Touch Not God’s Anointed

When I’m sharing the gospel with people, an objection that occasionally comes up is bad behavior by certain ministers. Unfortunately, a few “men of the cloth” have done despicable deeds such as committing adultery or abusing children. But non-Christians cannot use those incidents as excuses to avoid their need for salvation. When they stand before the Lord Jesus Christ, He won’t examine other people’s lives but only their own.

Years ago, I knew a woman who claimed our then-pastor was involved in an immoral relationship. Believing her story, I brought up the issue with an associate pastor at our church. The resulting friction made me realize I didn’t rightly handle the situation. 1 Timothy 5:19 says, “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.” 

In court trials, defendants are supposed to be presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Numerous people are called to the witness stand to give testimony before the jury reaches a verdict. Why then do some Christians quickly assume a preacher is guilty of something based on claims of one person? Rumors spread through social media and satirical sites like Babylon Bee certainly doesn’t help.

In Numbers chapter 12, Miriam became leprous after criticizing Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman. There have been more modern incidents of people who suffered devastating consequences for discrediting men of God. One that comes to my mind involved William Branham, an evangelist used by God during the “Voice of Healing” era of the 1940s and 50s. Two preachers and their wives plotted to expose Brother Branham as a fake at one of his meetings. One of the preachers came up with a prayer card falsely claiming he had various diseases. The Holy Spirit revealed this scheme to Branham. He then confronted the preacher for being a fake himself. The preacher left the meeting with the same diseases he claimed to have! 

So how should people respond to ministers who have truly sinned against them? Jesus taught us to proper way to confront any erring Christian in Matthew 18…

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 

16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 

17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church.  But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

The next time somebody starts talking to you about a sin supposedly committed by a preacher, advise him to keep quiet about it unless he has proof and his motive is restoration (Galatians 6:1). Ministers encounter enough persecution from the world. Christians don’t need to be siding with the accuser of the brethren.

“Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.” - 1 Chronicles 16:22

Christianity Vs. Cults

During the past few days I’ve exchanged emails with another blogger who’s tried to “unconvert” me. This man is a former born again Christian who now considers himself an agnostic. He equates Christianity with magic and even labels it “a cult.” 

There’s a clear difference between true Christianity and cults. One dictionary defines cult as “a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious.” This wouldn’t describe Bible-believing churches and ministries who aim to preach the Word of God without intentionally distorting it. Examples of cults would include...

• Church of Scientology
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
• David Koresh’s Branch Davidians
• Unification Church (Moonies)
• Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses) 

Most of these groups preach truths from the Bible but mix in other doctrines that pervert the gospel. Galatians 5:9 warns, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”

One warning sign of a cult is members being told they must shun everyone that’s not part of their group. It’s true believers need to set boundaries when relating to nonbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:17 says, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” Jesus hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors not to become like them but to minister to them. We can demonstrate the love of God to unsaved friends and family members without partaking of sinful activities they may be involved in.

Not long after I started attending a Full Gospel church in the early 1990s, my parents feared I had became part of a cult. Coming from traditional denominational backgrounds, they weren’t used to seeing someone in the family passionate about the Lord. What probably aroused their concerns was my temporarily distancing myself from them. This was in response to heated disagreements we had regarding decisions I made with my life. Eventually, we reconciled.

Another sign of a cult is members not allowed to question their leaders. Cult leaders often expect blind obedience from their followers. On the other hand, Jesus encourages us to ask for wisdom (James 1:5) and for confirmations if we’re uncertain it’s His will to do something. 2 Corinthians 13:1 says, “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”

In his attempt to discredit Christianity, the agnostic blogger listed a couple of his own “hallmarks of a cult”...

“They lure you in with promises of love, security, and happiness.” 

It’s true cults make false promises to draw people in. Over the years I’ve met individuals who got deceived into being part of such organizations. This resulted in much pain and disappointment. Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is entirely different. Walking with the Lord does promise love and security but will also attract persecution from individuals who don’t want to follow His commandments.

“If you even think about leaving, they threaten you with horrific consequences.”

A good pastor or ministry leader will bless departing members who believe God is directing them someplace else. Therefore, leaving a particular church or group isn’t always a bad thing. I avoid those that talk too much about God’s judgment and not enough about His mercy. 

At the same time, a true minister of the gospel will speak the truth in love about the reality of hell. Jesus warned in Luke chapter 13 verses 3 and 5, “...unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Just as there are consequences for breaking natural laws like gravity and the speed limit, there are consequences when we violate spiritual laws. It’s also worth pointing out Jesus didn’t beg or pressure the rich young ruler to follow Him after he walked away (Mark 10:17-27). The Lord gave us a free will and wants us to choose to love Him.

Another dictionary defines cult as “a small religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous.” Worldly folks are often scared of believers they consider “fanatical” but see nothing wrong with sports fans extremely loyal to their favorite team. Christians who are doers of God’s word aren’t really a danger to anyone except the devil and his kingdom of darkness. 

Never let fears of being labelled a cult member squelch your enthusiasm for the things of God. He wants us on fire for Him.

“not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” - Romans 12:11

A Pain in the Butt

Last Sunday a friend and I went to the Minnesota Vikings home opener against the New England Patriots. One key player was missing in action. Running back Adrian Peterson was deactivated for the game due to child abuse charges resulting from him using a wooden stick to punish his four-year-old son. After a brief activation by the Vikings, Adrian has now been banned from all team activities until his legal situation is resolved.

Seeing released photos of the cuts and bruises on Adrian’s son was disturbing even though that kind of corporal punishment is common in Texas where Adrian is from. Nevertheless, I pray Adrian will be redeemed from this incident because he’s cooperating with authorities plus he’s my brother in Christ. Last year I met the pastor of a church Adrian attended at that time.

In these days of political correctness, parents face increasing challenges with raising children. Unless your kids are homeschooled or enrolled in a Christian learning institution, they are likely bombarded with ideas contrary to Scripture. I would think twice about sending children to public schools that nowadays hand out condoms and teach it’s okay to have two homosexual parents.

The law has gotten more invasive in how we should discipline our children. Nearly four years ago, another parent in Texas lost custody of all three of her kids for spanking one of them! As part of a plea deal, Rosalina Gonzales of Corpus Christi was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to take parenting classes, and make a $50 payment to the Children’s Advocacy Center. Gonzales was told she wouldn’t get her children back from their paternal grandmother (who reported the spanking incident) until the court deems her “capable.”

I could agree with this decision if child abuse happened but the prosecutor described it as a “pretty simple, straightforward spanking case.” Gonzales didn't use a belt nor leave any bruises. During the sentencing, Judge Jose Longoria stated, “You don’t spank children today. In the old days, maybe we got spanked, but there was a different quarrel. You don’t spank children.” 

This judge should take time to open that Bible people in his courtroom swear an oath on (if they still do that there) and read the following verses…

“He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” - Proverbs 13:24

“Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction.” - Proverbs 19:18

“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.” - Proverbs 22:15

“Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.” - Proverbs 23:13

“The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” - Proverbs 29:15

I once heard a children’s pastor advise that we shouldn’t spank kids with our bare hands. He pointed out that hands are for holding and loving.  

When I was little and got mouthy with my mother, she threatened to take out a wooden spoon and occasionally used it on my behind. Certainly, I didn’t like the punishment but have to honestly say it worked. Frequent sittings in a “time out chair” would not have the same effect.

An American pediatrician once proclaimed we shouldn't spank our children. In his 1946 book “Baby and Child Care” Dr. Benjamin Spock wrote, “The American tradition of spanking may be one reason there is much more violence in our country than in any other comparable nation.” I totally disagree. We have since seen a dramatic increase in divorce, youth crime, and teen suicide.

In addition to disobedient children, I believe some of our politicians and judges who legislate from the bench could use a good spanking. Maybe that would stop them from passing laws and making ridiculous decisions that are ruining our society.

“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” - Hebrews 12:11