America’s Idols
Special thanks to Nuwwine4u for his post on the forum. Please read my note at the end of the post.
Act’s18:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
Our Lord Christ stated in the gospels that “as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be shortly before His return. Idolatry is practically as old as mankind itself. It has and always shall be an abomination unto God. It is a favorite ploy of the enemy because it causes man to defocus his allegiance and loyalty from the true and living God unto self, the world or false deities that can provide no redemption.
Unlike our passive perspective today regarding the moral sewer we must incessantly wade through. Paul took genuine exception to an entire city having been seduced by the spirit of Idolatry!
1.)Paul discerned both natural and spiritual the obvious degradation in the land!
Where is the discernment in the body for the Land?
2.)His spirit was stirred(repulsed and quickened) by this spiritual tragedy! The regenerated God consciousness in him could not be at peace while witnessing others in bondage!! He was truly disturbed!
How long can we be “cool” with the staus quo in America? Woe unto them that be at ease in Zion!
3.)The Power Of One man when he operates in his Purpose, Destiny and Assignment! Without the Gospel prep team to “set the atmosphere for his type of annointing” he presses his way! Hmm…, without a flock of armor bearers to ward off potential groupies or possible foes he trods onward.
4.) The Whole City Steeped In Idolatry….daily we witness entire neighborhoods engulfed in addictions, whole communities buried beneath alternate lifestyle. Countless hamlets swept way by Islam and New Age Deception!
5.)Being aware of these situations and the ability to mouth off deep theological and social ideas concerning their origins means nothing. Even being stirred in our spirits as Paul was goes for naught unless the “Stirring” is a literal stirring to arms, a stirring to action, a clarion cry to take back what the enemy has stolen or what we have so cowardly allowed him to run roughshod over and handed to him on all but a silver platter!
America’s 3 Biggest Idols
1.) Self Will Run Riot!- Me, myself and I! I’m accountable to me and me alone! When the Gospel is watered down there is an explosion of immorality. Where there is no vision the people perish! No regard to human life, no regard for innocent children and no shame for ungodly behavior. Men now openly boast about their sins! A majority of men are doing whatever they deem right in their own eyes. Perhaps Jeremiah stated it best “The harvest is past, summer is ended and we are not saved”…this has got to be if not the saddest, one of the grimmest scriptures in the entire Holy Bible!
2.)Mass Entertainment & Sports Media!-Wow, we truly love and enshrine Hollywood and Pro Athletes when entertainers and jocks can easily command 10 million a movie and 120 million dollars over several season’s. It’s very apparent that a vast majority of Americans have no life at all, other than that which they attempt to live vicariously through these small gods known as “stars”. “Surely we’ve hewn out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water”!
3.)Mega Ministry Super-Stardom!- I thank God for the multiple ministries he has extended to the Body and the tremendous audience and worldwide sphere of influence is a testimony to the glory of God!
What is appalling in the sight of God is the sickening level of “Spiritual Co-Dependency rampant within the body of Christ! Millions claim they cannot get breakthrough unless this prophet, this man of God lays his mitts on em, prays for them, speaks a word into their life! They regularly drive great distances to hear, see or just be in the presence of their particular spiritual giant. Often times sowing enormous “seeds” into their ministry all the while the Pastor of their church has a difficult time keeping the lights on! The vessel of God now has become the object of idolization and reverence! This known as “Improper Enthronement” almost likened unto “Be my Holy Spirit”! Just remember this “God will never allow another individual to become God in your life”!!! Perhaps if more Pastors and leaders would begin to defer from themselves and their names and in turn refer them to the “Name that is above all names” the likely-hood of so much Spiritual tyranny/dependency would be greatly reduced. The Bible says “Like Priest, like people! Maybe then we will begin to see wholesale dismantling of this Shrine called “America’s Idols! “If I be lifted up I’ll draw all men unto me”!
Be Blessed,
Elder R.L.Turner
Webmaster Note: I’m normally highly against people that preach against “mega churches,” specifically Joel Osteen. I think it simply causes strife and division within the body. I don’t agree with Joel’s lack of focus on repentance and the fear of God, but I do think that he is clearly winning souls for the body. To paraphrase Paul, “As long as Christ is preached, it’s all good.” But I think Mr. Turner has given an excellent discernment of this section of the body. It is not the preacher(Joel Osteen) but the lukewarm and man pleasing Christians that follow him who are to blame. Ultimately, no amount of “God loves you” or “Fire and brimstone” preaching is going to get anyone saved or closer to God. It is the very people themselves who are accountable to “work out [their own] salvation with fear and trembling.” The preacher is only accountable to God to preach as he feels led and to be faithful with the flock that has been trusted to him. I’m done.
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