In a world ravaged by social media, where any Instagram or Facebook account that has amassed enough following can claim to have some kind of authority in any field of their choice, the Church has a duty to adhere to the instruction of Apostle Paul:
"24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness…"
2 Timothy 2:24+25 (emphasis added)
Social Media “Pulpits” are today filled with “pastors”, “teachers”, and “ministers” who are unable to teach and are instead butchering the Scriptures as they engage in eisegesis (the interpretation of Biblical text by reading into it one’s own ideas) instead of in exegesis (the critical explanation or interpretation of the Biblical text) - and these "leaders" do this because they are untrained.
We would not invite an untrained plumber into our home to fix a leakage. We would not go to a doctor who has not attended medical school and does not know basic human anatomy. We would not go to a hairdresser who is untrained. Why do so many in the Church today follow the leadership of untrained teachers? The person teaching you the Bible (be it at Sunday School or preaching from a pulpit every Sunday) must understand basic theology. As Chris Rosebrough aptly put it:
“When a pastor messes up [basic theology], he can send you to hell… It is important that your pastor rightly understands God’s word and has legitimately mastered all of the basics of the Christian faith and has a very commanding understanding of the Scriptures.”
Exhibit A
“[When God sent Jesus] He was not just saving humanity, He was saving Himself...”
The above quote is by a trending (as of the time this article was published) “minister” who has recently announced that she will be hosting Bible Studies on Instagram. This “minister” goes on to say that because God had “shown off” with His creation of mankind and the devil had come in and caused the fall of man (Adam & Eve’s fall in the Garden of Eden), it was important to God that He saved humanity and also saved Himself because the angels had been there when God created man and God, in a way, had to “save face”.
You can search from the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation, you will not find this doctrine in Scripture. This is a classic example of “eisegesis”; this “minister” has inserted her own understanding and ideas into soteriology (the doctrine of salvation). This differs from the orthodoxy that dates back to the time of the Apostles and the early church, and veers into the domain of heresy. Yet, this “minister” has given herself the go-ahead to teach thousands of people the Bible after having attended her church's discipleship class.
Exhibit B
“Praying in the Holy Ghost is a workout… You want a six pack in the realm of the spirit? Pray in the Holy Ghost… ”
The above quote is attributed to the “prophetess” who supposedly saw COVID19 months before it happened but said nothing because God told her not to:
The “prophetess” gives the example of working out alone as opposed to working out with a community of people. She says that when you work out alone, you are more likely to get tired and easily discouraged, however when you work out with other people, you are able to keep going for longer. She uses this illustration to encourage the congregation to “pray in the Holy Ghost” together, all at once.
Not only is the gifts of tongues not given to every believer (1 Corinthians 12: 8-10), this “prophetess” encouraging the congregation to pray out loud “in the Holy Ghost” altogether directly contradicts what Apostle Paul says:
"26…When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God."
1 Corinthians 14: 26-28 (emphasis added)
This “prophetess” either has not come across this passage in the Bible, or is not bothered that she is in direct contradiction to the Apostle’s instructions. However, in a world where many believe in modern-day “apostles”, we can expect people to put their personal opinions up against what is written in the Bible.
Speaking about "apostles", let us move on to our final exhibit.
Exhibit C
“When I see black crows gathered around my home or environment, I begin to pray…”
The above was said by another “prophetess” whose husband is an “apostle”. This particular “prophetess” is steeped in superstition; from “seeing” in the spirit that a church member’s family members are trying to destroy her, to giving unnecessary “readings” into dreams.
The above quote has no place when placed next to the Bible. It is a New Age belief that black crows signify something ominous, and because New Age practices have seeped into the church, people no longer question where in Scripture any of the actual Apostles or Prophets tell us to be weary of black crows or vultures or any other baseless superstitious belief.
Conclusion
We will be held accountable for what we believe at the end of the day; each person will stand before God - both the deceiver and the deceived.
We would do well to tune our ears to sound doctrine and listen to the teachings of trained pastors who know how to handle with fear the Word of God.
If you want to listen to/read the Word of God carefully exegeted, we have compiled some resources: