False Teachers, Teaching a False Gospel, to False Converts

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

_{(Gal. 1:8-9)}

The title of this article aptly describes the situation that is unfolding in many churches that falsely proclaim the title of “Christian.” These false teachers use similar terms and bible quotes, but they twist them from their original meanings in order to promote their own false teaching. These false teachers and their ministries are popular not only in the U.S., but also throughout the world. They preach to hundreds of thousands on any given Sunday in their mega-churches and they attract millions to their international crusades where they collect millions in tax-free donations. These crusades are often held in the poorest of countries where the audience consists largely of people desperate for blessings and miracles. Unfortunately, these people lack spiritual discernment and are unaware of the scandalous reputations of these scam artists disguised as men of God. This false gospel needs to be exposed as it is described in Scripture, with a powerful warning of the danger involved. If the eyes could be opened to the spiritual realm, they would see the dark spiritual forces standing behind each prosperity gospel preacher.

Let us be clear, these false teachers are teaching a different gospel than the Gospel of Christ as taught in Scripture. According to the warning of the Apostle Paul, there is a great consequence for these false teachers–they are cursed by God. This curse falls directly on those false teachers, but there is collateral damage for those who follow these speakers of deception. Believing and trusting a false gospel leads to destruction, because only the truth of Christ’s Gospel leads to eternal life. So, unless these followers find the truth and trust in the Gospel of Christ, then they remain as “false converts.” What we have then, is “false teachers, teaching a false gospel, to false converts.”

The Prosperity Gospel

The False Gospel

The focus of this teaching is the false prosperity gospel that is quite popular despite its obvious corrupt appearance. Most rational minds that are not seduced by the spirit of greed can clearly see the deceitfulness in using God as a means for personal gain. Even unbelievers are quick to call out this fraudulent scheme. My definition of the prosperity gospel is that it is a tactic used by scam artists disguised as preachers who manipulate Scripture to fleece their victims of their money and enrich themselves. They draw on the human vice of greed to attract willing victims with the false promise that God desires to bless them with material health, wealth, and lifelong prosperity. The gimmick is to present this blessing with a precondition that the seeker must present a token symbol of their faith, which is money, in order to release the blessing that God has in store for the seeker. According to this false teaching, God is bound by His promises to dispense His blessings at the request of the seeker, even though it overrides God’s sovereignty, good judgment, and His will. The scam gets raised as the scammer adds that the blessing is increased as the faith money is increased. This token is referred to as a seed, in reference to the biblical concept of sowing and reaping; the greater the seed that is sown, the greater the harvest that will be reaped. Usually, the false teacher will have a recommended price list for the seed donation, such as a $100 seed will bring a 10-fold blessing, while a $1,000 seed will bring a 100-fold blessing. The greater the amount of the seed indicates a greater faith, which brings a greater blessing. The aspect of faith is also an escape clause for the prosperity gospel preacher when the blessings do not materialize, he simply blames the seeker for not having enough faith. Pretty good scam–the seeker gets taken for his money, the scammer escapes blame, and he pockets tons of cash in which to live an outrageously lavish lifestyle. These charlatans are so bold that they proudly exhibit the spoils of their dishonest gain for the world to see. They live in luxurious mansions, catered to by large staffs of servants who are poorly paid. They also enjoy expensive cars, private jets, expensive clothing and jewelry, yachts, and travel to the most elite resorts. All this is done with income that is tax-exempt and not subject to disclosure. In spite of this vulgar display of self-indulgence and outrageous luxury, the prosperity gospel churches are overflowing with members, and their crusade rallies often attract millions. These people are all willing to hand over their money and in return expecting wealth, healing miracles, and prosperity, but receiving nothing—and this is all done in the name of God!

The situation is worsened because few faithful church pastors and leaders have publicly condemned these false churches and overall, the response has been weak. Other religions and branches of Christianity often view the prosperity gospel as a common form of worship in the Protestant churches because of the lack of criticism by church leaders. This is what makes this version of false gospels so dangerous and of requiring strong condemnation from true Christian churches and leaders. It is also the reason that this article may seem harsh and unkind, but it is a necessary rebuke of what is clearly evil and demonic. The harm of the prosperity false gospel is that it targets the wickedness of the heart through greed and causes those who follow this false teaching to focus their faith on the selfish pursuit of greater and greater prosperity. Much like a pyramid scheme, the seeker begins at the bottom with promises to ascend to the top where one can obtain the same wealth as the prosperity preacher. The true Gospel of Christ instead focuses the faith of a believer on Christ where prosperity and wealth are defined as being conformed to His image, which is the highest blessing. A false gospel is also a threat because it causes a person to possess a self-centered life, instead of a Christ-centered life. The teaching of the Apostle Paul in the opening verse, (Gal. 1:9-9), is clear in declaring God’s curse on those who present a false gospel. Christians should share God’s view against false gospels and those who teach them. This article is not based on opinion or personal views, but it is grounded on biblical truths, Christ’s warnings, (Matt. 7:15), and Paul’s teaching in order to confront false and deceptive teachings.

Only the True Gospel Saves

There is only one gospel that has the power to save, and there is no other name that brings salvation except that of Jesus Christ: “let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. “He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved,” (Acts 4:10-12). This statement is a fundamental principle of the faith upon which most other beliefs have their basis. These teachings clearly establish that that the Gospel of Christ is the only gospel that can save because it is the only one that possesses the power of God. This is a belief that is beyond dispute and acknowledged by most Christian scholars and theologians, such as the one below.

“for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth”—Here and in Ro 1:17 the apostle announces the great theme of his ensuing argument; SALVATION, the one overwhelming necessity of perishing men; this revealed IN THE GOSPEL MESSAGE; and that message so owned and honored of God as to carry, in the proclamation of it, GOD’S OWN POWER TO SAVE EVERY SOUL THAT EMBRACES IT.

_{Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 224).}

The true gospel has the power of God in it because it reveals the reality of God coming to earth in the form of a man, and in the person of Christ, to suffer and die as a sacrifice on our behalf as the payment for our sins. Therefore, any other gospel is an insult to the work of Christ and an abomination to God. The fact that teaching any other doctrine brings God’s curse should not be taken lightly and should be reason enough to avoid all false gospels, including the prosperity gospel.

Attraction

It is quite apparent to any rational person that these false prophets are outright frauds and agents of deception. So why in heavens name are they so popular. They operate mega-churches, filled to capacity at each different service. They are rich beyond belief. Several of these mega-wealthy pastors own their own private jets, extravagant mansions, and fleets of luxury cars. They receive so much in donations that they devote a whole ministry entirely to finance, (money counters) –who by the way are unpaid volunteers. The main reason people flock to these workers of iniquity is the same reason that they crowd to get rich quick seminars. They are motivated by selfish desires connected to greed. They are not seeking God for purposes of establishing a relationship but are seeking God in order to live the good life now; filled with health, wealth, and comfort. The desires of their hearts are not to follow Christ because He suffered and died for their salvation, but to obtain His services as their provider of material gain. Like spoiled children, they pursue these charismatic scam artists who lure them with dreams of money, perfect health, and lives of comfort.

Another reason people find this false teaching so attractive is because they are in rebellion against God, and the desire for wealth is an idol worth worshipping. Just as in the Old Testament times when the Israelites abandoned God to pursue idols, people are now pursuing another god who will fulfill the desires of their selfish hearts. In the below verse, Jeremiah is not only appalled because the priests and prophets are teaching falsely, but also because the people love it so! Due to the Fallen Nature, mankind rebels against God and His rule. Just as it was then, it is now, rebellious people seek idols to please themselves.

Unfortunately, innocent victims who truly seek God are caught up in the web of deceit of these false teachers. Among this group are those who are not seeking wealth but are seeking healing. An example is Justin Peters, who as a teenager was taken to a faith healer/prosperity preacher for a healing from cerebral palsy. He truly believed that he would be healed by a laying on of hands by the healer, but was devasted when he was not healed. To add insult to injury, the failure to heal was blamed on his lack of faith. He now operates his own ministry which focuses on exposing the prosperity gospel. Justin was subjected to the false gospel of greed but was delivered from it when he found the true gospel. Others like him will continue to be deceived unless they find the truth, or they are led to a faithful witness of Christ who can provide rescue by the grace of God.

Refutation

The primary doctrine of the prosperity gospel is that it is God’s will for every believer to enjoy a life of prosperity and wealth. If this were true, then we could look back over the 2000-year history of the Church and see a great multitude of believers over the years having lived lives free of illness and hardships. We would also see them living lives of great wealth and extravagance, just as the prosperity gospel preachers of our time live. But that is not the case. The majority of Christians have been poor or have lived lives of humble means. There have been great times of persecution where Christians have suffered and died for their faith. Those closest to Christ, His Apostles, would have benefited the most from such a gospel so they could be scriptural proof of this doctrine for all believers. The New Testament would be full of stories of how the apostles lived to a ripe old age and enjoyed lives of luxury rivaling King Solomon. But just the opposite occurred. All the apostles were murdered because of their association with Christ. Only John lived to an old age and died a natural death. However, he lived a life full of hardship, imprisoned on the island of Patmos for much of his life. A fact that is conveniently overlooked by the prosperity preachers.

Jesus taught that those who follow Him would be hated and suffer persecution, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you;” (John 15:20). The Apostle Paul repeats this teaching, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (2Tim. 3:12). The Gospel of Christ requires a person to “deny himself and take up his cross,” if they are to follow Christ. Jesus declared this to His own disciples in Mt. 16:24. True discipleship brings persecution and suffering, not a life of pleasure and wealth. Christians in western countries may not experience the same type of severe persecution as the Apostles or early Christians, but there are still many parts of the world that suffer the same type of extreme persecution. Persecution still exists in the west especially for those Christians who are vocal about their faith, they face hostility, ridicule, and even arrest for praying or witnessing in some countries. The culture is shifting toward greater intolerance toward religious beliefs, especially Christian beliefs, and there has been an increase in new laws against them. If the pattern continues, which is most probable, then we will see greater persecution against Christians. If being a Christian involves great persecution and punishment, it is likely that these Christians will possess true discipleship. The life of the Apostle Paul is a testament to the cost of true discipleship. Here are Paul’s own words as he explains his sufferings as a servant of Christ. It is beyond absurdity how the prosperity gospel preachers can look at the biblical record including how the followers of Christ suffered for their faith, and then manufacture a gospel of prosperity. Paul’s testimony below affirms the cost of true discipleship.

“Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure,” (2Cor. 11:22-27)

Deception and False Scripture Interpretation

Deception is one of the hallmarks of false teaching, whether it be the prosperity gospel, adding to Scripture, or denying essential doctrines. In order to present itself as a Christian entity, the false gospel church must deceive by using Christian terms, beliefs, and Scripture quotes, and then twist and distort them from their original meanings so that they conform to their definition. An example is the twisting of scripture verses where proper hermeneutics (correct scripture interpretation) is not used so the result is a faulty or false interpretation. Below is a common verse used in prosperity theology to affirm the false view that God’s grace is intended for material riches.

“so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Now we view the same verse as it was intended to be interpreted and understood. We can see the deception where the verse clearly teaches that the grace of God refers to salvation as a gift through faith.

“so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;” (Eph. 2:7-8).

There are several verses like this as this is a common tactic of the prosperity gospel. They must change the meaning of the scriptures to affirm their message that God’s blessings refer to material wealth and prosperity. In response, we can display that the proper meaning of the verses are referring to spiritual blessings, saving faith, and possession of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

“that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,“ (Eph. 3:16-17).

“to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory,” (Col. 1:27).

“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed,” (1Tim. 6:17-19).

The three verses above are shown with an emphasis on the bold phrases to show what the authors meaning is regarding the riches of God, which is power through the Spirit, possession of Christ through faith, and the rich supply of good works, which is the treasure of a good foundation for the future eternal life for believers. By distorting the meaning of God’s blessings toward material things, the prosperity gospel turns the minds of people from heavenly thoughts to earthly concerns in violation of Col. 3:2, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.“

The Testimony of a Prior Prosperity Gospel Insider; Costi Hinn

Costi Hinn is the nephew of Benny Hinn, who is one of the most famous and brazen of the prosperity gospel fraudsters. Costi was part of his uncle’s inner circle and was a part of his ministry for many years. He was indoctrinated in prosperity gospel theology at a young age and accepted it as biblical doctrine until he studied and learned the true gospel. As his eyes were opened, he was repulsed by the wholesale deceptive practices which were used to take advantage of people, even to the point of their financial ruin. He left the organization and wrote a book exposing the dirty tricks and wickedness of the prosperity con game. It is a necessary read for those lost in the prosperity gospel or those considering it. He writes that in 2003, his uncle collected 89 million dollars in donations. In was in that year that he experienced his first feelings of disgust with the fleecing of an audience in Helsinki, Finland during a crusade there. Here is a quote from the book that reveals the depravity that takes place in these ministries. He begins with the pitch his uncle makes to the crowd to coerce them to donate.

“Some of you are believing God for the salvation of your lost children. Some of you have sick babies and loved ones who are dying. Some of you are unable to conceive children and have been believing God for years. Others of you need jobs, or are in debt, or have been believing God for a financial breakthrough. This is your moment! There is a special anointing tonight for breakthroughs. I want you to sow a seed of faith into God’s kingdom, and He will bless you with whatever you are asking Him for, but only if you place your best seed in the offering envelope.” A few sentences later he writes the following: “Our team had a meeting in our hotel room to count the offering. We divided the spoils among ourselves. Payment for anointed impartation.” Excerpt from “God, Greed, and the Prosperity Gospel,” by Costi W. Hinn, page 70-71.

Fear Not, None Are Lost

The main intent of this article is to condemn the false prosperity gospel in the strongest terms just as it was condemned by Jesus, and His Apostles. Another important concern is for those who are truly victims of this deception, such as Justin Peters and Costi Hinn were. They need the light of the witness of faithful Christians who can direct them to the truth. They can also find comfort in the verse above, (John 10:28), that God’s gift of salvation is guaranteed for those whom God has chosen and whose names have been written in the Book of Life since the foundation of the world, (Rev. 13:8). None will be lost.

In closing, let me encourage believers to immerse themselves in the Scriptures because the greatest weapon against deception is truth. False teachers can only operate where Bible knowledge and spiritual discernment is weak. A solid foundation built on the full Council of God is a fortress that guards against false teachers and their doctrines of demons. Their teachings are the idolatries and delusions of wicked persons.

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