The World and Idols: Of Leaders and False Prophets

For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. Isa 9:16 

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hos 4:6a 

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2Ti 3:1  

The House Built on Sand

There is one word which is famous among communications experts, which is called ‘Spin.’ The work of a spin doctor is to spin words, which to a receptive mind, will sound as truth. It is essentially a secular art where people get paid to lie.

For politicians, spin is a life line, for ‘the love of truth is never considered a political virtue,’ according to political theorist Hannah Arendt.

With the advent of television and mass media what we sometimes believe as truth is not really our own reality but that which the media have created – or political leaders – or false prophets.

‘Millions are deceived every day…all because of spin. ‘Spin’ is the polite word for deception. Spinners mislead by means that range from subtle omission to outright lies. Spin paints a false picture of reality, by bending facts, mischaracterizing the words of others, ignoring or denying evidence, or just 'spinning a yarn'--by making things up." (Brooks Jackson and Kathleen Hall Jamieson, unSpun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation. Random House, 2007)

The rise of prosperity gospel can be traced to this love of pop culture. If, for example, one is intending to start a proper corporate church, it would be counterproductive to good business practice to preach the Suffering Jesus of the Bible.

However the trouble with any form of popularity gospel, with its great appeal to the flesh, is that it will always be very weak foundationally, especially on the serious questions of life like man’s greed, pain, suffering and the sovereignty of God.

The Poverty of the Stony and Thorny Grounds

A popular fare is the classic seed which fell on a stony and thorny ground, which is told in Jesus Christ’s Parable of the Sower:

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mar 4:16-19  

The seed which falls on the good ground usually takes time, labour and patience. That is why it yields a rich harvest in the end. Be encouraged to take time in your study of the word of God. Pray, attend Bible classes, go to fellowships, and join in prayer meetings. 'Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns' (Jer 4:3b).

Life is Hard, To Portray it as Simple is a Lie

Solomon the Preacher did not rest on a simple solution to life’s problems. He went deep. And it was from that serious depth that he emerged with the hard truths about life. Jesus too never gave simple answers to life’s questions. He compared life to a ‘yoke’ or a ‘burden’. But with him as the teacher, life becomes light, ‘for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light’ (Mat 11:29-30). Jesus had no fear or respect of persons. He spoke the blunt truth. And in the end that is what makes a man really free. 

This is in contrast to false prophets’ behavior and that of their followers. It is here that simple answers to life’s problems abound. 

That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Isa 30:9-10  

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? Jer 5:31  

And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king. And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. 2Ch 18:11-12  

Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace. Eze 13:10a 

We can all aspire for Solomon’s riches in this life (700 wives plus 300 concubines and silver spoons and streets made of gold). But we shall also, in the end, be more sorrowful than happy.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Act 20:29-30   

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Mat 7:15 

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2Ti 4:3-4  

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2Pe 2:1-3  

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 2Pe 2:18-19