Words of Mere Men – In Church and Out
…falsely teaching their own thoughts as God’s
‘They worship Me in vain [their worship is meaningless and worthless, a pretense], Teaching the precepts of men as doctrines [giving their traditions equal weight with the Scriptures].’ – Mark 7:7
Satan did it. And simple humans have been doing it ever since.
When church leaders announce that they speak directly from God, they instantly become a bonafide false prophet IF their words are later shown to be wrong. You’d think that would be quite obvious, you think?
False prediction = False Prophet.
Easy.
Bethel church false prophets
On purpose beliefs expressed
I want nothing to do with what mere men say. I want God’s words. As I’ve said before: “When it comes to ‘God’, I don’t care what you think. And you shouldn’t care to hear what I think. I want to hear what God Himself has said to us – in the Bible.”
Now, note: We are not discussing the realm of dunderhead “mistakes” and/or “words misspoken”. This article is dealing with outright, on purpose beliefs expressed, which are “extra-biblical“. Words spoken as from God Himself. – but are merely their own thoughts.
Why are churches allowing this? They allow false pretense, “precepts of men“, to be repeated by these same false prophets on staff — time after time after time.
Why? Because they are “an apostate church”. Apostate churches actually believe those expressed teachings of their false prophets. I am continually amazed by man’s gullibility.
Apostate churches
Apostate churches sell their books. They pay their salaries. They push their ministry all around the world. They, as an organization, and as individuals, are “apostate“.
Prophets shooting off false words
What do you want?
What do you want, yourself? You want to follow words of mere men (in Church and out)? Or do you want to follow God Almighty, the Creator of All?
“Receive from me the life you say you want”
– John 5:39-40
Why on earth would you want to listen to the sermons of those who shoot off their own thoughts – falsely claiming they are God’s words? Incredibly foolish.
And why listen to their error-filled music?
See: Why your Church Shouldn’t Play Bethel and Hillsong Music – by Todd Friel (of Wretchednetwork). Interviews Justin Peters 2,375,014 views | Feb 8, 2020
Don’t attend apostate churches. Period.
See: The Bethel Johnson’s unbiblical teachings
Prophets of God – really
Contrary to today’s so-called “prophets“, the true prophets of God truly spoke from God. They are recorded in the Old Testament: their name, what they said, and, as I like to point-out, proofs of authenticity. God had these accounts recorded and saved for us. He wants us to learn from those examples.
See: 2 Timothy 3:13-17 1
True prophets of God truly spoke from God
See: Why we are understanding so many prophecies now
Forecasting prophecies as they growl and thunder over yonder!
Examples:
~ In circa 849 BC: God did exactly as Elijah said, as Elijah predicted (as he “prophesied). Twice (verses 10 & 12) Elijah called down fire from the sky to kill the enemies. And twice it happened as he said it would. I’d call that kind of convincing. – 2 Kings 1:verses 9-12
12 “If I am a man of God,” Elijah replied, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
~ In 849 BC: Ahaziah dies exactly as God had told Elijah. – 2 Kings 1:17
17 “So he died, according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken.”
~ It was predicted that Elijah was to be taken away — and he was taken to Heaven (in a UFO from God?) – 2 Kings 2:1,3,5,9-12
“…suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
~ Elisha healed the waters of Jericho – just as he said (“according to the word Elisha had spoken”). – 2 Kings 2:19-22
21 Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’” 22 And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken. – 2 Kings 2:21-22
~ And many many more are recorded there in the Old Testament. See: Jesus said, “These Scriptures are all about me!”
Recognizing False Teachers
and Apostate Churches …for what they are
(“apostate churches” are churches that falsely claim to follow Jesus – but have deviated, following mere humans)
Why do we have to say this?
“Words of mere men are not the words of God.”
Is it because we are so prone to trust a Christian, a “man of faith”? It is so very difficult to “distrust” a Christian church. We are so easily convinced, so easily led into their deceptions. They are so convincing, so pious. Their worship music sounds so heavenly.
See: Why listen to a false teacher?
But, the Bible warns us again and again. Deception is always a danger to true faith. Look into the Bible for the truth – all the time.
False prophets – silly dogs on a horse
The religions of the world, and cults
Religions base their beliefs on the “words of mere men”. They put their faith there, in those words, for their religion. Certainly the Creator God of the Bible is not their god. They are not Christians.
“…paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning]” – 1 Timothy 4:1-5
False teachers and cults
Apostate prophets are silly empty suits on a pulpit, like a silly dog on a horse. Or, to misquote an ad: “Silly ‘prophet’! Prophesying isn’t for liars. Prophecies are for true men of God.”
False teachers and cults base their beliefs on the “words of mere men”. They accept their own thinking as authoritative – and off they go with error and “turn away from the faith”, away from Christ (1 Timothy 4). They become “apostate”.
There are many “christian cults”, false teachers, and apostate churches that call themselves “Christian”, but have deviated from the true faith to follow “another gospel“. And the list is growing.
- NAR (New Apostolic Reformation)
- List of new religious movements – Wikipedia
- Modern Cults – Google search
- Famous Cults In America Still Active Today
Words of God
The greatest danger for the Christian Church is when, from outside and from within churches, “words of mere men” are mixed in with biblical truth – and accepted as coming directly from God. True Christians, however, base all they believe – on the Bible, pure and unadulterated.
God established the Gospel of Christ based upon revelations that He inspired (1) during Old Testament times, and (2) with the New Testament by men sanctioned by Jesus Himself.
As followers of Jesus, we do not put credence in what is based on the thinking of mere men. Our faith in Jesus is based totally and only on the proven words of the Bible – OT and NT (Old Testament and New Testament). Why add to what God has said?
What you get when you deviate from the Bible and start adding the words of popular “men of faith” — is a deviated belief system, one that is no longer following the words of God. Those words of mere men is what is called “extra-biblical“.
God calls them “false”. Do you really want to join them? God is not with them. Read: 1 Timothy 4
But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning]…
– verses 1-2 of 1 Timothy 4.
Do your church leaders teach that their words are “revealed to them” directly from God? Do they often have “revelations” and “words of faith”, “word of knowledge” or a “word of the Lord”, and say, like, “The Lord is telling me this is for you….”
Test their words
At all times in church (or via internet, podcasts, home Bible studies, etc), it is part of our Christian faith – to test their words, test their sermons, test their teachings.
“examining the Scriptures daily
to see if these things were so.”
If we know the Bible well, then we can spot where leaders leave the Bible and start-in with their own “words of mere men” – the “extra-biblical” part of your church’s teachings. As certain as heaven – I sure do not want to be led away into those words. Why would anyone?!
“Now these people were more noble and open-minded than those in Thessalonica, so they received the message [of salvation through faith in the Christ] with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” – Acts 17:11
If we know
that that hobo on the corner
always gives bad directions
to the city park
– would you go ask him
for directions?
For anything?
We must test their words. Where in the Bible is this teaching found?
When that “revelation” they supposedly were “given by God” is proven to be wrong (mistaken, false) we will know to say: “This is biblically false.”
There are of course all kinds of lame excuses they continually drum up, rationalizations, reasoning as to why there is no problem with them being wrong once in awhile, and certainly God Himself has not been false. They say:
- We are in a different era today, not like in Old Testament times.
- I made a mistake. Sorry. I’m only human after all.
- I think God was giving me a new revelation for us.
- That is what I used to believe. That is not where we are at now.
I’ve asked myself: Why can’t God tell messages directly to that person himself/herself? My answer: He can and He does. And He does not need a prophet to do it.
The Holy Spirit of God resides right there inside our soul. And He leads and guides us personally, directly, as we look to Him. But He will never add to Scripture, and it will never contradict Scripture. Never ever.
We are warned: They in fact have seen nothing. Read: Ezekiel 13:1-9. They in fact have not heard from God, but merely thought something of their own, “made by an act of human will” and then taught their new way.
God will never
add to Scripture,
and what He says
will never
contradict Scripture.
Never ever.
2 Peter 1:19-21 speaks of “prophecy of Scripture“, which we already have, not future revelations. What is written in His Word already (written through prophets) – is all we need.
Paul says here to Peter, “no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will“. The human will is what powers all the false “prophecies” of today. That prophet must be rejected. Just walk away.
“…no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
– 2 Peter 1:20-21 Amplified Bible
What to do when prophets prophecy:
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world.
Matthew 7:20
Therefore, by their fruit you will recognize them [as false prophets].
Acts 17:11
…examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
We do not need false prophets.
Old Testament prophets 2 were setting-up the future revelation of the mystery of Christ to be revealed. And the New Testament prophets of the early church were used by God to establish His Church, His new covenant, write the New Testament, and usher-in the New Testament age of grace.
After all that, the Bible tells us we now have all we need for life and godliness.
I have everything needed, in me, to live a godly life — because of the power of God in me… since that moment in time that God Himself made me a brand new creature inside. Same outside, new inside, for now.
In my inner soul, the Holy Spirit resides in me in power. That is what happens to those who truly accept Jesus as their Savior.
– Source: I am enough
“Silly ‘prophet’!
Prophesying isn’t for liars.
Prophecies are for
true men of God.”
2 Peter 1: verse 3
For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through [a]true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
BibleGateway Note [a]: 2 Peter 1:3 There is no “secret knowledge” or “better way” or alternative belief system which God has revealed to some unique group or teacher. The truth is available to everyone.
There is no “secret knowledge” or “better way”
I have, now in me, bestowed on me — by God Himself at that moment of salvation “[absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness.”
What Apostate churches do is: They authoritatively say “No” to that verse, 2 Peter 1:3. However they say it, it translates into: “You need more than what you have in Jesus. You need me to prophesy over you.” So untrue.
See: Many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world
What the Apostate church does is: They claim they are unique. They claim that new revelations have led them.
They establish an “alternative belief system“. They suddenly discover their very own “secret knowledge” — which we do not know, which we have to have. They say their new “revelation” was given to them directly from God.
But that is false. It is so clearly stated in 2 Peter 1:3…
There is no “secret knowledge” or “better way” or alternative belief system which God has revealed to some unique group or teacher. The truth is available to everyone. – Source: As BibleGateway Note [a] clarifyies for 2 Peter 1:3.
That “ [a]true and personal knowledge of Him” was revealed to those who had personally known Jesus. They are the true prophets to whom God revealed what was “true”.
The Bible is our Truth
We need absolutely no new revelations whatsoever – to be born again to life from above — and to follow Jesus. We do not need false prophets to bring us something “else”. Jesus brought us His complete Gospel and passed it on to His disciples and apostles who knew Him personally. That is all we need.
Excerpt from What God has going on with us here on this planet
Why follow something that is not real? Misguided men and women just “up and made” their own brands of religions. God is not in those religions.
Religions have sprung up all over – figment religions, following after perhaps well-meant ideas, but… only ideas, theories, and some really really strange fabrications. You’d have to be a stupid ass to follow some, while others are quite charming and …beguiling. Maybe you are in one today?
FOR MORE:
Search this site for more about: false teachers
Many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world
Why listen to a false teacher?
Defining who is a false teacher – versus – just a dumbhead who got it wrong
Show me actual false teachings
The Bethel Johnson’s unbiblical teachings
About False Teachings of Today
Why your Church Shouldn’t Play Bethel and Hillsong Music – by Todd Friel (of Wretchednetwork) interviews Justin Peters 2,375,014 views Feb 8, 2020
What is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | – from GotQuestions.org
The Genesis Story: Reading Biblical Narratives …from online.hillsdale.edu/about
About Biblical Inerrancy
** At the last section, see the list of references about inerrancy
The Church Needs A Diagnostic: A Deep Dive Into The Deterioration Of Biblical Authority
Although there are many battlefronts, and numerous causes we must be fighting for (and against) in these perilous and ungodly times, what the church needs to do is restore the foundation of biblical authority.
The Bible is the standard for Christian thought and practice. Not me. Not you.
The Mystery of the Gospel has been revealed
On what do you base your beliefs?
Accepting Jesus – Plus Some Other
Be warned. Be alert. Don’t get fooled. Jesus is all we need. If you are needing something more than Jesus then watch out:
If in your faith in Christ
— you are also needing something more than Jesus,
then you are most likely being led astray,
taught by a counterfeit charismatic movement leader
or a New Age church.
These charming charmers,
false teachers,
“turn away from the faith,
paying attention instead
to deceitful and seductive spirits
and doctrines of demons“ (v1).
– from the article Needing something more than Jesus
Why we are understanding so many prophecies now
Why look into Bible prophecies?
Profecies in the Bible: a perfect track record
Interpreting prophecy correctly
Forecasting prophecies as they growl and thunder over yonder!
Farther along we’ll understand why
Today’s “perilous times” right out of Bible prophecy
What God has going on with us here on this planet
Is your light actually darkness?
About Satan… a series on our Enemy
Satan’s progressively degenerate agendas
Are you under a deluding influence?
Isaiah 29:13-16 World English Bible
15 Woe to those who deeply hide their counsel from Yahweh, and whose deeds are in the dark,
and who say, “Who sees us?” and “Who knows us?” 16 You turn things upside down!
Should the potter be thought to be like clay; that the thing made should say about him who made it, “He didn’t make me;” or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding?”
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 3:13-17
13 But evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness].
16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:13-17.
- Google: “In the Hebrew canon the Prophets are divided into (1) the Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings) and (2) the Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve, or Minor, Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi).”
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