I have decided not to quote any "famous" preachers anymore. Most preachers in our day who are popular are that way because they have compromised.
Its alright to listen to preachers as long as we evaluate what they say. Those who have "idols" in the form of popular preachers are not likely to appreciate criticism about those preachers.
In these last days of apostasy we need to be very careful to evaluate everything. Not only what the preacher says but who they have as their friends.
Our constant companions often say a lot about us. One cannot hang out with wolves continually and remain untainted by them.
331 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Many years ago I used to listen to some of the preachers I see today have compromised. Their popularity caused them to begin making unholy alliances with those who are violating scripture to keep crowds.
One clue that someone has compromised is when they have aligned themselves with the pope and other ecumenical preachers at conferences and other church venues as speakers.
Just recently I heard that Ravi Zacharius spoke at a Mormon church. His flattering words about the mormons was that they were brothers in Christ. NO THEY ARE NOT, unless one has a false Jesus. Because you see..........The Jesus of Mormonism is the brother of Satan. To have said equate a Mormon as a brother is the worst form of apostasy.
One of the clues of a false preacher is their tendency to be so "esoteric" (that is wisdom understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.), that the average person is unable to clearly repeat what they have said.
Those who are interested in appearing more knowledgeable than most others love their self exaltation. They are useless in bringing practical faith and wisdom to the average person. Intellectualism has been condemned by God because it brings pride making many false into apostasy.
1 Corinthians 8:1-2 "1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.…"
God's truths are very simple and understood easily by those who are filled with the Holy Spirit. Anyone who is born again will be able to understand the simple words of the Bible. There is no need for "special" education or high mindedness to be able to walk in the Spirit.
Those who seek knowledge to be superior are walking in pride. These are those who seek to become popular preachers who consistently deviate from God's word to fit into the world. Sometimes they start out well because the culture was still tolerating truth back in the day. However over time these same preachers begin to compromise to keep their popularity as the culture changed so did they.
Romans 12:2
"2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
I have had friends who "prided" themselves as intellectuals constantly following certain preachers as though they were gods. When anyone challenged the teaching or verbiage of their idol they became angry, so much so that they ended the friendship over it.
Let it be known that I have little tolerance for "intellectualism", seeing that it has little value in directing and influencing the Christian walk.
Philippians 2:3
"3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;"
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