14) | “Two Men Went Up into the Temple to Pray” [podcast]

Charles Finney and Mike Desario vehemently and heretically denied the atoning blood of Christ and the biblical doctrine of imputed righteousness (Romans 4).

The simple Bible truth: If divine righteousness is not imputed (given to us on the basis of Christ’s perfect sacrifice!), then that means we have to earn it!

Imputed righteousness is biblical, period. Romans 4. There is no righteousness without it being imputed by God to fallen men. Also, biblical righteousness does not mean that such cannot be withdrawn if the recipient refuses to meet the conditions.

Desario and his dupes HATE imputed righteousness (Romans 4). If righteousness isn’t imputed from God to man, by definition and default, that would mean man is earning his own salvation, right?

So these cultist trample the truth of imputed righteousness in order to correct another error (taught by calvinists). Beware of anyone who is willing to deny one biblical truth in order to correct another error.

Yes, God requires the participation of the individual born again believer in an abiding relationship with Jesus, yet Desario’s false system of theology would leave you to believe that it’s ALL up to you and that Christ is not the Savior. But Paul said:

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

You will never hear Titus 3:5-6 and Romans 4:4-5…… in Mike Desario’s teachings and if you do, it will be spun – the clear meaning will be whitewashed and discounted. Desario is among the vilest of devilish false teachers.

One this is for certain, Mike Desario sounds like he knows what he’s talking about. He’s very adamant about what he is teaching, even though he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a false teacher who has misled many.

The fruit of these heresies taught by Desario produce the nastiest fruit in his disciples. If you’ve encountered them, you know exactly what I mean. This is more proof that he and those misled by him are not of God (Galatians 5:22-23, etc.).

When you compare Desario’s teachings to God’s Word, they don’t check out.

DESARIO IS GOOD AT GOING TO SEED ON CERTAIN TRUTHS, DOUBLING DOWN HARD IN HIS PRESENTATIONS, AND YET BY DOING SO HE VIOLATES OTHER CLEAR, KNOWN BIBLICAL TRUTH, THEREBY PERPETRATING HERESIES.

When a man denies Christ, 99% of the times it’s through his teachings and not by coming out and saying “I reject Christ.” This is exactly what Mike Desario has done.

Mike Desario is the one who trained up a bunch of self righteous novices in our day …. Desario died recently but his videos live on, misleading others. I’ve had personal experience with several of his disciples. They are insulated from hearing the truth due to their indoctrination. As mentioned earlier, his followers are some of the most rude, mean-spirited people you will encounter.

In dealing with those indoctrinated into this cult of self-righteousness, after experiencing their hatred, one will then note their insistence that anyone who disagrees with them is branded an unrepentant sinner who is making excuses for sin. They full of pride, arrogant, and completely unteachable.

The problem is that Mike Desario points out something that is true – that most leaders are making up excuses for sinning BUT then Mike Desario teaches that we can overcome by our own power, the power of our own “natural ability.” Jesus is sparse at best in his theology/view of the Christian life. The man was Satan’s snake.

Overcoming sin is the byproduct of truly knowing and abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6) and those who refuse to abide will be cast into hell (John 15:6). Yet, the emphasis of Scripture is upon Christ and our relationship with the Savior, something Desario intentionally ignored. In Mike Desario’s corrupted theology, it’s all up to the individual, no need to rely upon and abide Christ.

Recently someone asked about Mike Desario.

MY REPLY:

Brother, glad you asked ….. I would stay far away from Mike Desario’s teachings…. he has mislead a whole lot of people with his false teaching and spawned the idea (false notion) that he is somehow in “the know” of the truth no one has previously or presently understands. Every cult leader has this in common. Such a pride-predicated idea is always the foundation or premise for building a cult, which is what Mike Desario did.

Desario’s teachings are especially deceptive because he does use Scripture and yet, he ever so slightly tweaks or twists the verses and truths to his own bent, leaving out a whole lot of other biblical truth that would paint a completely different picture. Manipulation. Most believers are not skilled in God’s Word enough to catch this so we must also rely on the Holy Ghost to discern as John the apostle told us to do (1 John 4:1-6). From the first moment I encountered Desario’s disciples and then looked at small portions of his videos, there was great alarm in my spirit (1 John 4:1).

As mentioned, Desario’s followers violently blame all those who disagree with them as being sin justifiers. Nonsense. Yet, just because someone believes the Bible truth that we are weak and HE is strong – that Christ alone conquered sin on the cross and it’s conquered in our daily lives by the daily cross – doesn’t make that person a justifier of sin. These blinded novices have a hard time when they come against balanced and astute Bible students who use Scripture to dismantle and demolish the Christ-denying lies they peddle.

We are sinners both by being born after our fallen fathers and also by our own choices…. (Romans 3, 5, 7, etc.).

Desario’s style of communication draws those who seemed to want the truth and (correctly) believe that OSAS and calvinism are false …. yet, they are drawn into self-reliance and the deadly sin of self-righteousness (Titus 3:5-7, etc.).

—– RECENTLY: Someone wrote me about heretic Mike Desario:

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Thank you sir for exposing this error (Desario’s) 🙂 Someone recommended Mike Desario to me but this expose’ has made me think twice. However, even the best teachers can be mistaken about one or two minor details. What really matters is their spirit, that is how we know if they are truly born again or not. Are they holy, or carnal? Whoever made this video is utterly carnal. Sadly, with many men you don’t need to read their “statement of faith”, you can see clearly that they have not been saved from their sin and still walk in darkness.” Lee

RESPONSE:

Hi Lee. Well their doctrine matters most actually (2 John 7-11; Romans 16:17-18; Titus 2:1, etc.) The word “Doctrine” appears 51 times in Holy Scripture (KJB). The heretical falsehoods of Desario are not minor beloved brother. He’s a Christ-denying vile wolf and I have heard his lies and seen the fruit of it in the lives of many. It’s very false and ugly. Walking in Christ’s truth always, without exception, produces the fruit of the Spirit – love! …. “Let God be true and EVERY man a liar.” (Romans 3:4) God bless you today in Jesus!

Another saint who is familiar with this Finney / Desario movement writes:

“God has given us of His Spirit to teach us and to convict us when we get off track but He will test our humility by bringing other brethren to correct us. Do we really want to be conformed to the truth or do we just want to be right? How we respond to correction will prove which is true of us. Embrace humility and crucify pride.

Grace without truth is not of Christ and neither is truth without grace.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of GRACE AND TRUTH.” John 1:14

Charles Finney Busted and Exposed! | Modern Street Preachers Busted!

SafeGuardYourSoul YouTube Channel

The Hour is at Hand …. Revelation Bombshell! PREP THIS!!!! A Refreshing Biblical Perspective of the Last Days … Are You Fretting, Worried, OR are You LAUGHING?? Biblically Based Apocalyptic Prep

Scathing rebuke to an extremely self-righteous man, the following rebuke went forth:

“This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;” Titus 1:13

EVERYONE is under “strong delusion” in your wicked mind, sinner … oh, except you. You cannot save yourself. You better repent now, confess all your sins – that God sees – and cry out to Him to be broken. Your self-righteousness will not enter His holy courts.

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Ezekiel 18:30-32

FRUIT: Mike Desario never smiled. He was a bitter heretical prude. Are you the same way sinner? Seems like it. Jesus told us that the crack harlots will be in Heaven before you.

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and JOY in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17

Recently, I sent the following to a Desario dupe:

“You wrongly assume that my communicating God’s Word is to evade personal accountability, to live in sin. Nonsense. No one living is sin will enter glory (Rom 6:1-2; Rev 21:8, etc.). Yet there is much more to learn, beginning perhaps with a much fuller revelation of the divinely enabling grace of God we are to be multiplied in (2 Peter 1:2; 3:18; Heb 13:9, etc.). … some of the nastiest pharisees I’ve ever encountered are the bitter pawns of Mike Desario’s ministry of misery. Jesus had more joy and gladness than anyone who ever walked the earth. Think. Heb 1:9.”

“NOTHING in my hand I bring
simply to Thy cross I cling”

“Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” Matthew 21:31

Touting your own obedience as if that saves you instead of JESUS…. is a dead give away to your self-righteousness which is as filthy rags before a holy God.

You are a law keeper and don’t realize it. You have rejected Christ’s perfect righteousness.

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10

You aren’t overcoming sin and will not till you are truly doornail down…. crucified with Christ. And when you are crucified with Christ, you will live to help others, not heap undue burdens condemnations upon them as did the hell bound religious hypocrites of Christ’s day (Matthew 23).

“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13

You have no mercy because you’ve not been shown divine mercy and will not be till you truly humble your wicked self in true repentance.

Repentance and the cross are foundational to the original Gospel. They come before good works, obedience.

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for REPENTANCE: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:7-10

The fruit of true repentance is good works and yet good works save no one. Christ alone can save. They are merely the produce of truly knowing the LORD – and not that which makes you right with God.

Your problem is not so much desiring to be righteous so much as you are approaching and viewing the LORD in a faulty way… perhaps you have a zeal for God but not according to knowledge (Romans 10). This has fostered a damning self-righteousness in you.

You are not and will not overcome all sin without a true surrender, true repentance, crying “LORD you must increase but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) When this happens, you will be teaching the cross, the crucified life Christ and His holy apostles taught and cease going around indiscriminately condemning others and begin to help, to restore them in “the spirit of meekness.”

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

In your hardened heart, your self-righteousness, you erroneously presume that those who preach salvation by God Himself, by His saving mercy and grace, is justifying sin. Well, if that’s the case, Christ’s apostle Paul sure was in error, right? Now read this slowly …. real slow:

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5

Quit equating salvation to your own good works. If so you are under the law and only Jesus could keep the law – and He did and nailed it to the cross and took it out of the way (Colossians 2:14-19). WHY did He have to come if we could keep the whole law perfectly, to render perfect obedience? Galatians 2:21….. WHO is your savior? you or Jesus? “without FAITH (not good works) it is impossible to please him.” (Heb 11:6) Where is your faith? is it in your own good works or Christ, the only One to keep the whole law, nail it to the cross, took it out of the way, and upon repentance and faith in Him, one is justified? “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2 If you don’t truly LOVE Jesus and have a heart after the LORD, all your “worship” is for self, idioloatry, and futility, dead religion. Salvation is Jesus Christ plus nothing. Repent and believe (Acts 20:21).

Testimony by Tommy Miner – Who was Delivered from the Desario Cult and Heresies

“I was a disciple of Mike Desario for many years, and made many videos, and blogs as well as Facebook posts, teaching pretty much all he taught. I was attacking everyone who did not agree with me, telling them I don’t sin, I am pure, and of course that they are preaching for sin and disobedience. I have since been enlightened and left his group after he passed away. I was put in charge of the group to be the leader, but my conscience and the way I idolized Mike and his teachings has taken me out in the wilderness, to test all I thought I knew about truth.

Yes, Mike had truth mixed with error, you could not really correct him, or he would get upset, and he had a very proud spirit—as well as myself and his followers. I was full of self, pride, wrong judgments, and attacked all who disagreed with us regarding when the sin stops, how you make yourself pure to be saved, and that I don’t sin anymore, which was a lie!

I have been reading your teachings and have a lot of error to come out of before I start another ministry. I never grew in faith, just being constantly told I had arrived—I was pure now, I was holy now, and I was perfect, and IF I willfully sinned again I was toast, according to a very wicked woman I was in fellowship with for about a year. Now this isn’t about gossip, but this woman is on Facebook, has a blog, and preaches: one willful sin after conversion, and you are going to hell—a one-way ticket—no more mercy, no more forgiveness, just going to hell. There are more like her. I was there and have repented of them all, rebuked some, and now they see me as a false teacher, “changing the word of God.”

Anyway, I am all alone now, living in Kingman, AZ, working full time in the hospital here, and have no real fellowship. I want to find a good church here, many are apostate. I have learned I wasn’t saved, I was full of self and pride, and I forsook the blood of Christ as the only means for my salvation, before and after. Oh yes, I sinned after, and the woman I spoke of would condemn me to hell. I told her she has also failed God. I saw first-hand her hypocrisy, as well as Mikes, and his small group of followers. I finally broke off, who I feel is partaking in a cult and being led by Satan, at least that woman is in her attacking and condemning spirit.

Just wanted to touch base with you, I will continue to grow in my faith, not in my own weak strength, but in the power of His Spirit. I have much to learn now and thank you for all you do for the Lord. Please pray for me to continue in my faith and study, and not to get discouraged by those who teach a works- based salvation … and that if you don’t, you are preaching for sin as Mike liked to say, which is a lie. I feel stronger now over sin, temptation and the Devil, than I did while operating in my own weak human effort.”

More from Tommy

“Amen, I taught works salvation for years, and contended for it all while I was in sin, such as pride, self-righteousness, and thinking I could save myself through all my so-called good works, and boasting I don’t sin anymore, meaning I don’t do the ‘big’ sins, but can get away with the so-called little ones, but pride is right up there with the worse sins. It was such bondage to be in fellowship with so many who would teach as I did, you have to stop sinning to be saved, you have to produce good works to remain saved, and repentance was stopping all sin, cleansing self, and trusting in self to be good enough for Jesus to forgive me and be accepted. Yes it’s a selfish Gospel of demons in my opinion. I now pray for those caught up in it, and when I CAME TO THEM IN LOVE TO POINT THEM TO THE TRUTH, I was cast out as preaching for sin, but in reality they know not the grace of God, and throw in works, where in reality they must merit their own salvation. I now have more power over sin in my life, now that I am not under the law to condemn me, but under the power of HIS grace and Christ in me, to set me free, and teach me to live a godly life free of condemnation!” Tommy

Support | STORE | Podcasts | The Bridegroom is Calling His Bride | Purifying Ourselves as He is Pure [podcast] | 10 Clues Your Love for God is Waxing Cold [podcast] | More on the Sabbath of the New Testament – Jesus!

SINLESS PERFECTIONISM: WHOSE Righteousness are You Trusting? [podcast]

Beloved, God found us, in our sins, and saved us into His eternal kingdom! (Romans 5:6-9; 1 John 4:19). We didn’t find Him. He found us! Defusing the iniquity of self-righteousness increases exponentially when we begin learning the biblical doctrine of fallen mankind (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18; Psalms 39:4-5).   All self-righteous religious hypocrites are going to hell (Matthew 21:31). May God save, forgive, and cause us, to bless us to be His authentic disciples. In Jesus’ Name, amen. Paul’s flesh was and our flesh is a constant reminder of the ever momentary need for the cross, burial, […]

The Worst Sin in the Bible!

Let us never underestimate just how merciful God really is, unwilling that “ANY should perish.” (2 Peter 3:9) In fact, all I have to do is look in the mirror to be reminded of the most evil sinner ever born and to realize afresh just how merciful the LORD has been!   Read Titus 3:5-7. Have you memorized Ephesians 4:32   According to the Son of God, the definition of a hypocrite is one who stands in judgment of others while he himself has sin in his own life he hasn’t dealt with in repentance before a holy God (Matthew […]

The Riches of His Grace

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:7  It’s been said that “God bankrupted Heaven to buy us back to Himself!” “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15  Jesus judged sin on the cross so we don’t have to be judged for our sin and so we can experience “the exceeding riches of his gracE” both now and forever (John 12:31-32; Ephesians 1:7; 2:7). The claims of the Father’s justification to redeem mankind could only and exclusively have been satisfied in the perfect […]

Jesus Paid it All [podcast]

  “by the sacrifice of himself“ “Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Hebrews 9:26 “ALL have sinned” against our God and so our own good works do not atone for our sins (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10, 23; Ephesians 2:8-9, etc.). ONLY Jesus could and did do that for us – make the atonement that brings us back to God.   The LORD is “Holy, holy, holy” and therefore takes sin seriously (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). The coming of Jesus to die on that cross reveals how loving […]