To determine truth from falsehood, the Bible fruit metaphor that one cannot reap grapes of thistle or figs of thistle is declarative. The outward manifestations of what false teachers propagate reveal their inward depravity.
The 21st century gravity of falsehood in the church is so grievous that altars have been turned into the Devil’s massaging spas. Humongous churches have become theaters of movie gimmicks and malls for self- gain. Small churches are hot on the heels running around seeking anointing from the so called “established shepherds”, hence compromising the essence of the Great Commission.
Revivals have been replaced by breakfasts for Pastors in cities. Mentorship programs have been replaced by narcissism! Evangelism has been replaced by works! Jesus Christ has been replaced by money and the traditions of men. True reverence to Him is at stake! The church is on trial!
However, the Bible is explicit that false teachers disguising as servants of God will be punished and their followers will not be spared either. The faithful are called to flee from them and embrace true worship. The God who qualifies the shepherds is calling them to feed the flock by teaching sound doctrine and protecting them from manipulative tripping.
God’s word drives away darkness. Its Usus Loquendi (original state of God’s Word devoid of any interpolation) brings joy and obviates improbable antecedent falsehood. It is incumbent upon them, therefore, to explicate and contextualize Scripture in this present age to defeat lies perpetuated on the altars.
Growing up spiritual families that make up healthy churches demystifies the implicit and gives reason to persevere until His Second advent to reward those who resisted falsehood. For whoever endures shall be partakers of the Kingdom.
Who will give direction to a bleeding world? The remnants will!
WE ARE IN A WORLD OF HEATHENISM
The world today is scary in many ways. God has become secondary and only invoked when all else is sinking sand! In the recent past, for example, plagues have threatened Kenya and almost bringing down its economy. Covid-19 is a virus that is no longer seen from medical lenses, but it is also breeding animosity and the love of many is dwindling due to profiling of certain communities especially of Asiatic descent where it originated from lately.
Consequently, the fear of the unknown is growing each day amongst citizens in our country Kenya. The variance in the approachable and condescending views of BBI clash everyday plunging wananchi into stupor. The uncertainty of desert locust invasion, security threats, increased suicides and homicides, and corruption, are among the quandary eating up the country’s fabric. All these are noise to God.
CHURCH NO LONGER THE SOURCE OF DIVINE HELP AND GUIDANCE.
The Church which is supposed to give divine compass has been weighed and found lacking. The Kenyan Church today is paid to give statements in support for or against an opinion peddled by politicians, and it worries one seeing them in the glare of television taking tribal sides.
The church has been taken hostage. To organize a prayer day at Uhuru park, a few men and women of the collar run around soliciting money for mobilization which turn them into “spiritual brokers”. The Uhuru park prayer meetings are riddled with corruptions, patronage and is not reflective of a national prayer day for everyone.
HERE IS THE SPIRITUAL ANTIDOTE
The government should see the need to invoke God in what they are calling “Preparedness” against disasters and pandemics. God is the ultimate Preparedness! Christians and religious leaders from all religions should press upon the government to declare a national prayer day, and people go to their Churches/Mosques and Temples to pray and stay indoors. A silent day away from daily displeasing noise and bigotry around the country.
God is the only antidote against these contagions! We need to be reminded time and again that God is Watching
While God is transcendental (beyond limits of ordinary experience) because He is holy, Christ brought immanence. The people of Kenya and other countries need to know that God is watching from above and seeing the intentions of each one of us, whether good or evil. Each individual, including those in governance, will be held responsible for daily engagements and utterances.
ONE: God is watching the wicked and good and will repay (recompense) each accordingly – Proverbs 15:3; Ezekiel 7:9; Revelation 22:12.
TWO: God is protective of His people –Genesis 28:15; Deuteronomy 32:10.
THREE: God is manning the land from January to December- Deuteronomy 11:12.
Therefore, tread carefully.
God is orderly. God does not act in confusion but in peaceful environments– 1 Cor.14:31,40.
If he was not orderly, all countries would not be called by their names- Jer.31:36; 33:25.
Therefore, until we organize ourselves, it is difficult to see Him move among us- Joshua 3:3.
Forgiving and merciful;
If we realize our inability-2 Chronicles 7:13-14.
If we are forgiven, we are blessed – Psalms 32:1-2.
He is abundant in mercy to all who call upon Him – Psalms 86:5-7.
He will heal all our diseases and redeem our lives from Destruction – Psalms 103:2-4.
If the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts – Isaiah 55:6-7.
God wants us pray. He has the answers and He rewards those who give in secret- Matthew 6:4; Psalm 32:8.
Christians should be careful about prayers offered in public. They are riddled with a lot of corruption where corrupt money exchanges hands in the name of organizing the meetings. It is also a replica of heathen meetings meant for public display- Luke 18:10-14; Matt 6:1.
The Bible teaches us how to pray- Matthew 6:6; Lk 13:1-13.
Prayer involving more people or groups requires agreement. Two cannot pray without agreeing.
The government should call a day of prayer and declare it a holiday. Paradoxically, there is a tendency of dashing to God only in times of need, which is hypocritical. If this is God’s nation, it is God’s economy and God’s business. 1 Tim 2:8; Mark 11:25; Acts 1:14.
DECLARE NATIONAL PRAYER DAY, NOT A PUBLIC PRAYER RALLY
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, Who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:5–6.
WE CAN LEARN A FEW LESSONS FROM THE ABOVE CHAPTER
If we pray because we want to be seen as being more religious than others, it is wrong.
When in church or anywhere watch your attitude and intentions when given time to pray.
Avoid hyperbolic exaggeration while praying. Be natural!
While it is not unbiblical to pray in public, try private, especially Kenyans to avoid reminiscent political rallies and monies given to people to come to such rallies. It waters down its meaning and intention. This is noise to God!
Does God hear public prayer more than private prayer? The answer is no! No manner or form of prayer changes God. God remains God before, during and after prayer.
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By Bishop Obed Bett Chelogoi, ThM; DMin; ThD, Professor of Theology,
Joy Seminary, USA.
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If the above article has informed, enlightened and ministered to you in a special way, leave a comment in the comment box.
And if you’d like to reach out to Bishop Obed further, here is how to reach him:
Telephone: +254 722 365 851
Email: BishopBett@litwchurch.net
Divines Media & Publications 
It is heartbreaking that the righteous few are the Unrighteous and the Unrighteous majority are the righteous. Pastors and the so called apostles and prophets all are liars and have nothing to do besides building some little empire’s of men devoid of the truth of God…following the youth in all immoral groups known by the name “youth worship team”, when even most of them posses no Bible “book”, forget about knowledge of the Word of life. Dancers in the altar in all demonic patterns in entertaining the devil and deceiver of all ages.
Unless the Lord left us with a REMNANT, we could be like Sodom and Gomorrah.