I am on a rampage now. (Yeah, like you didn’t notice that already? lol) I am out to slay wolves who are dressed as harmless sheep.

Why?

Only because they can lead astray the sheep which Jesus has sacrificed His very life for.

My target in this post is televangelists. I have gone to a couple of sermons by these supposed preachers and have been horrified at how greedy and deceitful they are.

As I am studying for my Bible study on Revelations I have been led to several passages in the Bible which are good standards for identifying false prophets.

I will teach you these standards and please heed my warning,for it may be your eternal destination which is at stake.

In 2 Peter 2:1 the Word of God says: “(1)But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought you. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. (2) Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. (3)In their greed, they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago and their destruction will not be delayed.”

This hits the nail on the head as far as the false doctrine of the “prosperity” gospel goes doesn’t it? Yet, there is more I want to share.

The commentary in my Life Application Study Bible says that the three signs for identifying false teachers are:

(1) Immorality: Do their lives contain or condone immoral practices? Do those who follow this leader engage in immoral sexual relationships?

I always think that sexual immorality includes adultery and fornication since I am heterosexual.  

I forget that homosexuality is considered a deviant behavior also. For the church to sanction any or all sexual immorality is to rebel against the standard set forth in God’s word.

Ted Haggard and Jimmy Swaggart are two well known televangelists who are an example of this character fault.

(2) Greed Teachers have a right to financial support, so do preachers but is money the prime motivation? Before you send money to anyone please evaluate whether that individual is serving God and what the money may be supporting.

I have heard that Kenneth Copeland’s mansion is the size of a football field. He also has several planes and is secretive about how the money his ministry receives is being used. When you give money to a ministry you may want to ask yourself the following question: “Is the money that you give being used to promote ministry and help those in need or is it merely being spent to provide a lavish lifestyle for the preacher?”

Remember the greatest preacher of all, Jesus Christ, did not even have a home to call his own.

(3)Lying: If you oppose one of these pastors and their lies do they come back with truth based on the gospel? Is there actual evidence supporting their claims?

It is extremely important that we worship only Christ and Christ alone. I have heard many times people exclaim, “Oh, I just looovvee Joel Olsteen, or I love Joyce Meyers.”

What a shame that they are so deceived. We are not to love the messenger but to love the One whom the message is about.