Who Gets You In Trouble?

I have listened to many ministers online, on television, on radio, and on tape (DVD and CD). I have been disappointed at some of the messages I have heard and have wondered why a minister that is supposed to be thoroughly knowledgeable in the scriptures, see the change in men because of the Word; and will still say things that have no reference to scripture. The truth as we know it is in the Word. Why would any pastor, preacher, minister, apostle, prophet, teacher, or evangelist speak anything different from what the Word tells us to do (John 17:17 AMP)? It makes no sense to me especially after the successful speaker has established a large following. That large following is there because of his/her initial belief in the truth. Any deviation from the Word will eliminate the large following. God is not mocked. God is good (Matthew 19:17 AMP).

This morning I turned the television on to listen to a pastor that I have heard time and time again. Usually most of the pastors that have had a television program like to use a by-line to grab the attention of the listener before he/she contemplates turning the channel. It is a marketing strategy that is used in most media. The thing is, the attention grabber has to be something that cannot be the same for the unbeliever that spotted the headlines of a newspaper. In the gospel media, no matter what the intent, the attention grabber has to be within the scope of the Word, otherwise it is deceptive. Deception is the definition of a lie. God has nothing to do with that (1 John 1:5 AMP). This morning the attention grabber was, "doing God's will doesn't mean you won't have trouble." He continued to expound on the trouble rather than God's will (1 John 2:16-17 AMP). Because of what I know in Christ, the speaker lost my attention. This was my second (or more) chance I gave to this speaker. A few days ago in trying to catch this speaker's program I heard a portion of the message: "the devil wants you to believe...." and then he expounded on the devil's wants rather than the will of God. Again, the speaker lost my attention and I either switched the channel or turned the television off disappointed with the lessons.

From that disappointment I thought about the listeners in the congregation, on the internet, and those that download messages to hear over and over again believing it to be the truth (James 5:19-20 AMP). There were, no doubt, steps to take to continue on in such denial of what the Lord says to do (Luke 6:46 AMP). First, when hearing something any clergy says, it must be positive and in the direction of the life that the Lord came to give us all (John 10:10 AMP). Listen to what is being emphasized. If it sounds more like the embers to a pity party rather than the supplies to an all day victory celebration, you must make the decision if it is in your best interest to stay in that ministry.

Second, if any speaker starts speaking about the devil, his antics on what he can do, and the fear that comes with those antics, please listen for the balance in that message. Know that the devil doesn't do anything that he isn't directed to do (Job 1:7-10 AMP). The devil cannot come unless there has been disobedience somewhere. The devil cannot disrupt the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The devil cannot infiltrate the anointing (Acts 10:38 AMP). The enemy is the enemy because of righteousness. The opposite of righteousness is unrighteousness. Confess your faults and righteousness is resumed (1 John 3:8 AMP). This is what must be stressed over and over again. Enough with the devil already (James 5:13-16 AMP)!

Finally, doing God's will maintains peace. He is a good god and would not have you to perish. He would that all men come into the knowledge of the truth. Why? Because it would be to the benefit of all men (2 Peter 3:9 AMP). If a speaker tells you that he/she will have trouble in listening to God, why then would anyone wish to be Christian? How would an unbeliever then wish to hear anymore that is being said? The truth is, if one experiences trouble when he/she is doing all that he/she knows how to do in Christ, the trouble experienced isn't trouble at all but the flesh trying to resurrect (John 6:63 AMP). If you recall in the Old Testament, Jonah was swallowed by a whale because he refused the will of God. Jonah wished do his own will. Another familiar book is with Sampson. He was blessed of God. When he stopped listening to the instruction of his parents, his troubles began. He found honey in a carcass and ate it also offered the honey to his parents. He then told the secret of his strength; as a result, he was held as prisoner and was made blind. With this same topic, we cannot forget Joseph. Joseph carried the blessing of God with him, how different or free from trouble would his life been if he kept the intimate details of what God gave him to himself? From being left for dead to being accused of rape, Joseph had trouble along with Jonah and Sampson. Was that because of God's will or their own will?

God gives us instruction to do what is good and acceptable in His sight. In being a man-pleaser, we open ourselves for trouble to come. Man might give that temporary praise but is the one who created man pleased? Will there be consequences for that action. The Word tells us that there is (Ephesians 5:6-17 AMP).

With sound instruction comes maturity. Maturity is a process as a baby learning how to walk. The baby falls now and again but never gets to the point of not wanting to continue. The bumps and falls along the way are necessary lessons learned even at that age into what not to do. The baby has a goal to stand upright and walk without falling. He/she wishes to hold his/her head up and be upright. Once the practice of walking is secure, the baby is no longer called a baby but a toddler. He/she doesn't wait to learn that walking is just the beginning. Running is the next level. Most toddlers are not satisfied until that level of running is met as well. These stages of natural development is also seen spiritually.

Spiritually, our baby steps are the 10 Commandments. We learn them and then tests come for us to apply what has been learned. God becomes real to us all when we pass the test (1 Thessalonians 2:4 AMP). Trouble comes when we resort to the natural skill we had before coming into the knowledge of the truth. From that trouble comes a trial (James 1:2-4 AMP). If the Word is still not used, then punishment is the result (James 1:13-16 AMP). Jesus is Lord and our defense (Psalm 94:22 KJV).

Keeping these things in mind and using them as a part of our daily living gives us all things that is described in the Word (Matthew 6:33 AMP). God's will is for us to live, to the full, and in abundance. The tests are good. Sometimes babies and toddlers fall. Trials come and they are good too. If we believe, we will receive and get back up, dust ourselves off, to maintain the faith. We have to get to the next level. Just like a natural baby or toddler, we seek what the next thing is for us to conquer. Once we have moved from the milk of the Word and can chew on the meat, we entire into liberty that Jesus spoke of. He said that the lambs can come in and out of the gate (John 10:1-9 AMP). This means we are so saturated in Christ, that no matter what we do, because of righteousness we will always be in Him. We cannot be influenced to be anything else but Christian (1 Corinthians 8:9 AMP). This by no way mean, once save always saved. God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7 AMP). If one believes that God will continue to see acts of disobedience as unrighteousness and confession is the cure - do not be fooled. God's tolerance of belligerence and disregard of the faith is documented over and over again. Ministers that preach otherwise - be warned (Matthew 7:21-23 AMP)!