Snakes in the Grass, Part 2: Do Not Make Men Famous
This is Part 2 of a two-part article. Find Part 1 at this link.
We cannot exalt man. You are in danger, preacher, when all men speak well of you. Many well-meaning ministers have lacked this discernment. For example, I remember the Todd Bentley fiasco back in 2008 when popular and prominent ministers prophesied over him, offering grandiose commendations. In fact, they declared his ministry would birth global revival and usher in the coming of Jesus.
Shortly thereafter he divorced his wife, married another and was found guilty of various indiscretions. How could these prominent men miss it so badly and lack such discernment to promote this man on a national stage? And what about the large masses of people who are submitted to these prominent leaders?
Do you see what I mean? Do you see the vicious cycle of the multiplicity of people who are affected by leaders lacking discernment? Scripture declares that leaders and teachers are under stricter judgment. The leaven they produce leavens entire lumps. What a thorough cleansing the temple of God needs in this hour when its own leaders lack discernment and are failing miserably in leading the sheep to pure waters!
‘You’re Too Negative’
Someone sent me a private message the other day to tell me I’m too negative when I write such things. According to this way of thinking, much of the Bible is too negative. I told him that much of the Bible’s content is correction, reroof and rebuke, and then I offered him these verses:
“Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong] and convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching. For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, and will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions” (2 Tim. 4:2-4, AMPC).
We are living smack-dab in the depths of these verses in 21st-century America and the world. Warnings should be at an all-time high. Love warns. Love judges righteously. Love speaks the truth. Love offers full counsel. And yes, sometimes love reproves and rebukes.
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We are living in the days of Noah.
Would it have been appropriate just prior to the flood of judgment that was poured out in Noah’s day for him to be offering people nice, sugar-coated messages on living your best life now? Would it have been appropriate to offer them some entertainment and some light, off-color humor so they could laugh and feel good about coming to church? Can you even picture Noah swinging his hips from the ark’s platform while pointing his finger at people and telling them God has a money miracle for them if they would only sow a generous seed to his ministry?
Let’s Repent of Everything That Misrepresents Jesus
The only thing stopping full exposure of everyone’s sins is God’s mercy and grace. Some of you are living in sin. You’re watching porn. You’re lusting after other women. You’re flirting with Delilah or Samson. You don’t love your spouse like Christ. Your family is out of order. Your children are unruly. Your teens are no longer serving God because of you. You love the world’s pleasures.
Some of you watch worldly films and listen to filthy language because you say you love the plot. You mention the name of Jesus while cursing out of the other side of your mouth. Corrupt language has filtered into your soul because of your associations. You’re a hypocrite!
Some of you are winebibbers and beer guzzlers. You say you drink socially to relax. You keep making excuses, but one day you’ll cause a little one to stumble, and you’ll condemn yourself. Your worldliness has actually made you an enemy of God.
Some of you are full of bitterness and unforgiveness. You feed you flesh and starve your spirit, and that’s why you don’t have overcoming power. Don’t blame the devil. You’re making poor choices.
Am I being too negative?
This is really a manifestation of God’s mercy trying to save your soul and make your crooked paths straight before it’s too late and you become another casualty like so many.
Let’s Judge Ourselves
Let’s all judge ourselves thoroughly so we won’t be judged. Let’s all repent of every word, thought, motive and deed contrary to the Word of God and the love of Christ. As a minister, I went right to work on myself after the Mike Bickle scandal. I am making adjustments. I am judging myself. I don’t want any public exposure of any hidden sin, no matter how small it may be.
All sin starts as a seed. Cut if off now before it grows. God already knows and sees everything. All things are open and naked before Him. Let’s depart from all iniquity and live pure in His sight.
Become a disciple and go after Jesus. Feed your spirit and starve your flesh, and you’ll have overcoming power. The Lord knows those who are His. Prove you are His.
Abundant grace to those who love Jesus.{eoa}
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Bert Farias’ books are forerunners to personal holiness, the move of God and the return of the Lord. They also combat the departure from the faith and the turning away from the truth we are seeing in our day. His recent five-book bundle, written under a fresh anointing, is a forerunner of what the Lord is doing in His church today. His most-read books are “Cleansing The Temple“ and “The Tumultuous 2020s and Beyond.”
