False Prophets. False Gods
"If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods,' which you have not known, 'and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)
"Christian" is such a loaded word in the modern era. Often times the traditional definition of a word morphs into something completely different based on the common usage of the word in society and that seems to have happened to the term "Christian." Initially, the label was a derisive term coined by first century Romans and applied to the men and women who were like Jesus Christ. Of course, a man or woman who has willfully chosen to follow Christ wouldn't see the label as derisive at all, rather they would likely take it as a compliment. When someone is called a "Christian" they have been correctly labeled as such if their life and principles resemble that of Jesus or at least they are trying to be.
But how do we know which principles and what lifestyle is reminiscent of Jesus? Checking out books from the "Christian" section of Barnes & Noble may or may not be helpful. Watching "Christian" programming on networks like TBN or the late-night prayer hour on BET probably isn't helpful either. And piecing together "Christian" commentary from cable network documentaries or news programs is just downright confusing. As obvious as it sounds the Bible really is the only place to assure an accurate picture of Christianity.
The Bible is the only trustworthy source of Jesus' actual sayings and miracles because his own followers penned eye-witness accounts of what he said and did as they were under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, anything that is labeled "Christian" must be weighed against the teachings of the Bible. The Deuteronomy passage above gave the Israelites clear instruction about how to deal with false prophets as they were about to enter the Promised Land. In some cases, verses 1 and 2 say, God would allow a false prophet to even perform the miraculous - "If a prophet...gives you a sign or wonder, and [it]...comes to pass..." Modern day there are some pretty eye-opening things that are done in the name of Christianity that draw a great deal of attention. Maybe it's the "miraculous" healings of a Benny Hinn or another televangelist, or the charisma of a T.D. Jakes that can draw tens of thousands to a Sunday service, or even the awe-inspiring "love" of a Rob Bell who accepts all, regardless of lifestyle or belief, under the umbrella of Christianity. These individuals, and countless more, have best-selling books in "Christian" categories and have earned the allegiance of many who believe that by following them they are also following Christ. But are they? Do the words and actions of popular Christianity reflect those of Jesus?
The warning in the Deuteronomy passage is for the Israelites, and any modern believer by faith, to not listen to the "prophet" should they direct us to worship a god other than the God of the Bible. This isn't always as easy to recognize as we may think. Our hearts are so inclined to find our hope in idols rather than in God that we find ourselves immersed in idolatry often without being aware of it. The miracle faith-healers, for example, prey upon those who have an innate desire to see constant, tangible evidence of God's existence. Little do they know that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). Constantly requiring some miraculous display in order to trust God isn't faith at all. It is actually reminiscent of the Galileans who marveled at Jesus' signs and wonders in John 2 and 4 but lacked authentic faith.
Sometimes faith-healers gain their popularity on the basic premise that a good God would never allow you to suffer, therefore you can trust that he will heal your ailments every time. For this reason people will go to Benny Hinn's rallies or watch intently the TBN shows in hopes that their sickness or poverty will come to an end. This is also a lack of faith and a misunderstanding of the character and wisdom of God. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that sometimes God uses hardship in the life of a believer to bring about valuable growth or to reveal truth that he or she would have otherwise missed. Obvious examples include the countless imprisonments of the apostles and even the flogging Jesus himself endured.
Aside from the faith-healers and prosperity preachers, I fear that many of our hearts are inclined to offer sacrifices at the American altar of Tolerance and sometimes we readjust Christian principles to fit under that umbrella. Be careful of this. Jesus absolutely calls us to love all people, but love and tolerance are far from synonyms. Taking a stand against abortion, the LGBTQ agenda, or many of the other modern issues is not an act of discrimination as the media would suggest. The opposite is true: standing firm on biblical principles is the most loving thing you can do for anyone. Don't condemn or unnecessarily ostracize those who believe differently or live a life opposed to the Bible, but don't lie to them that these things are okay and that God is pleased. He is not and all sin not paid for by the blood of Christ applied through the faith of the believer will meet its proper punishment.
Unfortunately, men like Rob Bell have bought into the tolerance lie and you can rest assured that no amount of charisma or creative vernacular can change the fact that what that man teaches about Jesus Christ is blasphemous, false, and not Christianity at all. In fact, the Deuteronomy passage goes on to outline the old covenant consequence for such false teachers: death. "That prophet...shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the LORD your God..." (v. 5). To be clear, we currently live under new covenant provisions and all who live now, including Bell and the others, are being graciously extended the opportunity to repent and believe. However, time does run out when this life ends and the Good Judge will render the appropriate sentence.
All in all, the term "Christian" is not a matter of opinion. We don't get to determine what being a Christian means to us in the subjective sense. Jesus was a historical person and continues to be the sovereign God of the universe. Therefore, our standards of what is or is not Christian must come straight from him and the way we obtain that instruction is from our Spirit-inspired Bibles. "Christian" leaders who teach anything other than the doctrine of the Bible must be avoided for the sake of your soul and the sake of those you love. So let's thank God that he has graciously provided us with clear instruction and let's pray that he will guide us to the truth each and every day, keeping us from the errors in idolatry all around us.
"Christian" is such a loaded word in the modern era. Often times the traditional definition of a word morphs into something completely different based on the common usage of the word in society and that seems to have happened to the term "Christian." Initially, the label was a derisive term coined by first century Romans and applied to the men and women who were like Jesus Christ. Of course, a man or woman who has willfully chosen to follow Christ wouldn't see the label as derisive at all, rather they would likely take it as a compliment. When someone is called a "Christian" they have been correctly labeled as such if their life and principles resemble that of Jesus or at least they are trying to be.But how do we know which principles and what lifestyle is reminiscent of Jesus? Checking out books from the "Christian" section of Barnes & Noble may or may not be helpful. Watching "Christian" programming on networks like TBN or the late-night prayer hour on BET probably isn't helpful either. And piecing together "Christian" commentary from cable network documentaries or news programs is just downright confusing. As obvious as it sounds the Bible really is the only place to assure an accurate picture of Christianity.
The Bible is the only trustworthy source of Jesus' actual sayings and miracles because his own followers penned eye-witness accounts of what he said and did as they were under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, anything that is labeled "Christian" must be weighed against the teachings of the Bible. The Deuteronomy passage above gave the Israelites clear instruction about how to deal with false prophets as they were about to enter the Promised Land. In some cases, verses 1 and 2 say, God would allow a false prophet to even perform the miraculous - "If a prophet...gives you a sign or wonder, and [it]...comes to pass..." Modern day there are some pretty eye-opening things that are done in the name of Christianity that draw a great deal of attention. Maybe it's the "miraculous" healings of a Benny Hinn or another televangelist, or the charisma of a T.D. Jakes that can draw tens of thousands to a Sunday service, or even the awe-inspiring "love" of a Rob Bell who accepts all, regardless of lifestyle or belief, under the umbrella of Christianity. These individuals, and countless more, have best-selling books in "Christian" categories and have earned the allegiance of many who believe that by following them they are also following Christ. But are they? Do the words and actions of popular Christianity reflect those of Jesus?
The warning in the Deuteronomy passage is for the Israelites, and any modern believer by faith, to not listen to the "prophet" should they direct us to worship a god other than the God of the Bible. This isn't always as easy to recognize as we may think. Our hearts are so inclined to find our hope in idols rather than in God that we find ourselves immersed in idolatry often without being aware of it. The miracle faith-healers, for example, prey upon those who have an innate desire to see constant, tangible evidence of God's existence. Little do they know that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). Constantly requiring some miraculous display in order to trust God isn't faith at all. It is actually reminiscent of the Galileans who marveled at Jesus' signs and wonders in John 2 and 4 but lacked authentic faith.
Sometimes faith-healers gain their popularity on the basic premise that a good God would never allow you to suffer, therefore you can trust that he will heal your ailments every time. For this reason people will go to Benny Hinn's rallies or watch intently the TBN shows in hopes that their sickness or poverty will come to an end. This is also a lack of faith and a misunderstanding of the character and wisdom of God. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that sometimes God uses hardship in the life of a believer to bring about valuable growth or to reveal truth that he or she would have otherwise missed. Obvious examples include the countless imprisonments of the apostles and even the flogging Jesus himself endured.
Aside from the faith-healers and prosperity preachers, I fear that many of our hearts are inclined to offer sacrifices at the American altar of Tolerance and sometimes we readjust Christian principles to fit under that umbrella. Be careful of this. Jesus absolutely calls us to love all people, but love and tolerance are far from synonyms. Taking a stand against abortion, the LGBTQ agenda, or many of the other modern issues is not an act of discrimination as the media would suggest. The opposite is true: standing firm on biblical principles is the most loving thing you can do for anyone. Don't condemn or unnecessarily ostracize those who believe differently or live a life opposed to the Bible, but don't lie to them that these things are okay and that God is pleased. He is not and all sin not paid for by the blood of Christ applied through the faith of the believer will meet its proper punishment.
Unfortunately, men like Rob Bell have bought into the tolerance lie and you can rest assured that no amount of charisma or creative vernacular can change the fact that what that man teaches about Jesus Christ is blasphemous, false, and not Christianity at all. In fact, the Deuteronomy passage goes on to outline the old covenant consequence for such false teachers: death. "That prophet...shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the LORD your God..." (v. 5). To be clear, we currently live under new covenant provisions and all who live now, including Bell and the others, are being graciously extended the opportunity to repent and believe. However, time does run out when this life ends and the Good Judge will render the appropriate sentence.
All in all, the term "Christian" is not a matter of opinion. We don't get to determine what being a Christian means to us in the subjective sense. Jesus was a historical person and continues to be the sovereign God of the universe. Therefore, our standards of what is or is not Christian must come straight from him and the way we obtain that instruction is from our Spirit-inspired Bibles. "Christian" leaders who teach anything other than the doctrine of the Bible must be avoided for the sake of your soul and the sake of those you love. So let's thank God that he has graciously provided us with clear instruction and let's pray that he will guide us to the truth each and every day, keeping us from the errors in idolatry all around us.
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