WATCH OUT! “OFFERING BOWL-ROBBERS”

They will never point a gun to your head or pick your pockets but they will continually rob you massively from the pulpit as they stretch out offering bowls towards you, subsequently causing you to willingly give up your life savings under the delusion of salvation and deliverance. Is this what Christianity has reduced to? An avenue for offering bowl-robbers and false teachers! A place where charlatans now take refuge to pursue their diabolic mission when we are supposed to expose them! Oh, what a fractured “Church” we have today!

But I am not surprised at all because this has been foretold by the prophets of old. Speaking specifically of the “Last Days”, Matthew 24:11 warns; “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many and verse 24 reads: “For there shall arise false 'Christs’, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that if (it were) possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

Beware of supposed men of God who cunningly woo their way into your hearts with big Bibles in hand, expensive jackets and sweet words, parading in the name of Jesus as pastors, teachers, prophets and the like; they could be false.

Now the question is; how does one differentiate a true man of God from a fake one?

A true Man of God is expected to serve as a representative of God here on earth to show love towards everyone notwithstanding their religion, social class, sex or race. But what do we see today? Men of God have built walls upon walls of body guards around themselves displaying an aura of terror each time people manage to push through the crowds to get closer to them. It is difficult or practically impossible to look up to such a person as a father to Christians or a leader of a church. 

In their walk and talk with God and humanity, a true man of God is also expected to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Gal 5: 22). In essence, a man of God must demonstrate complete abhorrence for sin and absolute adoration for God towards the in-working of the Holy Spirit which precipitates the bearing of its fruits. These fruits are meant to stem works of righteousness out of the man of God. “You see then that out of works is a man declared righteous” James 2: 24. Despite the accuracy of one’s prophecies and the miracles, signs and wonders performed, a ‘man of God’ cannot be said to originate from God if they are workers of iniquity.

A true man of God should never, under any circumstance, be ravenous for money. It is an error! John made reference to this truth in 1 John 2: 15 saying; Do not love the world or the things that are in the world because if we do, it plainly lays evidence of our heart. He concluded by saying that this act portrays that the love of the father (God) is not in us. A true ‘man of God’ will not love money. On the contrary, he will love God and the people, putting them foremost, prior to anything else. So I wonder; when did the bible start telling us to pay money before consulting a pastor or getting any favor from them? And why do some Christians fall cheaply to this ploy all in the name of deliverance? This is a deception from the ‘pit of hell’, and all Christians must join forces to abhor and uproot this cancerous phenomenon which seeks to destroy a healthy ecclesia.

Notwithstanding the above mentioned points to note in identifying a true man of God, we must also pay particular attention to the inner witness of the Holy Spirit and the spirit of discernment. The bible records, that God is all-knowing. Thus, His spirit living on the inside of man is all-knowing as well. Always look out for that intuitive feeling, emanating from the deepest part of your soul. If you find that inner peace and joy around a particular man of God, praise God, receive as much as you can from him. But if you rather sense an intuitive inner feeling of discomfort and suspicion, pray and peacefully walk away and faithfully follow the one your heart is at peace with.

Thanks for reading this article on www.yesuba.blogspot.com. Please feel free to share with your love ones and friends or comment with any lesson learnt. You can also visit www.ernestkojoakorli.blogspot.com to read more interesting articles and stories.