One Ugandan preacher infamously said that the devil relaxed his grip on the Church a long time ago, and now the Church’s biggest enemy is, ironically, the Christian.
The closer we have come to God, the more that familiarization syndrome has kicked in, even with the Almighty. We think we can manipulate Him and His Word against others.
Ask any church, of any denomination, and they will tell you how the biggest battles they are currently fighting are with their brothers and sisters in Christ. Stories you will find hard to believe – some bordering on witchcraft – are taking centerstage in many churches.
People who have understood the Word of God, who have various spiritual gifts and even speak in tongues, are using those very tools God equipped them with, to fight God (as if that is possible!) and one another.
Haven’t you read the news or listened to the radio as Pastor This openly bays for the blood of Pastor That? Last month Pastor Robert Kayanja and his Miracle Centre Cathedral congregation hosted American televangelist Pastor Benny Hinn, and surprisingly, a lot of the vitriol surrounding the crusade came from pastors and balokole.
In churches, the mudslinging, the slander, the spiritual attacks, now rarely come from the outside; the battle is often within. The devil has reclined in his hammock and watched as we tear one another to pieces.
It is the Christian that has gone out of his or her way to create faux churches – cults that mimic real ministries, to lead thousands astray. It is the Christian who has deliberately redefined the Word of God and misinterpreted it, to promote and allow all forms of compromise, to a point that salvation and righteousness seem pointless to a certain demographic and class.
But in the last three services at my church, New Jerusalem Deliverance Centre, the sermons have been about rebuilding the altars and starting anew with God. When God is rebuilding altars and rebooting us spiritually, the process comes with judgement too, so be careful which side you are on.
Don’t let the devil turn you into the weapon fashioned against your church and brethren; even when you feel justified in your hatred and vindictiveness, forgive and take it to the Lord in prayer, with a clean heart. God has never authorized us to fight His battles; so, just stop before it is too late.
The fact is, these pastors have not understood the word of God, nor received any spiritual gift. They do not speak in tongues; they forge and deceive people like you that they speak in tongues.
These, including your so called “new Jerusalem deliverance centre” are not churches. They are business entities and centres of evil designed to use the bible to deceive and take money from the poor. It is exactly because of what they are that the devil rests comfortably in his hammock. Do you think God would happily share a room with the lucifer?
Our government should step in and close these churches of lucifer.
Whereas I agree with pretty much everything you write here, I just hope that we as genuine followers of Christ also have the humility to embrace a biblical critique of teaching or lifestyle and not be too quick to brand every challenge as a hatred and/or vindictiveness.
I think there is room within the church to call out each each other on the biblical faithfulnes of our teaching or lifestyle.
Apoyo matek … kon koi … thanks a lot