Jude 1:4, “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ”
There’s a famous Greek story about the conquering of the city of Troy. The story goes that Greeks laid siege to the city of Troy for over ten years, and in that time, were unable to capture it. Finally, a man by the name of Ulysses decided to have a large wooden horse built and left outside the city walls as a gift to the unconquerable Trojans. The Greeks then sailed away in apparent defeat. The curious and proud Trojans felt confident enough to drag the horse inside their walls.
That night Greek soldiers crept out of the horse and opened the city gates from within, allowing Greek forces into Troy. The Greeks then massacred the population of Troy, looted the city, and burned it. Throughout history the “Trojan Horse” has been a symbol of infiltration and deception.
There’s a movement spreading through the church today that I believe to be a “trojan horse.” It’s referred to as the “Health and Wealth, Name it and Claim it or Prosperity Gospel.” This movement isn’t new. It is however, extremely popular. A majority of what is being broadcast on Christian television is consistent with “Word of Faith” theology. Christian bookstores prominently display books that are written by people who leaders in this movement.
Here’s a few statistics that show the extent of this movements reach: 46% of self proclaimed Christians agree with the idea that God will grant material riches to all believers who have enough faith. 90% of Pentecostals in Nigeria, South Africa, India and the Philippines believe that: :“God will grant material prosperity to all believers who have enough faith.” Nearly half of American Christians in any denomination, and roughly ⅔ of American Pentecostals now embrace the basic premise of the Prosperity Gospel that: “God wants you to be happy, healthy, and rich.” Although names like the “Health and Wealth, Name it and Claim it, and Prosperity Gospel” accurately describe some of “Word of Faith” teaching, they only begin to tell the whole story.
WOF preachers teach that we can speak things into existence. That our tongue actually has power to bring about life or death. They would reference Proverbs 18:21 which says that “death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those that love it will eat its fruit.” So is that true? Do I have that kind of power with my words to bring about death? Well, not in the way that they would lead you to believe. This verse is talking about someone who gossips and the inevitable consequences that will ensue. It is in no way telling us that we have the ability to create life or death in a literal sense.
There is so much to share in the next posting, keep reading, blessings Matt
He Has Magnified His Word 