Why there are so many false prophets?

There is a sweeping delusion racing at tsunami speed across the world today. It is not the verses at 2 Thessalonians 2:7-11, but it is related. The delusion is that we are little gods, with power in our words to shape reality and thus to be like God.

The Tribulation will arrive when the restrainer is out of the way.

"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thessalonians 2:7-11)

But for now, the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. First let's look at the indicators of this terrible precursor of how the lawlessness is appearing.

On the Asian continent there is a man called Joseph Prince. He is 50 years old, and is the senior pastor of New Creation Church in Singapore, one of Asia's biggest churches. His website states that 30,000 attend weekly. His TV program Destined to Reign is broadcast in more than 150 countries. He has preached at Joel Osteen's Lakewood facility in Houston, at Hillsong's facility in Australia, as well as in South Africa at the Two Days of Hope Conference. Joseph Prince is big.

Joseph Prince's teachings are bad.

He is a rising star in the Word of Faith movement but has been more successful in crossing over into conservative evangelicalism, says Pastor and discernment specialist Justin Peters.
"He is very articulate. He goes deeper than Joel Osteen, deeper than Osteen's happy talk and platitudes. He has some working knowledge of the biblical languages. A lot of people who want to go deeper than Osteen, they turn to Joseph Prince. He takes many things out of context and flat out stating things as fact that factually are not true. He twists the doctrine of grace, takes it to extremes, often been charged with being antinomian (against the Law), holding a distorted view of grace, preaches easy beliefism along with the prosperity gospel. He is definitely a false teacher." (source)
Here is a specific example of how Prince distorts grace. Prince was on stage with Joel Osteen and Osteen's wife Victoria on TBN television in October 2012. There, Prince misdefined repentance. He said,

"The word repentance is from the Greek word metanoia, which literally means change your mind. Preaching the word without using the word repentance, people's minds are being changed all the time From thinking negatively to thinking positively."

So in effect Prince was teaching that if we go from being a negative thinker to a positive thinker, we have repented. Mr Peters explains Prince's mistake in the clip I'd linked to above that,
"there is a grain of truth there. The word repent does come from the Greek metanoia and it does mean to change one's mind. But it's not from going from pessimist to optimist. Genuine repentance is a change of mind but it is granted by God and results in a change in your heart, in your whole being. Not just being a more optimistic person but an acknowledgement of being a sinner, that sin is heinous, and understanding the holiness of God. When God grants repentance, our mind changes and our heart changes. There is a fruit from that repentance. John said we will bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Not that we work to repent but when God grants it there will be fruit in our lives appropriate with repentance. Prince has a minimalistic and distorted view of repentance." (Source, Peters above).
Here comes the part of the precursor to the antichrist's lie (that he is God and deludes the whole world). Joseph Prince preaches that you can pronounce yourself clean. In his devotional this week, he wrote,
"You see, as believers, when we received Jesus, His blood cleansed us from sin as well as sickness. (Isaiah 53:4–5) But we keep hearing people pronounce sin, sickness, poverty and death over us. We keep hearing people tell us that we are unclean, undeserving, poor, weak, and that it is only natural that we grow old and sickly, and die. God is waiting for a priesthood that will rise up and pronounce His people clean!"
First: Jesus did not clean us from sin and sickness. He forgave our sins, and He cleaned us from the influence of sin and sickness. Only Jesus is free from sin and sickness. We won't be free from sin and sickness until we receive our resurrected body at the rapture. That's why we need the Holy Spirit now on earth, to help us resist sin. We are not free yet because we live in the same sinful flesh as we lived in when we were born and before we came into repentance and into Christ's atoning kingdom. Philippians 1:29 reminds us that it has been granted to us to suffer. So does Peter in 1 Peter 4:12. There are many verses which remind us that it is our portion to suffer these things.

Second: I don't hear 'people' telling me I am poor, weak and unclean. I don't go around telling my friends they are poor, weak, or unclean. I usually tell them they are great, smart, successful and powerful. And they tell me the same. It is what people do. Who I actually hear telling me I am poor, weak, and unclean is Jesus, in the bible. His word tells us that we are these things, even after salvation. Yes, post-salvation we're His children, heirs of His kingdom, but we are not free from sin yet, and therefore not free from its effects. Moreover, we still live on a sinful earth with all its accumulated effects of sin. While we are on earth, we remain conscious of our sins. If we were free from sin, why would we need to pick up our cross daily (Matthew 16:24).

Spurgeon said,

"EVERY new man is two men—every Believer in Christ is what he was and not what he was—the old nature and the new nature exist at the same time in each regenerate individual. That old nature the Apostle calls a man, because it is a complete manhood after the image of fallen Adam. It has the desires, the judgment, the mind, the thoughts, the language and the action of man as he is in his rebellious estate. He calls it the “old man,” because it is as old as Eden’s first transgression."

Third: God does not wait for people to do things before He can get on with His plan. God is sovereign, He does what He wills, when He desires. (Psalm 115:3).

So you can see that Mr Prince has taken verses out of context and preached that our words have a power that they do not have. We are not little gods, pronouncing each other clean. Prince concludes his scripture twist by claiming: "God has cleansed you, so pronounce yourself clean! Right now, put your hand on your heart and pronounce good things over yourself. Say, “I pronounce myself clean, righteous, healed, whole and prosperous by the blood of Jesus!” By your word as a king-priest, every assault against you shall be settled!"

By His standard, we should be able to life a teflon life, impervious to the effects of sin, never having a sickness and prospering in all we do. That is some power that Prince ascribes to us, some grand power! That is the power of God, in fact, and it is the lie. We do not have that power. Satan wants us to think we are like God. He said in the beginning, "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5).

Satan is deluding great swathes of peoples that they have God's power to pronounce things that only God pronounces and thus be like God. That is the lie that is coming out of Asia.

On our continent we have a plethora of false prophets declaring that if we but speak with enough faith we can stop God's plan and so doing be like little gods. Joel Osteen makes that claim. He explained in one of his motivational speeches he delivers weekly from the Lakewood facility in Houston, that:


Such power this puny human has! I can stop God's plan with a few "negative words"! Osteen codified his false doctrine in his new book titled "I Declare", stating, "Now you can take charge of your future with the help of Joel Osteen's latest book-I Declare."

However, God's word says we are slaves. We are either slaves of sin or slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:16-18.) Slaves cannot and do not 'take charge' of their own future. God is in charge of that.

Angus Buchan is another person who preaches a false message. His story is heartbreaking because unlike some others who know they are lying, it seems that Buchan is wholly sincere and likely unaware of his falsity. His message is sweeping Africa. He preaches kingdom now, revival now, and calls for Holy Ghost miracles on a constant and common basis. Yet the word of God says not to call for signs. The use of signs was when the Lord was working with the apostles to validate their ministry. (Mark 16:20). Yet the signs themselves were never to prove faith and are not the final arbiter of having faith.

As Let Us Reason Ministries explains the purpose of signs and wonders, "Scripture and history prove that signs and wonders do not instill faith, just the opposite, lack of faith prompts one's desire to see signs and wonders. John 12:37- But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him. John 4:48- Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe." Jesus was disappointed that it took the miraculous for people to listen to his teachings or follow.... Seeing a sign was never a assurance of belief for the individual."

Below, 2009, and below that, 2013.



Hillsong in Australia is another place where a continent has been taken over by false gospels racing across the land like a tsunami. Wikipedia explains, "Hillsong Church is a Pentecostal megachurch affiliated with Australian Christian Churches (the Australian branch of the Assemblies of God) and located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Brian and Bobbie Houston began the church in 1983 as the Hills Christian Life Centre in Baulkham Hills. Hills Christian Life Centre later merged with Sydney Christian Life Centre at Waterloo. Over 21,000 people attend services each week." Below, inside Hillsong, Wikipedia photo


Asia, Africa, America, Australia...the deceived are falling down in great numbers.

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." (Isaiah 14:12-15)

Satan's lie "weakened the nations", did you catch that? He purposed in his heart that he was like the Most High, and lied to Adam and Eve that if they partook of the fruit, they would also be like the Most High: he said so in Genesis 3:5,

“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

That is satan's goal, to be like the most high. The nations will be so weakened by so many individual's own exaltation and the diminishment of God's stature that when the antichrist comes, they will be ready to believe the lie.

Again, what is that lie? That antichrist is God. (source)

Why is this tsunami-lie of having personal power only God has racing around the globe? Why are so many false prophets abounding? First, because Jesus said it would be so. (Matthew 7:15, 24:5, 24:11)

Secondly, look at this incident from 1 Kings. The host of heaven are gathered around His throne to the right and to the left.

"and the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.” (1 Kings 22:20-23). Illustration, The Prophet Micaiah Before the Kings, 17th-c. woodcut by Otto Elliger.

Gills explains: "Now therefore behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these thy prophets ... That is, suffered the lying spirit to suggest a lie to them, and sent them strong delusions to believe that lie, whose minds were disposed at any rate to flatter Ahab, to whom they told it; which was the way designed to bring him to the ruin appointed for him."

The Lord put a lying spirit into the mouth of the prophets and notice the second half of the same sentence: "the Lord has declared disaster for you." Believing the false prophets seems to only enhance the conditions which allow the strong delusion to take hold and will in fact become a judgment upon them all. It is the way designed to bring ruin upon them. They want flattery (you are little gods with powerful words), they believe this lying delusion and so they will become ruined when the final lying lie uttered by the antichrist comes about.

The final lying delusion, THE lie will culminate in the Tribulation, as I stated at the beginning. It is not happening now. But the speed with which the false prophets are heaping up multitudes of flattering believers upon themselves is amazing, just like Ahab and his flattering prophets. It is occurring because though they received the truth, the love not the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:10b). And look here-

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, (2 Timothy 4:3).

If you are heartbroken as I am by seeing those pictures of the multitudes believing the lies the false prophets are enticing them with, then please continue to pray. It is a most effective weapon in the arsenal of God's army.

In my personal opinion, the false prophets are abounding with a lying spirit in their mouths because it is a judgment upon the world, and a significant condition that is readying for the antichrist's appearance. Your thoughts welcome.

Comments

  1. Thank you for this post and all the effort you put into this blog. I am always blessed and encouraged by your work.

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    1. Thank you Tom, I'm certainly encouraged by your kind feedback. :)

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    2. I have listened to many sermons delivered by Joseph Prince, and I didn't take his teachings the same way the author describes in the above article. Perhaps Satan is clouding the author's view of the gospel?
      Following the death and resurrection of Christ, the apostle Paul was given charge to preach the gospel. He did so at great peril to himself, yet tenaciously went back again and again to the same areas to re-preach the message that the other disciples attempted to "correct". You will recall Paul was commanded by the resurrected Jesus directly to preach the gospel, and that prior to that event, was a hugely opposing force of Christ, his disciples and the message of the gospel. The message Paul preached was ALWAYS the same. SALVATION BY GRACE, NOT BY WORKS. NOT THROUGH THE LAW BUT ONLY THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. FAITH and BELIEF in this FACT were the ONLY things required of those seeking salvation. Jesus work on the cross was COMPLETE, A MASTERPIECE, and did not require anything else. IT WAS FINISHED!! No if's, and's or but's about it.
      Belief in this brings joy and peace, not sin and suffering. Paul suffered for the message he delivered far more than any of us ever will, and yet, he remained joyful and lived in "abundance", regardless of the state of his physical body (which was beaten routinely). I take the joy and peace and love and abundance in Osteen and Prince's sermons to mean just that, and not some new-age, witchy-poo poo way for getting rich quick or healthy or popular as I feel the above article portrays.
      The people even asked Paul if this new gospel message meant that it was now ok to sin. Paul said NO!! They were not hearing him right. FIRST comes the faith in what Christ did on the cross, and THEN BECAUSE of his sacrifice, we are made whole, by HIS stripes we are healed. The bible doesn't say by his stripes we are a work in progress, nor did Jesus cry out it is nearly done, just gotta do a few more things...
      It CLEARLY states, by HIS stripes we ARE healed.
      TETELESTAI

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    3. Hi Anonymous,

      It isn't about how you "take" the sermon, it is about how it balances against the word from the bible. Does what Joseph Prince say match up with the word? No.

      Osteen's and Prince's come up short when measured against holy word. I noticed that though Justin Peters explained specifically how Prince's sermons are Gospel-less, you simply dismissed the interpretation based on your own experience and suggested I was under satan's spell. Experience is not the barometer for truth, as I mentioned above.

      Paula White is another teacher of the same type as Prince and Osteen, and I offer this link as to more specifics on how these are false teachers. I encourage you to delve more deeply into what they are saying, instead of how they make you FEEL (joy, love, abundance) and urge you to read the link, and also to listen to Mr Peters' lessons on Youtube

      http://wadeoradio.com/shai-linne-responds-to-paula-white-ministries-open-letter/

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2TxIcayW8s

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    4. You who come againt the Gopel of Grace just don't know what you are talking about. Here in America we have been taught half truths, mixing the law, which we are not under, but Grace. And Jesus took it all on The Cross. He said "it is finished"! Jesus doesnt do things half way. Read the Hebrew and the Greek translation. That's where the truth lies. If you don't like Joseph Prince, then dont listen to him. I have learned much from The Lord Jesus through his minstry and we as Christians need to stop putting our own family member's down just because we don't agree with someone. So sad. We are the first to crucify our own. No 2 people are ever going to totally agree with every one anyway. So stop complaining because that is one thing that God does not like!

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    5. God really doesn't like false prophets either. He said a lot about them in both the OT and the New.

      Anonymous I didn't really understand what law v. grace has to do with a false prophet, nor does Jesus saying 'It is finished' has to do with false teachings. Or which translation. Or our family members. I guess overall I did not understand the relevance of what you said in regards to the actual essay, except the stop complaining part.

      If you want to go to this page there is a wealth of verses which tell us to beware of false prophets. Far from complaining, these verses reveal just how dangerous they are and warn us strictly.
      http://www.bible-topics.com/Prophets-False.html

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  2. I think that a belief in evolution is a possibility for the great delusion. In this scenario, we must look back to the year 1000AD, when Christ did not come back to earth as the archbishops widely expected.

    After the disappointment of 1000AD, the bishops turned their gaze from heaven to earth. Then shortly to the Holy Land where they spent two hundred years crusading to conquer Jerusalem for Christ. They failed at creating God's kingdom on earth, but learned of the great riches of the Orient. Eventually, this lead to Portuguese traders sailing around Africa in the late 1400s, where they discovered people vastly different than Europeans.

    The leaders needed an excuse to exploit the people of the newly discovered continents, and they deliberately decided that men and women such as the Hottentot Venus were only advanced monkeys. Darwin and his Origen of Species came 60 years after this particular woman, and I believe can be seen as a justification for the evolution belief that the powerful traders and rulers already held. In other words, science did not lead to truth in this instance, but justified an effort of world domination that had started in about 1000AD.

    Hitler and WWII was the final outcome of this belief.

    The false teachers that you discuss are not the precursor to tribulation, they are a tribulation in their own right. How many lives have been destroyed because of these sociopaths? Millions.

    Furthermore, these are the men who are lovers of themselves, who blaspheme things that they do not understand.

    The false prophets that you identify are the final conclusion of the great delusion, rather than delusion itself according to my theory. Perhaps this distinction is too academic, because I am not disagreeing with you per se. Rather, I am reflecting the comment of the ROCOR Seraphim Rose who said thirty years ago, "It is later than you think."

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    1. ANonymous, I agree, it is later than we think. For sure.

      The word tribulation means tribulation in general, troubles because we are Christians. That is the sense you use it. I mean THE tribulation, AKA The Time of Jacob's Trouble, (Jer 30:7)when the rapture has occurred and the final delusion is abounding on earth. Th wrath poured out in an unbelieving world. It will be distinct in all of the times before that any human has ever experienced on earth. Jer 30:7 says of the time "there is none like it." The tribulation is not happening now.

      Hitler and WW2 was definitely something that pushed forward the belief, but it is not the final outcome of the belief. It will find its final culmination in the Tribulation and the antichrist when sin is allowed to run rampant (Dan 9:27).

      The delusion is that antichrist is God. It also is not happening now. Here is more information on the Tribulation
      http://www.gotquestions.org/Jacobs-trouble.html

      I agree that as you say millions of lives have been destroyed by the false prophets, definitely

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  3. One of the common mistakes that people who name Christ in our time have allowed people/leaders/prophets to gain a position over them in that they begin to see things through the lens of their, (these "leaders/teachers"), understanding instead of gaining their own as they read the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to give them understanding.

    In short they are like a people that look to others to chew and digest their food first.

    We now live in a time where many, to some degree have been impacted in their understanding by the fact that where there is a twisting of the truth there is also coercion to accept it. Right in our churches in America many are beaten into silence by the masses. You have to be positive, I disagree. Many of the Lord's servants did not have a very positive message.
    Christ himself drew large crowds to get what they perceived to be good things, when He preached many/most went away.


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    1. I agree, very wise and sound thinking. We are not to trust in man, but in God and are not to be man pleasers but God pleasers, which most people aren't. You are right also in the fact that we are so blessed beyond words to have the Holy Spirit lead us into all truth. If we believe in Jesus, follow Him, do God's will, repent, be baptised, be born again, know His Word, follow all of His commands and led by the Spirit we will be able to hear and discern the Truth, see the Way and the Light who is Jesus. We are not to live by the Law, but live by grace and uphold the law as God says. Too many people follow men, false prophets, teachers, preachers and religions that are not right with God or His Word. Most of them do not believe in or follow Jesus, know or keep to God's Word and are on the broad way to hell following mainstream religions that some even think are Christian religions, but are either prosperity teachings or doctrines of demons. When one sees these false prophets and teachers loved by the masses, that is a warning sign in itself that they are not with God, as Jesus, the Apostles and real Christians get despised because of speaking the truth (as it is not the 'supposed positive,' 'feel good' new age type talk that people want to hear. It is about love and repentance from sin, about doing God's will, not the devil's or their own evil ways, it is the truth about good and evil, heaven and hell, and of course about believing in and following Jesus.) Most real Christians get excluded, persecuted and even die for our faith in Jesus. Praise God in the highest! They may kill the body but cannot kill the soul. God is the only One who can put a person in hell forever and I hope to have everlasting life with Him and pray that for you too.

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  4. It is ok to say that God is love, God is grace, God is truth .. etc. But the moment someone preaches grace or any gifts of God radically and argue that grace is God or grace is Jesus Christ, we have to beware.

    - Yes, God could be prosperity too, but prosperity can never be God. Money can never be God too.

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    1. Sounddoctrine I admit I don't understand some of your point. Please help me. I believe that God is grace and He gives grace. I don't understand why in your opinion we have to beware of that. I am thankful of the gift of grace and praise the Lord for it. After all we are *living* in the Age of Grace...

      Money itself is not bad. Joseph of Arimethea, Nicodemus, Job and Abraham were incredibly rich & prosperous but also incredibly faithful. It is the LOVE of money that drives a wedge between a person's heart and God.

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    2. The point that I wanted to make was:

      Money is good, but money can never be God and it should not be preached like it is God too.
      Luk 16:13-14 KJV No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (14) And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

      Similarly, Grace is good, but grace can never be God and it should not be preached like it is God too. Grace is a gift which came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Grace is not Jesus Christ.

      However, I have heard many radical grace preachers who said that "grace is not a doctrine; grace is Jesus Christ". We should question their motive or their reason for preaching it. Is it because they think that, if they preach grace, they preach Jesus Christ and, hence, no one can question them about their grace teaching or radical grace ?

      If this is the reason, they would not care if people are clear about sound doctrine or become so confused that they worship grace as their idol for prosperity or anything.

      This is the reason why we have to beware.

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    3. Ah! Now I understand! Thank you so much for being patient with me. Thank you for taking the time :)

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  5. Yes! Finally! lol Thank you, for this post as for all your posts! I was taken in initially, briefly, by such false preachers as Benny Hinn, and most recently, Joseph Prince. I am fairly certain it wasn't long after being introduced to him by a Christian brother, that I would hear teaching that didn't jive with what I'd already learned from reading the word myself, and revelation of that word to my spirit, through Holy Spirit. I would point out the error to my Christian brother who obviously had long been deceived by Joseph Prince, who basically regurgitated the twisted explanations I would later hear from Joseph Prince in other sermons I hadn't yet heard. I tried to again correct, but it was clear I was viewed as an immature Christian who didn't have the wisdom, which comes both from my younger age, and the fact that I not only don't wear my wisdom proudly, I often make myself appear less smart than I am, out of insecurity and fear.
    Anyway, the more I listened, the more error I heard, the more Holy Spirit confirmed it. It really clenched it after I read his book, Destined to Reign, (a gift from the Christian brother), in which Joseph Prince made a statement in in (of which I didn't think to underline and thus now have forgotten) that was the exact opposite of something he had taught in a sermon I had listened to only shortly before reading the book. I thought, since the book was a few years older, perhaps he had changed his belief, which is common, as we grow in Christ. However, if that were the case, I'd think he'd realize the contradiction in his book, and make some note about it, or have it changed.

    I only recently have worked up some courage to address such false preachers as Joseph Prince, and Joel Osteen, with people I know have fallen under the spell of such false preachers. Knowing that being too bold is likely to cause me to be shut down and/or out. And that happened with one person I tried to enlighten. I was promptly blocked, without any response. I don't see the other person I am trying to warn, responding any better, sadly. I just emailed them the link to the radio conversation with Justin Peters about Joseph Prince. That is the second time I have sent information, conveying they are believing wrongly. They didn't respond well the first time. :(

    So, I will continue to pray that those who are deceived, both have the truth pressed upon them, so that they cannot deny it, and that they also accept it, and truly repent.

    Thank you again, God bless you and all who shed light on the enemy's work, and who point us to truth! :)

    J.L.

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    1. Hi J.L.,

      Praise the Lord that the Spirit pointed you int he right direction! I'm so glad you are out from under Osteen and Prince! He is faithful to those who pray and study and get to know Him as He is revealed in the Word!

      The only thing about the World View Weekend link is that after a few days they put it in their archives which you have to be a paying member to get access. I'm really sad about that. That's why I transcribed a good paragraph of it. Thank you for sending the link to the person. It is toward the end of the hour after Mr Peters is discussing his upcoming trip to Uganda.

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    2. Amen, He is faithful indeed, thankfully! :)

      That's a downer for sure, about that site, the way they operate. I think all truth should be free and easily accessible. That makes your transcribing and sharing even more valuable, thank you!

      I made sure to listen first to the interview, and knowing the person I was sending it to, is impatient, and that it was already highly likely they wouldn't want to listen, I told them the exact spot to start to listen at. I just hope they actually listened to it, even if they still want to stick with Joseph Prince, at least for the time being. I long to hear them confess to me that they've got revelation, and realize he's a false teacher, and how wrong it was to follow him.

      God bless you and each of us who care more about being right with God, than feeling right within ourselves. His truth and commands, trump our feelings.

      J.L.

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  6. That image from 2009 looked like aerial views of the Ka'aba at Mecca during the muslim pilgrimages...it screams paganism. I can't shake the impression that all those people are gathered to worship at the throne of their false god. For muslims, it's a black box with a meteorite inside. For Osteen's crowd, it's pure ego. Osteen is the false prophet who tells people to worship their ego.

    Creepy.

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  7. E-
    Was just wondering if you've read the harbinger ?
    tj

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    1. Hi tj,

      No I have not read it. I think it is too much of a Spiritualization of an obscure OT verse, and chose to stay away from the whole thing.

      more here-
      Does The Harbinger really predict America's future?
      http://www.gotquestions.org/The-Harbinger.html

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    2. I've read many reviews of "The Harbinger" from many good apologetics ministries, and the general consensus is that it is a total abuse of Scripture, full of false teaching.

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  8. It's really quite phenomenal (in a bad way), the plethora of false prophets teaching these days. Thank you for taking the time and effort, using biblical logic to reason through the lies being told.

    I'm wondering if you may know anything of Max Lucado? I ask because a couple years back, I was attending a church that was moving away from study of the bible in bible studies, and there was heavy emphasis on the works of Max Lucado. It seemed like a fad, hitting my church all of a sudden, which made me suspicious and I objected to the shift in emphasis. As such, I never read any of the literature being introduced and I don't remember exactly which books were introduced.

    I felt as if something was wrong, but I don't know if it was simply the over-emphasis of the new literature over the bible, or if the material itself is objectionable.

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    1. Lucado has always been touchy-feely. Last year he compared Christine Cain with Paul, Mary and Esther:
      http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2012/07/max-lucado-likens-christine-caine-to.html
      He later preached at Joel Osteen's church. That in itself should say a lot about him

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    2. Hi Chris,

      Thanks for the question. I am not intimately familiar with Lucado, not having studied what he teaches very deeply. I've always avoided him because as Glenn here says, Lucado is too touchy feely for my taste.

      I do know he has participated in the contemplative prayer DVD "Be Still", which is not good. He preaches the "divine spark" Gnostic nonsense, and touts other mystics, Gnostic mystics and Jewish mystics. This also is not good. He is starting to align with the emergent teachers, another not too good thing.

      I think it can safely be said that Lucado is sliding. We are seeing his drift away from solid doctrine. I would not recommend recent writings of his, such as "The Cure for the Common Life" because it is drenched with recommendations for contemp. prayer, divine spark nonsense and touts false authors and teachers.

      His earlier stuff, I dunno. The link that Glenn shared, you can trust.

      Delete
  9. Awesome article. I just found your site. Thank you for warning people of these ridiculous false teachers.

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  10. Hi there, if you believe in Jesus then you must believe in His miracle through His blood. Jesus performed miracles only, words without miracle are nonsense. In Indonesia, you should check out Tiberias Church, if you are the chosen one, you'll understand why I urge you to find out, it is not a non sense, nor arguing, nor money, it is just Jesus (broken body and shed blood) The return Power of Holy Communion and Anointing Oil.. Miracles perform, for me that's all I need, Himself..

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    1. Anonymous, I take extreme exception to your statement that "words without miracles are nonsense."

      Jesus is *called* the Word of God, that IS His name. John 1:1-5
      "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life,a and the life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

      And this from Rev 19:13 He is clothed in a robe dipped ind blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God."

      Basing faith on miracles is foolish. (John 10:38)

      If I'm 'the chosen one'?? God chooses whom He will save. Of those whom he chose, (1 Peter 2:9) we are equal and have equal knowledge of His word and His Word.

      It sounds like you have faith in miracles, not faith in Jesus. Your approach sounds Gnostic. You should read Colossians.

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  11. The author should read the Bible and seek the gift of the Holy Spirit to make him understand his own comments.

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  12. I love reading the Bible and studying it myself. I know the Holy Spirit is with us when we really want to study God's word. I would much rather do this by myself than have some man or woman who is more like a game show host, jumping and screaming all over a stage, throw The Word at me the way THEY interpret It. That's why I gave up on going to church for a very long time - just could not find one where I felt comfortable. So, fellowship for me at the moment is me, Holy Spirit and God's Word. Kharma.

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  13. Hello Anonymous,

    I agree, it is hard these days to find a church where we can be pretty sure that the word is divided rightly.

    However, it is not an option not to go to church.

    God gave us prayer and discernment to detect if the word is preached correctly, but fellowship and worship is a must. He raised up elders and pastors for the purpose of teaching you. Your responsibility is to become a member of a body where you can come together and learn; and to use the Spiritual Gifts He gave you for the edification of the body. Otherwise you are squandering the gift(s) He gave you.

    Church isn't about where you feel comfortable, it is where we go to make an effort to show our Holy God we are grateful for our salvation, interested in worshiping Him, learning the word from a man He has raised up for that purpose, and encouraging each other.

    Here are some bible verses which speak to the importance of church attendance
    ---------
    "Why is church attendance important?"

    Answer: The Bible tells us we need to attend church so we can worship God with other believers and be taught His Word for our spiritual growth (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25). Church is the place where believers can love one another (1 John 4:12), encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13), “spur” one another (Hebrews 10:24), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), honor one another (Romans 12:10), and be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32).

    When a person trusts Jesus Christ for salvation, he or she is made a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). For a church body to function properly, all of its “body parts” need to be present (1 Corinthians 12:14-20). Likewise, a believer will never reach full spiritual maturity without the assistance and encouragement of other believers (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). For these reasons, church attendance, participation, and fellowship should be regular aspects of a believer's life. Weekly church attendance is in no sense “required” for believers, but someone who belongs to Christ should have a desire to worship God, receive His Word, and fellowship with other believers.

    Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/church-attendance.html#ixzz2Xt23LZJS

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  14. 1 Cor. 2:2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
    One of the most convicting passages in the Scripture is this one. It is to be reminded that I was once a prisoner in the dark cell with no hope until one day that a ransom came. Someone took notice of me and I am free. As I experience this new freedom, I should lose some sleep, to wonder and to seek the mystery of this
    Person who bailed me. The liberty which I do not deserve should bring me to a place of intrigue as to "What did He do? Can anyone tell me what he did?"
    To be told that I was redeemed by the blood of the Son of God, that in my place He died, BUT death could not hold Him, that on the third day He rose again. He is risen. His death and resurrection have been the key to open this ancient prison door.
    I should always remember that there are no more crimes that I am charged of. It's a "Not guilty verdict" for there is no evidence found against me. This is the power of the blood of the Lord Jesus the Christ. That RANSOM is so powerful that not even angels can accuse us of any crime. The blood has removed all those evidences against us. To us who truly believe, we know where we should be. This freedom should motivate us to serve this Great Savior. Go where He goes. Learn from Him and walk with Him. It's not to be happy and go lucky but rejoice in all things, in sickness and in health, in poverty or riches knowing that this world is passing away. Care not for this world but live for the Kingdom of God. This is the new heritage that we should be adapted to.

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  15. One area Joseph Prince failed is in the teaching on repentance. Clearly it is said that St Paul the apostle of grace, the ultimate teacher of grace told simon the Sorcerer to repent and change his ways to rebuke him and discipline him.

    The bible says God disciplines those he loves. Not by diseases of course but by leading of the spirit and telling the person to make physical and spiritual repentance. Not all of us are perfect in deed and thought therefore there is a way for us to obtain mercy by the grace of God which we DEFINTELY need, to get forgiveness EVERY time we pray.

    The idea of not acknowledging our error, continue to persist in devious jobs, fraud, omission of good works, omitting listening to God, working for corrupt companies robbing the masses with corrupt practices, secretly or unknowingly attend and enjoy subtle demonic activity through current new age events and trendy ongoings is something to repent from.

    Christians that continue to be lazy about it tend to want to listen to Prince's preaching because it takes away the value of ownership which is what Jesus wants us to have. Jesus said whatsoever you desire when you pray, believe that you have received it. And he whatsoever you say, you shall have. These are all ownership expressions.

    Guys, people who want to listen to Prince's teachings are subtly misled...to having an impactless life, a life without true knowledge, for God has annointed us to do anything impossible that normal man can't do.

    We do not act like sheep, we do not say, its ok, let us continue to work for this illegal company or let us continue to support abortion/homosexuality, because God has forgiven us.

    No! I cry no to such behavior, because as THE CHURCH we are to regulate and rule over every thing in this earth. Such teachings promote laziness, complacency, lack of ownership and stewardship over our surroundings. It is a heresy, it is against God's will, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, to wake up from your slumber, repent and speak the uncompromising word of God, change society, without any fear of death or persecution , forget your multi million dollar balance sheet, PREACH the right sutff, preach the truth so the people can truly be free!

    When you preach this message, you rob the potential of a believer to make the right choice, to be an impact, to be a fire that speaks the truth in a corrupted society. My friend I am not lying, the banks are laundering money, stealing wealth and we have Christians dumber than a block of wood because of teachings like this.

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  16. Hi Author,

    I wonder if you yourself are enjoying the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of the sermons by Joseph Prince are pretty theologically incorrect or dangerous but the gospel he preaches has power, power of transformation that delivers what it says it delivers.

    Rather than pointing a finger at someone, examine your own heart if you have the power and the wisdom of God in your own life.

    Life is too short to refer people to the right teaching rather than what is not right.

    What if God is indeed using preachers like Joseph Prince or whoever you are criticizing?

    Like you, I have done my share of criticizing others with all the good intention. I hope and pray you get to enjoy the depth and the width of God's amazing grace in His perfect cross. It really tastes good and frees you from these futile endeavors.

    Be healed, brother.

    Blessings,

    From a fellow believer in Christ,

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    1. "Some of the sermons by Joseph Prince are pretty theologically incorrect or dangerous but the gospel he preaches has power,"

      If they are theologically incorrect, they are not of God, but are of satan. They would therefore have no power to transform unto righteousness, but only of darkness. So in a sense you are right: the words of satan DO transform people... into sons of hell. (Matthew 23:15).

      It is because I love His grace that I warn others of "theologically incorrect and dangerous" sermons that lead people astray. I care THAT MUCH about Jesus and the proper delivery of His message: one that He went to great lengths to deliver, I might remind you.

      I also remind you of this: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works." (2 John 1:10-11)

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  17. Father God, open our eyes, ears and hearts to Your one and only truth..."lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for Thine is the Kingdom, Power and the Glory, forever and ever, Amen." I love you Jesus!!!

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  18. Thank you for a very balanced discussion, Elizabeth. You have identified some truly dangerous trends. The underlying theme of much of the dangerous teaching today is that God is all about serving us. More worldly success, less pain... all this can be yours if you truly believe, they say. But that's not what Jesus said. The Christian life is focused on Christ, not on us. He gradually heals our hearts as we come to Him in surrender and repentance, but His agenda is the only agenda.

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    1. You're welcome, and thank YOU for a great comment. It is all about Jesus, all the time. not us, as you rightly pointed out. I am drawn back to this verse in Ephesians quite often (chapter 5:25b-27)--

      "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish"

      He wants to present the church to HIMSELF. He wants to demonstrate His grace and mercy and we are His trophies. LOL, he didn't save us because we are so great, He saved us because He is. That fact is the opposite of Word-Faith teaching.

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  19. If we really love God, will seek His kingdom. We are so blessed that weare not ruled by judges today. We are helped by the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to help us become true worshipers. Let Joseph Prince be Joseph Prince but let us go and listen to our great Teacher Christ Jesus, to abide in Him thag He may abide in us.

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    1. Joseph Prince will be Joseph Prince, to be sure, but we are told in the bible- "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." Romans 16:17. By your definition we should ignore false teachers. This is not biblical. Avoid, yes, but point to, compare to the scripture, and if coming up short, warn, and avoid. I love my brethren too much to be insular and selfish and simply bask in Jesus. What about them, who are at risk??

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  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. NOTE to AUTHOR: Jesus believes in easy beliefism !!

    Thank God.

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    1. Hi John,

      Please allow me to clarify what easy believism is. The term was part of the Justin Peters quote above.

      There are some who say that all it takes to be saved is a belief in the grace of Jesus, which is justification. We all agree that that IS all it takes as a first step. That is sola fide, or faith alone, and the moment of justification. But that is not all there is to belief. There's what comes after.

      Easy believers say that that is ALL it takes, that it does not matter if there is no corresponding *evidence* of sanctification. That a Christian can easily believe (mental assent) and not produce fruit. Yet this cannot be so because it is by the fruit ye shall know them. It takes a 180 degree change thru repentance. Easy believers often leave off the repent part.

      There must be more than mental assent. Simon the Magician was the first easy believer post-resurrection. Judas was the first easy believer pre-cross during His incarnation.

      Demons are adherents of easy believism, they believe *and* tremble. But their lives are not in submission to Christ. A true believer will not only believe, but show evidence of their sanctification over time.

      Even at that I'd like to say that the entire phrase of easy believism is a misnomer. I'm not a fan of it because it lends itself to so many misinterpretations. It is really referring to "carnal Christians" - a category of people who do not actually exist.

      The moment of justification is not easy. Grace is free but it was bought at a tremendous effort on the part of the Lord and it propels us in hard work of being transformed as the old man is killed and the new creature is created in us.

      So you can see there is a bit more to it...

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  22. The author said ...

    "So in effect Prince was teaching that if we go from being a negative thinker to a positive thinker, we have repented. Mr Peters explains Prince's mistake in the clip I'd linked to above that.."

    I say...How do we change or minds? By thinking like a free person (positive) not like a slave (negative, defeted) .

    Satan (negative) tries to make us think like a slave (negative) so we diminish the sacrifice of Jesus (positive) and embellish our works (negative)!

    The way I see it, if our tongues are dead (negative) or life ( positive) (Proverbs 18:21) then we must speak life (positive) into our lives not because of our works (negative) but because of the sacrifice of JESUS (positive).

    Once we undestand the word of God (positive) and apply it (speak it, act it, meditating on it...all the beautiful trues that happen to be ALL positive) to our everyday life, we CHANGE our way of thinking (repent, positive) from thinking like a slave (sin, negative) to thinking like one loved by God almighty (positive, saved by grace in Jesus!!!) .

    So as you can see, our mind needs to change (repent, think, speak positive) because of God's word( positive), his love (positive) and we are no longer slaves (negative) of satan (1K x negative).

    As you can see we have to be positive thinkers (repent -( To feel such regret for past conduct as to change one's mind), meditate, act, believe, encouragers and doers) because we have a positive powerful God!!! Repent (change of mind) is necessary.

    Thanks to God the father and the sacrifice of JESUS!

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    1. We are all either slaves to satan or slaves to Jesus. So your philosophy kinda falls apart from the beginning...

      Positive thinking is not repentance.

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    2. SLAVE

      Noun
      A person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them.

      Verb
      Work excessively hard.

      God is not forcing me to have a relationship with him....therefore , I am NOT a slave to him.

      If I was a slave to Jesus, I would need to work hard and forcefully (according to the definition of the dictionary above) for the redemption of my sins and my freedom ...Jesus did that for me, so no need for me to be a slave to him (Hebrews 10:10)

      Remember is not by works that we are save but grace ( Ephesians 2:8) What is Grace? grace is favor that we do not deserve but God's love permits it)...now, do we agree that that does not sound like a master/slave relationship?

      So we establish we can not be slaves to Jesus so who are we? Well the bible tells us. We are...

      Children of God ( John 1:12)

      We are sons/daughters ( Galatians 4:7) this verse says we are no longer slaves but sons/daughters...

      Friends of Jesus (John 15:15) in fact this verse says again that we are no longer slaves!!!

      Heir with Jesus (Romans 8:17)

      New Creature (2 Corinthians 5:17)

      I am the righteousness of God in Jesus ( 2 Corinthians 5:21)

      And more...

      As you can see we are many things to God in Jesus but NOT slaves to him. We are heirs with Jesus!!!

      Thanks for allowing me to post and also thanks for replying. God Bless you!

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    3. While we are co-heirs with Christ, we are also slaves to righteousness. Either satan is our master or Jesus is our master. (John 8:34, Gal 2:4, 2 Pet 2:19// or Romans 6:15-16; Romans 6:22).

      Positive thinking is NOT repentance. Osteen's brand of (positive) thinking does not save.

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    4. The power of positive thinking is simply 'Thomas the Tank Engine' beliefs.
      I Think I can, I Think I can, I Think I can,I know I can etc.

      And to think that those practicing quackery have received their doctrine from the little engine that could...what prowess!

      This malignant philosophy appears to sit well with those who believe that 'God only helps those who help themselves'.

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  23. Wow... Christians bashing other Christians? What is wrong with you people? Look at you, do you think God would be happy with you right now? You can fight all you want about who is more right in the word but the only one who is 100% is God himself! Christians should be sticking together not fighting about who's more right. There are probably many things you could all learn from each other. It's plain to see that regardless on whether or not everything Pastor Prince or Pastor Osteen preaches is 100% accurate they have still helped the Lord save many lives. Just as I'm sure Pastor Peters and many other Pastors have as well. I can tell you right now they are not helping the devil or they are doing a lousy job. Christians really need to quit bashing other Christians, this is the biggest reason there are so many non believers in the world... Think about it!

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    1. I have thought about it and you're right, no Christian should bash another Christian. The problem is, that is not what is happening here.

      First, The gospel that Osteen and Prince proclaim, does not save. It is not a Christian message. There is nothing about a less than 100% message that "saves lives."

      2 Cor. 11:3-4 "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted-- you may well put up with it. (you will have to endure it, or you wear it beautifully, and some do)."

      No one who proclaims a message different from the Lord "helps the Lord save lives." What they are doing by is *destroying* lives.

      Secondly, we are duty bound to speak up and tell the hearers under their sway that they are hearing a false message. They need evangelizing as much as a Muslim does.

      Third, with your attitude of live and let live, even if someone is sending a message that's poisonous (which is what false Gospels are, poison) that you are at risk of rebuke from the Lord as per Revelation 2:20.

      Rev 2:20 says, "But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servantsc to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols."

      Jesus rebuked those who tolerated what they knew was false. Are you in that group? Yes. Please search the scriptures to see how often Jesus condemns those who bring a false message, and how often in the OT He sent a Prophet to say so, and how often in the NT He sent an Apostle to say so. Do not accept falsity. Do not tolerate falsity. Instead, speak up.

      This is a link to a bible commentary about Galatians 5, "Exposing false teachers" where Paul gives us six identifying marks that can guide us to discern the presence of "wolves in sheep's clothing" in our midst today
      http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Gal/Exposing-False-Teachers

      I don't have to ask whether Jesus would be happy with you right now. I know He isn't. This link is to all the scriptures which talk about exposing false teachers. Please read it to see the biblical basis for why it is not "bashing" to expose them
      http://www.openbible.info/topics/exposing_false_teachers

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  24. Elizabeth, not sure if you have really sat through his youtubes or attended JP's church. I am here where his church is. I heard many testimonies of the sick and broken hearted healed, families re united and renewed in their relationships and with the Lord, and many speaks about nothing but their love for Jesus. And the deep hunger for God's Word is evident everywhere here for many members. Thats what happens here week after week, and the numbers are growing. The church is not big enough to hold the 30,000 church goers over 4 services each Sunday....Many have been born again christians in their own churches for a long time, many have gone through bible studies, cell groups and served in their own churches before. Last statistics quoted about 70% are over the age of 40 (this i cannot verify yet). The last few times they raised collection for the church building fund, with little fanfare, almost no prodding or announcements, was to the tune of between US$14 million and US$17 million. Such is the grace and favour of God demonstrated. We can argue the theology over and over again...but when the members speaks nothing but express their gratefulness and love for Jesus...he must have done something right. Hope we can all seize the opportunity and learn humbly what God is teaching through him. He is not all perfect but God is using him mightily.

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    1. Money does not equate to favor. You have fallen for the proesperity Gospel. By your standard, poor Lazarus by the rich man's gate was not blessed and the rich man who wore purple was blessed, yet the poor man Lazarus ended up in heaven and the rich man in hell. (Luke 16:19-31)

      By your standard, the rich young ruler was blessed by God and should be in heaven, but he rejected Jesus to his face and Jesus said it is easier for a rich man to pass thru the eye of a needle than to enter heaven. (Mt 19:23-24)

      "And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

      The poor man pleading with God at the temple as a sinner would have been sent to hell, yet the tax collector was noted by Jesus to be in favor with Him and the rich Pharisee was rebuked in the story. (Luke 18:9-14)

      Quite often, riches are a curse. As for millions at Prince's church, all that means is that satan has sent rich goats.

      Do not dispense with theology. It is the only thing that is truth. Not your purse.

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  25. Yeah but the false teachings that the Bible is talking about is Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and all the other false religions. I've never heard Pastor Prince or Osteen preach something that wasn't from the Bible. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that "WHOEVER" believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.... WHOEVER not those who are perfect and never do anything wrong but Whoever believes in Jesus will be saved. If you believe than Jesus will give you a good heart and you won't want to sin anymore. It doesn't say you have to be perfect otherwise nobody would go to heaven. Matthew 7:1 JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED... So I don't think it is fair to say that God is not happy with me or anybody. And for the rich not going to heaven, if you remember Joseph was a young rich rule who was friends with God and would ask Jesus what he had to do to go to eternal life and Jesus told him it was impossible for any man to do what was necessary to receive eternal life... Matthew 19:24-36. v. 28) "Then they asked Him, 'What must we do to do the works God requires [for eternal life, v27]
    (v. 29) Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.' "
    Salvation excludes any works on the part of man, it is solely by grace through faith:
    B) [Eph 2:8-9]:
    (v. 8) "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God
    (v. 9) - not by works, so that no one can boast.". Also, just because somebody has riches doesn't mean they are greedy... Pastor Prince and Osteen use a lot of their earnings to help others. And there are a lot of poor people out here who are greedy, who hurt people for money. So it's not fair to generalize people and judge them, because you don't know their personal relationship with God!

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    1. Carrie, It is easy to detect that "Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam" are false religions because the people who bring those religions are wolves in wolves clothing. Counterfeit Christianity is a false religion too. (Rev 3:20). It is hard to detect because the people who bring that religion are sheep in wolves clothing.

      Just because someone lifts a bible and says I love this bible does not mean they are teaching you rightly. They USE the bible to teach you wrongly. That is what Paul meant to Timothy in 2Tim 2:15, show yourself approved, rightly dividing the word of God". This tells us that if there is a right way to handle the word of God, there is a wrong way also. Osteen and Prince are wolves in sheep's clothing. I urge you to study why from scriptures, rather than defend them out of hand.

      In one example of wrongly dividing the word of God, you said "Matthew 7:1, JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED" but you forgot the second part of the verse, Mt 7:2, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" and please note the rest of the lesson Jesus was giving: "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Mt 7:5. Jesus is telling us to slow down, pray up, and THEN make a right judgment not based on mere appearances (John 7:24). I gently say to you that you are doing the former, not the latter... :)

      I don't know their personal relationship with God but I know their fruits. Jesus said "By their fruits you shall know them" (Mt 7:20) Who? "false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Mt 7:15). I know Osteen and Prince are false because I test what they say against the word of God and it does not match.

      I ask you to please examine whether you defend these men because their falsity is speaking to a fleshly part of you that likes being tickled. (2 Tim 4:3-4).

      We are supposed to discern. That does not mean judging a soul unto hell, but detecting right from almost right. We are urged throughout the NT to test the spirits, check the scriptures as the Bereans did, rebuke false doctrine, and protect the sheep from false teachers and wolves. If you pray for wisdom, Jesus will deliver it to you, and when He does you will be able to discern false teaching too. I am assuming you want to be able to do that, right?

      I ask you to stop commenting for a while until you have had a chance to pray, read the links, read the verses mentioned, and think on these things. You're spending a lot of time defending rather than taking these important matters under advisement, which tells me you're not really seeking to know and understand, but to defend and accuse. May God bless you on your journey

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    2. Carrie,

      Read the bible daily and you will know that Joseph Prince's teachings are mostly geared towards earthly gain, which has its place in Christian Evangelism. However, his teachings lack any emphasis on Treasures in Heaven, which is what Jesus often preached.

      In essence, Joseph Prince's teaching will be good for :
      a) The new believer
      b) The born again Christian
      c) The Christian who was yoked by the heavy burden of legalism
      d) Christians who remain Baby Christians who do not mature in the Word (Focus only on SELF and not Others)
      e) Earthly / Carnal Christians (those focused on Earthly Treasures as opposed to Treasures in Heaven)


      Joseph Prince's teaching is very weak in the areas of :
      a) Contentment (e.g. 1 Timothy 6:6-7, Philippians 4:11-12)
      b) Being a Slave to Christ and to Serve Others (1 Corinthians 7:22, Matthew 23:11)
      c) Rejoicing in Sanctified Affliction (Romans 5:3-5, 1 Pet. 1:6-7)
      d) Building Treasures in Heaven instead of on Earth (Matthew 6:20)
      e) Giving Alms to the Poor ( Luke 12:33, Luke 16:19-31)


      Joseph Prince's church, like most mega-churches, emphasize mostly on earthly treasures and focus on SELF (very clear in Prince's new book "Destined to Reign"), which, as I mentioned, has its place in bringing new believers into the fold of Christian brotherhood - though I'm not sure if it's right to bring in new believers based on promises of earthly gain.

      However, little is mentioned on Treasures in Heaven, carrying your cross and being SELFLESS towards others. The reason is obvious. MOST Christians prefer hearing how they stand to benefit for THEMSELVES, rather than to serve and help others (PS : That's why Prosperity churches are usually MEGA Churches, because MOST people who don't really care to read the bible are only interested in themselves). Moreover, the bible clearly says in 2 Timothy 4:3 "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires (desires of the eyes, flesh and the pride of life - 1 John 2:16), they will gather around them a great number of teachers (e.g. Prosperity Teachers) to say what their itching ears want to hear."

      However, if one wants to mature as a true Christian, Joseph Prince's teachings may not be helpful for mature Christian growth because little is mentioned on Treasures in Heaven, carrying your cross and being SELFLESS towards others and serving them (based on the 2nd greatest commandment to love one another - John 13:34-35)

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  26. Ms. Prata,
    Thank you for having the boldness to testify the truth, even in the face of those who seem to want to defend the men instead of the truth. The Bible prophesied that there would be MANY false prophets in the end days and that is exactly what we see today. One of the most blatant lies of the enemy is that we do not have to confess our sins, but 1 John states that if we confess our sins, He is just to forgive us our sins. Also we are told throughout the old testament to OBEY Gods Commandments. What are these commandments? To Love the Lord God with all our Heart, Mind, Body, and Spirit, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus said in Matt 22:40 "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Those who are saved are not under the Law but under Grace. The Law says do not touch, do not do.. but Grace says to do, to go, to speak...to LOVE. We show love by obeying God and doing good works for others, and if we love we will NOT break any of the Law. Works are NOT unto salvation but are the evidence of what God has done in the repentant heart.

    Another is the false teaching that God wants all of His children to be materially well off. There are SO many examples of poor saints in the Bible (Christ was poor Himself) yet these prosperity preachers swindle money from the poor while they themselves live luxuriously. I am not saying that a Christian cannot be wealthy, but to entice the poor to give to him who is already rich? These prosperity preachers feed peoples desire for the world and NOT for the things of God! The bible speaks against them in this also.

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  27. For the person who posted as Anonymous on August 16th, 2013:

    "God is not forcing me to have a relationship with him....therefore , I am NOT a slave to him."

    You are correct saying "God is not forcing me to have a relationship with him"
    However your logic is flawed. It is true that many are forced into slavery, but some people sell themselves into slavery, or even volunteer for it. Indentured servants of early American History did this to buy passage to the new world.
    The Word also says we are God's slaves:
    Romans 6:20 - 22 says "20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit 7to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. "

    We should GLADLY embrace being a slave to Him. If He is our Master, we are His slaves/servants.

    In the end we are either slaves to sin or slaves to God in His Righteousness.

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  28. Just a point of clarification. There is a HUGE difference in false teachers (intentional) and those teaching in error. Consider the story of Apollos in Acts 18. He taught about Jesus accurately but did not know about Jesus' baptism, only that of John the Baptist's. So was he a false teacher? Absolutely not! Was he teaching in error? Yes, he did not know the full story of salvation so he was taken aside and "explained the way of God more adequately". Be careful how you label. None of us know the hearts and intentions of man. That is why it is so important to study the scriptures yourself as it is commanded by Paul in his letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:15). If you know the scriptures, it will be difficult for you to be deceived and when something doesn't sound right, you will have the ability to challenge it, but do so in a loving way.

    One last comment - with grace comes responsibility. Grace compels us to act in a way that is Christ-like. That means the recipient of grace will be a changed person. Again, from the apostle Paul in Romans chapter 6 "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?" If you have tasted grace, then you will want to be different, changed and in the likeness of YOUR savior.

    Peace and love!

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    Replies
    1. The bible guides us into who and how someone is a false teacher. Jesus said they will come, and you WILL know them. (Mt 7:16). I agree that it is irresponsible to label one and all willy nilly a false teacher, but the bible gives guidelines. Some are to be labeled so.

      I'm sort of confused over two statements you made: in one, you judged Apollos sincere, but in the other you said we can't know the hearts and motivations of men.

      I don't know if Joel Osteen is sincere or not, because as you say, we don't know the hearts of men. But we do test what they say against the scriptures. If it fails the test, their teaching is false.

      Apollos is a unique case I think we should be careful in applying uniformly today to those who teach. This is because of progressive revelation. Apollos was teaching as accurately as he could given the scriptural knowledge available at the time.

      Pulpit Commentary says "It is difficult at first sight to conceive how at this time any one could know the baptism of John without knowing further that of Christ. But a possible account of it is that Apollos living at Alexandria, where as yet there was no Christian Church."

      Since the faith has now been delivered to the saints once for all, (Jude 1:3)we have all the revelation we are going to receive for the moment. (Hebrews 1:2). In this present age, it is much easier to compare what teachers say say against scripture and label them false if they come up short.

      "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed." 2 Peter 2:1-2

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  29. We cannot Compare these men to Apollos. For Apollos "had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John." (Acts 18:25) Yes he taught the baptism of John, but John's baptism was a righteous baptism "Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” Acts (19:4). Apollos taught the scriptures accurately. These men do not. They teach that one does not need to confess sins after they become saved in direct opposition to all scripture. They teach that repentance simply means to change one's mind. Change it to what? To believing that there is no condemnation for anyone after they come to initial salvation. That even if they do something which the commandments of God found in the old testament there is no need to fear because God won't see it. therefore according to them there is no need to confess our sins once we accept Jesus as our savior. Yet this is in direct opposition to 1 John 1:8 - 10 "8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

    They are the same as the false prophets of the old testament who told the people that God would not judge them for their sins.

    These men claim to be preachers of God's word. They use scripture inaccurately and teach it falsely. And many have made proclamations that God told them of specific things and times which did not happen. I speak in this sense of others beside Mr. Osteen and Mr. Prince. But these others also preach the false things that Mr. Osteen and Mr. Prince preach.

    Mr. Osteen has said eh does not preach about sin because it is negative. Therefore according to that, he calls the word of God, which teaches us against sin, negative. But the Word of God is positive because it leads to Life, by accepting Jesus and rejecting sin. How can you reject sin if you don't know what sin is? This is why the Law was given, to show what sin is and show us our need for the Savior, Jesus Christ. We are not under the Law, but the Law is fulfilled by those who are in (and remain in) Christ Jesus.

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  30. Also, as shown above, Apollos taught accurately about salvation. He preached the baptism of John, but baptism does not bring salvation. It is ONLY by the blood of Christ through His death and resurrection that we can be saved. The thief on the cross was promised by Jesus that he would be with Jesus in paradise that day. But the thief certainly never had occasion to be baptized.

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    1. Hi Marty,

      Well stated, and eloquently too. I dithered about the comment that anonymous brought up, regarding Apollos. Apollos is a sore point. Lots of arguments back and forth about whether he was false in the standard sense. I believe it is not fruitful ti use him as an example because of the uniqueness of that time, to wit, progressive revelation.

      If Apollos were to teach today, he WOULD be false. He preached the baptism of John but not Christ crucified. Osteen does not preach Christ crucified. If Apollos was teaching today, the Osteen AND apollos would both be classified as the same: false. Even though Apollos "preached the scriptures accurately." Why? Apollos WOULD have access to the full counsel of God today, yet would be calling himself a teacher whilst teaching less than the full counsel. No to both counts.

      However, back in Apollos's day, yes he did preach only John's baptism, but the full counsel of God was not immediately available. Prisca and Aquila had it and shared it.

      It's like the Charismatics who say "The Apostles in the days of Jesus did miracles, so we should be able to do miracles." "Apollos taught Baptism and not Christ crucified, so we can teach Baptism and not Christ crucified." The circumstances regarding these two *specific* cases are different.

      So I believe that anonymous's use of Apollos, in terms of throwing him into the pot to use as a standard of gauging teachers as false or not, is not fruitful because of his unique circumstances. I don't want to debate woulda coulda. So let's take him out and concentrate on teachers we can compare to scripture

      Delete
    2. One last remark about anonymous's standard of judging false teachers: he or she said Apollos was not *intentionally* teaching wrongly. For today's I think it is dangerous to thrown in the teacher's sincerity and intentions as part of deciding whether they are false or not. We can't tell what is going on in their mind or heart, only what comes out their mouth to compare it to scripture.

      The bible tells us what false teacher's motivations are: greed & exploitation. As for their intentions, we just don't know. We can't hold up an intention against scripture. Let's leave that element off the table as well and when we look at teachers today, simply and only look at their teaching.

      Delete
  31. I wondered, after reading these posts today, how much time is spent looking for false prophets and teachers? How much time is spent debating?How much time is spent looking to warn Christians about other Christians? Verses how much time is being spent with the Lord Jesus Christ? How much time is being spent with the Holy Spirit guiding and teaching for your own lives? How important is it in the kingdom of God that we chase down every "bad" teacher (false prophets) in place of being in the presence of our God? Is that what Christianity is? Chasing down the wolves in sheep's clothing? Making sure our brothers and sisters in Christ find out because they only have the Teacher Himself living in them, and they need another brother or sister to teach them what they have not discerned themselves? How insulting it is to other believers when they are being told from their own family of God that they need to" know" this or "be careful" "watch out!" the Holy Spirit must be sleeping!! Since you MUST take over and teach them. How many years have you spent tracking down these false prophets and false teachers? Are you striving for any certain goal or prize? Call it what "you" want, and don't take God's Word for it, but you are doing MUCH harm to the kingdom of God. Jesus taught the law for us to get over it and come to His Grace and ability. This is not grace. Holy Spirit leads us into all truth and we do not need any man to teach us. He is sufficient to do the job. He is God and always available to us. We don't need to come to websites to figure out and debate... we only need Him!!!

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    1. ,Hi Claudette,

      Thanks for your question. I have three points to make in response.

      1. You said "we only need HIM!!!" This is not true. Yes we need Jesus, but we need the RIGHT Jesus. Mormons say they have Jesus. Their Jesus is not the right Jesus. Muslims say that have Jesus. They do not have the right Jesus.

      2. This brings me to the 2nd point: we only know the real Jesus by studying the word. As an example, the FBI and the Treasury teach their agents to spot a counterfeit bill by spending all the students' time on learning the real bill. They examine the real deal minutely and incessantly, so that when they come across a fake, they can identify it immediately. It is the same with people who employ their Spirit-given discernment. We study the real Jesus in the word constantly and minutely, so that spotting a false teacher becomes second nature. This should answer your question about how much time we spend in the word. The answer is A LOT.

      3. You sound as if warning about false doctrine and false teachers is not worth our time as an activity.You said, "How insulting it is to other believers when they are being told from their own family of God that they need to" know" this or "be careful" "watch out!""

      Not insulting at all. Peter did it. Paul did it. Jesus did it. Titus 1:1 says the false ones "must be silenced." Paul said to Titus that some Christians must even be rebuked sharply so as to maintain a strong faith. (Titus 1:13). The elder women are supposed to teach the younger. (Titus 2:3)

      So you see, it is within every Christian's list of dutiful tasks to point out poison when we see it. Do you not care about the brethren who are eating poisonous and deadly food? I do. Not all of us are in graduate school with our theology. Some are new to the faith and are kindergarteners. (1 Cor 3:1-2, Heb 5:2). Your stance is to leave the kindergarten kids alone in the woods with the wolves and let them figure it out. This is wrong.

      Romans 6:17 gives us the charge here, "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; mark them."

      I'm sorry you feel you don't need "any man to teach us." That is a very telling statement and it does not reflect well on you because it is sin to propose what you just said. We are supposed to submit to teaching, to our husbands, to the leaders of the church. (Eph 5:21, 22; Titus 2:5, Heb 13:17). Please open your bible and get to know the real Jesus, and listen to some good sermons. I recommend Grace To You,gty.org, Steven Lawson at sermon audio, http://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=christfellowship, and Don Green at Truth Community Fellowship, http://www.truthcommunitychurch.org/

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    2. @ClaudetteRose

      You said the following:

      "How insulting it is to other believers when they are being told from their own family of God that they need to" know" this or "be careful" "watch out!" the Holy Spirit must be sleeping!!"

      "Call it what "you" want, and don't take God's Word for it, but you are doing MUCH harm to the kingdom of God."

      "We don't need to come to websites to figure out and debate..."

      I'll retort with:

      Proverbs 15:31
      Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.

      Proverbs 17:10
      A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.

      Proverbs 9:8
      Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.

      2 Timothy 4:2
      Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching

      2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 27 helpful votes

      All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

      ---

      Debate is an opportunity to learn and grow in the Word.

      Having said that I take issue that you said, "Jesus taught the law" - That's very incorrect. Its incorrect because its important to understand that where the Pharisees taught the law, Jesus fulfilled the law. There's an essential difference there. The law is the ministery of death and condemnation (2 Cor 3). Jesus fulfilled the law so that we may live through him. The letter kills, the Spirit gives life. Jesus didn't come to kill, but to give life!

      Further you say, "Holy Spirit leads us into all truth and we do not need any man to teach us." The Holy Spirit absolutely leads us. But that is incorrect to say you don't need any man to teach us. Who's to say the Holy Spirit doesn't lead us to people more knowledgeable than ourselves?

      I've learned more about the Bible watching Joseph Prince in just under a year than all my 35 years previous combined going to church and Sunday school as a kid. I've learned such an astounding amount about the Bible through Joseph Prince, that the Bible is absolutely the most fascinating book ever written. And if non-believers could be open minded and see so many puzzle pieces fitting together in the Bible, how anyone could claim that the Bible doesn't come from a higher power.

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    3. Hi chakley,

      Thank you for using scripture to reply to claudette. I agree with what you said.

      However, I'm sorry you follow Joseph Prince. he is not a true teacher of the Word, but preaches falsely. Here is a list why

      http://justreadthebible.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-i-know-that-joseph-prince-is-false.html

      And here is Justin Peters on Prince: each video about 30-min.

      Part 1: http://vimeo.com/63985233

      Part 2: http://vimeo.com/63985234

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  32. Pray for everyone.

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    1. I was raised a Catholic, and am now in my late 50's...and I have NEVER in my whole life experienced the Love and Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as I have since discovering Joseph Prince. Knowing that I am saved and forgiven of my sins has freed me and opened my heart to love others and to live in a way which is pleasing to the Father. I thank God every day for Joseph Prince.

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    2. HI greenleaf,

      The reason you never experienced the love and grace of the Lord when you were a Catholic is because Catholicism is a false religion. Catholics believe many aberrant things and thus, are not children of God. As far as Joseph Prince goes, test the spirits. Not all that have come into the world are true. (1 John 4:1)

      In addition, faith is not about what you "experience." It is about the mind- what you know to be true. That truth is in the bible. Here is a link which compares Prince's teachings against the bible. It is 35 minutes long and it is by noted discernment pastor Justin Peters.
      Part 1: http://vimeo.com/63985233
      Part 2: http://vimeo.com/63985234

      The introduction to the video goes like this- "Joseph Prince, pastor of New Creation Church in Singapore, is the fastest rising star in Evangelicalism today. In this program Justin continues his discussion of Prince and offers an overview of his Word-Faith background and teachings. Prince is sometimes labeled as antinomian and Justin shows that this charge is not without some merit. Prince teaches the Prosperity message and misdefines sin. You will hear audio clips from Prince himself. Though there is some truth in what he teaches, there is also egregious error and as an adherent to Word-Faith theology must be deemed a false teacher."

      Checking it out with an open mind pleases Jesus. Paul called the Bereans noble to test the teaching against the word.

      It would be an everlasting shame for you to have veered from Catholicism to another false religious system and miss heaven entirely.

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    3. One more thing.

      I don't if you see in the news this "knockout game" gaining popularity played by teens. I don't have the words to describe it, utterly despicable it is! When has that ever been something in the past to do for fun?

      Isaiah 3:12
      As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths.”

      2 Timothy 3:1-5
      But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
      ---

      Would you agree that sin in this world is increasing? its not just that one example, I could rattle of lists of them.

      Romans 5:20
      But where sin increased, grace increased all the more

      So if sin is increasing, God says grace will increase all the more. So if God raises Joseph Prince up to teach on what and who Grace is, doesn't that fit perfectly something God would do?

      Delete
    4. "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" Rom 6:1-2.

      You continue to advocate for Prince as a true teacher but have you read or listened to the biblical studies that expose him? No.

      As to your previous comment which I deleted, The definition of a false teacher is not only that they lead you away from Jesus. Most SEEM to lead us to Jesus. The point is, they lead people to a different Jesus. (2 Cor 11:4.)

      Another way false teachers lead people away from Jesus is by denying scripture by questioning what God hath said, or twisting what God has said. (Gen 3:1-5).

      Please don't defend Prince again until and unless you've studied the links and videos shared here.

      "But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless" Titus 3:9

      Delete
  33. I've read the links you provided and I listened to Justin Peters, and they both misconstrue what Joseph Prince says 180 degrees and Justin goes on and on building a case against that which he misinterpreted in the first place!

    Its interesting you bring up Titus 3:9 because in the podcast, Justin began with speaking on women in the workplace and how it goes against the law. Now I take no position on it but I know that's a big debate among many. And to me Titus 3:9 applies directly to that.

    And so I just find that so interesting that some pastors are getting so caught up in right vs wrong, the same thing that the Hebrew teachers did before Jesus, and then go on to criticize Joseph Prince's teaching that its the Holy Spirit that guides us to do right (not live worldly and lawlessly).

    I mean its your blog, so we can agree to disagree.

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    1. The agree to disagree thing sounds polite, but it is not. It is a blight to the name of Jesus. Jesus IS propositional truth. There is one right and one wrong. There is no 'meeting in the middle' or 'tolerance' or 'agree to disagree.'

      I can't see how you can dismiss the care and thoroughness Mr Peters brings to the table when he discusses true and false teachers. He is a good theologian and he considers things carefully. But thank you for listening to him, I appreciate that.

      It sounds like you want to believe Prince's teaching is solid no matter what the bible says. I say gently but firmly, you are wrong.

      The truth will out.

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    2. Joseph Prince praises the heretical Word of Faith teachings, and claims arch-Heretic Kenneth Hagin is a man of God, etc:

      “I give thank for God for my roots in the Word of Faith teachings.  It is truly on the shoulders of great men of God like Brother Kenneth E. Hagin that we are able to see further into the Word of God today. Growing up, I learned a lot about faith from Brother Hagin who truly had a special revelation of faith from the Lord. I deeply honor and respect him for all that he has taught me.”
      Destined to Reign: The Secret to Effortless Success, Wholeness and Victorious Living, Singapore: 2007, page 271

      This alone should raise red flags as to his teachings. Short article listing some of Prince’s false teachings: http://www.forgottenword.org/joseph-prince.html

      The following is from a Facebook page which has a purpose of exposing Prince, and due to blogspot limitations,it will take more than one post, but I think it is important that people see why he is considered a false teacher,

      Here is a short summary of some of the many deadly heresies advocated by Joseph Prince in “Destined to Reign”:
      1-Grace and law are opposites (this same doctrine was advocated by second century heretic “Marcion”)
      2-Grace is one-sided and unfair (downplays faith and obedience and misunderstands divine justice)
      3- Christianity is effortless (the kingdom of heaven is a welfare state)
      4-Asking forgiveness for sin is unnecessary for “believers”
      5-Moses and Jesus taught opposite doctrines
      6-The law brings condemnation (to the wicked) and therefore Jesus removed it
      7-Preaching the law makes people sin more, therefore it should not be taught at church because it will harm your church congregations (better to leave them ignorant I guess)
      8-The gift of righteousness means we are righteous even if we are not
      9-Unconditional forgiveness
      10-God was perpetually angry in the Old Testament and perpetually happy in the New Testament
      11-God does not judge nations for wickedness
      12-If God judges people, cities and nations today, then He should apologize to Jesus for the cross
      13-Believers aren’t punished for sin
      14-We never truly stop sinning but God’s ok with that
      15-We are not held more accountable to God when we know more, nor do we face greater punishment if we fail having known the truth, nor will we go through greater trials or tribulations as we draw close to God
      16-The Word of God doesn’t produce faith, only the Word of Christ
      17-The Word of God and the word of Christ don’t agree on some things
      18-Christian’s cannot commit the unpardonable sin
      19-Once saved, always saved
      20-Part of Jesus’ teaching is not applicable because it’s “Old Testament”
      21- We can’t take doctrine from the gospels because Jesus had not yet risen from the dead yet

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    3. Part 2

      22-Paul’s the lead authority on doctrine (not Jesus) because he addressed the church
      23-Confession of sins for believers is about “being open” with God, not about repentance because we are already forgiven
      24-Even though the book of I John was written to the church, the opening chapter is only for Gnostics and therefore we can disregard the instructions to confess our sin
      25-Confession of sin is unnecessary because we would have to confess all the time (inferring we would never stop sinning)
      26-Paul didn’t teach confession of sins
      27-Christ died to save us from the Old Testament covenant
      28-Not only should we not teach “the law” from the pulpit, we should only teach grace (even though the New Testament gives 1050 commands for believers to obey, we should still skip that part)
      29-Condemnation is the deepest root of all our problems (actually condemnation is caused by sin, hence the deeper problem is sin)
      30-An evil conscience is one that convicts you of sin and failure (in other words a WORKING conscience)
      31-The Holy Spirit does not convict us of sin or of judgment
      32-The Holy Spirit only convicts us of righteousness (when we sin)
      33-Satan likes the Ten Commandments
      34-The law caused Paul to be deceived in sin
      35-Paul continued in sin but realized he was not condemned anyway
      36-The prodigal son didn’t really repent, he was just conning his father for food
      37-We shouldn’t talk about sin, repentance or judgment from the pulpit, we should only talk about the goodness of God
      38-Jesus frequently broke the law of Moses to help sinners
      39-God didn’t unconditionally protect rebellious sinners in the Old Testament who were bitten by serpents but He will unconditionally protect rebellious sinners (“Christians”) in the New Testament
      40-God had Israel put the Ten Commandments in the Ark of the Covenant to “hide” the law under the mercy seat
      41-Abraham had a covenant of grace, but Moses’ had an inferior covenant of works
      42-The journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai was a period of pure grace (50 days of no consequence for sin which the giving of the law ruined their sin-filled but “righteousness-consciousness” utopia)
      43-Repentance doesn’t involve mourning or sorrow (or confession) for sin, it just means you changed your mind about something
      44-The doctrine of repentance from sin is not for believers
      45-Grace is a teacher so we don’t need the law
      46-Grace-preaching is the only means of effective evangelism
      47-Paul taught and believed all of the aforementioned heresies
      48-Paul “winked” at the sins of Corinth because they were under grace but firmly rebuked the sins of Galatia because they taught the law
      49-“Falling from grace” doesn’t mean sinning, it means reverting to law
      50-If you teach the law you are a “man-pleaser” (bizarre I know)
      51-Fasting is unnecessary and is only in the New Testament because fasting enthusiasts added it in later manuscript copies
      52-When Satan tempted Jesus to “turn the stones to bread”, he was actually tempting Jesus to get nourishment from the law instead of trusting in the love of God (my eyes are rolling even as I type this)
      53-Etc., etc., etc.
      For the teaching of these doctrines and many others not mentioned on this list, I assert with little timidity that Joseph Prince is unquestionably a heretic.  You may not agree with my analysis on every point; but only a fool and a rebel would completely whitewash such pervasive and damnable confusion!
      Consider this final quote from Joseph Prince:
      “The Lord told me many years ago, ‘Son, your ministry is to roll away the stone.’  Let me explain to you what this means.  In the story of Lazarus, Jesus commanded the people to roll away the stone from Lazarus’ tomb…My friend, the stone is a picture of the law.”

      Delete
  34. we are all about to be tested individually

    you will not have any Joseph Princes, popes or Rick Warrens to run to and ask advice

    you never needed them anyway

    they just want your money

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    1. We're all tested every day. Some more than others depending on where we live. Then the rapture will happen and we will be graded on the results of our tests and given rewards based on the exam. It's called the Bema Seat. 1 Cor 3:12-15

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  35. I was glad to see this page. I have watch both Osteen and Prince several times. I think Joel's heart is in the right place but the fact is just because you believe in Jesus it doesn't make you exempt from painful experiences, bad choices, or sin. It bothers me when anyone makes that claim. Prince sees to be learned in the languages and customs for the times which clearly seems to give the illusion of authority, although I doubt many verify his teachings as you have...greatful. There is something off about him that has always bothered me. Most of it was what you described so glad someone else seen it. The whole "new age" Megachurches are ridiculous. Selling bibles-UGH can't imagine God being happy about that alone, but all the memorabilia and coffee shops inside the churches, den of thieves. It should be enough that a house of prayer is just that. A place where we can simply come together as we are and fellowship, talk, and worship together. NO big screens, no light shows, no concerts. God doesn't change or evolve. His the same yesterday, today, and forever. And I think when we try to bring him into modern times we change who he really is.

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    1. Back then the synagogs were paved with gold and extravagently ornamental.I believe that beats any big screen or any light show do you not think an all knowing god was not aware of modern times from the beginning?

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    2. Miss MarG Millionaire, I am not aware of any synagogues that were regularly extravagantly adorned. Some Catholic cathedrals are, but Catholicism is false. The temple at Jerusalem was extravagantly adorned but it was done at the direct command of God to His specifications, for His glory. (1 Kings 6).

      As far as light shows go, Spurgeon spoke of his worry that the church will soon be entertaining goats rather than feeding sheep, a concern that has come to pass. Spurgeon said-

      "My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the church. If it is a Christian work, why did not Christ speak of it? "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). That is clear enough. So it would have been if He had added, "and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel." No such words, however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to him. Then again, "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers .., for the work of the ministry" (Eph. 4:11-12). Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning them. "

      You can read his entire sermon on the subject here
      http://www.biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/amusement.htm

      Yes I know that God is aware of modern times. We know from scripture that he is the author of history which he knew in advance. "Modern times" have nothing to do with anything. His word is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8


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  36. I'm not surprised at this article at all. Pharisees tried to stone Jesus for calling himself God. We call ourselves little gods..and there go the stones..so we are in good company. I am Gods daughter just as my brothers and sisters in Christ. Satan is so terrified that the glorious church will rise up. No we are not perfect , but Jesus is and he washes away all my sins, knowing I stand righteous before God causes me to walk in confidence and speak as one having Authority, and the name of Jesus is my authority. I'm not going to continue to call myself sinner when God calls me righteous, I fall short under some trials but thats why I need a perfect man to stand in my place and Jesus did just that. He MADE me worthy. Why is it so hard to receive such grace and love? Its your gift!! Pick it up and carry it! If you want to tiptoe around the devil that is your choice, I choose to go toe to toe and do greater things just as Jesus said I would. If there is no condemnation in Christ, why are we constantly condemning ourselves. The Kingdom of God has already arrived. Read the book with wisdom. Is every single teaching going to be correct? No the spirit is still teaching, but do not downplay the finished work of my savior. It is finished the Kingdom is here we have authority over Satan, but we can't receive that revelation because were too busy condemning ourselves and others instead of looking at Jesus. In essence, out of ignorance, some are still rejecting what the blood really means. Read with your eyes open and spirit willing, get your mind out the matter. Love one another. Pray and read the word rather than always trying to put this persons teaching or that persons teaching to shame. If it weren't for princes ministry, thousands wouldn't know jesus. Does he deny Jesus? Does he deny the blood? Does he deny the power? Does he deny Gods grace? No, only the spirit of antichrist does such things. So for which of these things do you stone him for? Is it not written in the scriptures that you are Gods?

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    1. Anonymous, not everything Prince says is false, but the overall message of his approach is.

      Here is a link to an essay that explains what the 'eye are gods' means. (Hint: were not gods).
      http://www.gotquestions.org/you-are-gods.html

      Yes Prince points to Jesus. All deceiving false teachers do. If they didn't, you'd know more easily they're false. Jehovah's Witnesses point to Jesus. Mormons point to Jesus. Mystics point to Jesus, Hindus and Muslims even have Jesus in their teachings. The question is, does the Jesus that Prince points to is "this same Jesus" as in the bible? No

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  37. Most people believe Jesus is their salvation.. And as we meander along the river of our lives, we believe Jesus is there at the end to catch us from going over the waterfall. But the thing is, he's in the boat with us all this time! And most people I don't think people think that way and so they can't accept that Jesus is our healing, our provision, our wisdom, our strength, etc. and they claim its false teaching to think so.

    We all believe that Jesus is the only Son of the only living God. You are free to accept as little or as much of Him as you want. He won't force you.

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  38. ChristianaChrist'schild♥ said-

    Ummm hello there. I appreciate that you are concern about this and about people in Asia. But dont you realize that you have just judged someone who God uses to feed His people?
    If you disagree with Prince thats okay. Just live out your faith and make peace with people.
    People still have errors. You admit that. But we can know the True God only by His Spirit's guideance and by reading His words.
    Be blessed

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    1. Yes I realize I have "judged" Joseph Prince. I have done what you advised, submitted to the Spirit's guidance and read or listened to God's words, tested His words against what Prince has said, and Prince has failed the test.

      It is nice that he feeds people, but works alone are not the only test of how we are supposed to judge a preacher of the word. if he brings a different Gospel we're not supposed to listen to it, no matter how hungry our bellies are.

      I do NOT make peace with wolves. Not when they are blaspheming the name of Jesus and destroying my brethren. Sorry. There is no peace with satan. Or did you not know we are in a war?

      For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
      2 Corinthians 10:3-5

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  39. This is just a continuation of the point I have made on April 14, 2013 at 10:51 AM.
    I believe that God is grace because God is more than grace. Hence, grace is not God or Jesus. In the Bible, grace or wisdom is likened to a 'person' who can teach and guide, but it can never be God or Jesus Christ. The Bible has told us clearly that Jesus is God and that the Word was God and is God; but only men will say that something else is God:

    Joh 1:1 KJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
    Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
    1Jn 4:2-3 KJV Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (3) And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
    2Jn 1:7-11 KJV For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (8) Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (9) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (10) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (11) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

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    1. How do you interpret John 1:17?

      "For the law was given through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

      The law was GIVEN. It didn't say that grace was GIVEN through Jesus as the law was GIVEN. Similarly it didn't say that the law came through Moses. There's a very important distinction. Grace came WITH. So doesn't that imply that grace is A PART OF?

      Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the life."

      Now if it says the grace and TRUTH came with Jesus, and Jesus himself said he IS the truth, you have to further associate that Jesus is grace.

      Its sorta like looking at it as Jesus is our savior, he saves us, but he IS our salvation. He can heal us, he is our healer, but a better way to look at him is he IS our healing.

      He is our salvation, he is our healing, he is grace, he is truth, and more.

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  40. God IS grace because He is everything that is good.

    "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

    The verse says we have been saved by grace, and if grace isn't God then He didn't save us.

    You're splitting hairs. Jesus is the Word, yes, and that is my favorite appellation for Him, but it is hardly the only one. He is called many things.

    He is the Son, but He is also the Father. So keeping that in mind, He is holy but He is also grace. He is patient but He is also grace. He is perfect but He is also grace. You see the point.

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  41. Honestly mate this post is half the reason God's people are confused??
    You make out these guys to be the bad guys? if you open ears and take the wax out and listen with your heart (spirit) you can tell truth or error? I havnt read christian blogs like this for a while and honestly I wont for a while again? So sad that so many Christians are mixed up and messed up! BTW we need these teachers did it occur to you that God himself appoints teachers, apostles, pastors etc... what for?? To bring the body of Christ to fullness of maturity, but i guess we are a long way off still?

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