False Teachers and Modern Self-Help Gurus
“For when they [false teachers] speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh…” ((2 Peter 2:18)
False teachers abound who know exactly what women want to hear. Since many of these teachers are women, they know our fears; they know how we fail; they relate to our frustrations; they’re acquainted with our temptations; and they are fully aware of what we, in our flesh, don’t want to do – repent.
“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 into bondage.” (2 Peter 2:19)
If you sin, a plethora of teachers and psychologists will give you numerous reasons what it’s not your fault – you can blame your childhood, your lack of self-esteem, your body image, those demanding children, or that oppressive husband. In addition, if you find yourself screaming at your children, don’t worry: it doesn’t mean you lack self-control or have sinful anger festering in your heart; it just means you need a little more “me-time.”
When we invite these spiritual coddlers to our pity party, they are lively and active guest. Full of flattery and sugary promises, they pat us on the back and offer us microwave motherhood – a fast and easy fix essentially void of any nutrition or taste – and, in the end, do more damage than just clogging our arteries. They confuse the thinking and shipwreck the faith of vulnerable women.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers.” (2 Timothy 4:3)
Many of these teachers may claim Christ (some may even be pastors or elders); yet, because they fear that the true teachings of Scripture are too hard for people to bear, they soften and sugarcoat the truth. The result is an ineffectual message, twisted beyond recognition and poisonous to the soul. In an attempt to be popular or more widely accepted, they focus on the pleasant benefits that may come from living a godly life, often omitting the pain and sacrifice that is involved in our sanctification.
“Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:42-43)
12 years ago
It's interesting that teachers don't teach much on the pain and suffering that comes from living a Godly life. I wonder why? I also wonder what the job of a housewife would look and feel like, in Christian circles, if they did?
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing this Sarah. I'm finding it really interesting and thought provoking.
So true... So often Satan, the "Father of Lies," leads us to be careless with the Word of God by suggesting He said something that, in fact, He did not.
ReplyDeleteIn her book, "Lies Women Believe," Nancy Leigh DeMoss says:
"...In one way or another, every problem we have in this world is the fruit of deception - the result of believing something that simply isn't true."
"...So why do we fall for his deception?...One reason is that Satan doesn't usually appear in the form of a serpent...[he can even pose as a] Christian writer, preacher, or counselor..."
"...What we read or hear may sound right, may feel right, may seem right - but if it is contrary to the Word of God [in any way] it isn't right."
"...According to Scripture, we can even be decieved by spiritual leaders... Sadly, many leader abuse their calling and their followers by failing to speak the Truth."