I am reminded recently of the intensely deceptive tactics of the devil in our world.
2 Corinthians 11:14 "No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."
I was reading an article this morning about the death of Thomas Kinkade, the self proclaimed painter of lights. Many believers were excited about his paintings, not merely because they were beautiful, but because the artist claimed to be a Christian.
I had misgivings about this artist, not because he painted, or because I saw something in him, but because I had a strong sense of uneasiness with his popularity.
Whenever I have seen someone who was loved by the world as well as believers, I have to wonder what this person is compromising to be friendly with the world. I enjoyed very much the paintings that Mr. Kinkade produced and even considered buying one, until I discovered the cost. I could not afford the originals and the prints were even too spendie for me to feel justified purchasing one of them. I did buy a calendar or two over the years and were given some as gifts.
When I discovered more information about the artist, it was confirmed that something was wrong, I guess I will call it discernment, that God allowed me to see something was not right, even though I didn't know what it was, this happens to me frequently with celebrities who claim to be believers. I dismiss the sense I have until the proof comes forward. I am always suspect now when a famous person, loved by the world, declares that they are a Christian.
Thomas Kinkade had the reputation of attending poker parties where he became drunk and on one occasion urinated over a balcany spilling on someone below during one of his drunken stupors.
He was divorced and living with his girlfriend when he died at the age of 54 of an overdose of Valium mixed with alcohol.
Kinkade once stated that his paintings were; "not the world we live in but the world we wished we lived in." Whether or not Kinkade was born again I don't know, what I do know is that he left a terrible taste in the mouth of the non-believer, something the unregenerate world could use as an excuse for hating Christians as hypocrites for generations to come.
Do we not understand that our life example remains even after our death. What we leave behind counts for eternity. Did this "painter of lights" get his idea from the "angel of light." Could it be that the devil used one more person to smudge the name of Christ by claiming to be a Christian while living wickedly?
It is important that we not jump on every band wagon that comes down the road, claiming to be Christian. When it comes to the arts, painters, actors, ball players, stars of the stage and others, we must not elevate them simply because they claim to be "Christians."
I have had this same sense of warning about "Tebo." When I saw him dressed in a bathing suit that would embarrass a true believer while posing with his girl friend in a scanty bikini, my suspicions were answered. Something still feels wrong and more intensely now. All the show of praying in public was a violation of Scripture that tells us to pray privately.
Many have made claims of "Christianity", later having been proven to be social Christians acting as though they were using the name of Christ to gain wealth and popularity. We see the fruits of their efforts in their lifestyle and who likes them. If the world loves them, then they are probably not born again.
Amy Grant went secular in her singing after claiming to be singing for God
Elvis lived a wicked lifestyle while being paid to sing in churches because he had a beautiful voice.
Mel Gibson is a Catholic drunk driver who made a movie about the crucifixion. People were sucked into that movie claiming it changed their life, but months and even just weeks later there was nothing different about their lives. Perhaps that was because the gospel message was not in the movie, it was decidedly Catholic with much false doctrine in it. The only truth about it was that Christ died on a cross. Sadly some evangelical leaders praised the movie as something everyone should see.
Thomas Kinkade died while drinking and committing adultery.
Joyce Landorf ran off with her station manager while married to another man, and is now divorced, having never repented from her sin, she still does women's seminars.
Jimmy Swarart used prostitutes and when commanded by his leaders to step down, refused, even though he repented, one does not get right back in the pulpit after a scandal of this magnitude. Disobeying the discipline of the church is an indication of lack of repentance no matter what he says.
Jim and Tammy Baker fleeced the people with their silly theme parks, he went off to jail, while there, his wife Tammy, divorced him. I have heard that he repented and is broken, I hope that is true, however the taste in the mouths of the unbelievers remains bitter. His wife Tammy remarried in violation of God's Word.
Pat Robertson claimed to be able to lift 2000 pounds even though he is only 79 years old, which was found to be false, in other words he lies. He also advised a man to go ahead and divorce his wife with Alzhiemers, while he was committing adultery, to marry his girlfriend.
Believers need to stop elevating someone because they claim to be believers. We need to examine the fruit, ignore and even reject those who have fallen and will not repent.
Believers do fall as times, those in the public eye are more exposed to disarming flattery, therefore becoming more vulnerable to temptation. As time goes on we can see who are fakers and who are genuine by their brokenness and willingness to be disciplined for their sin. Those who refuse to be accountable and will not even admit they have sinned, reveal their unregenerate hearts.
The Sun Myung Moons and David Koresh's of the world are not nearly as dangerous to the Christians church, those guys are easy to recognize for almost any church goer. It is those who have public notoriety, television exposure endorsed by many because they preach the Bible, while at the same time violating it in part if not entirely.
We must be willing to evaluate all things according to the Word, place no man on a pedestal. When we look at men as icons of virtue simply because they say some things we like and based on their popularity we have crossed the line into idolatry.
* Psalm 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
* Psalm 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
* Psalm 62:4 They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly.
* Psalm 78:36-37 They did flatter Him with their mouth, and they lied unto Him with their tongues. 37 For their heart was not right with Him, neither were they stedfast in His covenant.
