People don’t have a “mental health” problem, they have a SIN problem and sin is what gives way, gives full access to Satan!
“When people hear voices telling them to harm themselves or others, that’s not a chemical imbalance, it’s demon possession.” Rachel Gould
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
Jesus taught us that man’s sin comes out of his “desperately wicked” heart (Jer17:9; Mark 7:20-23).
The devil and his agents have created a million ways to divert us from stopping our lives, getting honest, taking personal responsibility, humbling ourselves, admitting our sins against God, and repenting.
“When David took his sin to God in Psalm 51 he took 100 percent responsibility! He did not blame Bathsheba and did not seek therapy or medications. He took his heart to God. Repented and pleaded with the Lord to forgive and cleanse him. And the Lord restored to him the joy of his salvation. David was truly broken before God. And the only answer he sought was the Lord.” Karen Cochran
“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:20-23
Mankind’s core dilemma is sin (Romans 1-3). Jesus Christ came and died to “save his people from their sins,“ to “taketh away the sin of the world,“ and not to merely deal with fallen man on a surface level as on a mental level (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29). God doesn’t band aid broken things, He heals and makes them whole to the root because the root determines the fruit (Matthew 12:33; Luke 4:18, etc.). Christ’s salvation is perfect. Evil is in our hearts and proceeds forth from that wicked heart until Christ regenerates us (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:3, 7; Titus 3:5-7). This is why the sinner must of divine necessity be born again, must be made completely new “by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5-7). Then and not before then, the born again saint of Christ is made a “a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. … 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:3, 7
Our alienated spiritual state while in sin, is not a mental health issue (Ephesians 2:1-3). Rather, sin is the spiritual state all men are in, separated from the life of God and under condemnation, until they are born again in Christ Jesus (John 3:1-8; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Titus 3:5-7, etc.).
Anyone attributing sin to “mental health” issues is a blinded false teacher who is preaching “another gospel” and is “accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9). Mental dysfunction is only coming from sin, it’s a mere symptom, not the root cause. Fallen man needs God – he needs the change of heart, a divine miracle at the core of his being – something the LORD alone can and will do when the individual repents and receives Christ (Acts 3:19; John 1:12-13, etc.).
Did Jesus come to die for sin or “mental health issues”?
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
SIN is man’s core issue. Seems like “mental health” gets blamed for much more than is fair. And, mental health issues emanate from man’s sin which only Jesus can cure. WE have ALL sinned against our Maker and yet He is so loving that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us while we were yet sinners (John 3:16; Romans 3:10, 23; 5:6-8). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31).
Human reasoning is debunked by the Word of God. Read Colossians 2:8-10. Those who walk with God, who truly love God and people, give the people HIS Word which plainly states “Ye MUST be born again” (John 3).
Anything else is a lie from a hateful counterfeit, a deceiver (Proverbs 27:5-6). Only Jesus can forgive sin and eradicate demons (Matthew 9:6; 26:28). Read Mark 5 concerning the demon possessed man who after Jesus set him free was “in his right mind” (Mark 5:15). Also, memorize James 4:7 and learn that there is no getting rid of Satan until there is true repentance through which God forgives the sin that previously gave Satan access, control over that person.
The “old man“ otherwise called “the flesh” in Scripture, must be “put off” or crucified by way of the daily cross – the crucified life (Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:8-10). So many who pretend to represent Christ today in the apostate modern church world often speak in terms of finding out things about ones self. This they do instead of citing and reading and teaching from God’s Word what the testimony of Scripture is about fallen mankind (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3, 7, etc.). The focus is on self whom they do not identify as “desperately wicked” and in need of the miracle of regeneration (John 3:3, 7; Titus 3:5-7). God’s only answer is the cross of Christ and when He saves a man, that man is to be crucified with Christ. When you do not hear these original Gospel essentials, identify such as a false ministry. None of these things are ever mentioned in the messages we hear coming from the false priesthood of wolves who have and are commandeering the apostate modern church world further into deception and disillusionment (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). As was foretold, the great falling away has been on us for a while now (Amos 8:11; Matthew 7:15; 24:3-5, 11; 2 Thessalonians 2; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:13, etc..
The no sin nature people are missing the cross. The Mike Desario’s, the Charles Finney’s, and the Jesse Morrell’s of the world peddle the no-sin-nature heresy and also do not preach the cross, the crucified life. They rag on endlessly about “stopping all sin” but never mention the crucified life which is the only divine prescription for overcoming sin (Romans 6, etc.). That alone makes them false, peddlers of “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9) This is why they can’t understand this. They do not realize that God gave us the solution to this sin bent (iniquity), this inherent in fallen man sin – and that answer is the crucified life which is at the heart of the original Gospel.
Christ alone is the cure FOR the curse of sin.
PSYCHO-BABBLE, PSYCHOTHERAPY IS A LIE THAT PROMISES ANSWERS WHILE ALLOWING ITS FALSE PROPHETS TO MILK THE VICTIMS OF ITS LIES (2 Peter 2:1-3).
No one needs psychology to notice and understand the flaws of the fallen man, of fallen in sin mankind. Psychology is a cheap imitation that offers zero solutions. The fathers of modern psychology were all unrepentant and vile and sinfully perverted men, children of satan. Jesus alone can forgive sin and make a man whole (Matthew 9:6; Luke 4:18, etc.). That’s why Heaven’s King came. Every other promise is a lie. The world has no answer for the sin that is the root cause of all of man’s ailments (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 1-3; 6-7, etc.). Jesus saves. Jesus forgives. Jesus makes whole – from the inside out – all the way to the root of the issue! Christ alone is the cure to the cancer of sin!
Clue: Mental health issues are merely the result of SIN! Christ’s solution to sin grants men to be in their “right mind” just like it did the demon possessed maniac at Gadara. After Jesus cast out the devils that had possessed him, and made this man whole (salvation), then it says this:
“And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” Mark 5:15
“Mental illness” has taken center stage as the primary excuse for SIN and for justifying evil. Psychology is a lie. There is no solution in it. Only Jesus can cure the curse of sin! He died to do just that! Reject Him and you are Satan’s property!
The source of sin AND evil is rooted in Satan and is in the hearts of men. Christ alone can cure this curse.
Jesus came to raise men from their dead spiritual state. He alone can do such. He says “Ye must be born again” (John 3:3, 7).
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:18
Any person who is not genuinely born again, washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, IS the property of Satan and under his evil control.
“He that is not with me is against me…” Matthew 12:30
Reducing sin to “mental health issues” is an antichrist attack on Christ and His Gospel!
The increasing violence and evil we see erupting across our nation and world was foretold in God’s Word and is a manifestation of the evil, the wicked hearts of fallen men, unsaved men.
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13
Anyone not pointing out that you are a sinner separated from your Maker, and not pointing you to the salvation that is in Christ Jesus alone, is misleading you. Sinful man has no solution in and of himself. Only God Himself can make you whole. And, He desires to do just that! Today is your day to turn your life to God, to confess what He already knows – that you are a vile sinner. And to receive the salvation, the forgiveness of all your sins by receiving the perfect Lamb of God who was slain for your sins – to bring you to God! (John 1:12-13, 29)
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. … 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:12-13, 29
Those in sin are blind and can’t see this. They vainly believe that “reforms” can turn this tide of evil. But only God can solve this problem of sin and He will only do that where there is repentance and faith in Christ (Acts 20:21). Spiritual bankruptcy is only solved by repentance and being washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, who is the only answer to man’s sin problem. “What must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:30-31).
Those without God look within for reform when all there is is sin within. Reform is not what’s needed. Change is needed and only God can make that change in a man and He calls it “regeneration” and being “born again” (Titus 3:5-6; John 3:3, 7). Only the LORD can solve man’s sin problem and He did just that when He sent His only begotten Son for the sins of the world.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Sin is man’s problem. Sin is at the root of man’s dilemma, not a “mental disorder” or disease (Colossians 2:8). Sin is man’s core problem from which all his ailments emanate (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 1 and 3, etc.).
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31
The Bible never says “know thyself”!!! God’s Word commands all men to “repent,“ to submit to God (Acts 17:30; James 4:7). The Word says “DENY,“ crucify your evil self! Read Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6, etc.. When we look within the Bible we find that mankind is fallen and full of sin within. That sin must be forgiven at initial salvation and crucified for the remainder of the life of that disciple while on earth (Romans 6).
After Christ saves us, we don’t evolve into being a better “Christian.” No. There will always be that sinful, iniquitous nature called “the old man,“ which must be daily crucified as we “put on the new man.”
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:9-10
The SINNER, the vile wretch I must first and foremost confront and continually crucify, is myself! (Read Rom 7:18, 24; Ps 39:4-5; Eccl 7:20.) It’s essential to begin to understand the flesh, the fallen man, the iniquitous old man, in order to realize what we’ve been saved from and what must be crucified daily. The cross is God’s solution, prescription to “put off the old man with his deeds.”
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” Ephesians 4:22
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9
What about this evil nature we all have….. what does Scripture reveal? Let’s talk about how the only solution is the cross, to X it out, to cancel, to crucify it to nothing, that Christ might reign – the Gospel reenacted in our daily lives – death, burial, resurrection. Saints, this truth must be explored, studied, and learned from God’s Word.
That evil, that iniquity working in us perhaps hastens us to His cross for forgiveness, mercy, and to put it off, crucify it. Have you noticed, like Paul, that it’s nothing but ugliness? Romans 7. One disciple writes:
“We want to TRY against evil (law and human effort) but the only way is to DIE to evil and be raised up with new life (grace).”
We must see the sin in our own evil hearts and repent, confess, and cry out to God to cleanse us (Psalms 51; 139:23-24; Matthew 5:8, etc.). Then, take up the cross and follow your Savior.
“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.” Ezekiel 18:30
The Bible says to examine yourself but it never says to look within yourself for any virtue or anything good at all because the heart is deceitful “above all things and desperately wicked”! (Read 2 Corinthians 13:5; Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3, etc..)
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Judge yourself in order to avoid damnation with the world:
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
God Himself is good and perfect and just and we are continually told to be “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
Now read Hebrews 12:1-12 and know that God’s correction is simply the clear proof that He loves us – that we are HIS! Rejoice! Then read Revelation 3:19.
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19
GOD WILL NOT WORK IN OUR LIVES UNTIL WE OPENLY ADMIT AND ANNOUNCE OUR OWN UTTER DEPRAVITY, OUR POVERTY OF SPIRIT, AND CRY OUT TO HIM TO SAVE, DELIVER, AND MAKE US WHOLE – AS HE ALONE CAN DO!
Paramount to your understanding of divine redemption of the fallen race via the cross of Christ is your recognition, your understanding of the utter depravity of fallen mankind.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
Note, “poor in spirit.” Not poor financially or religiously. The Greek word translated into English as “poor” is PTOCHOS. It means pauper, beggar, poor…..desperate and spiritually impoverished. Christ looks to desperate, hungry and thirsty people who want more of Him (Is. 66:2). Their hearts pant for more of Him (Ps. 42:1-2). They deeply desire more of His presence and Word.
ALL who seek to hide/cover their sins instead of repenting and forsaking them, will perish (Proverbs 28:13).
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
“Repentance is to TAKE SIDES with God against yourself. It is a CHANGE of attitude toward SELF, toward SIN, toward GOD, toward CHRIST that is so REAL that it RESULTS in a changed life. It is raising the WHITE FLAG in SURRENDER to God and turning to Christ as your only LORD and Savior. Repentance is NOT a work … works are the fruit of repentance (Ephesians 2:8-10).” Trent Austin
The Truth about Fallen Mankind – That Includes You!
“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5
“And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” Genesis 6:12
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24
Is Romans 7 Before or After Paul’s Salvation?
Defusing the iniquity of self-righteousness increases exponentially when we begin learning the biblical doctrine of fallen mankind (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18; Psalms 39:4-5).
Don’t trust yourself, trust God and deny self! “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered” (Proverbs 26:28).
Only Satan and his children live by the diabolical edict of “be true to yourself.” Knowing how wretched they are of themselves, without Christ, those who are known of God live by “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Romans 3:19
There’s a difference between justifying sin and honestly admitting the truth – that we are nothing and in utter need of an abiding felloship and union with Jesus! There is no justifying the sin Jesus died to forgive and deliver us FROM! (See Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; Romans 6:1-2.) One of those sins is self-reliance/pride/self-righteousness – self idolatry – which leads us to not admit our utter present and perpetual need for divine mercy and grace! (Read Matthew 5:3; Romans 7:18.) You are nothing and do nothing to please God without Jesus, even in your “best state” (Psalms 39:4-5; John 15:5).
Satan is not only the king of self-love and the result of being alienated from God, but also “he is a king over all the children of pride.” (Job 41:34)
Anyone living in the sin of pride instead of humility is in the grip of Satan himself!
“They are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:9-10
Why was there the judgment of the Noahic flood? Why will there be judgment in the future?
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5
Man is by nature and therefore in deeds sinful. After the first man and woman the LORD created sinned, death (spiritual separation) passed upon all men born after them (Rom. 5:12).
“Repent” is the very first word of the Gospel (Matt. 3:2; 4:17) and men cannot and will not realize the need to repent and believe in Jesus Christ if they aren’t first shown that their core problem is the sin that separates them from their beloved Creator.
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2
It is the false teacher/leader who refuses to hold up this foundational truth since the realization of it doesn’t make people feel good about themselves and that is what the deceiver aims for in order to position people to support his ministry.
“Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.” Lamentations 2:14
According to what the Holy Spirit reveals to us here in Lamentations 2:14 concerning false leaders, we should discern those we listen to very closely. He tells us here that false prophets do not discover or uncover and deal with what God calls sin. Paul did (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21, etc.). Jesus did (Mk. 7:20-23; 9:43-49, etc.). The apostle John dealt with the issue of sin (1 Jn. 1-2:2; 3:1-10; Rev. 21:8, 27, etc.).
Laughably, false teacher James Dobson says that lack of self esteem is man’s root problem. Total diabolical lie!
Instead of tending to the things that matter to the LORD, counterfeit leaders today deal with surface issues – “vain and foolish things…false burdens.” Any man in leadership who refuses to deal with sin by name and head on, is false. He is so very puffed up in his own fleshly mind that he thinks he is wiser than the Almighty and vainly believes and reasons out that he knows more about what men need than the infinite One who made man. Regardless of his reasoning, any person in leadership who does not address sin and the holiness of God, is completely false. Please allow this writer to encourage you to do an inventory on those leaders you are currently listening to and run for your life if any of them are not addressing what the LORD told us violates His holiness.
NEVER EVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT MANKIND IS FALLEN. IT STARTED WHEN THE VERY FIRST MAN AND WOMAN CHOSE TO REBEL AGAINST OUR MAKER. SIN IS MAN’S CORE PROBLEM, NEED, AND ISSUE. ONLY CHRIST CAN CURE THE CURSE OF SIN AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHY HE CAME.
The heart of the “wise virgin” believer is flooded with the light of God through daily diligent study of His Word (Psalms 119:130). What most don’t realize is that darkness immediately descends upon the heart left unattended – the heart not daily receiving the light of divine truth through diligent study of the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15). The heart left without the bright shining light of God’s Word shining into it daily, WILL revert back to type – darkness, iniquity, “desperately wicked,” “only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9, etc.).
The ministerial beguiler, whose goal is not to fear and please God but rather to build a bigger church congregation, has to remove Bible doctrines that sting the conscience (Isaiah 30:9-10; 2 Timothy 4:2-4). God’s desire is to prick or sting the conscience of man in order to bring to him conviction of his sin and repentance. Yet the wolf who hides in sheep garb must entertain and only speak of smooth things that do not interrupt the lifestyles of those he seeks to gain and keep the support of (Matthew 7:15). Regrettably and yet in fulfillment of prophecy, the landscape of the visible church world is littered with such false teachers (2 Timothy 3:13).
“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.” Isaiah 30:9-10
Sinful man betrays his own eternal soul in seeking to console himself in order that he might continue to enjoy his temporary pleasures. Beguilers in leadership refuse to interrupt this death march of the wicked (many who believe they are saved). There is no end to the false prophets who have risen to accommodate such a state of depravity. Oh, just think of the light fanfare messages and book titles that entice men to experience the self life to the fullest. “Your Best Life Now” is one that comes to mind. If the premise of this book by Joel Osteen were biblical, it would have been titled “Your Best Life THEN.” Why do I state this? Jesus guaranteed that those who truly follow Him would “be hated of all men for my name’s sake” and that many would be killed for following Him and promised that His Father was preparing “mansions” in Heaven for those who endured to the end (Matt. 10:22; 24:10-13; Jn. 14:1-6). In direct contrast to Osteen, we see that Jesus Christ taught that the best life for His true followers would be then not now. Suffering with joy and grace to sustain us now (in this short life) and eternal bliss then is the consistent message of Scripture (2 Cor. 4:16-18; Phil. 1:29). Do you remember that the prodigal (apostate) son departed from his father only when he demanded his best life now? See Luke 15.
“And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” Luke 21:16-17
Below is an example of the most obvious false teacher in America and yet there are “many,” “many,” other false teachers as Jesus repeatedly told us there would be in this late hour (Matthew 7:15; 24:4-5, 11, 24):
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15
“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24
Jesus Christ or Osteen? Who’s False?
BEWARE of the message of the many self-exalting, Christ-demoting Luciferic Wolves of this late hour! Isaiah 14:12-15 says it all! The 5 “I”‘s of Lucifer!
Joel Osteen / Lakewood Church have as their slogan “Discover the Champion in You.” That’s because it’s all about YOU (idol) in their luciferic theology/mythology! But what champion? WHO is the true Champion? Who is the mere depraved pauper utterly unworthy to be forgiven and saved?
Did Jesus, Paul, or any of the apostles use any such language as “discover the champion in you”? No! Does the Bible teach that we are to discover JESUS or something in our own depraved, wicked nature?
“The only champion in me is God! And last I checked I didn’t need to unlock him!” Ray Zeitler
This spineless moral coward, Joel Osteen, who deceitfully poses as a Christian leader, holds up a Bible in his services and has everyone repeat these words with him: “This is my Bible, I am what it says I am…” BUT does Joel even begin to believe this? Do those he is leading astray believe this?
When is the last time your favorite author brought forth these divinely-inspired words spoken by the very Son of God? When is the last time Joel Osteen preached on suffering (a major theme of Holy Scripture)?
Stop for a moment and ask yourself 2 simple and important questions:
1) Why won’t Joel Osteen and other deceivers communicate these words of Jesus?
2) Why do they pick and choose and always come up with easy things to say that won’t offend people?
Osteen says:
- “I don’t get deep and theological.” Joel Osteen, New York Times July 18,2005
An internet search using key words “Osteen quotes” will turn up mostly new age, positive thinking sites. Why? Because the world of sinners gladly receives those who will not communicate the biblical truth that they are sinners and need to be born again. It seems from observing the above quote and Joel’s ministry, that Osteen only gets as “theological” as is necessary to draw the “Christian” crowd and support. As you will see in his many self-actualization type positive thinking quotes, Osteen has enough wherewithal to invent these self-sayings and yet chooses not to “get deep and theological.” How telling.
When speaking before a lost sea of human souls on national television, Osteen openly denies Bible truth and Jesus Christ (see Joel Osteen Exposed). He never hints that sin is man’s core problem and that the blood of Christ’s cross is the only solution. Like it or not – This alone makes Joel Osteen a bona fide false prophet.
Contrast this: Joel makes people feel good about themselves while living in their sins, while Jesus Christ identifies then cleanses the sins of men, giving them the deep peace He alone shed His own life blood to give them.
Do men need a band-aid or the only real solution that gets to the root of their dilemma?
Who will you believe? – the mere sinner Joel Osteen, or Jesus Christ, the nail-scarred risen Savior and LORD who died for all your sins? Is sin an offense against the one true holy God or did Jesus come in vain to the earth to pay for the sins of the whole world? Who is the liar in your mind and heart?
So you think Joel Osteen is a nice guy? Does he make you feel good? Does Osteen have nail-scarred hands and feet? Did Joel die for your sins? Did Osteen rise from the dead to justify you before a holy God and Judge? Is Joel Osteen coming back from Heaven for you?
What about Jesus Christ? Is He a nice guy? What did He do for you? Do you believe in Him? You sure? If so, you completely embrace every single thing He gave you in His Word and it takes complete and superior precedence over the words of any other mere man or men – “yea, let God be true, but every man a liar.” (Rom. 3:4)
Is Jesus Christ the only way to God and Heaven or did Christ lie to us all? Discern for yourself: Below is a partial transcript from the “Larry King Live” (CNN), Monday, June 20th, 2005 Interview with Pastor Joel Osteen:
KING: What if you’re Jewish or Muslim, you don’t accept Christ at all?
JOEL OSTEEN: You know, I’m very careful about saying who would and wouldn’t go to heaven. I don’t know …
KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They’re wrong, aren’t they?
JOEL OSTEEN: Well, I don’t know if I believe they’re wrong….But I just think that only God will judge a person’s heart.
KING: You don’t call them sinners?
JOEL OSTEEN: I don’t.
KING: Is that a word you don’t use?
JOEL OSTEEN: I don’t use it.
CALLER: I’m wondering, though, why you side-stepped Larry’s earlier question about how we get to heaven? The bible clearly tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth and the light and the only way to the father is through him. That’s not really a message of condemnation but of truth.
KING: So then a Jew is not going to heaven?
JOEL OSTEEN: No. Here’s my thing, Larry, is I can’t judge somebody’s heart. You know? Only God can look at somebody’s heart, and so — I don’t know. To me, it’s not my business to say, you know, this one is or this one isn’t. And I just I think it’s wrong when you go around saying, you’re saying you’re not going, you’re not going, you’re not going, because it’s not exactly my way.
I’m just…
KING: What about atheists?
JOEL OSTEEN: You know what, I’m going to let someone — I’m going to let God be the judge of who goes to heaven and hell.
The Son of God asks:
“Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Matthew 16:13
Who shall you believe? Does Osteen have a Bible? Has he read it and believed it or is he simply using certain parts of it for his own advantage and calling Jesus Christ, the very Son of God a liar? Weigh the following quotes from Jesus Christ against what Osteen told the world on Larry King Live. Christ stated:
“I am THE way (not a way)…no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (Jn. 14:6)
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mk. 16:16)
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (Jn. 3:36)
Is Jesus Christ a liar or is Joel Osteen a deceiver and a liar? Hint: Can’t be both. You must choose. Jesus said “He that is not with me IS against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” (Matt. 12:30)
Osteen clearly denies Jesus Christ and His words and is therefore under the judgment of God (Mk. 8:38). Why would any authentic, born again believer want to support his ministry? Why would any caring believer not warn others of such falsity in order to protect them in the truth?
When the smooth talking false leader goes into the Bible to pick and choose what he wants to say to the people, he has to intentionally ignore and dodge volumes of statements/Scriptures like this that the Son of God spoke. This is because he is doing ministry for himself and not truly for Christ. If he were truly serving the LORD, He would openly and without shame proclaim the full counsel of His precious Word/truth (Ps. 119:104, 128; Prov. 30:5; Mk. 8:38; Jn. 8:47; Acts 20:20, 27). What did Jesus tell us was going to happen to those who denied Him?
“Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9
The forever fires of eternal damnation await these vast audiences, but do you think the slew of self-serving entertainers care? Are they not likened to the preying “brood of vipers” Jesus cited in Matthew 23?
In the 5th chapter of Jeremiah, the Holy Spirit gives some detailed insight into the world of religion and how it all works as an industry. He speaks of the false leadership, giving earmark, identifying characteristics and how the people (those who support the deceivers) gladly participate in this treason against the LORD.
“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. 26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. 28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. 29 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? 30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” Jeremiah 5:25-31
While their sins were holding back good blessings from them, the false prophets were catering to the people and telling the people what they wanted to hear and not what God wanted to tell them. This is the first thing to learn in discerning a false leader – they don’t preach the naked truth from God’s Word. Nothing has changed. There is no new thing under the sun friends (Eccl. 1:7; 1 Cor. 10:13). Were we not warned of this same scenario transpiring in the very last days of this age? – a mutual mutiny (rebellion) against the LORD involving false prophets and the people who make their reign of treason and deceit possible by supporting them? (Read 1 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Tim. 3:1-7, 13; 4:1-5.) Both parties are equally guilty before God and impending judgment awaits all who do not repent and begin exposing false prophets instead of supporting them – “what will ye do in the end thereof?” (See Jeremiah 5:31.) It is a biblical mandate to mark (not cover for) false teachers and teachings (Rom. 16:17-18; Eph. 5:11; Jude 3-4).
Let’s look closer at Jeremiah 5:31 above. Note that there are 3 players mentioned by God here – prophet, priest, and people:
- “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means” – the leaders were working together (prophets & priests) to bring mutually satisfying returns to their own coffers.
- “my people love to have it so” – those who claimed to know the LORD loved hearing things that made them feel good in the now, so they could enjoy their best life now. These people are not valiant for the truth and do not want to deal with what God says is sin against His holiness. They had no thought of eternity and what was ahead in the fierce and horrible Judgment of the God they would soon stand before to give account. Like those today, the false prophets in Israel had intentionally ignored and removed from the people the doctrines of judgment to come, the essential of personal holiness, sin, eternal damnation, etc..
- “what will ye do in the end thereof?” – what will be the end of those who were led astray by these deceivers? What will be the end of those who support such falsehood and false prophets? Without repentance (before it’s too late) these people truly are experiencing their best life now – because damnation awaits both parties.
The Intoxicating Effect of Self-Serving Reciprocal Falsity
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Speaking of the facilitation of false prophets by His people, the LORD said “my people love to have it so” (Jer. 5:31). Of all the deceivers peddling their wares today, warring against the LORD Almighty, none seem to have made inroads into the hearts of people like Joel Osteen. I have talked to dozens of people who believe they are truly following Christ, who have bought into Osteen’s new age feel-good message sprinkled with a few Scriptures. Like the days of Jeremiah, there seems to be a soul-tie between false prophet and people. From what I hear coming from those who listen to Osteen, it seems that Joel makes people feel so good about themselves (with no need to change-repentance) that they have been intoxicated by that feeling and lost track of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. These people are truly not enduring “sound doctrine; but after their own lusts” are heaping “to themselves teachers, having itching ears (unpurged sinful lusts).” They have turned away their ears from the truth, and been turned unto fables.
Concerning the Lost
Sin is mankind’s root dilemma and Jesus is the only Solution.
Be not deceived: the Bible informs us that man’s core problem is the sin that separates him from his holy Maker. How can one aggrandize the preciousness of the Savior if he doesn’t first realize the depth of his own depravity and need for God’s forgiveness? He simply cannot. So, give the lost the law (Ten Commandments) and let the LORD convict and break them, bringing them to repentance and into His glorious salvation (Gal. 3:24).
“The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart.” unknown
The only SOULution to man’s sin dilemma is the blood of the sole soul Savior.
“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:28
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
“But God commendeth (displayed) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Romans 5:8-9
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15
Beloved, this fundamental biblical truth (above) is utterly essential to memorize in these last days where the enemy’s lies are going to increase yet more and more, deceiving those who are not soundly standing and rooted and grounded in the love and truth of the LORD Jesus Christ (2 Thess. 2:10-12; 2 Tim. 3:13-4:5). Hordes of deceivers (as clearly foretold) operate feverishly in the ministry, psychologizing the faith and leading millions astray (Acts 20:20, 27-32). Don’t be a casualty. Devour His precious precepts that you might fully love and please the One who bled and rose again for your sins and endure to the end as we await His soon return from Heaven (Matt. 10:22, 24:10-13; 1 Thess. 1:10).
Ready Or Not – Jesus Is Coming.
No Inherent Sin Nature? | Stop Sinning? Really? | Charles Finney: False Teacher | Joel Osteen Exposed | “The Root of the Matter” Job 19:28 |
Feedback:
Message Received:
MAN’S GREATEST IGNORANCE IS OF HIMSELF…….YOU ARE CREATED WITH UNLIMITED POTENTIAL…..
Reply:
Brother, the first thing man must receive the knowledge of is His depraved, sinful state. Gen. 6:5, 12; Jer. 17:9, Rom. 7:18, 24, etc. This is a luciferic myth that is leading millions astray who think they know Christ. Delusion! Man cannot possibly appreciate and glorify God until they begin to realize the depth of their own depravity! We have to be brought to the lowest depths of the realization of our utter depravity before Him who is “Holy, holy, holy” before we can be anything in God.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Where to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Victory in Jesus | Discipleship | The Glorious Grace of God | The Restoring Love of Our God | God’s Mercy | Spiritual Warfare | Justification | Grace and Good Works [podcast]
Apostasy
The Sensual Seduction and Solicitation of the Modern Church!
Spiritual Seduction is a Reality!
“How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly LUSTS. 19 These be they who separate themselves, SENSUAL, having not the Spirit.” Jude 18-19
Of this passage, one disciple notes:
“The dictionary defines sensuality this way: sen•su•al (sen shu – al) adj.
1. Relating to or affecting any of the senses or a sense organ; sensory.
2. a. Of, relating to, given to, or providing gratification of the physical and especially the sexual appetites.
b. Suggesting sexuality; voluptuous.
c. Physical rather than spiritual or intellectual.
d. Lacking in moral or spiritual interests; worldly.
“The Holy Spirit here warns us concerning the Last Times when people would be Sensual not having the Spirit. These are people who would enter the churches not simply people outside the churches; else we would not need to be warned against them. It is commonly felt that “Sensual” always is synonymous with sexuality; however the context here is with regards to the physical ‘senses’—’Feelings’ and ‘sensations’. We have five senses; Sight, Sound, Touch, Taste and Scent. We are told that we ‘walk by faith’, as opposed to walking ‘by sight’. -2 Corinthians 5:7 ‘For we walk by faith, not by sight’. This is simply a reminder that our lives must not be governed by our feelings, our senses. Back in the sixties one of the philosophies of the world was always, ‘If it feels good, it IS good’. Another question that is often asked is, ‘Is this so wrong if it feels so right?'”
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12
Most of the social media messages tell us, continually remind us that God loves us but nearly none of them inform us that the God who loves us, sent His Son to die on a cross for us, and requires and commands us to be “crucified with Christ.” (Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:29; Colossians 3:3) Beware of the half-truth false gospel of today! We must walk in the original Gospel – all of it – if we are to escape and not be “Led away with the error of the wicked.” (2 Peter 3:17)
False prophets will speak about seeking the supposed presence of God yet never preach on the cross, personal holiness, or obedience. Beware.
One saint writes: “Throughout the whole world error and truth travel the same highways, work in the same fields and factories, attend the same churches, fly in the same planes and shop in the same stores. So skilled is error at imitating truth that the two are constantly being mistaken for each other. It takes a sharp eye these days to know which brother is Cain and which is Abel!”
Those who do not submit to God in their daily personal life, calling upon the LORD to circumcise and purify their hearts, will be caught up in and snared by sensuality. They will live by the senses, the flesh, and not the Spirit and be sent by God Himself a “strong delusion” so that they “believe a lie” and are ultimately “damned.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
Some seek the rush of a sensual feeling instead of the reality of the risen Savior – through the cross life!
“I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Revelation 3:1
HAVE you noticed how these new lightweight “churches” brag about their “Top 10 Core Values”? What a joke! In other words they pick out 10 socially acceptable things most people will like and that’s their top 10. And they do this instead of simply announcing that they endeavor to adhere to the whole of the Bible. KJB. Lame.
The primary way God leads His NEW Testament church is by the Holy Scriptures and not self-appointed false prophets and false apostles (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalms 119:105; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.).
Those who pretend to be today’s prophets aren’t grounded in the written Word! RUN!
Scripture often warns us of those who would seduce us away from Christ – just as an adulterous woman seeks to seduce a husband away from his wife!
“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” Mark 13:22
“These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” 1 John 2:26
“Not Withstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” Revelation 2:20
“And this I say (here’s the reason I write you!), lest any man should beguile you with enticing words … 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 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.” Colossians 2:4, 8-10
“Church” attendance was never ordained by God to displace, to replace the personal study of His Word. Church membership endears the people, the prey, to the organization and it’s leaders and members and not to the LORD Himself. This has displaced the individual priesthood and fellowship God ordained for each and every individual believer. Lots of people replace personally diligently seeking the LORD with going to “church.” They either merely dabble with or don’t even personally study God’s Word for themselves and yet are members in good standing at these local entertainment centers many call “church.” The pastors have sold them on this lifestyle by promoting and emphasizing church membership and not discipleship.
Seminaries are wolf factories. The protestant seminaries were infiltrated by the vatican jesuits decades ago and are now marketing schools producing greedy wolves who set up church busine$$ to market the gospel – which is the meaning of taking the name of the LORD in vain! (Exodus 20:7). Satan’s Seminaries Exposed!
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7
To take the name of the LORD in vain is to use His name for any other purpose except true, honest worship of Him! Those who use the name of Jesus to make dishonest gain by exploiting people for their own self-serving purposes, are not guiltless before a holy God!
Many Seek the Presence and not the Person, the Face of Jesus Christ!
If you name the name of Christ, this writer, this disciple would encourage you to honestly search out this whole “seeking the presence” cult. Contemplative prayer and spiritual formation are a cheap counterfeit for a real walk with God. They substitute a real walk with Jesus wherein He commands us to seek and obey HIM, not merely His presence. When we do seek HIM and obey Him, He promises to manifest Himself to those who obey His Word (John 14:21-23).
Perhaps those who seek the presence of God and not the face of God, are simply looking for some kind of feeling. They have not truly repented and are self-willed and living out of a self-serving agenda.
God plainly told us that he will only give His presence to those who know, seek, and obey Him – and not those who merely seek His presence (John 14:21- 23).
Those who seek His HAND instead of His FACE are completely self-serving, cross-less idolaters!
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his FACE continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
WE seek the PERSON of Christ and not merely the PRESENCE of Him. Beware of this deception saints. When we seek the FACE of the LORD, He will fill us with His Spirit and make His abode in and with us. Our part is to worship and obey Him and not to merely seek His presence. Many who are not seeking to know the LORD seek a feeling instead of seeking the face of the LORD! Beware of this idolatrous spiritual adultery. These same people are not studying and grounded in the Word or the cross of Christ.
Let’s look at who Jesus says truly loves Him:
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. … 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:21, 23
In this passage above, Jesus teaches us that His presence, He and His Father, abide in the lives of those who are His (born again) and presently obeying Him.
Those who love Jesus seek His Word and obey Him. These true disciples, God manifests Himself to. These are those He chooses to make His abode with and not those who simply seek to exploit the LORD for a feeling they call His presence. Beware!
Many today seek a feeling, a sensation and not the Savior! They’ve allowed the false leaders of today to mislead them.
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away … Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:5,7
Those not submitted to the authority, the power of God which is Christ, have only a mere “form of godliness.” As was specifically foretold, today we see the fulfillment of Paul’s warning where we have so many with a mere “form of godliness.” In their daily lives they deny, reject “the power” or the authority of Jesus to reign. When Jesus reigns in a life, His cross is central to that person’s life. They are grounded in the cross – the crucified life – without exception.
Yet today we see some who never grow after being saved because false ministries have intercepted them from the LORD. Those false prophet ministries emphasize any and everything except Jesus Christ!
The vast majority of today’s pastors are sensually soliciting their prey to worship at the altar of self and not soundly grounding their audience in the cross and sound doctrine which is God’s written Word!
So many run to pack themselves in with the herd, to get turned on in what is supposed to be praise and worship. Some of it is a hollow sound and mere lip service.
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matthew 15:8
The hoards consist of the same souls who do not daily, diligently seek the LORD in His Word and a set apart life of prayer (Matthew 6:6; 2 Timothy 2:15). They do not live a crucified life! (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20, 24, etc.) They are “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” because they are not being grounded in the Word of God.
The powder puff pansies use fake news “bibles” instead of the KING JAMES BIBLE.
Any leader not getting you into God’s Word for yourself, is absolutely a wolf! Run!
“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
The Witchcraft of the Modern Church!
There is no instance in the 27 books of the New Testament canon where God’s people gathered to be entertained and enamored in what the modern church falsely claims to be praise and worship.
Those false ministries who stage these events are appealing to your natural senses, your emotions. They are on a marketing journey – to sell their prey into a community and not to root them in Christ!
Proof? Name 5 people you know who attend such false churches who can quote just 5 Bible verses they’ve memorized. Case closed!
Seeking and Knowing the LORD Himself!
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10
Jesus told us that the chief purpose that He came is that we might know Him and the Father. Such a cardinal, central Gospel truth is never heard in modern apostate churches today!
“And this is life eternal (the whole divine reason for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
The cross reveals your sin, and God’s love, not how wonderful you are! Repent!
Beware of this “knowing the Tangible Presence” idea. Spiritual formation and contemplative prayer is heresy! These heretical systems are rooted in the occult and perpetrated by “many false prophets” which Jesus specifically warns us “shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). Christ’s true disciples today live BY FAITH not feelings (2 Corinthians 5:7). True followers of Jesus live by the Word of God and not by their senses, their feelings (Psalms 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Yet, many today are being led to conjure up a feeling, not realizing they are summoning up evil spirits that pose as the Holy Spirit of God – another Jesus, another gospel, another spirit (2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 11-15). Those who seek an experience instead of seeking the face of the LORD, will be misled by evil spirits and false prophets (1 Chronicles 16:11). Many today are sensual and not truly spiritual in the biblical sense. There is no cross at the center of their lives (Colossians 3:3). Their daily life is not rooted in Christ – the cross! They have been led by the self-serving wolves of today’s modern church to get addicted to a feeling instead of growing in grace and obeying the LORD and Savior Himself. Self-idolatry. They love to go do what some falsely call “praise and worship” to get that feeling. Praise and worship are biblical and yet, not what many have made it out to be. There are many houses of worship if you will, which do not have Christ, the cross, at the center and therefore are not worshiping the LORD by teaching the pure, sound doctrine of the Word of God – the King James Bible. These ravenous wolves know how the church busine$$ works and so they front with a good band, good music, using young, gifted people as their pawns as they stage their deceptive exploitation, hiding behind that good music! Beware saints.
Wolves entertain goats and market their church busine$$ to grow, to gain nickels, noses, and numbers. True under-shepherds ground God’s people in the daily cross, in the fear of God, and in the sound doctrine which is the written Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 4:2-4; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.).
This is a big part of the end time deception we were often warned of….
“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
Have you ever been part of this type “church”? I sure have. Think about it. If you’re like myself, you enjoyed the praise and worship (to some degree) and yet, were left empty due to the lame “word” and lack of biblical teaching. Can anyone relate?
In any given town in America, one can search high and low, near and far, and never find even one pastor who is true to God. Is this not a fulfillment of prophecy?
“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
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4
If you still believe that most pastors today are true, stay deeply in God’s Word daily and your discernment will change. You will begin to realize that over 90% of today’s pastors are “accursed” wolves and we know this because they do not preach the original Gospel that Christ and His holy apostles preached and gave us (Jude 3).
Modern church false gospel …. No repentance, no sin, No judgment, no holiness, no cross, No warnings to beware of false prophets and heresies, no return of Christ for a spotless – sinless – bride, no Christology (study of Christ!) …
Those who preach any other gospel other than the original and complete Gospel of Jesus Christ, are “accursed.”
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9
Then Paul reveals why false leaders do not preach the original, the real and whole Gospel of Christ – because they love self and therefore fear and cater to mere men and not Jesus Christ!
“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | More on Assurance here | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Knowing God | The Cross Life | 100’s of Christ-centered Scripture-rich Podcasts | Christology = the Study of Christ
Abiding
WHY were 24,000 of God’s People Killed at Peor? [podcast]
“Baal was most often portrayed as a strong warrior and was considered the god of storms and fertility. He was said to rule from his palace atop Mount Zaphon, the highest peak in Syria. Baal is referenced several times in the Bible’s Old Testament, where he is depicted as the main rival of the god of the Israelites.”
We must understand that God is severe in His judgment of rebels of which there are “many” who claim they are saved. Eternal damnation awaits all rebels (Matthew 7:13-23, etc.).
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:22
DIVINE JUDGMENT, the “severity of God,” IS NOT GOING AWAY JUST BECAUSE YOU OR SOME FAKE PREACHER IGNORES IT!
Christians avoid doing as did the Israelites when they worshipped baal by worshipping the LORD, the Father and Jesus Christ “in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 John 1:3) This begins with fresh and complete repentance, confession of all sin, and denouncing of all dependence, idolatry, all pagan practices like yoga and mantra chanting, etc., and by understanding that truly worshiping the LORD, the one true God, is based on sincere loyalty to Him and not to get things from Him like success or possession in this fleeting world. The heart of the disciple of Jesus must be circumcised perpetually and this is happening as we examine our hearts for idols, the daily crucified life, living a life of prayer, setting boundaries against temptations, and being wholly accountable to the LORD, while avoiding syncretism (mixing pagan rituals with Christian practice) and prioritizing God’s Word.
Deuteronomy 4:1-10
24,000 of God’s own people, men, departed from obeying the instruction, the standard, the Word of God and were destroyed. They partook in the soul damning sin of fornication.
“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. 4 But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. 5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? 8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? 9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; 10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” Deuteronomy 4:1-10
Departing from the pure Word of God always leads to sinful living as was the case with 24,000 of God’s people’s worship at Baal Peor.
“And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4
In Deuteronomy 4, Moses warns God’s people not to change or depart from the LORD’s Word and brings up the example, reminds the people of God’s judgment upon 24,000 of His own people for doing so (Numbers 25).
Of the worship of Baal-Peor, one writer notes:
“Yet what was this worship of Baal-Peor and why did it draw such wrath from God? Baal-Peor is a Moabite god who was worshipped with obscene rituals. The name means ‘Lord of the Opening’ from Baal meaning owner/ husband and Peor coming from pa’ar meaning ‘open wide.’ ‘I found Israel Like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, And separated themselves to that shame; They became an abomination like the thing they loved.’ (Hosea 9:10) The worship of Baal-Peor IS an abomination. Notice that those who join themselves to Baal-Peor also ‘become’ an abomination before the Lord.”
Every person who has an idol, just one, has demons (Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:19-21). Repent now. Follow Jesus.
In Deuteronomy 4:3, Moses brings back to the memory of God’s people the judgment that fell upon the 24,000 of His own people for their idolatry and fornication. This idolatrous abomination is recorded in Numbers 25.
“And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.” Numbers 25:6-9
Dear reader, camp out on Numbers 25, the whole chapter. Your life is not complete without this vital component of divine truth.
Of Baal, one source notes:
Baal was a major ancient West Semitic storm and fertility god, meaning “lord” or “master,” prominent in Canaanite and Phoenician cultures, associated with rain, thunder, and agriculture, and often depicted with a thunderbolt. He was seen as a powerful deity, central to life, but became a focal point of biblical opposition as Israel’s worship of him (linked to lust and sometimes child sacrifice) was seen as idolatry against God, culminating in Elijah’s famous challenge on Mount Carmel. In later demonology, Baal (or Bael) is a powerful archdemon, and the name appears in various modern media as a demon or powerful entity.
In Ancient Religions
- Identity: A powerful god of fertility, weather (rain, lightning, wind), war, and kingship, often identified with the storm god Hadad.
- Worship: Widespread in the Levant (Canaan, Phoenicia) and beyond, with temples and rituals often involving cultic prostitution and sometimes human sacrifice, especially during droughts.
- Mythology: Key myths involve his battles with the sea god Yamm and the god of death Mot, representing natural cycles, and his dwelling on Mount Zaphon.
- Biblical Conflict: The Bible portrays Baal worship as a major temptation for Israelites, a rival to God, whose priests (including those of the Phoenician goddess Asherah/Astarte) were famously confronted by Elijah.
In Demonology & Culture
- Demon: In demonology, Bael (Baal) is a powerful archdemon, often the first of the three kings of Hell in grimoires, associated with invisibility and wisdom.
- Modern Media: The name appears in many forms, from Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons (Bhaal/Bael) to anime like Gundam and Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, often as a powerful demon or god.”
Not one of us has lived perfectly holy and yet, at this moment in time, some will choose to truly repent and confess their sins and others will refuse (Proverbs 28:13). Eternity depends on true repentance which always, without fail, yields a changed life, a holy life (Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 13:3).
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
These 24,000 Israelites were slain for their sin. God is still holy and “The wages of sin” is still death (Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:4).
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4
Zimri, a Simeonite (of the tribe of Simeon) was the Israelite whom Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, did slay for his utterly audacious display of sin, having brought the fornication in the middle of the camp of God’s people and even into the midst of their worship (Numbers 25:6, 14).
The great apostle brings this very incident to account 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 and warns New Testament saints never to partake lest they also be destroyed. The sins Paul cites form the natural acronym L.I.F.T.M. = lust, idolatry, fornication, tempting Christ, murmuring.
5 Soul Damning Sins Named! Learning from History! [podcast]
The spear of Phinehas must begin with ourselves – as we truly repent, lay down our lives in this world, and cut off the hand, pluck out the eye of any sin in our lives. The conscious eternal suffering, the severity of eternal judgment coming on any person who dies in sin is most profoundly declared by the Son of God Mark 9:43-49. Many of the new fake “bibles” removed this important passage.
The new “bibles” have lowered the standard and weakened many by their changing of God’s Word which Moses specifically warns us of in this main text, Deuteronomy 4.
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19
Departing from the Word of God, not obeying God on His stated terms, is the sure way to be weakened, destroyed, here and eternally. The LORD speaks often in His Word about this.
“Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:” Jeremiah 26:2
Each Man is Choosing to Drink from One Cup or the Other
Baal was ultimately Satan himself and involved things like sacrificing ones own child in exchange for being blessed by this false good. Jesus informed us that Satan has come “to steal, to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10).
As was the case at Baal Peor, Satan is behind every idol and so all idolatry is the worship of Satan.
“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” 1 Corinthians 10:19-22
This passage above is speaking of the Baal Peor event and also to the temptation of Satan and his children today. Baal worship is alive and well today, calling God’s people to worship at the altar of devils, to partake is vile atrocities that separate one to Satan and away from the LORD. “No man can serve two masters” and anyone living in sin is not serving the one, true, holy LORD and Savior (Matthew 6:24)
“They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. 30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. 31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.” Psalms 106:28-31
One writer notes:
“Baal Peor, or the Baal of Peor, was a local deity worshiped by the Moabites. When the Israelites, following Moses to the Promised Land, were in the vicinity of Peor, some of them fell into idolatry and worshiped Baal Peor. As a result of their sin, the men of Israel were judged by God.”
Baal Peor consisted of the worship of a false god, Satan, and fornication. Satan is behind the worship of all idols and such idolatry is filled with his devils/demons (1 Corinthians 10:19-22).
Modern day types of Baal Peor are the pornography, strip clubs, and everything in our society that has to do with any form of fornication. Movie and media are filled with such evil. The 24,000 who were destroyed in Moses day (Numbers 25), departed from the Word of God and the standards set forth there for holiness and the divine prohibition of sex outside of marriage between one man and one woman (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8). Read Deuteronomy 4 and Numbers 25 side by side.
“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Before their blunder at Peor, after God brought them out of Egypt (the world), Israel was innocent. Judgment, destruction ensued their sin of all who participated. Today, we can witness that many who once worshipped God with a pure heart, have now turned away to the worship of idols involving fornication of all kinds. Those who would rebuke these backsliders could be liked unto Phinehas.
“I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.” Hosea 9:10
“I found Israel – The Lord speaks of himself in the person of a traveler, who unexpectedly in the wilderness finds a vine loaded with grapes; such love did God bear to Israel. Your fathers – Whom I brought out of Egypt. As the first – ripe – As the earliest ripe fruit of the fig – tree, which is most valued and desired. Separated themselves – Consecrated themselves to that shameful idol. Their abominations – Their idols, and way of worshipping them. As they loved – As they fancied.” John Wesley
Deuteronomy 4, Numbers 25, and 1 Corinthians 10 speak of the same event – the sin of God’s people in Baal worship at Peor and the consequent divine judgment that fell upon 24,000 of them. This is an eternal memorial for the judgment of God against all sin, namely idolatry and fornication.
“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” 1 Corinthians 10:19-22
“To abstain from idol feasts was the clear duty of all Christians. By partaking of heathen sacrifices which were offered to demons, they became one with the demons and their votaries; just as in the Lord’s Supper we show our oneness not only with the Savior but with each other. It was clear, therefore, that the Corinthian Christians could not consistently partake of idol feasts and the Lord’s Supper. What an incentive is given here to frequent and reverent participation in the Lord’s Supper! It proclaims our union with Him and His people, and it gives us a distaste for all that is alien to its spirit.” FB Meyer
Those who depart from the standards set forth in God’s Word separate themselves to idols, to devils and are under divine judgment from the unchanging God (Malachi 3:6).
The Examples of Phinehas and Jael
Perhaps we can liken what Phinehas did in spearing the sin out of the camp of God’s people, with those who call His people to worship Him in Spirit and in truth and according to His pure, uncorrupted Word (Numbers 25:10-18; Psalms 12:6-7; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19). Phinehas boldly, courageously in the fear of God stood up and stamped out sin in the camp. The judgment ended. Those who stand and boldly, fearlessly declared the Word of God and call out sin among God’s people, are the Phinehas’ of our day. Do we have a Phinehas priesthood in our midst?
“Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” Psalms 94:16
In Job 4:21-22; 5:24-27 we read about another bless-ed patriarch of the faith who stood up, who rose up against sin, slaying a wicked king.
In both the cases of Phinehas and Jael, these biblical accounts make specific record that the LORD greatly blessed these faithful followers of His, and their families, and He will do the same today for His true bold witnesses who stand against the evil of this late hour.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Fornication | Holiness | Bible Version Issue – Fake Bibles Exposed | The Bible/Word of God | Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God
Apostasy
The Result of Real Repentance [podcast]
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16
WE DON’T NEED JUST ANOTHER “CHURCH SERVICE” OR “SERMON,” WE NEED TO REPENT AND WHEN WE REALLY DO, WE WILL OBEY GOD—OTHERWISE WE DIDN’T TRULY REPENT.
“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:1-12
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
When we repent – re-turn to God: Do we want to see who has truly repented, beginning with the examining of ourselves?
- We will be washed afresh from our sins and have “times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)
- We will forsake our lives in this fleeting world, deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33).
- We will live holy “in this present world.” (Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 1:15-16)
- We will be about our “Father’s business” and not our own – the Great Commission He gave us (Luke 2:49; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20).
Forsaking All?
What does that mean?
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
One must be willing and obedient to put aside religion and familial bonds to follow Christ, or he will not and “cannot be my disciple” says the LORD. Non-negotiable. If Jesus Christ is not first place, first priority of your life, you are a hell bound counterfeit who shall suffer the flames of eternal justice, damnation (Mark 9:43-49).
Jesus says:
“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:37
Repent. Turn wholly to the LORD, putting all of your trust in the LORD your God, who “is a jealous God.” Jesus Christ is the name of the only LORD and Savior!
“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” Exodus 34:14
Jesus says He will “spue,” vomit, reject anyone who dies without Him being their very “first love” their “first” priority—and talk is cheap (Revelation 2:4-5; 3:15-16).
“Psalm 51 is our perfect model of repentance and restoration in the Lord! God forgave the beloved David because of his honest prayer of repentance and restored to him the joy of his salvation!” Karen Cochran
Times of Refreshing from the Presence of the LORD – Fresh Start with God
Spanish Content on SafeGuardYourSoul
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | Zambia Mission | All Ministry Updates | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God | Great Commission
The Sensual Seduction and Solicitation of the Modern Church!
WHY were 24,000 of God’s People Killed at Peor? [podcast]
The Result of Real Repentance [podcast]
God’s Universal Way of Fighting with Todd Tomasella and Travis Bryan III [podcast]
Man Shall not Live by Bread Alone [podcast]
VIDEO Mission Mexico Update January 2026 [video]
The Prayer Life of Jesus [podcast]
IS DOUBTING YOUR SALVATION ALWAYS A BAD THING? [podcast]
BEWARE of the Wolf Defenders [podcast]
White and Clean: Garments of the KING’s Bride [podcast]
What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]
Living with an Eternal Perspective [podcast]
The Gospel: What is It? [podcast]
Biblical Deliverance Prescription-Wholeness in Christ [podcast]
Going Directly to the Source [podcast]
7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]
Counting the Cost – Following Jesus to the End of Your Life [podcast]
Mother Teresa was a Fraud [podcast]
The Sensual Seduction and Solicitation of the Modern Church!
White and Clean: Garments of the KING’s Bride [podcast]
WHY were 24,000 of God’s People Killed at Peor? [podcast]
BEWARE of the Wolf Defenders [podcast]
Biblical Deliverance Prescription-Wholeness in Christ [podcast]
The Gospel: What is It? [podcast]
Living with an Eternal Perspective [podcast]
What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]
Bowels of Mercies [podcast]
The Laid Down Life [podcast]
Settled at His Feet [video]
Following Christ’s Great Commission Command [podcast]
The Sensual Seduction and Solicitation of the Modern Church!
WHY were 24,000 of God’s People Killed at Peor? [podcast]
The Result of Real Repentance [podcast]
-
America10 months agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
-
Articles2 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
-
Articles8 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
-
Apostasy2 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True
Providing Christ-centered Scripture-rich resources to feed, edify, and equip the body of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15).
Navigation
Quick links
Newsletter
Stay updated of the ministry operations. We saved a spot for you on the ministry email list.
© 2025 Safe Guard Your Soul. All Rights Reserved