When I was 7 years old, we went to a buddhist temple to bring an idol called “Tua Pek Kong” (Meaning “Grand Uncle”) home. I sat on the front seat of the car with the idol on my lap, with burning joss sticks in front of the idol. I got scolded for not wanting to comply but as a 7 years old it was not an option to go against your parents.
A “still small voice” said, “This is not God”.
Throughout the journey home I was praying that the spirit of the idol who looked like an old man with a smile and long white beard will not come alive. I kept thinking, why is this statue molded by men’s hand, worshipped by men?
I attended several man made churches during my teens and early 20s, but a still small voice kept saying “They worship my Name but they do not know Me”
On one occasion I recalled a pastor saying “I have memorized the entire bible in my head”. I was thinking to myself quietly, is he expecting eulogies? Their spiritual hunger causes a constant need of men’s exaltation and approval.
Luke 6:45 “…for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh…”
I have seen many times that a worshipper would send me a note from a “well known” author/pastor with a best selling book and many followings telling them how much “anointing” they have received.
This same spirit resides in the Lydia’s house when her slave lady constantly showered Paul with “praises”.
Acts 16:17
“….These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved”
Exaltation and praises of men can be a euphoric addiction.
On another occasion, the pastor leading a prayer started by praying for extra year end monetary bonus. Later I realised it was a weekly ritual before they passed a basket for donations. You cannot serve two masters (God and money). These worshippers like to quote the bible scriptures to suit their purpose and started quoting the legalistic tithing of the Old Testament. At the same time, they abandon the other Canonical laws which are inconvenient to their purpose.
On many occasions I heard men who worshipped God said “I spoke to God yesterday and he told me that I need to run a lottery, sell a book, buy a piece of real estate or buy a car”. Suddenly God became their personal financial advisors, real estate agents, and even a car salesman. A still small voice said, “Did they really hear from God or something else?”
Ezekiel 13:7 “Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, ‘The LORD says,’ but I have not spoken.””
On many occasions, the men praying for money started feeling a physical euphoria. I was thinking, “Are you misinterpreting goosebumps as the Holy Spirit’s visitation?” These so called Pastors, Prophets and Prophetess must be drowning in men’s praises. On one occasion, when my brother bought a new home, Christian men and women were invited to pray for the home and started touching the walls made of dead stones and blessing them. My intention is not to ridicule or critisize these Worshippers as they may have good intents. But what is it that you love?
1 Kings 19 11:12 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lordpassed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
Lydia of Thyatira selling purple cloth – Worshipper of God, in her home she kept a money making psychic lady. I emphasize, Lydia of Thyatira – Worshipper of God. Lydia was a lady who sold “purple”. Purple symbolizes wealth.
Worshipper of God, Seller of Purple, she kept a money making fortune teller slave lady who generated money for her. She invited Paul to her home but when Paul cast out the spirit of the fortune teller, they were brought to judgement!
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters…
You cannot serve God and Money.
Since biblical times until today, we are not short of money making prophets and prophetess who worship God.
The devil is a master deceiver who corrupts. To corrupt something you must have both truths and untruths. A drop of poison in a bottled water will corrupt the whole water.
Galatians 5:9
“A little leaven [a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers] leavens the whole batch [it perverts the concept of faith and misleads the church].”
I do not wish to offend but I cannot tell the Absolute Truth without offending some.
“Those who have an ear, let him hear.”
Mike Ang, 2020