The Daily Word of Righteousness

Snake Oil

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: (Revelation 2:2)

(The following account is fictitious. If any ministry is offering blue miracle ties—I know of none—I apologize for the coincidental resemblance.)

"All you dear people, listen to me. Jesus loves you. I want to tell you how to get your miracle tie.

"I have prepared a million genuine silk blue neckties with hand-sewn white crosses and my name on them. I had you in mind because I want to meet your needs.

"I and each member of my staff have anguished in prayer over each one of these neckties and laid hands on them. I want you to have one so God can bless you.

"If you have cancer, no problem. Just a touch from one of these silk neckties and the cancer is gone. Arthritis leaves immediately. Skin problems disappear. Forget about the flu. A broken bone? Just one touch from your miracle tie and the bone will set perfectly.

"Do you have a loved one or friend having marital problems? Call them up and hold your miracle tie up to the phone. They will call back within an hour, every problem solved, their children have come back off the street and are preparing to go to college.

"Financial problems? Just send an extra donation when you order your tie and God will send you ten thousand dollars within the month.

"Having problems in school? Wear your miracle tie when you take your next test and you will be able to answer every question.

"If you live in the cold country, just lay the tie on the hood of your car and the engine will start immediately. Say the name of Jesus and your car will never need a tuneup. Think of the money you'll save.

"Put one of these ties on your dog or cat and they'll never have a flea again.

"You can have one of these miracle neckties for a donation of just $99.99. Three ties for $299.99 to show you how much God loves you. All major credit cards accepted.

"I don't want you to go one day longer without your miracle tie."

Barnum said there is one born every minute. He was talking about suckers. God's people are suckers. They send their money to con artists.

Some poor widow signs her Social Security check over to the evangelist who wears five hundred dollar suits and drives an eighty thousand dollar sports car. She and her cat share a can of cat food for supper.

As soon as she sends her check an agent of the evangelist comes to her home to see if she has a will and coerces her to change the beneficiary to the evangelist.

With smooth talk and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple.

The Book of Revelation commends the Ephesian saints for putting the so-called apostles to the test. Today we have Christian leaders, men who are supposed to know God and have integrity, telling us that if we question these hustlers or their "revival" we are on a "witch-hunt" or "laying our hands on God's anointed."

If I'm a "witch- hunter" I think I've found some.

We should be praying for these deceived preachers that God will bring them to repentance, and at the same time warning the sheep of the danger.

Whenever you feel uncomfortable with a preacher or a revival, your discomfort probably is coming from the Holy Spirit. Honor that first impression. Don't ever be afraid to question a preacher, a doctrine, or a revival. Always test the spirits. You are obligated to do so. If there is questionable moral behavior or doctrine, keep away from it until you know what you are doing.

Again, whenever there seems to be some aspects of a movement that are edifying and of God but there also is a questionable area, leave it alone. One of Satan's devices in the last days will be to present spiritual movements that are eighty percent correct and twenty percent error, so to speak. This will greatly confuse God's people. Flee from all programs that teach or demonstrate error even though there are parts that are commendable. The bad part will cause problems down the road.

There is no bad part in any revival that comes from Jesus.

Preachers are not perfect. But they must have integrity, be absolutely truthful, and be morally straight to be accepted of the Lord.

Support your local church with your money and quit throwing it around the countryside to the numerous money-beggars that call themselves ministers.

Don't you understand, you're being fleeced!

God is moving in the land today. Get with the Divine flow. Seek God, read your Bible, assemble with people of integrity. Leave the flashy evangelists to the Lord. He will deal with them soon enough.

"Depart from me you miracle-workers. I never knew you!"