Many years ago when I was a baby Christian I was invited to attend a Pentecostal Bible study. Even as a new believer I felt a sense of foreboding as I sat in the chair waiting for the teacher to begin.
No one spoke to me, I tried to say hello to them as they acted aloof and replied an unfriendly hello as though out of obligation.
The teacher was giddy and silly as she laughed and proclaimed that something exciting was happening that none of the rest of us could experience. She proclaimed loudly that there were angels walking all around the room in the back of our chairs as we sat.
She made it clear that she was the only one special enough to see them. I was unimpressed because I didn't see or hear them, but the rest of the room erupted in cheers that this very special teacher was able to see something they could not see.
I was a little embarrassed at the silliness of this but thought perhaps things would get better. Even as a baby Christian the Holy Spirit was teaching me what to watch out for in choosing friends.
After the lengthy and giddy prayers, lots of hand waving and chatter in tongues there was a message if one could call it that.
The leader read some passages from the Bible, I don't even remember what they were, and then went around to each woman to ask what that passage meant to them. As though everyone would get a different meaning based on their personal life experience.
When the leader got to me, I said in my baby Christian honesty, "it doesn't matter what any of us think the passage should mean, it matters only what God meant by it."
I looked around the room looking for some confirmation, nothing but blank stares as though I had just rained on their parade. The teacher, in an effort to make me feel welcome and fit into their mentality, said; "well, then that's what it means to you."
I repeated a little more sternly the second time, no, it isn't about what I think, it's what did God mean." Again, blank stares only this time a little irritated with me.
You see, these people were not caring what God thought or was teaching they only wanted to believe what they chose to fit their desires. My assertion that we should not be looking to our own desires but to Christ for our wisdom was an affront to them.
This is the mentality of nearly all apostate churches today. Everything must be said in a way that does not offend someone who chooses to think differently from God.
One time in that Bible study was enough, I never returned and no one ever contacted me to invite me back.
In one Bible study, I was asked to not return because I upset the dynamics of the groups, there were four in each group and I was a fifth person in one of the groups.
When you are seeking Christ and think in rational Biblical terms you will be rejected and even mocked for your boldness about truth.
The Pentecostals were the most likely to act this way because they based their doctrine on feelings, desires, and personal experience rather than on the Holy Word of God. There was much error in their teachings because they were looking for an emotional high, truth only mattered if the high came with it.
It is not only the Pentecostals who did this but other groups too, however, my most memorable experiences were with those who were on emotional hyperdrive.
Much of the word of God makes us feel bad when it convicts us of sin.
Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
I do not speak of all Pentecostals as being of this sort, there are just far too many who are influencing people, drawing in those looking for an experience who are not dedicated to Christ.
With these people experience and hype trump truth. Words have more power than actions and truth. As long as they say it and think it, then it must be true. Saying something is the same as doing it to those who love to have a sense of superiority to others.
When a group, a community, or an entire nation have built a culture on feelings and experiences rather than truth, there is no way to make them see the truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 "…10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. 11, For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, 12 in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.…"
To base our reading of the bible on our own personal interpretation based on our desires is sinful. It allows for all kinds of false teaching and sinful actions.
Joyce Meyers, Paula White, and Beth Moore are of this sort. Full of pride and avarice they deceive many while they live like kings in their castles. They are wolves and hirelings fleecing the people for their own personal gain.
However, do not blame these wolves entirely, those who follow them are equally responsible for their choice to be deceived. All one has to do to be saved from the wolves is to ask God for wisdom and discernment. Obviously, those who have dedicated themselves to supporting the wolves have never asked God for wisdom, they love their deception far too much.
Galatians 6:8 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."
Being deceived by wolves is a choice!
