I just want to remind everyone about what is written in I Thessalonians 5 -- where we are exhorted to "Test everything;" and then, "Hold on to the good."A few years ago, a story was being told on christian television and in many churches throughout America. The story varied, but essentially told the tale about a group of scientists (or oil drillers, etc...) who were digging "the deepest hole ever on earth." These scientists, for some reason or another, attached a microphone to the end of the drill. To their frightful astonishment -- they heard chilling screams! After hearing the sounds of "Hell," these scientists shut down their drills and headed for the nearest church to get saved! This story spread rapidly. Unfortunately, those who told the story didn't realize that it originated by a couple of guys who wanted to demonstrate how gullible some of their christian friends were. It was later published in a ridiculous supermarket tabloid, which helped spread the story all over the U.S. Unfortunately, we christians are sometimes willing to believe anything -- as long as someone includes a "thus saith the Lord" or "the Lord spoke this to me." Even in the book of Acts and during the lifetime of Paul, there were false prophets walking the streets proclaiming a message that did not originate from the Lord.It is truly sad when members of the "christian media" -- or even pastors and evangelists -- turn the Church into a religious circus. But the reasons for such false messages may vary. Some people are obviously crooked in their hearts -- wanting to make $$$ off of the giving hearts of christians. Unless they repent, their "reward" is obviously a one way ticket to Hell. Some have a different motivation -- a "Simon the sorcerer" type of attitude, who enjoy a "power trip" authoritarian attitude when it comes to spiritual messages. Remember, Acts 8 says: [18] "When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money [19] and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." [20] Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! [21] You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God." Simon thought that his heart was sincere. But his sincerity was not a spiritual sincerity -- but rather, a humanistic one. There is hope for this type of person. Peter continued by saying to Simon, "[22] Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. [23] For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin. [24] Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me."And then there are those who actually believe that they are doing God a favor. There may be some people who truly believe in God, but somehow they get caught up into some of this nonsense -- but wholeheartedly believe that God is the driving force within them. I've seen some truly sincere men of God fall into this trap. Unbeknown to them, they cannot realize that their message is not only ignorant -- it is actually dangerous. However, I truly believe that a person who truly seeks the heart of God will eventually realize that their heart (and message) does not resemble His.Is Benny Hinn a "wolf in sheep's clothing?" I can't judge whether or not he is a "wolf." However, it is painfully clear that Benny's message is certainly not Biblical. His attempt to turn the Word into a "mystical experience" through his $2 million-a-show extravaganza -- complete with fancy lights, props, famous "christians," and extra-Biblical activities (blowing on the audience, throwing his jacket on the sick, and constantly asking for $$$ to continue more shows) -- it all makes a spectacle of the Truth. Benny Hinn may actually believe in what he is doing. But sincerity can only go so far. When I turn on his show and watch one of his "crusades," I actually grow very sad -- because I know that God can not only do more than what Hinn gives Him credit for -- but I grow sad because God DESERVES better. It seems that Benny Hinn is the focal point of the show. From the white suit, to his constant defense of his position and "special annointing," Benny Hinn is what keeps the show moving. When I was 15 (I'm a college student now), I used to watch Benny Hinn and wonder, "If Benny Hinn really believes his own message, why doesn't he go to the hospitals and heal the sick?" I also wondered why Benny Hinn only went to arenas that seat large crowds. I imagine Paul the Apostle could have held crusades in Roman colosseums during his time -- but Paul went everywhere (just like Jesus did). Paul did everything he could to demonstrate that he was only a man. And then he explained that the same Spirit that dwelt in him dwells in us also. Instead of traveling far to "receive a special annointing" from a preacher -- you can go to your prayer closet and meet with God himself.And yes, Benny Hinn did publically "repent" after one of the many undercover exposures by the mainstream media (including his multiple mansions, $80-120K vehicles, large staff of bodyguards, $20K suits, weird acts of "transferring the annointing," etc...). But he has since returned shamelessly to many of the same practices that prompted the undercover exposes in the first place! This is so very sad -- especially since he said that God had "exposed him" in the first place.I long for the day when a famous media "evangelist" or christian singer/author comes to the revelation that "He must increase; I must decrease." Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be the case on TBN, christian bookstores or christian radio stations. It seems like the famous christian "minister" is stuck in a type of "publicity-darwinism" or "survival of the most visible." The Church today so desperately needs some Leonard Ravenhill's and Keith Green's. The promising thing is that they are out there -- just not as vocal as they should be. Maybe this is because of fear of becoming what we are exposing. Or maybe its because we are just fearful. Its never popular to go against the flow. But let's pray that the Church takes that Berean attitude -- and test everything that modern christianity has considered "doctrine" and examine it all by the light of the true Word of God (and not by tradition, neo-tradition or anti-traditional zealousness). Sorry that this is so long. But thanks for the ear, er, eye. :-)
