Matthew 7:15-20 – Whoa. Now that’s a warning.
My husband and I attended a megachurch out west last weekend during our visit with family. I enjoy checking out churches when we travel, curious to witness how others worship. I knew about this ministry but never followed it. I had seen it on television programs but was never drawn in. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure why I wanted to go, but I think we were prompted by the Holy Spirit.
My husband and I are both discerners (through feelings/emotions). For more understanding of the gifts, I encourage you to review Corinthians and Romans. I understand that many denominations believe that the gifts of the Spirit went away with the original apostles, but the Bible has much to say to the contrary. Those who are familiar with my writing know that most of it focuses on how we can develop these gifts and use them in His kingdom.
My husband’s response to the Lord’s revealing was more profound than mine. Within minutes of the service, he felt heaviness in his body, his heart started racing, and panic set in. He feels this kind of stuff very rarely, but usually when he picks up on the energy of the spiritual atmosphere. I’m always quick to size up the atmosphere, but I felt uncertainty and unease (it wasn’t easy to discern). There was lots in the leader’s message that lined up with God’s word, but there were things that seemed off.
A large part of the message began with a direct request for money. I walk in the “giver” gifting, so I initially found it refreshing. Nowadays, many churches are hesitant to ask for tithes (which are expected of us, as laid out in the Bible…another thing that many Christians believe went away with the old apostles) for fear of turning parishioners away. I think it’s sad that many churches feel like they can’t ask their congregations for money (they should be able to within reason), but I can certainly appreciate their dilemma. The first thing out of most people’s mouths when asked why they don’t attend church is, “All the church wants is my money.” Sadly, many are mistaken. Most churches are legitimate places of worship that have operating expenses and outreach programs that depend on tithes and offerings. Fraud and deceit are not the norms.
But, they do happen. We all can think of a televangelist (or five) who misappropriated funds in their ministry, then paid the price in prison and the court of public opinion. I attended a healing ministry conference hosted by a prophetic healer many years ago. This person’s message and healing practices seemed legit, but the Lord revealed to me during the service that they had an underlying struggle with money. I was hesitant to support the ministry in any way, and after the Holy Spirit revealed their struggle (on more than one occasion), I did not sow into it.
Back to this weekend’s service, my husband and I found the money-driven message heavy-handed. I’m always inclined to leave an offering at any church I visit, but I struggled to leave something behind at this place. When the power of the Holy Spirit comes on a person, it’s evident. When this leader gave a prophetic message, it seemed disingenuous. There was a major security detail at this church, not just a couple of bodyguards that are usually found at most large churches. Some people were friendly. Others were stiff. My husband and I got several intense stares from some of the detail. Even the leadership (seated on stage) noticeably turned to look at us in the congregation. Granted, we were new to the place, but it felt uncomfortable.
Our daughter spent time in the children’s ministry. She was hesitant to go in at first. Usually, if she (also a seer) responds negatively to a situation, we don’t push it. She warmed up, though, and later said that she had fun. However, she showed us an unusual cartoon rendering that the kids colored. It was a picture of Jesus with his arm around a child, standing inside some strange contraption. When I asked my daughter what the picture was (we thought it was a hot air balloon at first), she said, “The teacher said it’s Jesus’ spaceship!”
We can pass judgment when something runs counter to Christ, but we must handle things with tact. We shouldn’t be quick to confront, expose, or condemn. We should take everything to prayer, first and foremost.
When I asked, “Lord, um, what do you want us to do with this?” I felt called to write about the importance of distinguishing between true disciples for Christ and counterfeits. It goes without saying that when the Lord lays anything of concern on our hearts, we should pray. We should pray that the people involved respond to His holy conviction, repent, and change. I’m not saying that this ministry has always disseminated false information or been fraudulent. I don’t know enough about it. Maybe it has simply gotten off track. Lord only knows.
During prayer later that day, when I asked the Lord why I didn’t feel as much of the spiritual oppression as my husband, who can withstand and clear that sort of stuff much better than I (I usually pick up on everything in the spiritual environment), I heard something along the lines of, “Because it would’ve knocked you on your rear for the rest of the day, and you had family to visit.” To which I graciously replied, “Lord, thanks for always having my back!”
If you want to strengthen your ability to tell truth from lies, be sure to stay strong in His word. As busy as life gets (trust me, I know), the best defense is knowing what’s on His heart. Knowledge is power. When your intuitive radar goes haywire, it could be a check in your spirit from the Holy Spirit, trying to get your attention.
Proceed with an open but cautious mind. The enemy not only prowls around like a lion; he wears many masks.
