Money, Greed, and Power – Beware of Strange Fire

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” (2Co 11:3-4 nasb)

Journal,

I hope that I don’t disturb you with this journal entry. But I find it quite necessary.

There are movements today that claim to speak for God, when in reality are operating under the sway of strange spirits. Many of these movements can be described as, ‘Money, Greed, and Power’ movements. Others come under the category of, ‘Strange fire.’

But this isn’t something new. Strange movements have been the scourge of the Christian faith since the beginning.

We have a Biblical example of occultism that moved into an early Church group. Paul describes what was happening among the Corinthians –

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

“For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.” (2Co 11:3-4)

In the following two videos you will see examples of not only occultism in a church, but also an expose on the ‘Greed‘ movement. You decide for yourself if these things can possibly be of God. Both videos will be difficult to watch, but they can be very educational.

First the false fire movement – (This movement had a close relationship to the laughing movement.)

This next video will be more disturbing for some of my readers. While it makes mockery of certain TV evangelists and others, yet if the truth be known, much of what is shared in this video should be taken seriously.

Keep in mind that the video is Christian satire. Joe Bob Briggs is a fictional Redneck (satirist) character. His real name is John Irving Bloom. Bloom was president of Trinity Foundation of Dallas, Texas. This is a religious watchdog group that investigates religious groups and ministers that are known to have questionable workings.

It isn’t necessary to agree with all the depictions he makes, but it is important to see the undercurrent that is obvious in the, ‘Money, Greed, and Power’ campaigns.

A Word to the Wise

Have you ever felt you had been misled in some religious setting? It can be very unsettling. But just because you were misled in the past does not mean you are destined to be misled again. The Lord will see you through to the end.

There are things that can help. Consider the following —

1. Trusting in the Lord requires that we humble our own hearts and recognize our special need for spiritual guidance. Jesus told the apostles, “Without Me, you can do nothing.”

Listen to what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

“Thus says the LORD, ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being,’ declares the LORD.

“‘But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.’“ (Isa 66:1-2 NASB)

2. Learn to pray as a child. If you wish to know how to pray a prayer that deals with this aspect of walking with the Lord, pray what David prayed:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” (Psalm 139:23,23 – It would do you well to meditate on the whole of Psalm 139.

3. Seek the Lord for your instructions. This is where the Bible itself plays an important role in our learning to walk in the Spirit. Read it for the pure joy of discovering the things of the Lord. Read it for the joy of hearing from God.

David gave some insight into this when he said,

“Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.” (Psa 119:18 NASB)

4. Learn the heart of the new covenant. The prophet Jeremiah had this to say about God’s new covenant in Christ:

“‘This is the covenant I will make with them after those days,’ says, the Lord; ‘I will put My laws [instructions] upon their heart, and on their mind I will write them.’ He then says, ‘And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’” (Heb 10:16-17 NASB)

Just some things to think about.

Here is a wonderful song for your encouragement. ‘Master of the Wind’ by Julie Lendon Stone.

Your friend in Christ always,

Buddy

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