Since so many have been asking, I thought I'd give you all a sneak peek. After five years of research and interviews, the following is an excerpt from my forthcoming book, "A Plan of Deception - What your pastor won't tell you."
Many times, the answers to all of our questions are right in front of us, but because many of God’s people are not trained and taught properly on how to use what God has already given us: His examples, His pattern, and His word, rather than the flawed knowledge of man, cultural traditions, and silly superstitions, the church is deceived, and the only people who tend to see the deception are those who are outside the church.
In ministry, I have discovered that many church leaders do things based on tradition and “Church” culture. They say and do things that are popular with other leaders or the general body. Their frames of reference are based on old assumptions they acquired from the teachings of leaders who came before them. Rarely will they truly research the topics or issues in which they speak about. This causes a lot of flawed information to be dispensed to congregations. I always say that, “If your foundation is flawed, your works will be also.”
Too often, we are presented and fond of church leaders with the persona and charisma of the neighborhood, hoods, the used car salesman or the cunning telemarketer on the other end of the phone. Too many pastors have deserted their role as spiritual leaders and have chosen instead to be ambassadors of Satan. Too many have decided to be mirror images of the neighborhood gangsters and pimps of the sixties and seventies who flaunt their money, wear the flashiest clothes and drive the fanciest cars.
In the book of Philippians, Paul gives us insight to the character of Christ. Paul tells us that Jesus made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant. In other words, Jesus didn’t make it a point to draw attention to Himself. His lifestyle was a modest one, unlike the Pharisees then and the Pharisees today. I have come to believe that many love the Pharisees lifestyle because the Church is the only organization where the servant lives a lavish lifestyle. Paul backs up the importance of the lifestyle that Jesus lived, when he said: Let your moderation be known unto all men. (Philippians 4:5) He said moderation, meaning: avoiding extremes, TEMPERATE, not flashy, expensive or excessive. Here is one meaning of moderation that Church leaders should pay attention to: moderate in indulgence of appetite or desire.
As many of the TBN and Daystar celebrities have discovered, the lack of moderation is the reason for so many investigations. They wanted attention, and now they have it. To achieve their level of lust for the things of this world, required a plan of deception.
In ministry, I have discovered that many church leaders do things based on tradition and “Church” culture. They say and do things that are popular with other leaders or the general body. Their frames of reference are based on old assumptions they acquired from the teachings of leaders who came before them. Rarely will they truly research the topics or issues in which they speak about. This causes a lot of flawed information to be dispensed to congregations. I always say that, “If your foundation is flawed, your works will be also.”
Too often, we are presented and fond of church leaders with the persona and charisma of the neighborhood, hoods, the used car salesman or the cunning telemarketer on the other end of the phone. Too many pastors have deserted their role as spiritual leaders and have chosen instead to be ambassadors of Satan. Too many have decided to be mirror images of the neighborhood gangsters and pimps of the sixties and seventies who flaunt their money, wear the flashiest clothes and drive the fanciest cars.
In the book of Philippians, Paul gives us insight to the character of Christ. Paul tells us that Jesus made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant. In other words, Jesus didn’t make it a point to draw attention to Himself. His lifestyle was a modest one, unlike the Pharisees then and the Pharisees today. I have come to believe that many love the Pharisees lifestyle because the Church is the only organization where the servant lives a lavish lifestyle. Paul backs up the importance of the lifestyle that Jesus lived, when he said: Let your moderation be known unto all men. (Philippians 4:5) He said moderation, meaning: avoiding extremes, TEMPERATE, not flashy, expensive or excessive. Here is one meaning of moderation that Church leaders should pay attention to: moderate in indulgence of appetite or desire.
As many of the TBN and Daystar celebrities have discovered, the lack of moderation is the reason for so many investigations. They wanted attention, and now they have it. To achieve their level of lust for the things of this world, required a plan of deception.
Copyright © 2008, F. L. Anderson All Rights Reserved
