But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.
I shared a sobering message this past Sunday concerning THREE DECEPTIONS TARGETING THE CHURCH. The apostle Paul originally spoke this word to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 11. They were being seduced by another Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel. They were settling for imitations and allowing superstar ministers to water down their faith. They were being deceived and “led astray from a pure and sincere devotion to Christ.”
Unfortunately, many believers across this nation are in the same predicament as the Corinthian church. By not paying attention to the warning signs, we’ve settled for a version of the Kingdom that has limited power and even less authority. Either by intentional choice or simply ignoring the connections, we have allowed the surrounding culture to determine the foundations of our faith and the standards for truth. The Father is looking for a pure and spotless Bride. One that embraces righteousness, truth, and holiness as higher goals than just popularity and platforms. I think it’s time to rightly “discern the Body.” (1 Cor 11:29)
Our preoccupation with Christian pop stars and charismatic personalities has slowly lowered the biblical bar set for leaders in the Body of Christ. The recent exposures of some high-ranking ministers in the Church have caught many off guard because we’ve determined that gifting and influence are king. We’ve allowed appearances to take priority and haven’t been examining the fruit more carefully. As troubling evidence continues to emerge, it’s clear we’ve given platforms to some leaders who’ve been ministering from a polluted stream.
And though not all have fallen for these deceptions, we must take ownership of the collective. This has been a slow and steady downturn – not because we love God any less, but because we have loved ourselves more. Books have been sold and entire ministries have been built on a gospel of self-indulgence and personal happiness. We’ve bought into a message that says to go easy on sin and not worry about our shortcomings. We’ve let Hollywood and mass media decide what’s good and have become blind to the bad. We’ve justified our sin and treated it like an unruly household pet. We put up with it readily enough, because – it’s just part of the family.
As Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
Because of Christ’s intense love for the Bride, He is doing a deep work. We are not only being purified – we’re being purged. We are going through a massive corporate detox. This is not just a cleansing from a few mishaps and spills, but an entire removal of that which is utterly unholy, impure, and detrimental to the life of His Body. He is exposing those hidden parts that are poisoning the whole, not to humiliate us, but to make us holy.
I believe in the days to come many will be shocked to see some veils lifted and masks removed. Those who have fallen prey to these deceptions, and led others to do the same, will be brought into the Light. Those who have consistently and repeatedly refused God’s mercy, and have chosen self-will as their portion, must now give account for their choices.
I pray we can get through this detox without having severe reactions that will cause even more damage to the Body. Our leaders need our prayers. Not only the godly ones, but those who are deceived and are falling. We need to pray for those who have been negatively impacted by these false shepherds. It is a time to humble ourselves as a collective people and cry out for His mercy. He alone is the final judge and arbiter. Our response should be to draw even closer to the Living Word as our standard, embrace holiness as our goal, and righteousness our aim.
On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Wanda has been in ministry for over 35 years as a worship leader, teacher, author, deliverance counselor, and speaker.
6 Responses
Wanda, your messages always say just what I need to hear at the precise time! You are a God-send to the Body of Christ for such a time as this !
GOD Bless you as you continue to boldly speak TRUTH!
I share your messages with a lot of people.
As a young college student I experienced this betrayal by a charismatic and wonderful teacher. God spoke to me that His Word does not return void, though there was a gaping hole in the leader’s umbrella. The hole in the umbrella meant sexual purity was not preached and many were affected by the fallout. Praise God for His faithfulness to us! Repentance and restoration are always available. Thank you for these sound and merciful messages. My prayer for us all is for extreme discernment in this hour. Blessings and peace be with you.
My church journey has not been a pleasant one. Being one of an inquisitive mind, I found myself at the end of a boot too many times. I just could never match church practice at the time with the book of Acts. Leadership tyranny is all too familiar. In a number of cases, the demand was absolute, unquestioning submission. Sorry, I have only one Head and none of them qualified. One pastor was on his second wife and after we were gone he went through two more. More often than not, I was forced to stand alone because of a weak kneed eldership who thought playing politics was more important than trying to lead a healthy ecclesia.
What I found strange was that those in non leadership roles were often the best role models who actually came alongside to encourage and coach. Each situation I found myself in afforded
me the opportunity to initiate discipleship networks until I was taken down by the officials because they insinuated that I was jockeying for their positions. I love the Body but hate the Babylonian system she has enslaved herself by. I have sensed for a number of years that God’s Holy Fire is the only answer if the final outcome of the ecclesia is to be a holy entity without spot or wrinkle!
Thank you for the wisdom! Sheep need true shepherds like this.
Blessings Wanda, As I read your newsletter today. I am reminded of Psalm 149:6-9. As believer’s we need to share the truth as you have done and provided . These scriptures, you spoke of really bring clarity on how we as children of God should strive in our everyday walk to be more like Jesus. I pray Psalm 24 over everyone who reads your newsletters; and verses 4-6 ,
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
To God be the glory,
I would like you to contact me. Personal in nature
God bless