Not Every Spiritual Voice Is Leading You Closer to God
Counters to fake prophets / pastors / "religious practitioners":
"You have to reach them where they are, and be like them to gain them..."
- Not one time was someone in scripture redeemed by God sending someone acting like the world. Not once. The Holy Spirit is the great evangelist Jesus said the apostles would receive and minister through, and holiness and worldliness don't mix.
"It's just a song..."
- And Lucifer had instruments for incredible music made into him at creation, so not accidental that music is used today to enter into homes and minds so easily. Paul warned to keep our minds in Philippians 4:8, and so did Solomon in Proverbs 4:23 saying, 'Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life'.
"They're just haters trying to stop my ministry..."
- If it's the gospel you are preaching, the ministry is not yours but the Lord's. On top of that, it's not hate when we are biblically called to correct our brothers and sisters in the faith in grace, that they don't spread false doctrine or fall further into sin (Galatians 6:1, Proverbs 12:1, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 4:2, Proverbs 10:17).
*"God told me..."
- Always to be confirmed via Acts 17:11 and continual prayer and confirmation from God!! Just as important though, remember that God's word is established from the mouths of two or three (Matthew 18:16, 2 Corinthians 13:1).
"God wants the people to see me prosper..."
- This old mantra of the Pharisees must die. Though our God works miracles, Jesus confirmed it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven (Matthew 19:24)! That said, there was still a Job, Cornelius, Abraham... They were all wealthy - they were also incredible givers, and didn't cover wealth for wealth sake... (p.s. Abraham's wealth set up for God's chosen people)
"Say this simple prayer and you're saved..."
- No. Empty repetition is just chanting and God issues no biblical mandate to honor a thing not in your heart!! Scripture clarifies that issue in Romans 10:9-10, 'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.'
"Buy my miracle water, prayer shawl, etc..."
- This is what Jesus was turning over tables for in Matthew 21:13, and we've fallen so far that selling in and from the churches is normalized. This is God's word, not no hustle!! Such as we have, let's give to them!!
Love you saints, sinners, and soldiers, with the love of God.