Why Do Christians Accept the Ridiculous? Part 3

The Answer in One Word

We have seen that some sincere Christians gradually begin to accept ridiculous manifestations of so-called revival. This occurs because Christians are prepared to accept such expressions. As we have seen, Christians are “prepared” to accept the ridiculous by leaders instilling a fear in them to speak against such manifestations. They are “prepared” by being instructed not to “play it safe.” They are “prepared” by being taught to not cling so closely to their Bibles.

If a Christian does not test “laughing in the Spirit” by whether or not it occurs in the Bible, he will most likely accept it as a genuine phenomenon of the Holy Spirit. If a Christian does not “try the spirits,” testing every form of worship with the Bible, then he will probably accept the “Holy Ghost gun,” or the “Holy Ghost glue.”

But let me ask a sincere question, and then answer it clearly with one word. Suppose you visited a Charismatic church. The preacher is preaching about hell. Suddenly, laughter breaks out. The more the preacher preaches about hell, the more the people laugh (this has actually happened). Those who are laughing, as well as those who are not, believe that what is going on around them is a work of the Holy Spirit. The whole congregation, whether they are actually laughing or not, accept this ridiculous phenomenon. Why do they accept it? How can they “eat it up”?

Now, suppose you approached a garbage dump. Suppose you witnessed a man eating his meal from the garbage dump. How can anyone eat from a garbage dump? People eat from a garbage dump for the same reason that some Christians “eat” from the dump of ridiculous manifestations. A man will eat a maggot-infested meal from the dumpster for the same reason that Christians will accept “laughing in the Spirit,” the “Holy Ghost gun,” or the “Holy Ghost glue.” In one word, the man who eats from a garbage dump and the Christian who accepts the ridiculous does so because of their hunger. Christians accept the ridiculous because they are hungry. They are starving to death. Personally, I would have to, spiritually speaking, be skin and bones before I’d accept “laughing in the Spirit” as a genuine phenomenon of the Holy Spirit. I do not accept “laughing in the Spirit” as genuine for the same reason I do not eat from a garbage dump – I’m not starving to death.

While it is good to have a hunger for righteousness, it is not good to be so hungry as to accept anything. Jesus said in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Notice, Jesus did not say, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after anything;” He said rather “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.” We are not to be so hungry as to accept anything that comes in the name of religion and revival. Spiritually speaking, I am a picky eater. I am hungry for righteousness, but I am not hungry for anything else. If it is not righteous, I do not want it. If it doesn’t line up with scripture, I do not desire it. If the Holy Spirit within me cautions me about it, I do not need it.

I feel sorry for Christians who entertain ridiculous, non-Biblical manifestations because they are spiritually starving to death. It’s been so long since many such Christians have had a wholesome meal spiritually. It’s been so long since they’ve heard a solid, Bible-based message. Many of them cannot remember the last time they were blessed by simply reading the Bible, or spending time in prayer.

A Warning to Professing Christians

If you profess to be a Christian, and you accept the ridiculous manifestations I have mentioned, I must give you a word of warning. If you think Benny Hinn is a man of God because the crowd falls backward at his beckoning, then you are deceived. If you think a man is a man of God because he prophesies over everybody in the church, without any regard to whether or not his words come to pass, or whether or not his words line up with scripture, then you are deceived.

If you are a professing Christian who accepts such things, I would ask you, with a heart of compassion and concern, to make your calling and election sure (II Peter 1:10). I would ask you to make certain that you are genuinely saved by God’s grace. While a true Christian can be deceived in a certain area, it is also true that a person may be deceived because he is not a Christian. Christ, the good Shepherd, says concerning His sheep, that His sheep know the Shepherd, know the Shepherd’s voice, and will not follow a stranger.

John 10:2-3 – “But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”

John 10:5 – “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”

John 10:14 – “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

John 10:27 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Dear reader, true Christians know the Shepherd’s voice. They will not follow a stranger. The fact that some professing Christians confuse “laughing in the Spirit” with the Shepherd’s voice gives me great concern. I would advise any professing Christian who entertains the likes of Benny Hinn and the manifestations he exhibits to examine his own salvation, to ensure that it is genuine. Christ’s sheep know the difference between the voice of the Shepherd and the voice of the hirling.

Why Do Christians Accept the Ridiculous? Part 2

Preparing the Christian to Accept the Ridiculous

Having defined what is meant by the phrase “the ridiculous,” we now move on to begin answering the question at hand – “Why do Christians accept the ridiculous?” In part 1 of this series, we identified “the ridiculous” as unscriptural manifestations such as “Holy Ghost glue,” the “Holy Ghost gun,” and “laughing in the Spirit.” When it comes to such demonstrations, why are sincere Christians fooled into running after such idiocy? Make no mistake about it – some sincere Christians have fallen for nonsense in the name of revival. While I do not question that some who fallen for the ridiculous have never had a genuine salvation experience, I am equally convinced that some who have fallen for the ridiculous are sincere believers. So, why do earnest Christians fall for the excessive prophecies of so-called prophets? Why do genuine Christians fall for the counterfeit expression of “laughing in the Spirit?” How can someone who has been saved by the grace of God fall victim to such shams as these?

Most Christians do not accept the ridiculous instantly. When most believers hear of such nonsense as the “Holy Ghost gun,” or “Holy Ghost glue,” they would resist it in an instant. Over time, however, if these Christians continue to associate with others who promote ridiculous manifestations, things begin to transpire within the heart that prepares them to fall into the trap of believing unscriptural expressions. Let us look at some things that happen in the heart of a Christian that will lead him to accept the ridiculous.

A Christian Must Fear to Speak Against the Ridiculous

Christians who have been duped into believing in unscriptural nonsense must first be afraid to speak against such nonsense. Ministers who promote “laughing in the Spirit,” the “Holy Ghost gun,” or “Holy Ghost glue” must first convince Christians that what they are doing is the work of the Holy Spirit, and that, should anyone speak against them, they would be in essence speaking against the Holy Spirit. This is nothing but a tactic of the devil, to keep genuine Christians from speaking against unscriptural garbage.

At the Melodyland Christian Center in southern California, Benny Hinn said the following to the congregation:

Now I’m pointing my finger with the mighty power of God on me… You hear this. There are men and women in southern California attacking me. I will tell you under the anointing now, you’ll reap it in your children. You will never win… And your children will suffer. You are attacking me on the radio every night; you’ll pay and your children will. Hear this from the lips of God’s servant. You are in danger. Repent or God Almighty will move His hand…

Do you not see what is transpiring in these words? Benny Hinn first associates himself with the anointing. Then, consequently, he addresses those who speak against him as those who would speak against the Holy Spirit. Because of this, some are afraid to speak against Benny Hinn; they are afraid that they will be speaking against the Holy Spirit. This is precisely the devilish plan. Personally, I do not fear to speak against promoters of the “Holy Ghost glue” or the “Holy Ghost gun,” because such manifestations are unscriptural. On the other hand, I would be afraid to engage in such activities as “laughing in the Spirit” because it is unscriptural.

The Test of the Prophet Must Be Thrown Out

As previously mentioned, this group that promotes the ridiculous also emphasizes heavily the gift of prophecy. In many services where ridiculous manifestations are present, there is often an excess of the use of the prophetic gift. Sometimes, ministers will prophesy over everyone in the congregation. Usually, the “prophecies” are vague. The “prophet” will stand up and declare that someone in the congregation has a headache, or that someone has a backache. For crying out loud, in a crowd of ten someone has a headache!

“Prophets” who prophesy excessively often despise the test of a prophet. What is the test of a prophet? It is outlined specifically in the eighteenth chapter of Deuteronomy:

Deuteronomy 18:22 – “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

The test of a prophet is simple – if a man claims to be speaking for God, saying that this or that is going to happen, and it does not happen, then God did not say what that man claims that God said. Deuteronomy 18 certainly applies to anyone who claims to be speaking for God.

The New Testament gives us a key attribute of God that reinforces the test of a prophet as outlined in Deuteronomy 18. Titus 1:2 tells us that God cannot lie, and Hebrews 6:18 tells us that it is impossible for God to lie. God cannot lie! This truth also emphasizes the fact that someone claims that God said that something would happen, and it does not happen, then God said no such thing.

Yet, those who emphasize prophecy heavily absolutely despise the test of a prophet. They do not like their words of prophecy being tested.

Jack Deere, in his book The Beginner's Guide to the Gift of Prophecy, openly denounces the test of a prophet. Mr. Deere cannot understand why a prophet must speak truth in order to be a prophet of God. Look at Deere’s own words:

“A false prophet is not a prophet who makes a mistake in a prediction.” (p. 132)

It is clear – Deere wants to be able to prophesy inaccurately and still be called a prophet of God. Deere does not understand that if God really says something, then that statement will never be wrong. Why does Deere wish to do away with the Biblical test of the prophet? The answer is simple – Even though Deere has been wrong in some of his prophecies, he still wishes to be called a man of God. However, you are not granted that privilege. If you are going to speak for God, then know that God never makes a mistake.

Concerning the gift of prophecy, Bob Jones (not associated with Bob Jones Sr., founder of Bob Jones University), in his sermon “The Shepherd’s Rod,” said, “I figure if I hit two-thirds, I’m doing pretty good.” Jones is admitting that at least one third of the time, when he says that God said something, God actually did not say it. Consequently, he does not want you to judge his words by their accuracy. He does not want his words to be put to the test because he is not hearing from God as he claims.

David Ravenhill, in his message “Understanding Prophecy and its Fulfillment,” says, “I believe the test of a prophet is not whether his word comes to pass; it’s his lifestyle… It’s not a matter of whether the word comes to pass or not; it’s the nature of that person’s life.”

Clearly, David Ravenhill does not want his words to be judged by their accuracy. Friend, if God said it, it will come to pass exactly as He said. There’s a lot of junk being said today in the name of God, and God did not say it. In order for sincere Christians to accept this garbage, Christians must do away with the test of the prophet, and false prophets are working to persuade you to do just that.

Caution Must Be Thrown Out

In order to accept the ridiculous manifestations of so-called revival, caution must be discarded. The Bible plainly tells us to try the spirits, and that not every spirit is of God. Those who promote the ridiculous insist that we should throw caution to the wind, and not worry whether a manifestation is from God or not. In his message “Dynamics of Receiving Spiritual Experiences,” John Arnott says, “If he thinks it’s God and he likes it, let him enjoy it! Because you can always test the fruit later.” If you are in a church service and questionable incidents occur, just enjoy it! Don’t worry about what spirit is behind it; you can always look at that later! John Arnott further states, “If you play it safe with this thing, the Holy Spirit, you know what? You’re never going to get anywhere.”

Arnott wants you to “Eat the fruit now; test it later.” Never mind that the fruit may be poisonous. Why doesn’t Arnott want you to play it safe? Why doesn’t he want you to see if what he promotes passes the Biblical test? Because his actions fail the Biblical test.

The Word of God Must Be Thrown Out

In order to accept the ridiculous, Christians must not compare and contrast modern expressions of worship to the Bible. Those who promote such things as “laughing in the spirit” do not want you to look in the Bible for such a phenomenon, because it is foreign to the scriptures.

John Wimber, Vineyard founder, admits that the phenomenon of being “slain in the Spirit” is not in the Bible, but promotes it anyway – “There’s no place in the Bible where people were lined up and Jesus or Paul or anyone else went along and bapped them on the head and watched them go down, one after another, and somebody else ran along behind. Can you picture Peter and James – ‘Hold it, hold it, hold it!’ – running along behind trying to catch them? And so the model that we’re seeing, either on stage or on television, is totally different from anything that’s in scripture.” (“Spiritual Phenomena: Slain in the Spirit,” audiotape, 1981)

Wimber goes on to state his despite for those who cling too tightly to their Bible – “Evangelicals all over the country are worshipping the book. They have God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Book.” (“Healing, an Introduction.” Audiotape #5)

Wimber hates our veneration of the Bible as God’s word. Yes, Mr. Wimber, I will compare and contrast every form of worship you promote to the Bible. If your form of worship does not match the Bible, then the Bible is right, and you are wrong.

In the early twentieth century, a key revival that was taking place was the Azusa Street revival. I do not endorse the Azusa Street revival for many reasons, but one of the most prominent reasons was the mission’s neglect of scripture. The leaders of the Azusa Street revival wanted to pray constantly but gave very little time to the word of God.

Look at what Frank Bartleman, a leader of the Azusa Street revival, said in his book Another Wave of Revival –

“We need no more theology or theory. Let the devil have them. Let us get to God.” (p. 104)

“The doctrinal issue has also been a great battle. Many were too dogmatic at Azusa.” (p. 108)

Frank Bartleman said that doctrine was too great a battle at Azusa Street. Bartleman admitted that the Azusa Street Mission failed God early in her history. The Azusa Street Revival came to naught shortly after its conception. Bartleman believed that this occurred because Azusa Street became too interested in doctrine. I believe it is because of the contrary. I believe that the Azusa Street Mission focused too much on having prayer meetings and not nearly enough on doctrine. Bartleman said “We need no more theology.” But God said “Study to shew thyself approved.” Bartleman said “Many were too dogmatic at Azusa.” But God said, “Take heed to the doctrine.” Doctrine matters!

Listen to me very carefully. If any pastor tells you that, in order to receive what he is trying to give you, you must not cling to the Bible so much, get away from that individual as quickly as possible! No form of worship that is pleasing to God will contradict the Bible!

Prayer Must Be Thrown Out

Promoters of ridiculous expressions of so-called worship discourage prayer. If, while you sit in one of their meetings, you pray, then you might discover the spirit behind their so-called worship is not the Spirit that dwells in you! So, they discourage you to pray.

Rodney Howard-Browne is an advocate of ridiculous expressions of worship. Rodney Howard-Browne, in an audio tape from March 9, 1993, says to those who have come to the front, “Now people in the lines, wait for me to come and lay hands on you, and don’t pray. Please don’t pray.” He goes on to say, “People come trying to be all serious and praying. No! This is not the time to pray. This is not a prayer meeting; get in the joy; you can pray on the way home.”

No man of God will ever discourage you from praying. “Pray without ceasing” is the Bible command.

Conclusion

Christians do not swallow ridiculous forms of worship overnight. Christians become targets for the ridiculous when they become afraid to speak against unbiblical manifestations. When a Christian is afraid to call a man a false prophet when his predictions do not happen, he is gradually setting himself up to be deceived. As the word of God becomes less important in the life of a Christian, he becomes more prone to deception.

Always judge a man’s form of worship by the Bible. If that man’s form of worship is not found in the scripture, you do not need it!

Why Do Christians Accept the Ridiculous? Part 1

The “Ridiculous” Defined

In order to provide an answer to the question that titles this post, we must clearly understand the question. “Why do Christians accept the ridiculous?” That is the question at hand. In the following posts, I will provide a clear answer to the question. In this post, however, allow me to make the question clear so that I may later make the answer clear.

What is Meant by “the Ridiculous”?

Most Christians, I believe, see the need for local churches to experience a revival. Most Christians, in my opinion, are eager to please the Lord, to experience His presence, to be drawn closer to Him, and to have greater understanding of His word. In their quest for a genuine revival, however, many sincere Christians deviate toward ridiculous phenomena.

Recently I read a book by Hank Hanegraaff entitled Counterfeit Revival. While I know little concerning Hank Hanegraaff, I will say that in this work, he hit the nail on the head. In this book, Hanegraaff gives one example after another of counterfeit expressions of revival. These expressions are what I refer to as “the ridiculous.” What are the expressions to which I refer? Allow me to list a few, and you can judge whether or not they qualify as being “ridiculous.”

“Holy Ghost Glue”

Rodney Howard-Browne, in his pamphlet Manifesting the Holy Ghost, tells of a lady who was stuck to the floor with “Holy Ghost glue” –

She was lying there from noon until 1:30… At 1:30, she tried to get up. She couldn’t. All she could do was flap her hands. So she was lying there flapping away – flap, flap, flap, flap… 2:30, 3:30, 4:30… At 4:30 the woman was still saying, “I can’t get up. I’m stuck to the floor.” (pp. 26-27)

Rodney Howard-Browne goes on to tell how he and another minister, since they were not stuck to the floor, went and grabbed a sandwich before the evening service, leaving the woman stuck to the floor! Do you believe the Holy Spirit is really interested in “gluing” people to the floor, or does this seem ridiculous to you?

The “Holy Ghost Gun”

Rodney Howard-Browne, in his pamphlet Touch of God, tells of his “Holy Ghost gun” –

It felt like my fingertips came off. I felt a full volume of the anointing flow out of my hand. The only way I can explain it is to liken it to a fireman holding a fire hose with a full volume of water flowing out of it. The anointing went right into her. It looked like someone had hit her in the head with an invisible baseball bat and she fell to the floor.

He goes on to tell how he told his congregation –

I’d better look out where I point this thing. This thing’s loaded now!

In spite of this warning, Howard-Browne went on to “shoot” everyone in the church. He says –

They hit the floor just like someone had slammed them in the head with a Louisville Slugger. (pp. 76-77)

It is a sad truth that, when some think of revival, they think of a preacher going around shooting people with a “Holy Ghost gun,” and people falling to the floor in response to it. This incident, to say the least, makes a mockery of the Holy Spirit.

Up to this point, I would surmise that most readers agree that these examples are certainly ridiculous. However, from this point onward, I will be moving “closer to home.”

“Drunk in the Spirit”

In Acts 2, because the bystanders heard the Galileans speak in languages they had never learned, the bystanders supposed the Galileans to be drunk. The Bible is clear that those present on the day of Pentecost thought the speakers were drunk because they heard them speak in their own native tongues.

Acts 2:11-13 – “…we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.”

It is clear that on the day of Pentecost, there was an audience that heard the wonderful works of God in their own native languages. Because they knew that the Galileans could not have learned those languages, some mocked, accusing the Galileans of being drunk. Listen carefully – no one on the day of Pentecost was accused of being drunk because they staggered around! Not one of the Galilean speakers was accused of being full of new wine because he acted senseless, bumped into various objects, or fell in the floor. Yet, from this passage, there are some who insist that when revival comes, some will be “drunk in the Spirit,” staggering around like drunken sailors. Another verse that some use to try to justify being “drunk in the Spirit” is Ephesians 5:18. Let us examine this verse:

Ephesians 5:18 – “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

Some interpret this verse to say, “Don’t be drunk with wine; but instead be drunk with the Spirit!” This is neither what the verse says nor means. There is no command in this verse for Christians to be drunk. This verse gives us two conditions in which we may find ourselves – “drunk with wine,” and “filled with the Spirit.” This verse does not compare these two conditions; this verse rather contrasts them! Paul is not admonishing the Ephesians to imitate the drunken man by being “drunk with the Spirit.” Instead, Paul is instructing us to not be like the drunken man, but to rather be “filled with the Spirit!” Being filled with the Spirit is in complete contrast with being drunk with wine. Those who are full of the Spirit are not like those who are drunken, but are rather opposite of such people! We are commanded continuously to be sober (I Thessalonians 5:6; I Thessalonians 5:8; Titus 2:2; Titus 2:4; I Peter 1:13; I Peter 4:7; I Peter 5:8); to be sober-minded (Titus 2:6); to be vigilant (I Timothy 3:2; I Peter 5:8); and to be watchful (Revelation 3:2). Paul tells us that those who are drunken are drunk in the night, and exhorts us to rather be children of the day, watchful and vigilant:

I Thessalonians 5:6-8 – “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”

In spite of clear biblical teaching exhorting Christians to be sober, watchful, alert, and vigilant, some insist that we should be “drunk in the Spirit,” meaning that we should model our behavior after ungodly drunkards, and that we should do so in the name of the Holy Spirit. I will say here that the phrase “drunk in the Spirit” is not in the Bible. It is not a biblical concept. It is entirely man-made.

Frances Hunter, in her book Holy Laughter, tells this story of a pastor who

…opened his Bible II Corinthians 9:7 and started to read about how God loves a cheerful giver. He never got beyond the first few words! He must have taken a big gulp of the new wine and it really hit him, and not only did he laugh, he discovered he was completely incapable of reading. He got so totally intoxicated with the Holy Spirit he finally had to give up. He couldn’t even stand up. (p. 99)

Frances Hunter describes this pastor of being “so totally intoxicated with the Holy Spirit” that he could not stand up. Yes, dear friend, this is what I mean by “ridiculous.”

This brings me to my next point, which is closer to home still yet.

“Holy Laughter” or “Laughing in the Spirit”

These phrases, “holy laughter” and “laughing in the Spirit,” are not found in the scriptures. I have preached against this phenomenon for many years, and people have opposed my preaching each time. The truth, however, is not changed. “Laughing in the Spirit” is a concept foreign to the word of God. Laughter cannot be found as a form of worship in the Bible. Please note that I am not saying that it is a sin to laugh. Laughter oftentimes is an expression of joy. In the Bible, laughter is sometimes referred to in a positive light. However, to say that the Holy Spirit comes upon a person to make him or her laugh uncontrollably is a concept not found in scripture. Laughter is not shown in the Bible as a form of worship. As a matter of fact, the first time we see someone laughing in the Bible, it was not an expression of faith; it was rather an expression of doubt. Sarah laughed when she was told she would bear a son in her old age. In the Bible, laughter is often associated with doubt, scorn, ridicule, and at times expression of joy – but never with worship. If you disagree with me, the burden of proof is on you – show me where I can find “laughing in the Spirit” in the Bible.

In two interviews with Julia Duin, Rodney Howard-Browne gives details of two incidents where his church was filled with “holy laughter.” In the first incident, Howard-Browne was preaching on the subject of hell. He said, “The more I told people what hell was like, the more they laughed.” In the second incident, Howard-Browne was preaching on the biblical story of Ananias and Sapphira, a couple who was slain by the Holy Ghost for lying to Him. As he told the story, “everyone ended up on the floor laughing.”

The further away you stay from “holy laughter,” the better off you’ll be.

Ridiculous Prophecies

It is not uncommon in some instances of so-called revival to hear “prophecies,” many of which are ridiculous. When a man (usually a preacher) gives forth a prophecy, he is telling either the congregation as a whole or an individual within the congregation what God is telling him to say.

I was scheduled to preach at a meeting some time ago. A visiting minister was asked to sing a song. He was already positioned on the piano bench, so he simply began to play and sing. After his singing, he began to prophesy. “Somebody in here has a headache,” he said. “And it’s either in the front part of the head, the middle of the head, or the back of the head.” Later, the man prophesied again. “Somebody in here is experiencing pain, either in the wrist, the elbow, or the shoulder.” He then asked for people who fit this description to come to front to receive prayer.

That’s ridiculous! That’s so absurd as to be ludicrous! This man did not need God to tell him that someone had a headache; in a crowd of four someone has a headache! The church world is full of self-proclaimed prophets who claim that God says this and God says that. There’s going to be a lot of people at the Great White Throne Judgment who claimed that God said this and God said that, but they’re going to find out that God did not say those things. What do you think about prophecies such as these? Do you call it revival or ridiculous? Prophecies such as these are ridiculous! Why don’t these “prophets” call someone out of the crowd who has lupus? Why don’t they call someone out and tell them that God said they have a serious condition involving mitochondrial DNA? They don’t do that, and they won’t! They only prophesy about headaches and backaches because if the crowd is bigger than ten, they’ll be right every time! We certainly need a revival and you won’t find it in places where these ridiculous prophecies are being spoken.

These manifestations are only a few among many that are commonly found among so-called revivals. These manifestations are not marks of true revival. They are ridiculous, non-scriptural expressions.

Tearing Down One Bible Doctrine to Preach Another

To the Bible teacher who rightly divides the word of truth, there is no contradiction between any two Bible doctrines. To the Pharisee, however, the promotion of one Bible doctrine means the demotion of another. This, however, is a tremendous fallacy. If you feel the need to tear down one Bible truth in order to exalt another, then you are not teaching Biblical truth. Look what Christ said regarding the Pharisees:

Matthew 23:23 – “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

The Pharisees emphasized the paying of tithes, even down to the spice! In their opinion, you could not rigidly pay tithes AND promote judgment, mercy, and faith. So, their promotion of one teaching (tithes) demoted another teaching (judgment, mercy, and faith). Christ, however, makes it plain, that they need not tear down one doctrine in order to promote another. “These ought ye to have done,” Christ said, “and not to leave the other undone.” A minister can promote tithes AND mercy at the same time.

The reader should beware of these trends. They are everywhere. If you hear a teacher or preacher tear down one Bible doctrine so that he may promote another, steer clear! No Bible doctrine should ever preached at the sacrifice of another. Let me give you some examples of teachers today who tear down a Bible doctrine in order to exalt another.

Tearing Down Fellowship to Exalt Prayer

I recently read an article in the Miracles & Missions Digest written by Jack Skinner entitled “The Love of Christ ‘Constraineth’ Me.”* In the article, it is clear that Jack Skinner is an advocate of prayer. He believes that Christians and preachers should be men and women of prayer. I, too, believe this. There is no disagreement here. However, multiple times in the article, Mr. Skinner presented two options to the reader. Either the reader can have fellowship with man, or the reader can have fellowship with God in prayer. For some reason, these two options cannot co-exist with Mr. Skinner. Let his own words be quoted:

“Many have forsaken the prayer meeting before service and a lingering altar service in exchange for fellowship with man before and after their services.” (Skinner, p. 2)

Someone may state that, in this quote, Mr. Skinner does not condemn fellowship with man. It may be said that Mr. Skinner is only against exchanging times of prayer for fellowship with man. But Mr. Skinner does not stop here.

“While many seek fellowship of men and look for God to send in people (numbers), a true shepherd seeks the fellowship of God.” (Skinner, p. 3)

In this quote, it becomes quite apparent that some seek fellowship of men, but true shepherds seek fellowship with God. For some reason, a true shepherd, in the opinion of Mr. Skinner, cannot have fellowship with both God and man. Perhaps his most compelling quote on this subject is his advice to the new convert:

“After making peace with God, stay on your knees in prayer and find you a man of God who has paid the price to learn the importance of prayer, who will tell you the truth and not tickle your ears. If you cannot find one, pray and support some mission which is out seeking and searching for lost souls instead of building a kingdom here on earth for fellowship with one another.”

Could he be clearer? Mr. Skinner is convinced that the minister who has fellowship with man is not engaged in fellowship with God. Make no mistake about it. Our churches spend much more time in fellowship with one another than in fellowship with God. I have no desire to scrap the altar call and replace it with fellowship with one another. I have no desire to do away with our time of prayer in the mid-week service so that we may have more fellowship with one another. But what does the Bible say? The Bible certainly exalts prayer. But, in exalting prayer, does the Bible tear down the idea of Christians having fellowship with one another? Not one bit! As a matter of fact, the Bible emphasizes heavily the doctrine of fellowship with one another. In I John 1:3, John shows us a definite connection between fellowship with God and fellowship with God’s people! We can, and should, have them both! You do not have to sacrifice fellowship with God’s people in order to have fellowship with God. I John 1:7 tells us that if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another! There is nothing wrong with Christians getting together to enjoy each other’s company! Of course, it can be overdone. It should also be noted that not all socializing is fellowship. But when done properly, having fellowship with one another will enhance our fellowship with God. Christians are commanded to exhort one another (Hebrews 10:25), to pray for one another (James 5:16), to encourage one another (Hebrews 12:12), to love one another (John 15:17), to edify one another (Romans 14:19), to receive one another (Romans 15:7), to admonish one another (Romans 15:14), to serve one another (Galatians 5:13), to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), to forbear one another (Ephesians 4:2), to be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32), and to comfort one another (I Thessalonians 4:18). Not one of these things can be done if we do not get up off our knees and have fellowship with one another! It is not God’s will to neglect these things in order to “stay on our knees” all the time. I am definitely in support of prayer; but I am just as supportive of Biblical fellowship. One should not be practiced at the expense of the other. We need them both!

Tearing Down the Resurrection to Promote “the Cross”

There is a movement today that preaches “the cross,” they claim. Their idea of preaching the cross is to say the words, “the message of the cross” every other sentence. Jimmy Swaggart and his circles of fellowship have promoted this type of teaching. When you first hear Jimmy Swaggart, or a minister like him, speak of “preaching the cross,” it sounds right and biblical. Certainly, I believe that Christ’s work upon the cross completely pays for the sins of mankind. When, while upon the cross, our Lord cried out, “It is finished,” that’s exactly what He meant! Nothing needs to be added for the payment of our sin.

Those who preach this so-called “message of the cross,” however, go further than this. They think that it is wrong to emphasize any other doctrine at all other than the cross. Although the Bible plainly states that Christ rose again for our justification (Romans 4:25), this is omitted from the theology of these teachers. Friend, listen carefully. Some will try to convince you that if a man preaches the resurrection, then that man is not preaching “the cross.” Peter, on the day of Pentecost, preached BOTH the cross (death of Christ) and the resurrection of Christ. Paul preached repeatedly the resurrection and stated plainly in I Corinthians that had not Christ resurrected, we would be yet in our sins (I Corinthians 15:17). Remember, genuine men of God see no contradiction in preaching BOTH the death AND the resurrection of Christ. Only Pharisees see a problem with preaching the doctrines of both tithes AND mercy.

Tearing Down Grace to Preach Holy Living

This is perhaps the most popular modern example of promoting one Biblical doctrine at the expense of another. Both grace and holiness are Bible doctrines. Both should be preached. One does not need to be minimized so that the other can be promoted. Yet, this occurs often in many types of churches.

I have noticed that some preach the need for holy living so strongly that they almost hate the word “grace.” Others seem to preach grace so strongly that they despise the word “holiness.” Both, however, are Bible doctrines, and neither should be promoted at the expense of the other.

Salvation is by grace. This means that our salvation is solely achieved because God had favor upon us, a favor that we could never earn. Our salvation is by grace (Ephesians 2:8), through faith (Ephesians 2:8), and completely apart from works (Romans 4:6). Some say that they believe that all this is true INITIALLY, but after we are saved, we must then maintain our salvation by works. However, this is a complete contradiction to Romans 11:6, a verse dealing exclusively with our election:

Romans 11:6 – “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

This verse is plain – our salvation is either solely by grace and solely apart from works, or else it is solely by works and solely apart from grace. There is no mixing grace and works when it comes to salvation.

However, after we are saved, the grace that saves us then teaches us to live holy before God and man.

Titus 2:11-12 – “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”

After God’s grace brings His salvation to you, you are then taught by the same grace to live pleasing unto the Lord. Hence, there is no contradiction between grace and holiness. True grace teaches holiness, and true holiness is first a partaker of God’s grace completely apart from works. There is no need to embrace one Bible doctrine while rejecting another. We can have both grace and holiness.

Let us beware of any teacher or preacher who emphasizes one Bible doctrine while tearing down another.

*Skinner, Jack. Miracles & Missions Digest. Volume 57, Number 4. June-July 2013. “The Love of Christ ‘Constraineth’ Me.”