MANY WRONG GOSPELS

 

Some years ago I was a regular preacher in congregations of one of our larger charismatic churches, dealing with the dangers of Satanism.  I was always questioned about my viewpoint on so-called demons manifesting in Christians.  When I asked the people to quote such cases from the Scriptures, I usually got the customary wrong interpretations as an answer, upon which I had to correct these misconceptions.  The rumour was thereupon spread that we disagreed on this matter; therefore the chief pastor invited me to a meeting where we could discuss this serious matter.  Attending were he himself, together with his church leaders.  Initially, they tried to intimidate me with psychology teachings, then human logic, and finally they quoted several cases of demons driven from church members.

WHO ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD?

 

My reaction was that I was not astonished at all, on account of the weakened gospel preached by them.  This makes it easy for demons to live with, as it doesn’t cut down to the marrow.  Actually, sinners are soothed by applying salve outwardly.  If you preach a gospel other than that of Jesus Christ and Paul, you’re sure to get “half-baked” Christians who are not really redeemed.  In what way will you be able to discern between the real children of God and those who are not really committed?

 

GOD’S ABC PLAN

 

Such is also the case in some traditional churches where the creed is recited by the members of the congregation, upon which they are reckoned to be sanctified before the Lord.  But in the meantime, they enter the service with the most despicable sins in their lives and leave with their conscience put to rest – but without real cleansing towards a sacred and committed new life.  Small wonder that they come for consultation in such large numbers, to receive liberation and salvation.  For Sunday after Sunday, they are merely put to sleep by the messages – until that day when they and their families are the prey of affliction or oppression.  So many other gospels are preached… Such as to the rich who want to become even richer, another about the rapture, or: “I have my church and my God…”, or:  God loves all; or: promising peace to the world and its peoples; another one:  God has a plan just for you;   then there is the ABC: accept God’s free gift, believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who died for sinners, and confess your sinfulness.

 

THE REVELATION OF JESUS

 

Yet – Paul warns against those sly wolves that will tear the sheep to pieces and lead them astray with another gospel than that which he preaches.  He even calls a curse on them. In Galatians 1 6:12

 

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

ONLY ONE GOSPEL

 

This gospel that seeks the favour of man – can it be other than liberalism, humanism, psychology, or the tradition of unscriptural teachings by man??  There is but one Gospel, namely that which was taught by Jesus Christ and handed over to Paul.  If our churches would only preach this, they will have true disciples, not deformed practitioners of religion!  The Church will be a source of strength again!  For – when you preach a half-truth as the real truth, then you proclaim a lie!  That is Satan’s territory!  And that is also the reason why the power of God is lacking in so many churches, where the jingle of chains is still heard. In 1 Thessalonians 1:5:

 

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

 

ONLY ONE OPINION

 

The Church lacks God’s Spirit!  And Satan is rigorously stirring the cauldron of confusion and condemnation among Christians! The arch-enemy of the Church asks:

 

 Ah, and what is your opinion of the so-called Toronto blessing currently popular among the Charismatics??

 

Well, only God’s opinion matters – so why should I react?  I only have to listen to what the Spirit has to say to the Church.  I have to be tuned in to the Holy Spirit, to what He preaches to the Church.  This is repeated sevenfold in the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation.

 

READ AND MEDITATE

 

When they listen, God will fulfil certain promises – but they are promises meant really for those who listen and conquer. The texts are not quoted here, because I particularly request you to read them yourselves, and to meditate on them – Perhaps the Spirit has a particular word which He wants you to listen to!

 

LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT

 

Notably, these messages were sent to seven different Churches.  Now, all churches, or every single church, rather, fall under one or more of these descriptions.  So, also, does every single Christian.  Please – I repeat – read for yourself and listen to what the Spirit wishes to say to you personally!

 

SANCTIFIED BY THE SPIRIT

 

The heart of the message revolves around victory, not all kinds of manifestation, or supernatural phenomena.  Supernatural power is a fellow traveller of sanctity.  This victory is necessary, to overcome the practices and sins that occurred and were committed in those churches.  And that is why God sent His Spirit in the place of  Jesus;  not to amuse or entertain us, but to sanctify us to be His witnesses in a sinful world.

 

DR KRIGE AND HOUSE REGENERATION

 

This adapted content was extracted from A Biblical Approach to Psychotherapy authored by Dr Ado Krige, the Founding Director of House Regeneration, a South African drug rehabilitation centre offering a comprehensive discipleship training program. By applying principles of Biblical Therapy, using the Scriptures to teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness, House Regeneration counsellors show anyone who has suffered from addiction how to fully understand why they do what they do and how to bring their belief systems in line with the Word of God.