The Spurious Gospel of 'ME'

"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Tim 4:1-5).


I'm pretty sure if there was an actual affiliated religion called 'Me', then it will have the biggest cult following ever seen in the history of the human race.

In fact, there's one out there already...and its' acquired pseudonym is called "Christianity". 

It is no wonder the world laughs at us Christians. A quick scan of the networks on cable or mainstream TV will reveal why. 

Nothing infuriates me more than to see slick con-men (and unfortunately women) masquerading as Pastors, when their so-called 'ministry' is more akin to a phony front for a money-laundering drug dealing operation than a genuine movement of God.  

There are generally two main perpetrators that occupy mainstream TV prime time religious slots:
1) The Word of Faith Movement, and 
2) The Self-Esteem Movement.

Both want your money. And they both use subtle but different ways to relieve you of it.
Their personalities differ in the way they achieve their objective, but the end result is the same.

The Word of Faith Movement promise you a God that YOU control. In fact God can't do anything without your help.
He can't heal anyone without working through you first. 
He can't speak to anyone unless He first gives you the words to say. 
He can't stop the natural disasters without you helping Him.
In fact, unless you release God's power through your prayer, or come against Satan with the magic 'in Jesus name' mantra, His hands are tied.
The Word of Faith God has become a magic genie, a hired manservant ready to fulfil your dreams and bow to your every command.

The Word of Faith God comes at a price - your 'faith-seed' offering. The more you give, the bigger your blessing from God will be. Sow a penny and you will reap a dollar, but sow your house and you will reap a mansion and a private jet.
But what really do you get for your money? A huge hole in your pocket and an angry fist full of broken dreams.


The Self-Esteem Movement promise you a God that can fix you.
He can balance your chequebook.
He can relieve your stress.
He can help you get a better job.
He can even help you to a better married life between the sheets! 
In fact, there's no hole in your life that this Jesus can't fill for you. He is just so thrilled with you, because you are so special to Him that He can't wait to give you everything you want.
The Self-Esteem God has become the ultimate craftsman, a hired tradesman ready to fix all the broken pieces of your life in order to make you perfect.

The Self-Esteem God too, comes at a price - your works. You pay to learn the 'biblical' principles to apply to your life, and God will be pleased with you if you apply these 100%. And the more He is pleased with you, the more He will reward you. Put in a small effort, and God may only do small things for you, but make a huge effort and He will give you everything you need to make you more comfortable.
But what do you really earn for your hard work? A huge hole in your pocket and a new pacemaker to keep your battered heart going longer.


...and that is why I despise these charlatans. 

But really, all they are doing is catering to man's biggest flaw: their love of themselves. 
They are more important than the God they serve, and are naturally attracted to the people who will offer it to them, regardless of the price. 

They are willing to forfeit sound doctrine, and instead turn aside to fables. 

They have gathered those they need around them to itch and relieve their scratching ears... 

and at the end of the day all they have acquired are open, festered sores.

Blessings.