As I look at much of what is referred to as the moving of the Holy Spirit
of God in the crusades or church services of many of the preachers and
televangelists on TV, I cannot in a good conscience accept it to be Scriptural.
Not only is there so much of false doctrine being taught, but also much
of what is being practiced cannot be of the Spirit of God. In fact, just
last night as I was looking at a particular church services, the pastor,
in trying to justify himself for his actions, told the congregation
that if there was anyone that objected to what they were doing and said
that it was of the flesh, told them that it was alright to start in the
'flesh', and if that they were sincere, then the Holy Spirit would take
control of their worship and praise of God and make it 'spiritual'. Now
I ask: Can we truthfully say that what this pastor said is of the Spirit
of God? Can we say that the Holy Spirit moved him to say such a thing that
clearly contradicts the Word of God? I think not!
I honestly try not to be critical and judgmental, and even give the benefit
of the doubt to those with whom I disagree in many points with respect
to the things that they do. But when it comes to the things of God which
we are to believe and practice, then it becomes another matter. I realize
that even then there can be many things that we as Christians will
disagree on, nevertheless, we are still responsible before God to "prove
all things"; and to "hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonions
5:21); especially regarding the doctrine and practice of the "one faith"
(Ephesians
4:5) "which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). I know
that Christians, and even churches, can be 'different' in their praise
and worship of God; for instance, a Baptist or an Assembly of God church;
in other words, one could be more 'conservative', and the other more 'expressive';
yet, even if there are 'differences' in some areas, essentially there will
be a SCRIPTURALITY to it because it is "in spirit and in truth" (John
4:23,24). ALL TRUE PRAISE AND WORSHIP OF GOD REQUIRES BOTH THE SPIRIT AND
THE TRUTH!!!
Now, what is my problem? someone might ask. Well, it is not so much a problem,
but a concern because of what I see taking place within a "visible professing
Christianity". It is a concern because of the kind of 'Jesus' that is being
witnessed to; it is a concern because of the kind of 'spirit' that is being
manifested; and it is a concern because of the kind of 'gospel' that is
being proclaimed. Everything that we do as Christians gives a testimony
of who we are, and of what we believe; especially when we come together
as a church to praise and worship Him whom we confess to be our Lord and
Savior. I have to say that our words and actions within the confines of
the church walls reveals much of our Christian profession. Therefore, it
is imperative that we "know how (we) oughtest to behave...in the house
of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of
the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15); and this can only be true when the blessed
Holy Spirit is in control of all of our words and actions, so that we can
speak the truth, "as the truth is in Jesus" (Ephesians 4:21), and
that "all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Another thing that this same pastor that I referred to said was that they
didn't have a bulletin, or an order of worship, but whatever they did in
their praise and worship was to be led by the Holy Spirit. But after watching
the services for a few minutes, I wondered if the Spirit of God was leading
it: I noticed that the people were being 'emotionalized' with the music
and the 'feelin' good' preaching, ending with trying to get the people
'slain in the Spirit'. In fact, it was the typical church service that
we're getting accustomed seeing on TV. Yet it was 'tame' compared to others
that I have seen, such as the ones that are involved with the 'laughing
revival', or like the one where the preacher swings his coat around, or
blows on the people, and they all fall down. What is truly sad is when
this preacher, after the people fall down, tells his assistants to pick
them up, so that he can knock them down again. But worse, is when he has
children or young people on the stage, that after being knock down, they
start shaking with convulsions.
The reason that this has happen, and is happening and getting worse, is
because professing 'Christians' have been seduced into receiving "another
spirit" (2 Corinthians 11:4). The doors of the churches have been opened
wide to let the so-called 'anointed' prophets and preachers come in preaching
"another Jesus" and "another gospel". All of these goes hand-in-hand;
for if it is "another Jesus", then it is "another spirit"
that is received and "another gospel" that is accepted. When this
is true in an individual or church, then it is impossible to "worship
the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:23), and to "worship the
LORD in the beauty of holiness" (Psalm 29:2). It is imperative, then,
that we take heed and "search the scriptures" (John 5:39), and "believe
not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because
many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1), lest
we be drag into "damnable heresies" (2 Peter 2:1) and find ourselves
offering "strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded...not" (Leviticus
10:1) in our Praise and Worship of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment