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IN the previous article, we discussed the advent of the “spiritual tourist, groupie and street kid”. We noted that this was a phenomenon that has been precipitated by the recent increase in the number of spiritual leaders and subsequently the number of churches. As a result essential qualities or virtues such as commitment, responsibility and accountability to local churches have declined overtime in the lives of believers.
Traditional commitment to the local church has been replaced by the “virtual church”, “church hopping” and “conference cruising”. Submission and discipline are at their lowest ebb as believers move from church to church with self-serving agendas. We also noted that spiritual order has been substituted by a “free for all, do your own thing mentality”. Young emerging leaders are being groomed in this environment and local spiritual authority is denigrated, discarded and replaced by distance spiritual fathers with unproven track records.
In this article, we will look at the causes, effects and remedy for this malady.
Causes
We will examine a few of these causes.
The purpose of worship — God created man to fellowship with him. This is demonstrated in the Garden of Eden as He came down regularly to enjoy man’s company at the cool of the day. Gen 3:8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees (AMP). The reason for man’s creation is reiterated in the book of Revelations. Rev 4:11 — Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for they pleasure they are and were created (KJV). Man was created to worship God and bring glory and honour to Him. We were created for His pleasure. 21st Century Christians no longer understand this principle. They are under the impression that God was created for their pleasure and that He is a heavenly ATM that spews out blessings at their convenience. Modern pentecostal worship is for the benefits that accrue to us. The act of worship is need oriented and not God centred. Rather than attend church to bless and bring pleasure to God we go to church expecting to receive as much as we can.
The motive to worship — as has already been alluded to modern Christianity has become a “bless me club”. Repeatedly in scripture God states that He desires to bless His children, though these blessings should not be the motive for the worship. Loving somebody or something for what you can get out of them is offensive and I am sure that with God that is no exception.
God must find our modern worship distasteful as it has little or nothing to do with a relationship with Him. Seasons of fasting and prayer and daily devotions have become sessions dedicated to seeking success/breakthrough/deliverance. Biblical fasting and prayer must include ministry to God and not focus on supplying of needs.
Isaiah 58 outlines the fast instituted by God that guarantees deliverance. Isa 58:6 (Rather) is not this the fast that I have chosen: to lose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free and that you break every enslaving yoke. (AMP) In the book of Acts the Apostles fasted while ministering to God. Acts 13: 2 — As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (KJV)
God promises to provide our needs as long as we meet the conditions of prioritising, worshipping and loving Him above all else. Matt 6:31-33: Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? Or, what are we going to have to drink? Or, what are we going to have to wear? For the Gentiles wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides (AMP).
The Unregenerate Mindset — Man is a triune being, possessing a spirit, soul (mind, will and emotions) and a body. Upon acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord our spirit is regenerated and restored to God. The soul and body remain unchanged and the believer has to ensure that the soul and body conform to the new Godly lifestyle. Rom 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy and (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), (fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs), but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude), so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you) (AMP).
Being a believer entails confronting previously held mindsets of superstition, fear of witchcraft and the demonic world. Failure to deal with these beliefs produces a believer with warped motivations. Such motivation causes a skewed view of God and Christian leaders. In the unregenerate mind the pastor/prophet is a direct substitute for the inyanga, hence the quest to keep searching for one with higher deliverance powers. A deeper understanding of the scriptures and an acquaintance with the believers’ authority will show that we have been delivered from these fears. We do not need mediators to represent us before God. This authority enables us to come directly to God and the go-between is Jesus Christ Himself.
The believers’ authority is outlined in Luke 10:19 – “Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses); and nothing shall in any way harm you (AMP). 2 Tim 1:7 — For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, of love and a sound mind (KJV). 1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (KJV). This mindset can be transformed by study and knowledge of the scriptures.
The order of worship in church services has deviated from the New Testament model. This model is found in Col 3:16 and 1 Cor 14:26. Col 3:16 — Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (KJV) 1 Cor 14:26 — What then, brethren, is the (right course)? When you meet together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a disclosure of special knowledge and information, an utterance in a (strange) tongue, or and interpretation of it. (But) let everything be constructive and edifying and for the good of all.
The prevailing trend in modern pentecostal church meetings is a strong emphasis in the prophetic and healing ministry only. Sunday services have become a side show with the resident prophet/pastor prophesying, laying hands on the sick, anointing them with oil, while entertained congregants cheer loudly urging God’s servant on, while eagerly anticipating that some anointing will come their way.
This is an integral part of the service, however, true biblical worship should be balanced. This includes God centred worship (psalms, hymns and songs) and doctrinally sound, scriptural preaching. Believers should operate in the gifts of the spirit (prophesying, speaking in tongues, interpreting) as well. Operating in the gifts of the Spirit is not the preserve of a few “superstars” (pastors and prophets) but the responsibility of all children of God. The biblical order of a church service is outlined in 1 Cor 14. Balancing the word and the gifts is very important. Apostle Paul operated in the gifts but was renowned for his solid doctrine. 2 Tim 3:10 – But thou has fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long suffering, charity, patience.
Effects
Because church is no longer patterned after the Biblical model, a lazy, irresponsible, uncommitted, self-centred, migrant believer has been spawned. Eph 4:14 — So then, we may no longer be children, tossed (like ships) to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, (the prey of) the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, (gamblers engaged) in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead.
Churches are not genuinely growing through evangelism but by the transfers that are taking place from one church to another.
Church leaders (prophets/pastors) are under undue pressure to keep high maintenance congregants happy and end up resorting to questionable gimmicks — miracle air time, recharged electricity, miracle apples etc. Clever, cunning tactics with little Biblical credence must be conjured to retain these migrating believers.
Believers of today are weak, anaemic and spineless in their faith as they are not nurtured on the sincere milk of the Word of God. They have cut their spiritual teeth on the cunning, craftiness of men.
Remedy
Christians need to stop running, and return to the fundamentals of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A return to the original purpose for man’s creation needs to be underscored. Each person should seek God and build their personal intimacy with Him. The prayer of repentance by David after he had sinned before God and committed adultery with Bathsheba should be on our lips — Psalms 51:10, 12 — Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of my salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Find a spiritual home. If you are part of a group of spiritual tourists, settle down. Be responsible, submitted, committed and accountable to spiritual authority. Ensure that it is a word based church that upholds the doctrines of Jesus Christ.
Spiritual fathers, rise up and take your place. Bring order to the Body of Christ. Rebuke, chasten and correct without fear or favour. If spiritual fathers do not rise up God will hold them responsible for the breakdown of order in this generation.
Spiritual sons need to settle down and stop the unnecessary gimmicks. Teach yourselves to understand order and rank in the body of Christ.
Finally, the Body of Christ needs to return to the basic doctrines of the word and kingdom of God. Prov 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set up.
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