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!
Philip Lye writes: “Paul says in Ephesians ‘and he gave some to be Apostles, Prophets…and the other 3. He expressly says these people are given to mature the saints to equip them for their ministry and growth in Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 that many false prophets and messiahs will arise deceiving many. They are simply functions that God has given and not titles which the proud use to strut about like a peacock. Most of these people that I have met and seen a lot of famous ones are false, proud and arrogant and not servants of the the Lord Jesus Christ. I have seen humble genuine ones who move mightily in truth, calling people to repentance and right relationship with Jesus and a demonstration of genuine miracles and wonders. They are to be genuine servants to God’s people.”
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!
WHO do we think Jesus was speaking about here below? These are people who prophesy and do ministry works. Do we not stop to realize that these people are alive today and running the most popular ministries and most of the smaller ones also?
“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 7:21-23
“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; andsome, 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?
“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!
DOES THE BIBLE SAY TO PRAY FOR FALSE TEACHERS? The Answer May Surprise You.
DOES THE BIBLE SAY TO PRAY FOR OR DOES IT MANDATE THAT WE EXPOSE FALSE TEACHERS?
No, it’s not a sin to pray for the deceived. Yet, isn’t it time we obeying the command of God and stopped giving aid and comfort to the enemies of the LORD and cease caring for them more than the many they are deceiving?
A DIVINE COMMAND: “Now I beseech you, brethren, MARK THEM which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18
Wolf worshippers are first and foremost self-worshipping counterfeits who could care less how many souls their celebrity wolf is leading to hell. All they care about is the sensual thrill they feel in worshipping their demon-possessed false prophet who tells them what they like to hear!
NEVER apologize for exposing false teachings and false teachers. You do such in obedience to the LORD and it results in the protection of the Great Shepherd’s sheep for whom He died (Matthew 10; Hebrews 13:20).
Did Jesus or His apostles ever pray for a wolf? No.
To the false leaders of his day, Jesus says this:
“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers (snakes), how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Matthew 23:33
Do nothing to “bid God speed” to the enemies of the LORD lest you be judged with those enemies of God (2 John 10-11). Bidding God speed means to condone, to support, or in any way to further the cause of the enemies of God, namely human agents who are teaching contrary to the Scripture.
So he’s not calling out the wolves and you still sit under that devil? You want to go to hell with him? (2 John 10-11) Repent and run now! (Matthew 7:15; 24:11; Romans 16:17-18; Jude 3, etc.)
Of the false teachers at Galatia, Paul says he wishes they, the false prophets, were “cut off.” Make not mistake, this is violent language.
“I would they were even cut off which trouble you.” Galatians 5:12
To “cut off” means to castrate, to mutilate, to amputate and so Paul is either saying that his God fearing desire is for false teachers to be castrated or taken out completely. There’s no getting around this appropriately violent language. It’s fitting for this situation because the eternal souls of men, the sheep of Christ’s pasture are at stake.
Many self-deceived people today have more compassion for Satan’s hell bound false leaders than they do for the beloved sheep who are being being misled by those wolves in sheep’s clothing! Repent now.
Beware of misplaced compassion. Compassion without discernment, compassion while ignorant, is dangerous.
The the false prophet Elymas, the apostle says:
“And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” Acts 13:10
Can anyone find in this Acts 13 text where Christ’s apostle Paul pray for this Elymas, this named false prophet? I’m sorry, perhaps I missed something here.
There seems to be no end to the novices, perhaps well meaning, who argue out of their own ignorance to defend wolves who are devouring Jesus’ sheep. They come off as if they are highly superior in approaching, dealing with wolves with “love” and accuse those who expose as not doing so. Let’s take a look at who’s walking in true love, and who isn’t.
“Open rebuke is better than secret (hidden, concealed) love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Proverbs 27:5-6
Hebrew word for “secret” …..
סָתַר
sâthar
saw-thar’
A primitive root; to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively: – be absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret, X surely.
As you will see below, it seems accurate to observe that we’ve never seen “love” like the love of prey for the wolf that’s tickled their ears and told them what their unrepentant hearts wish to hear (Isaiah 30:9-10; 2 Timothy 4:2-4).
Most wolf protecting enemies of Christ simply don’t know and don’t want to know what God says about this topic. They are under the control of Satan himself, covering for his agents and will be judged with them (2 John 10-11). God doesn’t like cowards (1 Corinthians 16:13; Revelation 21:8). The “fearful” are the first class listed as going to the lake of fire.
Those who defend Jesus’ enemy’s will be judged, damned with them (2 Pet 2:1-3; 2 Jn 10-11).
TYPICAL DEFENSE OF A WOLF BY HIS PREY:
“But wait, he’s led many thousands to the Lord!”
REPLY:
Jesus saves all by Himself, even using wolves at times. That is a front, intentionally taught to you by the wolf to cover, to keep himself from being detected, like sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). After witnessing the “ministry” of this false teacher for years, I highly doubt most of those people truly were saved. He doesn’t even speak of the chasm their sin has caused so how can they truly be convicted and repent? They can’t in most cases. Luke 13:3…. If God truly did save some of them, it was in spite of White, not because of him.
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“I do applaud your zeal for truth! I personally just think it is wise exercising prudence about knowing the hearts of men or women, only God knows. He will separate the wheat from the chaff.”
REPLY:
Jesus commanded us to “KNOW (Gr. discern) by their fruits” and told us that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 15-16, 20; 12:34) ALL men are known by the fruit of what they teach – either sound or false doctrine (Titus 2:1). Why would the Son of God told us to “KNOW” people by the fruit of their lives if He didn’t want us to discern, to “Judge righteous judgment”? (John 7:24)
God knows all men’s hearts yes and yet GOD commanded us to know people also. How? Jesus says to “know (discern) them BY THEIR FRUITS” and thereby we know that anyone teaching “another gospel” is “accursed” and is the very enemy of Christ and to be “earnestly” contended against and marked, scoped out and identified – so as to protect the body of Christ (Matthew 7:16, 20; Romans 16:17-18; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 3-4).
HOW DID JESUS tell us to know/discern others? The FRUIT of their lives (Matt 7:16,20) THE FACT that JESUS told us to “know” (discern) people means He wants us to do so! (Matt 7:16,20) Same chapter as “judge not” v1-5 When Jesus taught us to “judge not” He is speaking in that context of hypocritical judgment and wrongly assigned condemnation. The JUDGE has spoken in a book called THE BIBLE. He’s calling us to pay attention when we read it. His written WORD records for us HIS judgments – the judgments of the Judge. So when a man preaches the Word, he is preaching GOD’s judgments, warnings, and not his own.
MESSAGE TO ME FROM A MAN ATTEMPTING TO CURTAIL THE MARKING OF A KNOWN WOLF:
“Dear Lord Jesus Please show Todd White your Holy Truth. May Todd White find peace and assurance in your wisdom and may he become a light upon a hill guiding others to Christ. Help him to leave behind his old self and ignite in him a desire to unashamedly make known Your Truth and disown and depart from the untruths he has held onto. In Jesus Mighty name we ask, Amen. Matthew chapter 5 verse 44’ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
REPLY:
Can you give chapters and verses where Jesus or His holy apostles specifically prayed for a wolf? Ever read Matthew 23?
Interesting that you seem to hate all those precious many souls Todd White is misleading. Interesting. Why don’t all those precious souls matter to you? If you aren’t defending Todd White, why do you seem to care more for him than those many people he’s misleading?
How intense was Jesus’ apostle Paul about protecting Christ’s flock?
“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.” Acts 20:27-31
In Matthew 5:38-45 Christ is speaking of not retaliating against OUR enemies. Jesus is speaking of how we are to react to OUR ENEMIES, not HIS enemies in Matt 5:44. HIS enemies in specific are those who are misleading HIS people, the sheep for which HE bled to save on that cross. You are misguided and taking Scripture out of context. What did He mandate that His disciple do?
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4
GOD TOLD YOU TO “MARK THEM” – WOLVES – AND NOT DEFEND THEM! (ROMANS 16:17-18) YOU GOING TO OBEY GOD OR REBEL?
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18
Todd White is being marked, scoped out (Gr. skopeo) and named, identified as an enemy of Christ, a wolf in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15) so His people can be aware and escape being deceived…. no different than warning your children not to go near the street. Danger.
MESSAGE FROM WOLF JUSTIFIER:
“I believe we can still learn from (false) preachers and pastors biblical teaching, but we must test the spirits. Bring what is taught back to the word. Paul Washer, MacArthur, Spurgeon all preachers. Even today’s motivational speakers. I use what the Holy Spirit blessed me with, discernment, knowledge, wisdom.”
REPLY:
Good morning. Yes and yet, the LORD mandates that we separate ourselves from His enemies who pose as His ministers yet Paul says they are actually the ministers of Satan (2 Cor 11:12-15). Jude 3; Rom 16:17-18 …. we know all men, beginning with ourselves by the fruit…. false doctrine is bad fruit which means the root and tree is cursed. Matt 7:15-21; 12:33
Mat 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
Paul Washer, MacArthur, Spurgeon are all calvinist heretics. Everything they say, teach is poisoned with this calvinistic system, a doctrine of devils.
The Holy Spirit blessed you with the Word and so why do you need to even listen to known false teachers? Why would you? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.)
How would you feel if your own husband communed with a sworn enemy of yours? How does Jesus feel by what you’ve just said?
SETTING THE BIBLICAL RECORD STRAIGHT
Jesus commanded HIS people to “JUDGE righteous judgment” (John 7:24) And, He commanded us to know/discern others “BY THEIR FRUITS” and that’s exactly what we’re doing under the command of KING JESUS (Matthew 7:16, 20). Dare you interfere with HIS work and become His enemy? You are bidding Godspeed to evil doers, satan’s wolves in sheep’s clothing, and you will be judged with those enemies of Christ if you don’t repent (2 John 10-11).
Jesus and each of His apostles on record in the New Testament canon warned the flock of wolves who would devour! There is no instance where they prayed for an enemy of Christ, a wolf who was misleading the flock of God.
Here is the list of the 8 evil doers the great apostle was divinely inspired to justifiably identify by name in 2 Timothy – in order to protect God’s people:
1) Phygellus 1:15
2) Hermogenes 1:15
3) Hymenaeus 2:17
4) Philetus 2:17
5) Jannes 3:8
6) Jambres 3:8
7) Demas 4:10 (apostate)
8) Alexander the coppersmith 4:14
Read the book of 2 Timothy and underline these deceivers that the apostle was marking.
How to Pray Effectively for Your Friends and Family! [podcast]
Someone has wisely stated that “We are never more like Jesus than when we are praying for others.” Which of God’s people are on your prayer list? No greater way to serve another than to lift them up to the Father in the name of Jesus! “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5 […]
"Warn them from Me": The 3 Things Paul did to Protect God's People [podcast]
The 3 Things Paul did to Protect God’s People [podcast] Jesus and His holy apostles often rebuked and exposed false leaders and false doctrine (Matthew 23; Acts 13:10; 20:29-31; Galatians 5:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2 Peter 2; 2 John 7-11; Revelation 2:6, 15, etc.). Therefore we know that part of following Jesus includes doing the same. In fact, the body of Christ is mandated to do just that (Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 1:17; Jude 3-4). 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 […]
SATAN'S SEMINARIANS [podcast]
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Spiritual Formation—A Dangerous Substitute for the Life of Christ [podcast]
Sometimes we think of spiritual formation as formation by the Holy Spirit. Once again. That’s essential. . . . But now I have to say something that may be challenging for you to think about: Spiritual formation is not all by the Holy Spirit. . . . We have to recognize that spiritual formation in us is something that is also done to us by those around us, by ourselves, and by activities which we voluntarily undertake . . .There has to be method.1—Dallas Willard
Aside from the fact that Spiritual Formation incorporates mystical practices into its infrastructure (remove the contemplative aspect and you don’t have “Spiritual Formation” anymore), Spiritual Formation is a works-based substitute for biblical Christianity. Let us explain.
When one becomes born again (“that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9-10), having given his or her life and heart over to Christ as Savior, Jesus Christ says He will come in and live in that surrendered heart:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)
If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11; emphasis added)
When God, through Jesus Christ, is living in us, He begins to do a transforming work in our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:18). Not only does He change us, He also communes with us. In other words, we have fellowship with Him, and He promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
This life of God in the believer’s heart is not something we need to conjure up through meditative practices. But if a person does not have this relationship with the Lord, he may seek out ways to feel close to God. This is where Spiritual Formation comes into play. Rather than a surrendered life to Christ (through repentance and faith), the seeking person begins practicing the spiritual disciplines (e.g., prayer, fasting, good works, etc.) with the promise that if he practices these disciplines, he will become more Christ-like.
But merely doing these acts fails to make one feel close to God—something is still missing. And thus, he begins practicing the discipline of silence (or solitude), and now in these altered states of silence, he finally feels connected to God. He now feels complete. What he does not understand is that he has substituted the indwelling of Christ in his heart for a works-based methodology that endangers his spiritual life. Dangerous because these mystical experiences he now engages in appear to be good because they make him feel close to God, but in reality he is being drawn into demonic realms no different than what happens to someone who is practicing transcendental meditation or eastern meditation. Even mystics themselves acknowledge that the contemplative realm is no different than the realm reached by occultists. To understand this more fully, please read Ray Yungen’s book A Time of Departing.
Bottom line, it is not possible to be truly Christ-like without having Christ inside of us because it is His righteousness that is able to change our hearts—we cannot do it without Him. It is His righteousness we need:
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. (Romans 3:22)
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. (Philippians 3:9)
It is interesting to note that virtually every contemplative teacher has a common theme—they feel dry and empty and want to go “deeper” with God or “become more intimate” with God. But if we have Christ living in us, how can we go any deeper than that? How can we become more intimate than that? And if going deeper and becoming intimate were so important, why is it that none of the disciples or Jesus Himself ever told us to do this? As Larry DeBruyn states:
Why are Christians seeking a divine presence that Jesus promised would abundantly flow in them? . . . Why do they need another voice, another visitation, or another vision? Why are some people unthankfully desirous of “something more” than what God has already given to us? Why is it that some Christians, in the depth of their souls, are not seemingly at rest?2
Is There a “Good” Spiritual Formation?
One of the most common arguments we hear defending Spiritual Formation is that there is a “good” Spiritual Formation done without contemplative prayer. To that we say, we have never yet seen a Spiritual Formation program in a school or a church that doesn’t in some way point people to the contemplative mystics. It might be indirectly, but in every case, if you follow the trail, it will lead you right into the arms of Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and other contemplative teachers.
Think about this common scenario: A Christian college decides to begin a Spiritual Formation course. The instructor has heard some negative things about Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen, and Brennan Manning, and he figures he will teach the class “good Spiritual Formation” and leave those teachers completely out. But he’s going to need a textbook. He turns to a respected institution, Dallas Theological Seminary, and finds a book written by Paul Pettit, Professor in Pastoral and Education Ministries. The book is titled Foundations of Spiritual Formation. The instructor who has found this book to use in his own class may never mention Richard Foster or Dallas Willard, but the textbook he is using does. Within the pages of Pettit’s book is Richard Foster, Philip Yancey, N.T. Wright, Dallas Willard, Thomas Aquinas, Lectio Divina, Ayn Rand, Parker Palmer, Eugene Peterson, J.P. Moreland, Klaus Issler, Bruce Demarerst, Jim Burns, Kenneth Boa and Brother Lawrence’s “practicing God’s presence.” You may not have heard of all these names, but they are all associated with the mystical contemplative prayer movement and the emerging church.
Another example of this is Donald Whitney’s book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Whitney is former Associate Professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While his book does not promote contemplative mysticism, he says that Richard Foster has “done much good”3 in the area of Christian spirituality (which we believe is blatantly untrue).
Our point is that even if there is a sincere attempt to teach Spiritual Formation and stay away from the mystical side, we contend that it cannot be successfully accomplished because it will always lead back to the ones who have brought it to the church in the first place.
Spiritual formation is sweeping throughout Christianity today. It’s no wonder when the majority of Christian leaders have either endorsed the movement or given it a silent pass. For instance, in Chuck Swindoll’s book So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There, Swindoll favorably quotes Richard Foster and Dallas Willard. Swindoll calls Celebration of Discipline a “meaningful work”4 and Willard’s book The Spirit of the Disciplines “excellent work.”5 In chapter three, ”Silence and Solitude,” Swindoll talks about “digging for secrets . . . that will deepen our intimacy with God.”6 Quoting the contemplative poster-verse Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God,” Swindoll says the verse is a call to the “discipline of silence.”7 As other contemplative proponents have done, he has taken this verse very much out of context.
Roger Oakland sums it up:
The Spiritual Formation movement . . . teaches people that this is how they can become more intimate with God and truly hear His voice. Even Christian leaders with longstanding reputations of teaching God’s word seem to be succumbing. . . .
We are reconciled to God only through his “death” (the atonement for sin), and we are presented “holy and unblameable and unreproveable” when we belong to Him through rebirth. It has nothing to do with works, rituals, or mystical experiences. It is Christ’s life in the converted believer that transforms him.8
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10
What Christians need is not a method or program or ritual or practice that will supposedly connect them to God. What we need is to be “in Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:30) and Christ in us. And He has promised His Spirit “will guide [us] into all truth” (John 16:13).
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30
In Colossians 1:9, the apostle Paul tells the saints that he was praying for them that they “might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” He was praying that they would have discernment (“spiritual understanding”). He said that God, the Father, has made us “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (vs 12) and had “delivered us from the power of darkness [i.e., power of deception]” (vs. 13). But what was the key to having this wisdom and spiritual understanding and being delivered from the power of darkness? Paul tells us in that same chapter. He calls it “the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (vs. 26). What is that mystery? Verse 27 says: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (emphasis added).
For those wanting to get involved with the Spiritual Formation movement (i.e., contemplative, spiritual direction), consider the “direction” you will actually be going.
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2: 8-10)
This article is an extract from the Lighthouse Trails booklet, Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why They Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.
Endnotes:
1. Dallas Willard, “Spiritual Formation: What it is, and How it is Done” (https://dwillard.org/resources/articles/spiritual-formation-what-it-is-and-how-it-is-done).
2. Larry DeBruyn, “God’s Present of His Presence” (https://www.guardinghisflock.org/gods-present-of-his-presence/ ).
3. Donald Whitney, “Doctrine and Devotion: A Reunion Devoutly to be Desired” (http://web.archive.org/web/20080828052145/http://biblicalspirituality.org/devotion.html).
4. Chuck Swindoll, So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There (Nashville, TN:W Publishing Group, a div. of Thomas Nelson, 2005), p. 15.
5. Ibid., p. 13.
6. Ibid., p. 55.
7. Ibid.
8. Roger Oakland, Faith Undone (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2007), pp. 91-92.
This has been an extract from our booklet Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why It Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.
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More Catholic Witchcraft Infiltrating the Apostate Seminaries, Ministries, and Churches “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2 WHAT is spiritual formation / contemplative prayer or centering prayer? Spiritual formation/contemplative prayer/spirituality is just another self-centered, Christ-denying, self-righteous, works-based, occultic, pagan lie from hell! Seminaries teach it and now many churches today are practicing new age witchcraft called contemplative prayer, or centering Prayer which is part of spiritual formation. […]
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians 1:4
Holiness comes by the Savior in self denial (death and burial – the cross), not by self will or effort. Surrender is the cross – “NOT my will but thine be done” (Lk. 22:42) and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). We surrender to Christ by saying “Not my will but thine be done” dear Lord, by Your grace and the deliberate act of my own will I submit to the cross, the crucified life – where You alone reign supreme in this vessel (Luke 22:42; Galatians 2:20, etc.). I love You LORD Jesus! You must increase but I must decrease! (John 3:30)
Holiness, not happiness, is the divine command, the chief purpose and end of Christ’s salvation.
Of holiness, one disciple writes:
“Holiness speaks more to nature than it does conduct. Good conduct is the spontaneous byproduct of the new nature of the new creation man thru the cross and death to the old nature. We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-18). To preach holiness as conduct without the new nature thru the cross understanding is legalism. Holiness is actually derived from ‘wholeness’ meaning the thorough transformation of the whole tripartite man (1 Thess 5:23). So many of these ‘holiness’ preachers are preaching nothing but conduct under law. Law arouses sinful passions and causes sin to increase and was given in order to provoke transgressions (Rom 7:5; 5:20; Gal 3:21). They are enemies of the cross!”
Holiness comes by way of the cross, not by way of the flesh. Just as sin was conquered by the cross of Christ, so sin in the life of the saint is conquered by the daily cross – the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). It’s time to stop trying harder and to simply die deeper.
NOTICE: When a believer or group of believers backslides, they no longer separate from the transgressors who are unrepentant:
Fornication Defiles
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have (Gr. possessed and wouldn’t repent) his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2
The Glorious Church Jesus is Returning for [video]
WHAT church/people is Jesus returning for? “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27 “a glorious church” “not having spot (no sin)“ No “wrinkle” “or any such thing” “but that it should be holy and without blemish” WHAT’s the use of talking about end times […]
Can a True Believer Overcome All Sin? [podcast]
Yes. In the church world, there’s an abundance of talk about sin and it comes with the notion, the inflection, the false assumption that somehow, born again believers are relegated to sinning, as if there’s no other choice. Is that true? Is this the biblical perspective? What I want us to do is make sure we are looking at the whole of Scripture and be blessed to gain a godly confidence that our Savior provided a perfect salvation that includes more than just the initial washing away of our sins. This “great grace” that He provided in His “so […]
The Truth about Holiness [podcast]
“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 As we just read, divine “holiness” is “glorious.” Holiness is not what most of us think it is. Holiness in the divine economy is something of great “beauty” and utterly refreshing (Psalms 96:9). It seems that holiness is not merely a divine attribute but rather the divine nature of the Almighty. Are we ready to allow our LORD, who alone is “Holy, holy, holy,” to define what holiness truly is and how He brings it […]
