THE WORD-FAITH MOVEMENT
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING
By: Victor T. Stephens
"For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears." (Acts 20:29-31)
THE THREATS FROM THE UNTOUCHABLES
Word-Faith teachers do not take kindly to being challenged. They demand everyone submit to their authoritarian rule and rendition of the scriptures without a critique. Their corrupt agenda entails taking advantage of those who are unskilled in biblical interpretation. Instead of offering constructive dialogue, teachers of Word-Faith theology react evasively and resort to threats when confronted by those proficient in proper biblical exegesis.
Word-Faith proponents are aware that they can't deal with the facts. If their errors are exposed, then they have much to lose in power and fortune. To silence those who dare question or criticize them, they hide behind the verses below to inflict fear of retribution from God upon anyone who takes such a dauntless interrogation into their "anointed" teachings.
Saying, "Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm." (Psalm 105:15)
"Judge not, that you be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)
"Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand." (Rom. 14:4)
Not only do Word-Faith teachers attempt to deprive proper scriptural discernment through fear tactics, but they have also mentally conditioned their devoted followers to parrot these verses to anyone who critiques their pastor. To question their "man of God" can be recognized as questioning God Himself. It should be apparent that this stratagem is similar to that among cult leaders.
Let's now consider the following threats issued by Word-Faith teachers to those who criticize their heretical teachings.
As reported by Kenneth Copeland:
"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 than one of them got cancer." (Kenneth Copeland, "Why All Are Not Healed")
According to Paul Crouch:
"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's gonna shoot you if I don't!" (Paul Crouch, TBN, April 2, 1991)
On sound doctrine, Crouch states:
"Let Him (God) sort out all this doctrinal doo-doo. I don't care about it." (Paul Crouch, TBN, "Praise the Lord")
Benny Hinn had this to say:
"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 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)
One would not be surprised to hear these kinds of statements from radical Islamic terrorists and their supporting state networks. However, an alarm should sound if they emanate from those who supposedly come in God's name. The fact that numerous professing Christians would rather applaud and say "Amen" instead of rebuking this ungodly behavior illustrates that many are walking in self-imposed blindness and idolatry. Jesus Christ, Paul, and the noble Berean Christians would find these unscriptural dispositions appalling but not surprising in these last days of great deception.
Let's now examine Psalm 105:15, Matthew 7:1, and Romans 14:4 and discover how Word-Faith teachers have misapplied these verses.
Psalm 105:15 says,
Saying, "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm." (Psalm 105:15)
This verse has absolutely nothing to do with challenging and correcting false teachings within the church. 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). "My prophets" refers to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen. 20:7; Psalm 105:6-15). In the context of Psalm 105:15, it is 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 the modern church is inappropriate. 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 the Word-Faith teachers' false ministries.
Let's postulate momentarily that the Word-Faith teachers' interpretation is correct. Then how would we know who not to "touch"? How would we know who is teaching falsely? Anyone can claim to be a preacher, pastor, or evangelist. Perhaps the latter question is just what Word-Faith leaders secretly fear. Satan ministers do not want us to see them in their naked deformity. True men of God welcome an examination and critique of their teachings, for they are established above all by their immaculate character and doctrine.
Solomon stated:
"Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you." (Proverbs 9:8)
Let's now examine Matthew 7:1.
"Judge not, that you be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)
Regarding this verse, if we read verses two through five, it should be clear that these verses instruct us not to judge hypocritically, self-righteously, and unfairly. They do not mean we may not investigate or judge what church leaders teach. If we go forward and read verses 15 and 16, Jesus continues by saying:
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits...." (Matt. 7:15-16)
How can we know who false teachers and false prophets are if we do not judge their teachings by the Word of God? John 7:24 states:
"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." (John 7:24)
That means exercising moral and doctrinal discernment is a biblical mandate. In Romans 16:17-18, Paul commands believers to:
"note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom. 16:17-18)
Unfortunately, many "Christians" are not yielding to Jesus' and Paul's command regarding proper discernment. Even after evidence is presented that exposes and refutes false teachings within their church, they will continue to defend and support "their man of God." Who are they worshiping? Is it our Lord and Savior or the man behind the pulpit?
Next: An evaluation of Romans 14:4.
