Comments on: Deception in Lakeland, Florida – False 'Revival' http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/ A web-based missional intercessory prayer and resource-equipping ministry Sun, 20 Mar 2011 03:45:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: prayeramedic http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/comment-page-1/#comment-162 prayeramedic Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:30:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/#comment-162 Point taken. I have no issues with people confessing the Word of God, my issue is when people believe that by some spiritual principle God MUST do things for us if we use His word properly, as though we can manipulate God by quoting Scripture. This is a dangerous teaching called positive confession and it is often practiced by WOF teachers:<br/><br/>The basic premise of 'positive confession' is:<br/>- God created things by speaking them into existence.<br/>- We are created in God's image.<br/>- Therefore we, too, can create things (or situations) by speaking them into existence.<br/><br/>If I can demand that God does anything, if I can lay out demands to which God must acquiesce because I'm demanding it in Jesus' name; or if I can just make positive confessions and start laying claims to things and, by my positive confessions, create situations and things for my life, then God is no longer in control of my life. I take control by the demands that I make upon God and by the confessions I make of these things. And God becomes the magic genie! I rub the lamp and God must come out to follow my orders.<br/><br/>Not so! God is far too loving for that. He loves you too much to let you run your life. When you put the "I" in "run," you've got the true picture: you'll 'ruin' your life when you try to run it.<br/><br/>Paul tells us that we don't always know what the will of the Lord is. That's one of our problems in prayer. From past experience, I realize that I made so many mistakes in the analyses of my own needs that if God had answered some of those prayers, it would have been absolutely tragic!<br/><br/>What if I were in control? What if God were acquiescing to every confession that I made? People say, "Be careful not to make a negative confession! What you say is what you get." That's ridiculous!<br/><br/>David said, 'I know one day Saul is going to kill me.' Don't say that, David! That's negative confession. Now it's going to happen, because what you say is what you get! And now one day Saul is going to kill you. But Saul didn't kill David.<br/><br/>Todd Bentley is dangerous for teaching the dangerous doctrines I described in this post, if you choose to identify with WOF and don't embrace positive confession -- great! But understand that a majority do. It would be like making a generalized statement that Pentecostals are charismatic. Sure, some are not, but MOST are. Point taken. I have no issues with people confessing the Word of God, my issue is when people believe that by some spiritual principle God MUST do things for us if we use His word properly, as though we can manipulate God by quoting Scripture. This is a dangerous teaching called positive confession and it is often practiced by WOF teachers:

The basic premise of ‘positive confession’ is:
- God created things by speaking them into existence.
- We are created in God’s image.
- Therefore we, too, can create things (or situations) by speaking them into existence.

If I can demand that God does anything, if I can lay out demands to which God must acquiesce because I’m demanding it in Jesus’ name; or if I can just make positive confessions and start laying claims to things and, by my positive confessions, create situations and things for my life, then God is no longer in control of my life. I take control by the demands that I make upon God and by the confessions I make of these things. And God becomes the magic genie! I rub the lamp and God must come out to follow my orders.

Not so! God is far too loving for that. He loves you too much to let you run your life. When you put the “I” in “run,” you’ve got the true picture: you’ll ‘ruin’ your life when you try to run it.

Paul tells us that we don’t always know what the will of the Lord is. That’s one of our problems in prayer. From past experience, I realize that I made so many mistakes in the analyses of my own needs that if God had answered some of those prayers, it would have been absolutely tragic!

What if I were in control? What if God were acquiescing to every confession that I made? People say, “Be careful not to make a negative confession! What you say is what you get.” That’s ridiculous!

David said, ‘I know one day Saul is going to kill me.’ Don’t say that, David! That’s negative confession. Now it’s going to happen, because what you say is what you get! And now one day Saul is going to kill you. But Saul didn’t kill David.

Todd Bentley is dangerous for teaching the dangerous doctrines I described in this post, if you choose to identify with WOF and don’t embrace positive confession — great! But understand that a majority do. It would be like making a generalized statement that Pentecostals are charismatic. Sure, some are not, but MOST are.

]]> By: Anonymous http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/comment-page-1/#comment-161 Anonymous Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:17:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/#comment-161 I agree with the comments on the revival...but please do not broad brush people who believe in faith as all being "Word of Faith." Also please note there is no specific "Word of Faith" doctrinal statement therefore you cannot lump people into a doctrinal category that doesn't even exist. And also please realize that Todd Bentley is not a Word of Faith teacher and should not be cast in comparison to them...he is a "manifest sons of God" type preacher who has more roots in the prophetic and Toronto type movements...Many of your brothers and sisters in Christ (including me) could be judged by you without you even understanding us...I don't listen to Todd B, or Kenneth C, etc. yet I do believe in miracles, praying and confessing the Word of God (what is wrong with praying the Word of God - David did it) and I believe the Lord does miracles...does this make me a false brother for simply believing the word? Remember that those who judge can easily cross over into wrongly judging people who to you "appear" wrong...but this appearance is only on the surface. Take David Wilkerson for example...he believes in the gifts of the Spirit...but you'll probably not find a person who believes as strongly as he that things should be done decently and in order...and he doesn't live in a mansion or promise hundred fold returns or seek gold dust or angels. Anyway, just my thoughts. By the way, there are other VERY good teachers you might classify as WOF, but dig deeper, listen to them, and you'll hear a difference - you'll hear the Word and heart of God being preached. ex. David Wilkerson, Chuck Smith, Billy Joe Daugherty, John Bevere, Andrew Wommack, etc. Sure...they may attend an event where someone else attends that may be off...but how can they control this...so please evaluate teachers INDIVIDUALLY, and not by groups. Jesus judged people individually he didn't broad brush an entire group. I agree with the comments on the revival…but please do not broad brush people who believe in faith as all being “Word of Faith.” Also please note there is no specific “Word of Faith” doctrinal statement therefore you cannot lump people into a doctrinal category that doesn’t even exist. And also please realize that Todd Bentley is not a Word of Faith teacher and should not be cast in comparison to them…he is a “manifest sons of God” type preacher who has more roots in the prophetic and Toronto type movements…Many of your brothers and sisters in Christ (including me) could be judged by you without you even understanding us…I don’t listen to Todd B, or Kenneth C, etc. yet I do believe in miracles, praying and confessing the Word of God (what is wrong with praying the Word of God – David did it) and I believe the Lord does miracles…does this make me a false brother for simply believing the word? Remember that those who judge can easily cross over into wrongly judging people who to you “appear” wrong…but this appearance is only on the surface. Take David Wilkerson for example…he believes in the gifts of the Spirit…but you’ll probably not find a person who believes as strongly as he that things should be done decently and in order…and he doesn’t live in a mansion or promise hundred fold returns or seek gold dust or angels. Anyway, just my thoughts. By the way, there are other VERY good teachers you might classify as WOF, but dig deeper, listen to them, and you’ll hear a difference – you’ll hear the Word and heart of God being preached. ex. David Wilkerson, Chuck Smith, Billy Joe Daugherty, John Bevere, Andrew Wommack, etc. Sure…they may attend an event where someone else attends that may be off…but how can they control this…so please evaluate teachers INDIVIDUALLY, and not by groups. Jesus judged people individually he didn’t broad brush an entire group.

]]> By: prayeramedic http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/comment-page-1/#comment-160 prayeramedic Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:19:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/#comment-160 Similar to that, Chrissy, yet much more dangerous. Hinn typically at least gives Jesus credit for healing, but Hinn is a false prophet who uses religion for financial gain. He has made numerous predictions that have not come true, <a HREF="http://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/tbn.htm" REL="nofollow">see this link for more info</a>. He's motivated more by greed than by the Holy Spirit.<br/><br/>With Todd Bentley, he fails to give the glory to Jesus, instead attributing healing to angels and encouraging encounters with those angels. In addition to this he spreads other nonbiblical teachings regarding the supernatural. This should not surprise us, since the Bible says that "the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4<br/><br/>Todd Bentley teaches myths and New Age concepts as Biblical truths, when in fact they are not. He is misleading many people and people need to be warned. Similar to that, Chrissy, yet much more dangerous. Hinn typically at least gives Jesus credit for healing, but Hinn is a false prophet who uses religion for financial gain. He has made numerous predictions that have not come true, see this link for more info. He’s motivated more by greed than by the Holy Spirit.

With Todd Bentley, he fails to give the glory to Jesus, instead attributing healing to angels and encouraging encounters with those angels. In addition to this he spreads other nonbiblical teachings regarding the supernatural. This should not surprise us, since the Bible says that “the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Todd Bentley teaches myths and New Age concepts as Biblical truths, when in fact they are not. He is misleading many people and people need to be warned.

]]> By: Chrissy http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/comment-page-1/#comment-159 Chrissy Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:42:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/#comment-159 Isn't this something like Benny Hinn who has people go up on stage and he'll push them and they'll fall and then all of a sudden they're "healed"? Isn’t this something like Benny Hinn who has people go up on stage and he’ll push them and they’ll fall and then all of a sudden they’re “healed”?

]]> By: prayeramedic http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/comment-page-1/#comment-158 prayeramedic Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:31:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/#comment-158 Thanks for the information and link Caron! Thanks for the information and link Caron!

]]> By: Caron http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/comment-page-1/#comment-157 Caron Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:48:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/#comment-157 Amen. Todd Bentley is not, however, the pastor of a Lakeland charismatic church. He comes from a town in Canada and has quite an interesting history!<br/><br/>Please see “A Call for Discernment” by going to http://www.justinpeters.org. Justin is an evangelist and in addition to expository preaching, also holds seminars on the “Word of Faith” movement. He has cerebral palsy and concurs with the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”<br/><br/>You can view his brief overview of the misleading Word of Faith movement given at Southwestern Theological Seminary here:<br/><br/>http://www.justinpeters.org/demo.htm<br/><br/>This presentation exposes the roots this movement has in the metaphysical cults.<br/><br/>To God be the glory! Amen. Todd Bentley is not, however, the pastor of a Lakeland charismatic church. He comes from a town in Canada and has quite an interesting history!

Please see “A Call for Discernment” by going to http://www.justinpeters.org. Justin is an evangelist and in addition to expository preaching, also holds seminars on the “Word of Faith” movement. He has cerebral palsy and concurs with the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”

You can view his brief overview of the misleading Word of Faith movement given at Southwestern Theological Seminary here:

http://www.justinpeters.org/demo.htm

This presentation exposes the roots this movement has in the metaphysical cults.

To God be the glory!

]]> By: prayeramedic http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/comment-page-1/#comment-156 prayeramedic Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:24:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/#comment-156 This is very dangerous. I have tried to avoid public criticism of other believers, but in this case I must conclude that Todd Bentley and those in this movement are deceived themselves, and are thus not true believers. It is very unfortunate and sad, but this goes against clear Scriptural teachings.<br/><br/>I must protect people from demonic influence, and this new wave is even more dangerous than ever before. This is very dangerous. I have tried to avoid public criticism of other believers, but in this case I must conclude that Todd Bentley and those in this movement are deceived themselves, and are thus not true believers. It is very unfortunate and sad, but this goes against clear Scriptural teachings.

I must protect people from demonic influence, and this new wave is even more dangerous than ever before.

]]> By: the better half http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/comment-page-1/#comment-155 the better half Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:11:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/deception-in-lakeland-florida-false-revival/#comment-155 Thank you for this blog post. This subject matter is confusing for some, including me, at times. <br/><br/>I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 14:33 today, which states: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.<br/><br/>My prayer is that each person will take the time to pray about this and read you ENTIRE blog. People need to know the dangers that are befalling the church, which includes our brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you for this blog post. This subject matter is confusing for some, including me, at times.

I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 14:33 today, which states: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

My prayer is that each person will take the time to pray about this and read you ENTIRE blog. People need to know the dangers that are befalling the church, which includes our brothers and sisters in Christ.

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