This may seem like a difficult or hard message to receive. In fact, it may
be one of those that is intended only for those who have “ears to hear,” as I
am quite sure many will not want to receive it.
Over the past thirty years, the Lord has allowed me to
witness and be involved in a variety of spiritual “movements” that included
everything from tent revivals to the prophetic and on to the apostolic waves of more
recent times. With that being stated, it is time to voice some challenges and
concerns. This is not intended to be negative, as I am a man of faith.
One of the great concerns involves the American church’s
need, or hunger, for sensationalism. By this, I mean that it seems many
spiritual leaders are seeking the next big thing. All the while there is a
desperate lack of unction or anointing. People have a difficult time discerning
the difference between drama and dynamics. It seems a bit appalling to see
churches using spectacular light shows and smoke machines in an attempt to
reproduce the presence of God’s glory. Some people have a hard time telling the
difference between a counterfeit and the real thing. Many preachers have quite
simply become motivational speakers. A good number of worship leaders are mere
stage entertainers, and prophets are too moved by profits!
I miss the likes of David Wilkerson. I can certainly state
that I did not always agree with him, but I have always respected him for passionately
proclaiming the message that burned in his bones. Where are the true prophets
of today? We need the voice of one “crying in the wilderness.” I fear that if
we heard such a voice as that of John the Baptist, the church may well want his
head on a platter! We need modern-day prophets like Isaiah and Elijah.
Today, we have many that call themselves prophets, and they really seem to be
“life coaches” that are skilled in psychology and motivating folks through
positive mind control. I would categorize some of these as “pop-culture
prophets.” I use this term because of the influence they have on a society that
follows the latest fads.
Here is a recent quote that was published by a very popular
pop-culture prophet:
“Don’t listen to negative prophetic words and reports. God is still in charge and releasing something new for you.”
Now, speaking as a “word of faith” preacher/teacher, I
understand the power of confession. Additionally, it is quite clear that “God is
in charge.” However, one has to wonder about the first statement. What if God
were commanding repentance and turning from sin? There are many instances in
Scripture where God’s prophet spoke some very negative words. What was the
result? They were usually put to death.
The Body of Christ has a sin problem! Yet, all we want to
hear are pleasant sayings.
I am reminded of an Old Testament account found in 1 Kings
22. Here we see the king of Israel detesting the prophet of God. Verse 8 sums
up how the king felt:
1 Kings 22:18 “… I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.”
1 Kings 22:13 Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.”
1 Kings 22:14 And Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, whatever the LORD says to me, that I will speak.”
I understand that, according to 1 Corinthians 14:3, he that prophesies
“speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.”
This does not mean that the purpose of a true prophet is to
make folks feel comfortable with sin or other forms of spiritual neglect. I
recall a time when believers felt a bit “uncomfortable” when in the company of
a true prophet of God. It was as though that individual could see into the
hidden part of our lives; we may have feared what they saw! Today, we have a very
different disposition. Many can’t wait to hear something that tickles the ear
but rarely changes the life. We see no reason to fear a holy God; it seems as there is no cause for repentance. After all, “God is love.” He is love and that is exactly why He
calls us to turn and follow Him, His ways, His will, and His Word.
Without true repentance and humility before a holy God, man
will move down a path of confusion and despair. The Lord calls us to repent.
This is not from a posture of mere judgment. Rather, He loves us so much that He
provides the avenue of mercy that can only be experienced through true
repentance.
America continues to stand on the edge of a very steep
cliff. I refuse to believe and accept that God has turned His back on a nation
that He founded for an incredible purpose. However, if His people (the church) refuse to heed His Word and do what He commands, there will be
very serious repercussions.
It is incumbent upon those who are called by His name to
turn from idolatry and the lusts of the flesh. It is time to return to the God
of Salvation. May we stop being conformed to the world and truly be transformed
through the process of renewing our minds which Apostle Paul wrote about.
May we cease seeking to be entertained and endeavor to be enlightened;
may we deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Grace & Peace,
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