When I was in my 20’s, I kept having a swelling of gums in my mouth. A teenager friend of mine told me to just use Listerine and it will take it right out! Like a fool I listened to that advice and never went to see the dentist. But it became worse and worse and eventually I had to go see the dentist. By then, it was too late to save the tooth, and he had to take it out and put an implant. It was very painful and expensive! Had I not listened to that foolish advice, I could’ve saved the tooth.

But why did I listen to that advice? Because it was what I wanted to hear. I did not want to go to the dentist. I wanted to be told that there is an easy and cheap fix for it.

This happens in the spiritual realm. The most popular preacher/guru/spiritual advisor are those who tell people what they want to hear. He or she tells them that God wants to prosper them, make their lives easy, remove all obstacles, and give them the desires of their hearts. They write books, tweet “encouraging” words that make you warm all over. They leave you feeling positive and hopeful.

The Old Testament prophets warned Israel of this over and over. There were false prophets who prophesied prosperity and peace when in reality a disaster was heading their way. (I find it interesting that no false prophet ever promised anything other than prosperity and peace).

You can almost bet that if a pastor/preacher only preaches prosperity and peace, he’s a false prophet.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am absolutely for encouraging and hopeful words if rightly balanced by our desperate conditions as sinners deserving of hell. Just don’t tell me that I can have prosperity and peace before I repent of my sins and self-centered ways.

True blessing is not having the american dream. True blessing is having our sins forgiven and Jesus as our inheritance.

PH