Judging and Touching the Untouchables, page 1

INTRODUCTION
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“Do not judge me!” This blanket statement represents the political correctness of our day. During these last days we live in a weak, spineless, unethical society that tolerates and makes accommodations for almost anything. Many people would rather compromise truth for the sake of evading controversy. We’re all supposed to just love one another and be united together in camaraderie. And those who express strong views that rock the boat of today’s immoral policies of appeasement, are labeled as “judgmental”, “divisive” and “unloving.”

Unfortunately, this wicked, reprehensible line of thinking is very prevalent within many of today’s churches. And it is disheartening to encounter numerous Christians who are unaware and indifferent to the importance of judging, exposing and correcting false teachings. Likened to the secular world, they would rather dodge controversy.

Let’s bear in mind, however, that controversy for the sake of controversy is sin. But controversy for the sake of truth is a biblical mandate. No believer should stand by in a state of indolence and allow fellow believers to be deceived by false teachers. Concerned and loving Christians will guard the purity of scriptural doctrine, judge all circumstances by the Word of God, and smoke out errant doctrines propagated by false teachers. If we fail to do this, then God will hold us partly accountable (Ezekiel 33:8).

Solomon stated: Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. (Proverbs 9:8, NKJV)

Jesus stated: Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. (Luke 12:51, NIV)

FALSE TEACHERS
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As of the time of this writing, Eddie L. Long, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, has been accused of sexually molesting four young men who were members of his church. On account of Mr. Long’s high profile status, this controversy has created a storm of media coverage and public debate. At this time, I will not comment on the validity of the accusations against Mr. Long; but for the record, I will state that he is a Word-Faith advocate, and thus, qualifies as a false teacher. This holds true for other well known “celebrity ministers” such as Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, T.D. Jakes, and Joyce Meyer – to name a few.

These counterfeit church leaders have crept in unnoticed to take advantage of their supporter’s emotions, lack of spiritual discernment, and financial resources. Through a combination of subtle mind-control techniques, Scripture twisting tactics, and an appeal to itching ears; they have hijacked the minds and hearts of many people. They carefully acknowledge Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and other great teachers of God’s Word, yet promote a deviant gospel. The fact that they have thousands of followers supposedly indicates the veracity of their messages. As a result, their false doctrines are allowed to be disseminated without challenge.

It is clear that the dissemination of false doctrines by Eddie Long and other false teachers is not an issue that should be left uncontested. Correction, exposing, and judging false teachings are dominant subject matters throughout Scripture … particularly in the New Testament. The writings of Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude exemplify the main corrective doctrines that pertain to the church today.

THE STRATEGY
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In spite of these facts, many people within and outside the Word-Faith camp will not take kindly to an evaluation of their “pastor’s” doctrines. When false teachers are dauntlessly interrogated by those who are proficient in sound biblical exegesis, they resort to a variety of tactics to avoid exposure of their erroneous teachings.

One such stratagem involves the inappropriate use of Psalm 105:15 (“Do not touch My anointed …”) and Matthew 7:1 (“Judge not …”). Such a tactic was demonstrated among the allegations of sexual transgressions by Eddie Long where legitimate questions arose from media forums regarding his doctrines – particularly the “Prosperity Message”.

Arguments based upon the “Touch not-Judge Not” strategy are notoriously suspect. The true purpose of this form of spiritual abuse is to halt opposition, suppress the truth, and prevent legitimate criticism from diming the “dazzling light” that may uncover the darkness of their false ministries.

In order to maintain the loyalty of their followers, false teachers mentally condition their devoted supporters to parrot Psalm 105:15 and Matthew 7:1 upon those who daringly question their “man of God.” Although not surprising, I found it fascinating how congregants of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church cried, misused, and abused “Judge not …” and “Touch not My anointed …” in their efforts to protect their beloved pastor from a biblically legal critique. This method of brainwashing is commonly identified among those who are identified with extreme cult leaders.

Nowhere in Scripture do we find any Christians and great men of God crying, kicking, and screaming “Touch not My anointed” and “Judge not …” when their teachings were held up against the authority of God’s Word. As a matter of fact, the Apostle Paul considered the Berean Christians as “noble” because they searched the scriptures daily to discern his doctrines (Acts 17:11). True men of God welcome an examination and critique of their teachings; for they are established above all by their immaculacy of character and doctrine (2 Cor. 4:2; Titus 1:7-9; 2:7-8).

Consider the statements from the following Word-Faith teachers regarding those who judge their doctrines:

“There are people attempting to sit in judgment right today over the ministry that I’m responsible for, and the ministry that Kenneth E. Hagin is responsible for …. Several people that I know had criticized and called that faith bunch out of Tulsa a cult. And some of ‘em are dead right today in an early grave because of it, and there’s more one of them got cancer.” (Kenneth Copeland, “Why All Are Not Healed”)

“I think they’re damned and on their way to hell and I don’t think there’s any redemption for them …. I say to hell with you! Oh hallelujah. Get out of God’s way, quit blocking God’s bridges or God is gonna shoot you if I don’t.” (Paul Crouch, TBN, April 2, 1991)

“Let Him (God) sort out all this doctrinal doo-doo. I don’t care about it.” (Paul Crouch, TBN, “Praise The Lord”)

“You hear this. There are men and women in Southern California attacking me. I will tell you under the anointing now, you’ll reap it in your children. You’ll never win. And your children will suffer. You’re attacking me on the radio every night; you’ll pay, and your children will. Hear this from the lips of God’s servant. You are in danger.” (Benny Hinn, Melodyland Christian Center)

Dear God in heaven, I wish I can just … You know, I have looked for just one verse in the Bible, I just can’t seem to find it; one verse that says, ‘if you don’t like them kill them….’ Sometimes I wish God would give me a Holy Ghost machine gun, I’ll blow your head off!” (Benny Hinn, TBN, November 8, 1990)

Jesus would certainly find this form of conduct appalling. And so should you and I. It is expected to hear such reprehensible statements from radical Islam and their supporting terrorists. However, an alarm should sound if they are emanating from those who supposedly come in God’s name. The fact that numerous so-called “Christians” would rather applaud and say “Amen” instead of rebuking this ungodly behavior illustrates that many are walking in self-imposed blindness.

Let’s now examine this issue in greater detail.

TOUCH NOT MY ANOINTED
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“To you I will give you the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.” When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it, they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings: “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” (Psalm 105: 11-15 NIV)

Now, who are the “Anointed”? The phrase, “My anointed ones” is typically used in reference to Israel’s kings (1 Sam. 12:3,5; 24:6,10; 26:9,11,16,23; 2 Sam. 1:14,16; 19:21; Psalm 20:6; Lam. 4:20). Who are the prophets? The phrase, “My prophets”, is used in reference to God’s patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen. 20:7, Psalm 105:6-15).

In the context of this passage, it is literally speaking in terms of not inflicting physical harm upon God’s anointed and prophets in the Old Testament. Neither of these designations means that an appraisal regarding the teachings of today’s church is inappropriate. This scheme of butchering verse 15 functions to ameliorate the financial resources of rapacious demagogues. Moreover, using fear of some form of retaliation for “speaking out”, it also serves to keep congregants in “their rightful places”; empowering pre-existing political correctness in the church.

Now, let’s postulate momentarily that “Touch not My anointed” is defined as “Not touching (correcting) a pastor’s teaching.” In this case, how would we know who not to touch? How would we be able to discern the many false teachers the Bible so clearly points out? Anyone can claim to be a preacher, prophet, or evangelist. The latter question is just what false teachers fear. Satan’s ministers do not want us to see them for who they really are. Therefore, they twist Psalm 105:15 into a different rendition because it stifles debate and shields them from correction and exposure.

WHO ARE THE ANOINTED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?
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False church leaders twist and pull Psalm 105:15 from the Old Testament to instill the notion that they are exclusively God’s anointed. However, according to Scripture, all believers under the new covenant are the anointed priesthood.

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Cor. 1:21-22 NIV)

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. (1 John 2:27 NIV)

He made us competent as ministers of a new covenant …. (2 Cor. 3:6 NIV)

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood …. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. (1 Peter 2:5, 9 NIV)

And has made to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father …. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. (Rev. 1:6; 5:10 NIV)

Nowhere in the New Testament do we find a single verse that indicates God’s anointed is restricted to leaders in the church. Every believer in the body of Christ has been anointed by the Holy Spirit with specific gifts.

JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED
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DO NOT judge, or you too will be judged. (Matt. 7:1 NIV)

Along with Psalm 105:15, Matthew 7:1 is one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible. Now, in order to understand this verse in proper exegetical context, let’s take a look at verses two through five for greater clarification.

For the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 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. (Matt. 7:2-5 NIV)

It should be clear that this passage is instructing us not to judge hypocritically and self-righteously
(Rom. 2:3). This passage does not mean we are prohibited from investigating and judging doctrines taught by leaders in the church.
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