There is a clear and present danger in the Church today. In fact, it has already affected countless thousands of Believers. This assault against the Church has become so disguised that it has even been legitimized as evidence of God’s endorsement. Satan is a great strategist. He is so shrewd and calculating that even the most sincere Christians have a hard time identifying his tactics. The greatest threat to the Church today is not from without but from within the Church.
For generations, Satan has sought to disengage Believers from the Truth. His success ratio has been alarming. People are swayed by personalities. Just as the secular world has been mesmerized by such personalities as actors, athletes, and other socially prominent individuals, the Church has elevated many pastors to celebrity status. The marketing of these pastors has created mega-churches. People seem to be drawn to the personality rather than to the Lord. Jesus said that the only way to the Father was through Him. (John 14:6) It is becoming more and more evident that the way to encounter God is through personalities.
Literally, tens of thousands of people flock to these churches to hear dynamic, charismatic speakers expound the Word. Many of these churches literally have people lined up hours before the scheduled services to get a seat.
If people are more attached to the messenger than the message, something is wrong. John the Baptizer said, “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) When a pastor becomes the center of attention, something is wrong. When a celebrity pastor lives a lifestyle above his parishioners, something is wrong. Jesus said, “You shall know them (false prophets) by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16) What is alarming is that Christians are more excited about eating the offered fruit than examining the fruit. Failing to hold a pastor accountable to the Word is a dangerous omission. Many churches draw people into their gates with little regard for their individual growth. Numbers, in every form, are what counts. When there is more concern to fill seats than hearts, something is wrong.
I believe Satan has infiltrated many pulpits with his shepherds. They preach the initial Truth, but their intent is to eventually commit Biblical infidelity. Their purpose is to gently alter the Word. Slowly and methodically the Scriptures are being dissembled. Entertainment draws people to their misguided goals. These shepherds promote self-dependence instead of God dependence and feelings instead of Faith. Jesus warned of these wolves in sheep’s clothing. (Matthew 7:15)
There are churches that are staffed by Christian men dedicated to assisting the people in a growing and lasting experience with Jesus Christ. The problem arises when success becomes greater than the purpose of the ministry. Many mega-church pastors have built their churches around themselves and not the One they are to serve. To keep their churches growing, some have taken their beliefs even to Biblical inaccuracy. Homosexuality, same-sex marriage, pastoral gender, and Biblical inerrancy have crept into some of the largest churches in the world. God will not be mocked. In the last few years, many celebrity pastors and their ministries have been exposed, leaving their followers confused and wounded.
The great danger facing the Church today is shepherds that are in the service of a different lord and shepherds whose egos have gone unchecked.
