EXCUSE me WOLF, “apostle” or “prophet” are NOT titles to be used to promote yourself! Repent sinner! Title touters are completely SELF-centered and need to repent, lay down their lives, be crucified with Christ, and follow Jesus (Matthew 23:8-12). Are those who use titles not broadcasting their pride for all to see?
Does Using Titles Draw Attention to Mere Men While Stealing Glory from Jesus Christ?
JESUS CHRIST is the only Celebrity in Heaven. The last time a phony “celebrity” self-actualized, the LORD booted that devil! (Ezekiel 28:12-12-19; Luke 10:18)
The fact that you dare call yourself an apostle or prophet proves you are not one! Repent. Do the work humbly and drop the self-aggrandizing title!
Please never again call yourself by the title of “prophet” or “apostle” again. Those 5 gifts in Ephesians 4 are functions to serve God and others with and never to bring attention to ourselves by using them as a title.
Most if not all today who claim to be prophets are frauds. Apostle and prophet are functions to serve God and OTHERS in and not for use as a title for self-enrichment (Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11). Yet as the remnant body of Christ, we depend on the prophets and apostles of the LORD and the Holy Spirit centrally – “the MORE sure word of prophecy” which contains “ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness” are the written Holy Scriptures (2 Peter 1:3-4; 2:16-21). We seek out and live by THE WORD and not prophetic peddlers.
IF you are using a title, you are violating Jesus’ teachings and found out to be a self-serving wolf! Repent, drop the title and SERVE GOD and His people humbly, quietly.
Drop the title. Just shut your mouth and humbly do the task.
Make no mistake: Those using titles are doing so to bring attention to THEMSELVES and not the Savior!
IF you see someone claiming to be a “mystic” rebuke them. Delusional. Such a name appears no where in Scripture. God’s children are simply born again disciples of Jesus. Beware of those who arrogantly seek to elevate themselves above others by using titles like “mystic.” They need to repent and get saved.
HAVE YOU NOTICED HOW SELF-APPOINTED WOLVES ALWAYS TALK ABOUT HOW THEY ARE AN “APOSTLE” OR “PROPHET” WHILE NEVER ELEVATING JESUS, THE ONLY “HEAD” OF HIS BODY – WHICH HE PURCHASED WITH HIS VERY BLOOD? (see COLOSSIANS 2:18-19.) THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT JESUS CHRIST IS “THE APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST” OF OUR FAITH! (HEBREWS 3:1) TODAY’S FALSE APOSTLES AND FALSE PROPHETS NEVER MENTION THAT TO YOU NOW DO THEY!? RUN!
“The apostles called themselves slaves of Christ….that is humility and surrendering.” Sal Delacruz
“Reverend” appears just 1 time in God’s Word and it’s speaking about HIM, not a man – “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is HIS name” (Psalms 111:9).
True prophets are simply busy humbly serving, not announcing themselves, not drawing attention to their sinful selves using callings as titles.
In the case of men who are calling themselves apostles or prophets today…. if he were a true elder of Christ’s body, he wouldn’t be using apostle as a title which completely contradicts the title-less servant posture Jesus taught (Matthew 23:8-12). Apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher are not titles or rankings but rather function gifts whereby men humbly serve others and never use them as titles to elevate themselves among God’s people.
It doesn’t matter WHO among us in Christ’s body preaches the Word, it just needs to be preached! Jesus is the featured One, not any mere sinful man. “All ye are brethren” (Matthew 28:8-12). Concerning preaching, the Gospel says: “Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed” (1 Corinthians 15:11).
While teaching us to not use titles, Jesus says “Ye are all brethren” (Matthew 23:8-12). On this note, sister Frances Plante says: “Although men have created a hierarchy, God has not. Being on a platform doesn’t make you elite, it makes you accountable.”
The gifts and callings of God are gifts and callings to serve and not titles to tout!
IF you are truly an apostle or prophet, you won’t announce it by wearing it as a title but rather SERVE God humbly. Those eldership callings are mere gifts to use to serve GOD by serving His people, not bringing attention and glory to your wicked, sinful, depraved self. Repent sinful devil! (See Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 4:10-11.)
Ditch the title, just DO THE WORK! Bring no attention to sinful self! That’s exactly what Jesus taught! (Matthew 23:8-12)
The thing being pointed out here is that many use prophet and apostle as a title to elevate themselves instead of simply humbly serving while drawing all attention to Jesus and not to self – the cross.
A lot of people have been schooled by wolves and don’t realize it. They are using God’s Word to self-actualize. That means it’s all about THEM and THEIR gifts and not about Christ. The same warlocks that have misled these un-repentant counterfeits never preach the cross – which is essential to the Christian faith – where you must die, lay down your life, mortify self, and cry to the Father, “Not my will but thine be done” (Luke 22:42).
A true New Testament apostle or prophet first and foremost draws men to God’s WRITTEN Word which is the “MORE sure word of prophecy” – and not self by title touting. The written Word has even more divine authority than the literal audible voice of the Father speaking from Heaven. Peer into that in 2 Peter 1:12-21.
Tina McGovern writes: “I love how Paul referred to himself firstly just as PAUL, secondly as A SERVANT of Jesus Christ, and only thirdly did he acknowledge his CALLING by God yet never as a title. Fourthly he declared his JOB DESCRIPTION (i.e. EARTHLY MISSION) by GOD …. ◄ Romans 1:1 ► ‘PAUL, A SERVANT OF CHRIST JESUS, CALLED TO BE AN APOSTLE and SET APART FOR THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL OF GOD.'”
When Jesus, the PROPHET, was tempted of Satan, did He come up with a unique Word? No, He quoted the written Word which is God’s highest authority (Luke 4).
Jesus is the Head of the body of Christ and that’s the whole point – concerning false leaders among us who are using callings to serve God and His people as titles to bring attention to themselves.
The “A” in Apostle is only capitalized one time and that’s when it references Christ. Funny how those who tout themselves to be prophets and apostles conveniently never mention Hebrews 3:1.
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;” Hebrews 3:1
IF you are calling yourself a prophet or apostle, you are not one! Repent!
Well, yes He’s addressing using titles…. prophet is not a title but rather a calling to be fulfilled by some in humility. Those who use it as a title are scammers. True prophets are simply busying serving Christ and His people – doing the work – and not bringing attention to self! (Matthew 20:20-28)
Note that there are “FALSE APOSTLES” – “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13).
Jesus commended the Ephesian believers for discerning and ousting false apostles:
“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:” Revelation 2:2
“Flattering Titles” are Forbidden
“Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give FLATTERING TITLES unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.” Job 32:21-22
TOUTING TITLES IS A RED FLAG. THAT DOESN’T MEAN THERE ISN’T THE CALL TO APOSTLESHIP, ETC., AND YET THAT DOES NOT NEGATE WHAT JESUS PLAINLY TAUGHT US ABOUT USING TITLES IN MATTHEW 23:8-12. WHY WOULD ANYONE USE A TITLE EXCEPT TO BRING ATTENTION TO THEMSELVES?
PEOPLE posing as Christ’s messengers who have to call themselves doctor, bishop, apostle, or prophet, aren’t! The fact that they chose to self-appoint, to self-title themselves openly manifests their falsity! Wolves! (Matthew 23:8-12) They are violating the clear teachings of the Son of God they claim to be serving. The true servant elders of Christ are doing the function – busy humbly carrying out His work and have no time nor audacity for titles. Devils among us exposed!
GOD is calling His remnant to shut up and serve! (Matthew 23:11; 1 Corinthians 1:29-31)
Anyone putting apostle or prophet before their name as a title is a fraud who is using that title to bring attention to self and away from Christ!
APOSTLE, PROPHET, BISHOP … THESE ARE BIBLICAL AND YET NOT TITLES BUT RATHER CALLINGS WITH A FUNCTION TO BE FULFILLED IN SERVING GOD’S PEOPLE – BRINGING ALL GLORY TO CHRIST AND NONE TO SELF (1 CORINTHIANS 1:29-2:5). ALL WHO ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE CALLED BY TITLES, MOST OF WHICH INITIATED SUCH, ARE FALSE. READ MATTHEW 23:8-12. BAM!
IF THEY FULFILL THAT FUNCTION THAT COULD BE UNDERSTOOD BUT USING SUCH AS A TITLE TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE SELF (MERE MAN) IS AGAINST ALL THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS (MATTHEW 20:24-28; 23:8-12, ETC.). THOSE ARE EDLERSHIP FUNCTIONS TO BE FULFILLED IN SERVING (EPHESIANS 4:11-12).
The fact that someone calls themselves a prophet, apostle, or bishop means they are not. True followers of Christ simply and humbly serve, which is the opposite of using titles drawing attention to THEM instead of Christ! If they insist upon wearing a title, it should be simply, “servant.”
The “gifts” Jesus gave to some “men” are a calling from God to serve Him and His people and not to use as a title for self-elevation (Ephesians 4:8, 11).
Anyone who allows himself to be called apostle or prophet is false. If that’s their servant function, they need to just do it and not use it as a title to elevate the false, sinful god of self.
Only a beguiler would title tout in order to draw attention and credibility to himself – a mere sinful man who in his “best state is altogether vanity.”
“Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:4-5
IF we have to use a title, something is grossly wrong! Let’s drop the titles and the self-serving desire to make ourselves look official and allow the only One worthy of praise to be magnified. We need to listen to the Master’s simple teaching about titles and repent at once if we have violated this truth:
“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12
In Matthew 23:8-12, Jesus is addressing the use of using titles. And, For example, “prophet” or “apostle” or “bishop” is not a title but rather a calling, a serving function to be fulfilled by some in humility. Paul says they are “gifts” to Christ’s body to be used of Christ to equip HIS BODY which means they are not to call attention to themselves. (Study Ephesians 4:8-12.) Those who use these as a title are self-appointed, outright scammers. True prophets are simply busy serving Christ and His people – doing tHe work – and not bringing attention to self by using titles! (Matthew 20:20-28)
Jesus is teaching His people here not to be using titles …. do the WORK and don’t worry about getting the recognition for it. Jesus says: “Thy Father … seeth in secret” and “shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:6).
Be warned that those who insist upon putting a title before their name are hirelings who wish to lift up themselves and not Christ. Beware!
Theodore Whitus writes: “These people that load themselves up with all sorts of titles and degrees are just working in the flesh. They are Paper Tigers. When the real hard times come, we will see who the real army of Christ is. The strong soldiers who are willing to trudge through the mud and blood in the trenches are being prepared. The true brethren who will die for Christ. Then titles and degrees will mean NOTHING.”
Beware of any man or (God forbid) woman who insists on being called by a title. Yes there are callings but yet there are also warnings from the same God to beware of using titles (Matthew 23:8-12; Ephesians 4:11-12). These are gifts or functions to be filled by those upon whom God puts this calling but never to be used as a title to elevate the mere servant. Self-exaltation is at an all-time high in the apostate modern church. In whom shall we glory? – “That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:29-31).
IN LIGHT OF MATTHEW 23:8-12, WE SHOULD HUMBLY SERVE AND DO THE WORK OF SERVING AS UNTO THE LORD ALONE. THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE TRUE DISCIPLE TO TITLE TOUT TO ELEVATE SELF. WHEN WE USE TITLES, WHO IS IT THAT IS BEING EXALTED? IF GOD KNOWS HE CALLED ONE TO BE A PROPHET OR APOSTLE, CAN HE NOT JUST USE THEM TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WORK WITHOUT THEM FLASHING THE TITLE? WHO ARE WE REALLY SERVING? OURSELVES OR THE LORD?
To God Himself and the one who truly knows the LORD, you are not impressive! No, nothing and no one is impressive to the one who is beholding the very Almighty God who made us and came and bled to redeem us! His nail-scarred hands and feet are monuments of the love He showed to us!
“The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.” Isaiah 23:9
“Hallelujah Amen! Just recently we were told that we were not allowed to correct an elder of a church because of his position as an elder. This is amazing arrogance, that God only speaks to the elders and they have a special in with God more than any other believer who possesses the Holy Spirit. There are leaders in church gatherings, but they are accountable to the people in the church too. If they are in error or have a sin problem, then those in the church are responsible to correct and even discipline them.” Gwendolyn Wehage
No man is above God’s Law and any mere man who thinks he is, is a wolf who is full of self – his god is his belly (Philippians 3:18-19).
There are a whole lot of self-promoting people operating in the apostate modern church world. Listen, only ONE is to be exalted and His name is Jesus. He’s the only nail-scarred, risen Savior! It’s time to die!
“No one Believer is higher than another, and neither can they have from Christ any undue or overbearing authority over other believers (1Peter 5 :1-8 ). All true Bible teachers must cause men to look to God, and not to themselves – as the Source of power and truth! A servant walks in humility and not pride and vanity. The definition of true Christian greatness is ‘the servant principal.’” CB
1 Thessalonians 5:13 says: “And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”
I personally know several men who call themselves pastors and yet, are not fulfilling the biblical place of serving for this function. They want the respect a pastor should receive for the work’s sake, but they are not fulfilling the biblically-detailed function of a true undershepherd/pastor (Jeremiah 23; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.).
Now, men called out by God (not self) to do His work full-time (serving), are to be esteemed “very highly … for their work’s sake” or due to the highest importance of the work of JESUS …. because there is nothing more important in God’s green earth than the rescuing and care of souls. “And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thessalonians 5:13).
Notice: Paul is never seen as introducing himself as “Greetings from Apostle Paul.” The words “apostle Paul” never appear in that order in Scripture. Yes, he is an apostle by the ordination of the LORD Jesus – which is a calling to fulfill as Christ’s servant and not a title to tout to bring attention to the mere man. Apostle is a gift and place of servanthood, not self-exaltation to bring glory to self, but rather Christ!
YES Paul was a called apostle, BUT THAT’S DIFFERENT THAN PUTTING A TITLE BEFORE OUR NAME. PAUL NEVER REFERRED TO HIMSELF AS “APOSTLE PAUL.” ARE YOU BEGINNING TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE? YOU SEE, THOSE TWO WORDS (“APOSTLE PAUL”) ARE NEVER SEEN TOGETHER THAT WAY IN HIS LETTERS. ALSO, PAUL REFERS TO HIMSELF MANY TIMES AS “SERVANT” AND IT’S A DEAD GIVEAWAY THAT NO ONE TODAY WANTS TO BE KNOWN AS A LOWLY SERVANT BUT MANY WANT TO PUT THE TITLE “APOSTLE” IN FRONT OF THEIR NAME. RED FLAG! – “PAUL, A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, CALLED TO BE AN APOSTLE, SEPARATED UNTO THE GOSPEL OF GOD” (ROMANS 1:1).
God has called people to function as SERVANT leaders as parents, teachers, pastors, apostles (messengers), and prophets, etc. He has ordained that we have those who instruct and oversee but always in humility. Those who servant-lead are to serve in humility of spirit and that’s how you know them – whether they walk it out in pride or humility. Without exception, any person who feels the need to wear a title is deceived at best. He is seeking to be seen of men, to be elevated for their own self-serving purpose over others…pride. Here’s what the apostle Peter says of overseers among God’s people:
“The elders which are among (NOT ABOVE) you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:1-4
Who Did Jesus Tell Us is the Greatest?
“But he that is greatest among you shall be your SERVANT.” Matthew 23:11
By reading the greetings in the beginning of Paul’s writings, it doesn’t appear that he used “apostle” as a title. He did not misuse his calling to serve Christ among His people by using a title. Jesus taught that in his kingdom we were not to use titles (Matthew 23:8-12). This is consistent to the rest of what this servant stated about being used to establish the faith of the believers in Christ and not in himself or any mere man (1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 4:5, 10-12, etc.).
INTERESTING FACT: The ONLY place in the Bible where the word “reverend” is used is in Psalms 111:9 which speaks of the LORD Himself and states “holy and reverend is HIS name.” So, applying “reverend” before a mere man’s name is unfitting and out of biblical context.
1 Corinthians 1
“For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.”
1 Corinthians 2
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 *THAT your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
“EGO MAD PRIDE-FILLED HEARTS LOVE TITLES! How about just being a servant of God with a humble spirit! True shepherds are rare. Men who meet the biblical qualifications as seen in the pastoral epistles are rare in this late hour. As a pastor for many years, I never once used the term ‘reverend.’ We reverence God and stand in awe of Him, not men.” David Cooke
In the least, it’s safest to simply allow SERVANT to be applied to us…. Ps 39:4-5. There are many Scripture, and have been posted here, that should invoke in us the deep, holy fear of God, which would lead us to drop the titles and simply DO the work.
We can’t eliminate the biblically designated functions of serving named in the Scriptures, but we can cease to glory in those titles. Our obedience to the LORD should include fulfilling any function to His body He sees fit which will always include bringing glory to Him and not ourselves. Bishops, elders, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are named in Scripture.
Please cease calling yourself a “prophet” or “apostle.” These are not titles but rather functions to serve in – not to bring attention to you! 1 Peter 4:10-11; John 7:18 The kingdom of Christ is about Heaven’s soon coming KING, not you!
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QUESTION:
“So can you clarify for me about like for example the Prophets of old…( Samuel etc ) were addressed as Prophets, Apostles etc. It’s best to call each other Brother or Sister, according to verse 8b of Matthew 23, then, right?…”
REPLY:
Good question…..Yes, Paul was an apostle and said so….. yet in my opinion, in looking across Scripture – namely the teaching of our LORD (Matt 23:8-12)…. it seems fitting that we would not do such and seems to shine a light on the darkness of those today who do such. Only Paul and Peter named their calling as “apostle) and they also had extensive resumes’ of sufferings to prove it – which is unlike the smooth handed pansies today who tout their titles to gain nickles, noses, and numbers. Peter was given the revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, upon which Christ’s church is built (Matthew 16:15-19). Paul, having come from such a place of deep rebellion as Saul, which he details, was now an apostle of Christ, set forth to declare His Gospel …. Much of the New Testament Scriptures were penned by Him. He had a special calling and place in the New Covenant. This is no denial that there are apostles today but it seems to be different (Ephesians 4:11-12). They are called to perfect, to equip and mature the saints and not to initially spread the Gospel to the whole known world as was the special place of Paul.
Feedback:
“There sure are a lot of people on Facebook that believe they are God’s “special” ones, with such titles as, “Prophet”, “Apostle” and even “intercessor” which is a total fraud title. It appears to me these people are juvenile, self-righteous and even wolves in sheep’s clothing. It is a way to attain Facebook followers, popularity, and bring attention to self. I avoid those people with titles as a red flag of what is to come…self worship.” Toni S.
More interaction on this topic …..
The Crux … It’s a gifting of Jesus to be used to serve not to get others to serve the one with that calling … this fits with the whole counsel of what Christ taught us about not exalting ourselves using titles … Read this prayerfully and ask Jesus to show you what He is getting at here when He says … “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12
When 2 of the 12 sought to be lifted up, what did Jesus teach us?
“And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Touting titles which are giftings given to men in order to equip them to HUMBLY SERVE is violating the principle of leadership taught by Christ …
God calls them that and they can acknowledge that calling in their serving BUT should never use that as a title to draw undue attention to themselves as Jesus warned and as many do today …..
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: THAT GOD IS ALL THING MAY BE GLORIFIED (not the man in whom HE placed the gift) through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
Like the 2 of Jesus’ 12 who sought to be elevated, title touting and jockeying causes strife… “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” 1 Corinthians 4:6
Paul acknowledged that there was “no good thing” in him except Christ (Rom. 7:18). Concerning ministry the apostle/servant said ”5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; … For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 3:5; 4:5 … this further demonstrates that someone’s calling does not make them higher in God’s kingdom and is never to be used as a title ….
More answers to interaction on this topic:
… you are not yet understanding what Jesus was teaching … apostle is a gift, not a title (Eph. 4:8-11) ….
It’s one thing to be a teacher, pastor, or apostle and it’s yet another thing to use that title wrongly … why even use it? why not just DO the work? Why does someone feel the need to put “pastor” or “apostle” in front of their name?
Men certainly are in sin if they unduly use any title to bring attention to themselves … do we see this happening today Becky? Is there no cause for this warning? Yes or no?
It’s much safer and I believe in following what Jesus taught us if we just humbly do the work He gave us to do using the giftings HE put in us (like apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher) to serve Him and His people and leave off the title … so many today want the title and are not doing the work … besides, if a man has to use a title before his name on his business card or here on FB, what does that tell us?
In Acts 11:27 and 13:1-2 there are prophets and yet, they didn’t call themselves prophets as a title … see the difference?
That was Luke, the writer of Acts designating or recognizing that their gifting was prophets … they weren’t saying “Hey I am prophet Barnabas.” ….
He suffered greatly and those he said were the marks of a true apostle … compare that to the smooth-handed pansies today who want to put “apostle” in front of their name…. 2 Cor 6, 11-12 Paul’s resume of suffering
There’s a universe of difference between recognizing a calling from God and using a title to draw attention to self … those who insist upon using the calling as a title are violating exactly what Jesus warned against in Matt. 23:8-12 …
That’s exactly my point … it reveals that one is fake if he insists upon being called by a title … instead of just being known as a servant of the KING before whom we are all to bow … and direct all glory to Him alone who is worthy …”That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:29-31
In Matthew 23:8-12 Jesus was speaking to ALL, including His own “disciples” and using the false leaders of His day as an example of what NOT to do … which further establishes the point … “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to HIS DISCIPLES” (Matthew 23:1).
Seems to me that Jesus was eradicating the possibility by teaching that we are not to use titles …
Did Jesus give TITLES or “GIFTS” to men? “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” Eph 4:8-11
“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave GIFTS unto men.” Eph 4:8
If men choose to call a man “pastor” perhaps that’s one thing, yet, if a man insists upon being called by a title, is he not violating the principle Jesus taught in Matthew 23:8-12?
God wants His true body to listen to what Jesus taught and cease to feel the need to be called by “Rabbi, Teacher, apostle, prophet, pastor, etc.” …… “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matt. 23:8-12
Consider closely what Paul the servant apostle stated … note the term “ourselves your SERVANTS for Jesus’ sake”:
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;” 2 Corinthians 3:5
“For we preach NOT ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9
Yes, I have used “apostle Paul” many times … that’s different than Paul or any modern servant insisting upon being called by a title … yes, these are truly good things to discuss to sort and search out and rightly divide His Word of truth.
Should we not reconsider things we see and do? … Do we have room to learn still? … note how Paul worded things here … “Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,” (1 Cor. 1:1).
“called to be an apostle” refers to his calling and not a title…
In other words he seemed to be saying “i am called to serve as an apostle.”
What’s interesting is that “Paul an apostle” appears but “apostle Paul” never once appears … meditate upon this and the reason for it in light of the whole counsel of God’s Word.
Yes … Jesus said this in Matt. 23 … notice His wording … “But BE NOT YE CALLED Rabbi (pastor?): for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” He told His 12 and all elders to not allow yourselves to be called by titles …”BE NOT YE CALLED Rabbi…” v8
Then, it seems He approached the common disciples and says that we are not to call men by titles?…
“And CALL NO MAN your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” v9
Then, He takes aim at leadership and again seems to indicate that we are not to allow ourselves to be called by titles …
“Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.” v10
Well, I am simply sorting out the core truth Jesus was getting at here … not saying that everyone who allows themselves to be called pastor is going to hell … I do believe that Christ may be showing His body this teaching … much tradition still clouds His teachings, right? are we still teachable?
Yes, the Holy Spirit (God) called Phillip an evangelist, not Phillip or other men … I see nowhere that Phillip called himself by the title of evangelist ….
Yes, and though I am anything but a cessationist … we know of a surety that Paul was designated as an apostle … today, we can know what He calls us too but we should not tout such a title … but see it as a gift to serve with, right?
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FEEDBACK:
“The ones who really give themselves away are the ones who will try to bite your head off if you address them as something other than their “title”! I guess “brother” or “sister” is insulting to them, especially when they know in their hearts that they really aren’t one!” Bill B.
Message Received:
“It is fine to have titles, especially if you have earned and deserve them/be Spiritual not Religious.” Joseph
Reply:
No man has “earned” a title to use to elevate himself. WHY would anyone use a title except to be seen of men, to position/elevate themselves over others? (See Matt. 6.) Paul never used his calling as a title to tout. ALSO, Paul many times called himself a “servant” and SO why do these same people who are calling themselves apostles never choose to call themselves simply a servant? Red Flag! Scam!
Overcoming that Old Serpent, Called the Devil, and Satan [podcast]
https://safeguardyoursoul.com//gods-not-impressed-with-giftings/
Abiding
“A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey” [podcast]
DADDY’S IN THE HOUSE!
There will not be even one rebel in glory …. The LORD loves and calls you to Himself today….. to settle down humbly in true repentance …. asking God to forgive your sinful stubbornness, rebellion, and self-idolatry, self-adultery. Ask Him to give you a heart of flesh and to take away every trace of a stony heart in you (Ezekiel 36:24-26).
If you had a real dad growing up, you know HE was large and in charge in his house…. and so is God!
He’s Large and in Charge!
He’s Daddy, “Abba Father”! (Romans 8:15).
He’s Your Father – yet only if you endure His chastening! (Hebrews 12:5-12)
“A land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8) is a biblical phrase that describes a place of great abundance and prosperity, symbolizing the fulfillment of God’s promises and the richness of the Promised Land. It emphasizes a land that is fertile, nourishing, and provides an abundance of sustenance, with milk and honey serving as symbolic representations of this richness.”
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba (Daddy), Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:15-17
Growing up in daddy’s house, you did things his way, right? Not your way but his way…. he was the man of the house, not you. You abode under his provision and his care and love for you, as your daddy, right? Well, that’s how it is with God. He loves you beyond measure and yet you must simply humble yourself and do things His way. When you do, the blessings will flow, will overwhelm you, will consume you, will flood your life! BAM. Memorize Matthew 6:33 today.
Let’s get something straight …
NO DOUBT: There’s no doubt that God wants to bless your life! Yet, you must do it His way beloved. He wants to bless you and yet, you must ask yourself if you really want Him. Are you truly hungering and thirsting for more of Jesus, more of His righteousness?
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
The Old Testament summed up: In dealing with His people, His transactions, our LORD’s business concerned their salvation and restoration – promised land blessings! Read Numbers 13-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. And, we are now “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). All these things were written and are on record for us – for our learning, comfort, peace, and blessings (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).
As was the case with Old Testament Israel, God brought you out of a life of sin in this fallen world (Egypt) in order to bring you IN – into His land of abundant blessings, walking victoriously in a cross-abiding relationship with Christ (John 15).
“And he brought us OUT from thence, that he might bring us IN, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.” Deuteronomy 6:23
There’s a promised land of blessedness, of abundant fruit, the likes of which we have not even begun to taste. Yet, appropriating, walking into this treasure house, this field, this gold mine of blessedness, requires that we closely, diligently trust and obey the Giver of “every good gift … every perfect gift” (James 1:17).
HE BROUGHT YOU OUT OF SOMETHING FOR GOOD REASON – TO BRING YOU INTO SOMETHING MUCH GREATER – WHICH HE PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD ON THAT CROSS!
Many who read these words are seeking to get and to live out what God alone can provide – as you abide in a real relationship with Him, loving Him with all you are, wholeheartedly.
“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4
Delighting in the LORD assures that we will be possessed with His desires and they will be granted!
Truly Trusting and OBEYING God
Are you forgetting any of His “benefits” – the ones Jesus died to give? Are you neglecting to appropriate them by a real walk with Him? “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalms 103:2).
Jesus was the perfect example of delighting in God. In the days of His flesh, Jesus toiling as He faced going to that cross for us, cried “not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Have we cried out to the LORD today with a “Not my will but thine be done”?
“First” means First, not Second. Putting God where He Belongs in Your Life – “First”
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
If you are out of Bible order, you are out of Bible blessings!
If your life is not in Bible order where Jesus is literally FIRST, you will not walk in the blessings of God – the blessings Jesus died to give you!
“IF”
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 19-20
GOD DESIRES TO BLESS YOU – to bring you into “A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey.”
The phrase “milk and honey” appears 20 times in God’s Word and in every case, refers to God’s desire and declaration to bring His people into His land of rich blessings, flowing with the bounty of His goodness!
“And I am come down to deliver them (salvation) out of the hand of the Egyptians (the world), and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites” (Exodus 3:8).
In other words, “I’m going to bring you into a land flowing with milk and honey right in the middle of your enemies!”
The LORD brings us OUT of sin, “OUT of darkness INTO his marvellous light”!
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (special) people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you OUT of darkness INTO his marvellous light:” 1 Peter 2:9
“Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.” Exodus 33:3
The LORD brings, saves us out of the world and into His kingdom family and blessings!
“And I have said, I will bring you up OUT of the affliction of Egypt (sin; the lost world) unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey (salvation).” Exodus 3:17
The “Milk and Honey” of Christ’s Salvation!
God brought His beloved people OUT of Egypt (represents the world) to bring them INTO the promised land He ordained for them! In the same way, God has brought you and me out of sin, out of the kingdom of the world, in order to bring us IN to His promised land of blessing in Christ! Read Ephesians 1 afresh beloved of God.
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (fit) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us FROM (out of) the power of darkness, and hath translated us INTO the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14
God never brings you OUT of something not to bring you INTO something much better! safeguardyoursoul.com
He made us to bless us and yet – will only do so as we walk with Him on His stated terms.
“That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.” Jeremiah 11:5
“And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.” Deuteronomy 11:9
God Sent His Son to Bless Us – His People
“Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” Acts 3:26
Repentance Always Leads to Refreshing from Heaven!
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-21
God Requires Repentance and Faith in All Who will be His and Receive His Ultimate Blessings
¨I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.¨ Deuteronomy 30:19-20
¨Numbers 14:8 says if He delights in us, then He will give us a land flowing with milk and honey. This means in order to receive a land flowing with milk and honey He must delight in us. This notes a condition of obedience and faith. We have to embrace and conform with His ways (the cross) to receive the spiritual blessings and to receive eternal life.¨ Karen Cochran
¨And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, 18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. 19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.¨ Numbers 14:17-19
PRAYER: Heavenly Father thank You for being so unimaginably loving and benevolent to Your creation, to all those You made in Your very image. I love You LORD Jesus and here and now give You praise and thanksgiving for coming to die for my sins and then buried and raised again for my justification. Now dear LORD, please make me whole, from the inside out. Please pour out Your Holy Ghost on my life now and use this vessel to bring eternal glory to You. Bless Your people to abide in You Jesus, to have vital union with You and thereby the abundance of fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. In Jesus´ name. Amen.
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Articles
Nicolaitan Nightmare [podcast]
The Scourge of Beguilers
Controlling, Gaslighting, Manipulating Operatives of Satan Exposed
Conquering and controlling people by deceit has long been the work of deceivers and “There is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). In fact, in this last hour, the Bible tells us that “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse” and “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” (2 Timothy 3:13; Revelation 12:12).
“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome (by lies), of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2 Peter 2:19
Why did Jesus say He Hates the Deeds and Doctrine of the Nicolaitans?
“But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” Revelation 2:6
“So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” Revelation 2:15
Jesus told us that He hates the “doctrine” and “deeds of the Nicolaitans” (Revelation 2:6, 15). When we simply break down this word Jesus uses here – “Nicolaitans” – we gain insight into its meaning and what our LORD says He hates. Nico means “to conquer” while laitans means “the laity” which is the people. So, “Nicolaitans” simply means, “to conquer the laity.” This is the doctrine of control that the Master addresses here. In fact, this doctrine and the deeds that accompany it, so infuriate the LORD that it is the only thing that Christ ever went on record to say that He “hates”! Selah!
Beware of this usurpish witchcraft demon that seeks to bring believers under its control through false ministers.
JESUS CHRIST IS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR! NO MERE MAN, NO SINNER DIED FOR YOUR SINS – TO PURCHASE YOU TO HIMSELF! THE DECLARATION OF EVERY ONE OF CHRIST’S TRUE UNDER-SHEPHERDS is – “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” 2 Corinthians 1:24
The fear and nightmare of nicolaitan wolves is that they will be seen for who they really are. Their nemesis is informed and discerning believers who quickly identify them and mark and expose them as the Bible says to do (Romans 16:17-18).
“For though I should boast somewhat more of our AUTHORITY, which the Lord hath given us for EDIFICATION, and not for your DESTRUCTION, I should not be ashamed:” 2 Corinthians 10:8
“Authority” from the LORD is “given us for edification, and not for your destruction.”
The Holy Ghost would never anoint any of His servants to control or destroy but rather to edify.
YOU BELONG TO JESUS CHRIST: He made you (Colossians 1:16). Then He came for you. JESUS alone died for you – on that cross where the Son of God bore, carried away your sins with His own life blood (Isaiah 53:5; John 1:29). Then He found you when you were a lost sheep. He brought you into His family. You don’t belong to some church or pastor. You belong to the LORD Himself. He is jealous over you (Exodus 34:14; Beware of the controllers, the pastors who are operating in witchcraft and seek to assert undue control over your life.
The apostle Paul espoused the members of the body of Christ to CHRIST Himself and not to Paul!
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband (JESUS!), that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:2
Wolves are very cunning and manipulating. They deceitfully conflate you submitting to them with submitting to God Himself. Not.
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MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“Good morning brother! I’m troubled by this statement I am being told …here it is: ‘You need to submit to leadership and learn humility and not rebuke an elder or pastor or any leader, no matter what you should always go with the direction of leadership.'”
REPLY:
God gave us a Bible in order to grant us discernment… and that our faith and trust and obedience would be in HIM….and in that Bible He warns us repeatedly to beware of such false Nicolaitan (means to conquer the people) wolves (Rev. 2:6, 15). The LORD primarily leads His New Testament church through the Holy Scriptures which were given by the Holy Ghost (2 Timothy 3:15-17, etc.). “THY WORD is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105).
The LORD applauds His disciples at Berea for not taking even Christ’s apostle Paul at his word but rather searching the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul was saying was divine truth (Acts 17:10-1; 2 Timothy 3:15-17). 1 John 4:1 says “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
Any man or men saying that you must obey THEM no matter where they lead or what they say are diabolical wolves. Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.
There are 2 chapters in the book Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us dealing directly and in detail on this Nico-Laitan (means to conquer the people) leadership which Jesus says He hates (Revelation 2:6, 15).
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Articles
The High Treason of False Leaders [podcast]
PWT = Preach, WARN, Teach
“Whom we PREACH, WARNING every man, and TEACHING every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Colossians 1:28
Did you catch what the apostle Paul did to prepare the church to meet Christ?
- Preach
- WARN
- Teach
Letting God Speak for Himself
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15
Bible truths/words you never hear from wolves: Repent, obedience, the cross – crucified life, holiness, judgment, eternal Hell, the lake of fire, being spotless and ready for Christ’s return, etc..
Many today preach the crown but not the cross, the promise without the condition. They perpetually peddle half truths as they use words like “soar” and “rise up” and “elevation,” a going upward but never the essential non-negotiable condition of going downward before God will raise one upward (Isaiah 37:31; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Their misleading cross-less messages are “another gospel” and we know that because there is no cross, no mention of dying downward, no crucified life (2 Corinthians 11:2-5; Galatians 1:6-9; Philippians 3:18-19). The LORD will raise no one upward who doesn’t first humbly bow downward before His Majestic holiness (Luke 9:23-24; James 4:6-10). | Myth of Elevation without the Cross
“MANY pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. 11 They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.” Jeremiah 12:10-11
Were we not warned repeatedly to beware of those who would spoil us (ruin us eternally)?
This “famine” is here and has been induced by the “MANY false prophets” Jesus and His apostles foretold (Amos 8:11; Matthew 24:11; Isaiah 9:16; 2 Peter 2:1-3, etc.).
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:” Amos 8:11
Self-induced “famine”: Those rebels who refuse to repent and get into God’s Word for themselves are starved out and deceived by the false gospel of the apostate modern church world. In contrast, every true disciple will study God’s Word diligently for themselves and feast in the midst of this prophesied “famine” for the Word of God.
“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
PAUL GAVE LITTLE PLACE TO FALSE LEADERS (GALATIANS 2:4-5). THEY ARE TO BE IDENTIFIED, REBUKED, REJECTED, AND MARKED UNLESS THEY REPENT (ROMANS 16:17-18; TITUS 1:13).
Jesus warned:
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (devouring) wolves.” Matthew 7:15
The false leaders Christ speaks of here would have all the trappings of a true Christian leader so as not to be detected. But the true remnant cling to Christ and therefore His Word and are thereby able to discern (Ezekiel 44:23).
“The majority has always believed the lies, gone the wrong way, never changed, and suffered great devastation. The pattern is repeated every third or fourth generation. People warning them are always considered alarmist or fools (conspiracy theorists). But God ordains faithful people. They will not cease to warn them until repentance is no longer an option.” C.
Paul Speaking to the Ephesians
“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Acts 20:27-32
God’s Word informs us that Christ’s true servant-elders WILL TEACH God’s people to discern by weighing all against the standard of the Word of God (Ezekiel 44:23; Acts 17:10-11; 1 John 4:1, etc.). Therefore we know that any man in leadership not teaching people to discern between the holy and profane, between true and false, is himself a wolf!
“Even the very elect! We need to be guarding our hearts every moment because the devil loves an idle mind.” Charles Pray
“DISCERN”
“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” Ezekiel 44:23
For a moment, let’s explore what true ministry is so that we can see what is not true ministry. Perhaps one good definition of what true ministry is would be: Giving people God’s Word in order to endear them to Him by His very own words. Is not the divine Person of the Holy Spirit integrally involved in that exchange? Did He not orchestrate it?
Watch closely at what the elders of Israel did when they stood before the people:
“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly (directly, literally), and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8
Truly God-fearing servants of Christ get people into HIS Word so that they follow Him and not them – mere men. Note that in this important passage in Nehemiah 8, we see the principle for leadership: Leading the souls of men to Christ, not to self.
Those who flatter you by refusing to preach the absolute necessity of repenting, taking up the cross daily and following Jesus…. Are setting you up for the kill …. You may vainly believe that it’s all fun and games now but judgment is coming if you don’t repent and diligently study and adhere to the whole counsel of God’s Word. When you do truly repent, you will no long put yourself under a smooth talking wolf who refuses to preach the whole counsel of the original Gospel of Christ (Isaiah 30:9-10; 2 Timothy 4:2-4).
“A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.” Proverbs 29:5
All ministers who soft peddle and do not endeavor to unapologetically declare the whole counsel of God’s Word, are deceivers. Run.
JUST because a preacher has a few good quotes does NOT at all mean he’s not a false teacher. If he has one false doctrine, he is false. Speaking of false doctrine, Paul wrote: “A little leaveneth the WHOLE lump” (Galatians 5:9). Example: There are many teachers/pastors of old who left behind good quotes and yet were false teachers. Examples would include the often quoted wolf C.S. Lewis, the diabolical monstrostity John Calvin, and the vile legalist Charles Finney. Also, there are many today who say a lot of good things and yet, then you find out they believe calvinism or the lie of eternal security/OSAS. Run.
One minister of Christ declared:
“People think that because I skin the brethren alive when I preach, that I’m not showing any love. That’s because they’ve been brainwashed by the glass toilet (the TV), and they respond to the tone of my voice much as my German Shepherd would. But I do love the brethren. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t preach against their sins. I would preach on coping and sharing and family values and let them hit a bonfire at the Judgment Seat of Christ.”
Think about how many people are promoting THEIR ministries and how much money is wasted on such trash.
“For THE LEADERS of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16
Leaders who betray the LORD and His people.
Remember that according to the record of the Gospels, it was the wicked religious leaders, the Jews of Christ’s day, who betrayed the Son of God their KING to the Roman authorities, calling out for His crucifixion (Matthew 27; John 19, etc.).
The kingdom of God is not about mere men’s ministries or churches or church organizations. Reading the history of Israel and the New Testament plainly reveals that false leaders have done inestimable damage – they have done so very much to oust Christ right out of the hearts and minds of the people they are misleading while posing as those who are leading them in the ways of the LORD (Isaiah 9:16).
“And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer (true worship); but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:13
Today is no different – In fact we are told it will get even worse in these final days at the hands of deceivers (2 Timothy 3:13). Like the wolves of old who were constantly exposed by Israel’s prophets, modern beguilers are intercepting the heart affections and resources of those they have misled. Listen to God’s prophet Ezekiel:
“There is a conspiracy of her prophets (false leaders) in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening (devouring) the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. 26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening (devouring) the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.” Ezekiel 22:25-27
Ready to Magnify Christ?
“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalms 34:3
The eternal kingdom of God is all about KING Jesus.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil (ruin) you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power … Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:6-10, 18, 19
Most men in ministry are “not holding the Head” of the body – Christ – and therefore have intercepted the affections of the people in order to exploit them to build their own ministry business.
Any leader who is not constantly doing every possible thing he can to get YOU into God’s Word for yourself, is an absolute wolf of the worst kind.
Revelation: People don’t need you and me – they need the LORD – and He reveals Himself through His Word.
Christ must be magnified, not mere men – “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another” (1 Corinthians 4:6).
IT’S SO very important not to over aggrandize any mere man. We must rid our hearts of all idols (Ezekiel 14:3). The personality cults must be seen for what they really are and shunned by Christ’s true remnant. Think about the personalities so many (most) modern popular ministries are built upon? Think about the ingratiating, manipulative, and flamboyant personalities of circus clowns like Jesse Duplantis, Joel Osteen, and Joyce Meyer, Rick Warren, and a host of other false leaders who have built their enterprises/empires on THEIR own personalities and telling people what THEIR unrepentant hearts want to hear instead of what God says in the full counsel of His Holy Word (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Others we could name are more subtle and yet nevertheless draw people to THEMSELVES, not Christ! This is robbery – robbing Christ of the glory due only to Himself.
The great apostle went out of his way – he made sure and steadfast provision – to never draw or entice the affections of men’s hearts to himself. That would be theft – high treason against Heaven. In the holy fear of God, Paul took great precaution not to endear the hearts of men to himself, a mere man, but rather he espoused them to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2-5). Listen to him:
“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
Have you memorized the above verse yet?
“I Have Espoused You to … Christ”
Let’s again listen closely to the heart of Paul to the people of God, Christ’s messenger/apostle:
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things. 7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?” 2 Corinthians 11:2-7
Paul espoused those he oversaw to Jesus, not to himself. He caused them to trust Christ through His blessed Word and invited others to compare what he taught to the Holy Scriptures (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17). Is this what your pastor is doing?
In a recent conversation with my friend Tim, he was edified to hear the encouragement that every time he gets someone into the Word of God for themselves, he is doing much more than most pastors or “Christian” authors who make people dependent upon them – so that they get repeat customers for their business.
Are you in the Word daily friend?
How can God’s Word get into you if you don’t get into it?
Are you drawing and remaining close to the Savior in this late hour like the wise virgins who kept the oil of His presence in the lamp of their lives and were therefore ready when He returned? (Matthew 25:1-13)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (abundantly) in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
Listen to this audio message: Esteeming the Words of His Mouth | Colossians 1:28 PWT Preach Warn Teach
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