Can the real Prophet please stand out?!

Spiritual fathers, Mentors, Generals, Leaders, Apostles, Mega church founders, Prophets. Call them what you will. They come in different shape and/or form but identify themselves as individuals who were sent by God, to his people, to share the gospel and effect change in people’s lives, regardless the methods. They are the light that many look up to, a beacon and lighthouse during turbulent storms.

In life, people face numerous challenges that range from health, to personal relationship issues, finances, work related stresses etc, and more often than not, turn to spiritual guidance to see them through these tough times.

That said, the people they turn to, have become, more infamous for abuse of position and taking advantage of the vulnerable for financial or other associated gains. The first question that springs to mind is “have we become so blinded by our ‘problems’ we have become gullible to charlatans and stage players who step out of cars, more expensive that the combined earning value of their congregants, in expensive Gucci or otherwise labeled suits?” (One notable ‘Man of God’ stated all he wears is Versace and Luis Vuitton-to appeal to the international market.”)

In biblical terms, what is the role of a prophet? Manfred ****** from All Nations Christian Church, gifted in the ministry of Prophetic insight had this to say, “There are levels of prophetic ministries within the body of Christ, in essence, types of gifting bestowed upon individuals. Any form of prophecy is intended to encourage, edify, call to repentance and build up an individual, the body of Christ or the nation.

The areas of prophecy include Redemptive gifts of prophesy (those bestowed on God exclusively for individuals to operate in this sphere of ministry)-working effectively in ministry in this area usually takes 20 years to nurture the gift and is never used for anything else but the above mentioned. “The second involves the gift of prophecy listed in the spiritual gifts in which all individuals are to operate in. So in actual fact, we all have the ability to prophecy. If you go to some one and tell them ‘I believe God wants what’s best for you and I know he will come through for you,’ that is edification and you speaking for the future … ‘he will come through for you.’ That’s prophecy.”

Manfred continued by adding that an individual telling you your I.D number, your cousin’s name, your mother’s aunt’s neighbour’s cat’s kitten’s toy colour bears no spiritual significance on your life as it adds no value in any way. It doesn’t tell you how to live, how Christ can be the voice you need to hear etc. He equated that to witchcraft and said Christians are not the only ones who can perform miracles, citing the example in exodus when Moses’ staff turned to a snake and so did Pharaoh’s sorcerers.

This also leads to the conclusion that many of the so called “New-Age prophets” could be operating under “alternative power” and we might think it’s divinely oriented but might be otherwise.

Have Christians become so enchanted by this Razzle-dazzle we have totally abandoned reading the bible for ourselves, noting what it says about wealth, healing and success, we decide to follow ridiculous teachings and directionless pointless “visionaries?”

The headlines are screaming:

·      “Pastor introduces and sells bath soap that brings back lost lover,”

·      “Prophet sells holy water, air and soil from Israel in all complete healing package,”

·      “Apostle charges N$20 000 per ticket for banquet with congregants, who will receive special prayer for blessing”

·      “Individual buys Pastor million dollar car for his ministry,”

·      “Prophet makes congregants eat grass, for their deliverance,”

All these are daily headlines that pay no respect to the relevance of the money being paid by the average Joe, probably spending the little s/he has put away to give to the “man of God” who already has 12 bodyguards, spends a night in the most exclusive of hotels, does not walk to appointments and services but is chauffeured to and fro.

The problem then is in two parts. Firstly, what group of people allow themselves to be duped into feeding someone’s ego and money extortion schemes in the name of “God.” Can they not see for themselves that they are but pawns in the grander scheme of things? “Prophecy” and “spiritual discernment” has become a rather profitable business in Africa lately with people flocking to these services en masse to “give so they can receive.” When one individual seen at these meetings was asked by this writer whether the prophecy spoken over their lives had come true and they had receive the financial breakthrough they were looking for? A dumb look fell upon their face and the most outrageous excuse came from their mouth: “I was told my faith is not strong enough, and I need to develop and exercise my faith to tap into the ‘blessing.’”

How much faith do you need when you earn a little over N$2500 a month, have a family of 5, excluding random family members who pop in now and then, and then have to give “a love offering of N$500” to the Man of God for your blessing?! Are people that naïve? Am I expecting too much from people when I ask them why they just cannot stop funding these extortionist enterprises that leech of the needy only to faten the rich?

George Orwell’s Animal Farm comes to mind at this time, when he says, “All animals were created equal, but some are more equal than others.” This saying is beyond true in its nature in that we have elevated mere mortals, men and women, with blood and flesh like you and I into a God like status, were, whether we like it or not, we have placed them higher than God himself. We don’t care what he says, we don’t go looking for it for ourselves. We want it to be told to us by somebody else, in a shiny flashy suit and N$2000 shoes, so that we can believe it. Sad. Very sad.

The power that we, as individuals, have to change our own destinies is immense. Romans 8:11 addresses this by saying “But if the same Spirit of him that raised Christ from the dead dwell in you, shall quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit which dwells in you.” With such a power, anything can be overcome.

Pastor Peter Banda, from Elevated Ministries stated that “people seek what is popular, and not necessarily what is right, and in so doing lose track of the meaning of the gospel in the first place.”

The second part of the problem is with the swindlers themselves. No other word seemed appropriate to use to address these individuals. If one is sent by God, surely all their needs are met without them having to pay for unnecessary luxuries. Consider the likes of Elijah, Elisha, Paul, etc all powerful agents of the word of God who moved from place to place spreading the gospel and answering the call, but making use of what they found where they went. None of them demanded to stay in the most expensive of places, but that didn’t stop them from doing the work of God.

If an individual then says they are bringing a word from God and they want to charge me for it, I am forced to ask questions. If its from God, its not your word, its His word, you are but a vessel, say what God has sent you to say, and let my pocket be mine and mine alone. I am not, in any way,  advocating for people not to give. It is encouraged to give, but when one gives out of coercion and out of obligation and arm-twisting for other forms of gain, then we have a problem. “Blessings will not be theirs if they do not give”-such mentalities should be change.

People should be protected from such individuals, and because we are a desperate people in harsh times seeking for answers, we will end up falling for anything that is packaged right. The prosperity gospel is very attractive, especially if delivered by a sweet talking well travelled and well dressed man who owns a couple of private jets, schools, clinics, and businesses but ministers daily to people with no shoes. We like that sort of thing. “Something to aspire to.” I believe however, that when the day of judgment comes, which no man can escape, those entrusted with people’s lives spiritually will have a different yardstick that will not be so understanding and forgiving for misleading people down the wrong path.

When will we learn? We are being blinded and continue to pour more and more into individuals’ coffers with no spiritual return. “But store up your treasure in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy….”Matthew 6:20. If there is a phrase that really sums it up, it is, Matthew 7:15 “Beware of prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

Decide for yourself.

Disclaimer: This article is not written as a scathing attack towards any one individual/group of individuals. It is based on opinion, public interest and individual observation.