One might ask, “How is it possible for one who is born of God has ministered to others the profound truths of the Bible, to sin and remain there for years while they continue to preach the gospel?”
In times past, the most common operation of sinful leaders was to pervert the scriptures so as to manipulate the saints into accepting their evil actions as sanctioned by God. And this lie was able to prosper because there was no confrontation by the truth. But for those of us who have sat under truth, and ministered for years, a more subtle and deceitful approach is taken to maintain a life of sin in the house of God. Some of the sons of God have chosen to live in their fall from righteousness, instead of repenting of their sins. This means they continue to preach the truth, (in fact, they seek out the truth), but never allow that truth to touch the areas of perversion in their lives.
But the trick now is to evolve with the outpouring of the truth from heaven.
Therefore, they grab it as soon as it comes out of the mouth of a true apostle, study it for possible areas where they can give more increase and definition. They put it in their own notes, and minister it to the souls before them.
In many cases this truth will and does condemn their actions, deeds, ways and spiritual disposition. However, because it is the truth, the people of God are blessed by it and desire to hear more and more. For this cause, such leaders must maintain a pipeline by which they can receive such teachings from those who are truly in touch with God.
Now the Word of God in its purity is what true saints really want to experience. Therefore, such leaders will only be able to hold these saints for a season. But the impurity that is in a minister’s heart will show through in spite of the truth he preaches. These leaders do not embrace the truth they preach as law for their own lives. It is merely a message that distinguishes them among others. They will never allow it to touch or destroy the iniquity or wantonness in them.
Therefore, the iniquity and sin in their hearts will flow into certain segments of their teaching and preaching through cracks of contempt for the truth that exists in their imagination. This is an involuntary spiritual reflex. Sin or iniquity in the heart creates darkness and a venomous exhalation. This iniquity will show itself in spite of all efforts to conceal it.
When the Word of God is not sacred, but merely used as a tool of the trade, iniquity, lust, wantonness and all manner of sin will survive to have their day. The frequency and effect of those days on the population of the church will eventually cause some to depart; even though they know the Word was right and good. But the character of the leader frustrates saints who are looking for purity.
Ministerial Witchcraft
Now herein is an operation of the devil that has been learned and adopted by many clergymen. It is called Ministerial Witchcraft. There are many definitions of the word witchcraft, but one in particular stands out in my endeavor to render the heart and mind of God in this study; to enchant. The meaning here is to captivate, enthrall, beguile and to lure.
The objective of ministerial witchcraft is to control members of the Body of Christ. This operation however, is not confined to ministers. Many members of the household of faith are practicing this behavior on a daily basis. Sad to say, but many have been quite successful at it.
Many potentially good ministers are overtaken by their thirst for power and recognition. By such they have subverted their gift and the commission they were divinely called to. This quest for power and authority over the people of God has no boundaries and begins with structuring the thoughts of those who are appointed to the highest positions in the church. Therefore, church leadership is the first target. If a leader can control the thinking of his leaders, they will become unified with him and his/her agenda, whether it is good or bad.
I Corinthians 2:13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
We are charged with identifying the spiritual connotations of all our experiences, whether they are direct or indirect experiences. This is how we grow in the grace God has given us.
A. When truth requires a witness, silence is to agree with the lie.
St. Matthew 22:16
And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
St. John 3:20-21
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
If it is in your heart to do good, then truth is not fearful. When one fears or hesitates to bear witness of the truth in the presence of a lie, due to loyalties and soulish ties, then it is manifest that one cannot be the disciple of the Lord. Consider the passage below.
St. Luke 14:26
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Jesus made it clear that no one is to be preferred above Him and that which He represents. Paul also rehearses this principle.
Galatians 2:6
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
B. Those who bond with a lie, make themselves false witnesses against Christ.
St. John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
C. When a Leader is able to get others to bond with him in iniquity, now he knows that he is able to defile the conscience of his victims without rebuttal.
I Corinthians 8:7
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
I Corinthians 8:10-12
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
The principle here is the same in any situation where we who have the knowledge of the truth hold it in unrighteousness in the presence of those who are weak or unlearned in the faith. In the passages above, the unlearned has no knowledge of the fact that the idol is insignificant. He sees eating that which is offered to idols as a sin. But when he sees another do it, he is convinced that it is a sin God will excuse, so he feels free to indulge in the meat offered to idols.
This is where it is a sin for him to be a partaker; in his unlearned state, he regards the idol and its effect on the meat offered to it. Therefore, his weak conscience due to the lack of knowledge is strengthened in unrighteousness as he proposes to do that which he believes to be a sin; simply because it is demonstrated as righteousness by those who have no consideration for his ignorance.
When we do that which is unholy in the name of the Lord, and allow the weak and/or unlearned to believe that our actions are motivated by God, it is possible for them to become strengthened in the way of unrighteousness. If so, they will perish.
D. This is the beginning of the spirit of control.
When ministers are able to successfully get others to bond with them in sin and iniquity, it becomes quite easy to control their thoughts and movements in the household of faith. Nevertheless, in order for this to be accomplished, the one in control has either provided something the victims want, or feel they need. It is detrimental to continue to override one’s conscience and turn a deaf ear to unrighteousness. All will end up in hell, if the truth is not the authority in our lives.
E. Submission to the Word is the only escape.
Righteousness is not about taking sides with man. Righteousness is about pleasing God. Let us endeavor to follow peace with all men, but without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain (I Corinthians 9:24).
