Take Out The Poison!

      A man of God recently declared that children of God that hold contrary views to his on what the House of God is should not spread their poison to his Church to confuse his members. This is true as so many have risen amongst the brethren preaching deviant doctrines in order to lure disciples into following them (Acts 20:30). Thus, we are admonished as overseers to be alert to watch over ourselves and the flock of God; when certain doctrines are propagated and supported by Scriptures, we are to go to God with it, so the truth will be revealed to us. We cannot presume to know all, except that which is revealed to us: “For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]” (1 Corinthians 13:12, AMP). The truth is the greatest of teachers know only in part. Thus, as ministers when we come across certain teachings that negate our long held convictions, instead of knocking it out, we ought to take it back to the Lord in prayers and further study just as the Berean Christians did during the days of the Apostles. 

      Back to the said Pastor; one issue that stood out in his treatise is his support of stand up comedians in the House of God; he equated them with those that act drama in the Church. He argued that the comedian and the actors (drama team) have same goal. Let’s look at what the Bible say about this. It is true that God created laughter and it pleases God when our hearts are merry, but this merriment must not be done at the expense of the glory of God. That is extremely dangerous! The true drama group is not different from preachers and teachers because true dramatization exposes the situation of man in relation to God and they depict the way forward. These dramas have been instrumental in bringing many back to the feet of the Master: Thus glorifying God! Comics on the other hand end goal is to make their audience feel good about themselves and not to bring glory to God. They make jest of everything and everyone; nothing is sacred to their jestings. The people laugh and thoroughly enjoy themselves; however, does it actually glorify God? If it were okay to do this, Christ would not have chased out the money changers and their likes from the Temple, or declare: “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13). Or equally say: “And coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For know and recognize this: No sexual immoral or impure or greedy person who is an idolater has an inheritance in the Kingdom of the Messiah and of God” (Ephesians 5:4-5). Friend, this was an example of how we should live and worship God. 

      One cannot mix the things of the world with the worship of God and expect God to accept it: “Let us therefore, receiving a Kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe; for our God [is indeed] a Consuming Fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29, AMP). It then follows that as a child of God, whether we subscribe to stand up comics on our pulpits or at other occasions it really doesn’t matter. But remember this: A day is coming which no man can dodge from – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Therefore, as children of God we have a responsibility to be alert and watchful even as we see the DAY draw ever closer: “Dear friends although I was eager to write you about our common salvation. I found it necessary to write and exhort you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. For certain men, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into promiscuity and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 3-4). Do receive the grace to be watchful and to take out the poison before it takes root in our hearts in Jesus Christ name. God bless you.