11/01/2024
THE "ACCUSED" CHURCH
The fallen angel Lucifer has many names which is often masked by their usage. These names are typically his functional identities because they define who he truly is and what he does. The bible calls him; the tempter (quietly straight forward he tempts), usurper (he leads rebellion), the devil, the serpent, the dragon and the Accuser of the brethren among many others. _Revelation 12:10 - "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night._
One of the things many Christians haven’t properly understood is that accusation is NEVER a tool for correction by God or His people. It is a weapon of the devil in an attempt to destroy and distract or derail God's agenda. God never accused and does not acquiesce to accusation nor encourages it in whatever format or form.
The supposed experiences of some men and women who had worked with the esteemed Prophet T. B Joshua many years ago as presented in the BBC interviews are shocking to say the least. As Christians, we must be circumspect in our approach to these accusations. We admit that in some parts of the body of Christ, there are many unpleasant happenings that do not align with the true message of the Gospel.
Notwithstanding, when accusations are levelled against any ministry or minister, we must be aware that the Accuser of the brethen is working overtime. Any time this happens, be careful to go the biblical way. Do not just believe something because someone said.
Remember, our Blessed Lord Jesus teaches us to, _Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (John 7:24)_ Take the Bible approach, this matters more, perhaps than any other accusations simply because the accused is not even present with us. The whole video shooting started after he has gone to be with the Lord, it simply leaves no room for him to respond.
The intention of the devil is not the one man in the cross hairs, but to spot the beautiful Church the Lord is building, soiling the image of the Church and her ministers. This will create tension and individualism in the body. Demonising the ministry and ministers essentially has 2 major effects
1. Christians avoid other ministers apart from their man of God.
2. Poisons the mind of the world that "all Pastors are the same", keeping them in their sins.
These are not just major blows to the oneness of the body but a 'victory' for the Accuser of the brethen. It is however worthy of note that the Lord Jesus died for the Glorious Church, the spotless bride. This places the Church in the position of perfection. The Church is a Holy body. _"...the Glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but is holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27)._
The Lord however forewarned us that some will come into this holy congregation with the intent to possibly deceive and if possible lead some astray. The Lord Jesus rightly prophesied that and cautioned us to be _"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves". (Matthew 7:25)_ This is also affirmed by apostle Paul in _Acts 20:29 "for I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock"._ These are not true ministers of God but merely using the ministry for their personal agains.
We encourage victims of such atrocities to speak up, report criminal dealings and experiences to the right authorities. They, as much as possible should refrain from conjectures, insinuations and accusations for personal or other material gains. Expose corrupt men and women who pose themselves as ministers of the Lord. We must in all these however, be careful not become tools of disgruntled ex-followers, cooperations and media entities to falsely accuse innocent ministers.
These happenings are not new and they will continue to come and go, it is a responsibility placed on us to raise our congregations in the Word of God and reliance on the Lord Holy Spirit. We must teach them the true Gospel and guide them through this complex post-modern world. The world is an enemy to our faith, the world will never stand with us but we will not stand alone, because the Lord is with us and we have each other; correcting, rebuking, instructing in righteousness. We wiill raise a Holy Word-based and Holy Spirit conscious generation for the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
