Session 6: The Preacher ain't the only one preaching

I am reminded of Daniel 12:4 this week. Daniel was a great prophet who spoke of a time in the future when knowledge will increase and people will run to and fro, confused. I truly feel that we’re at that moment in time. In this world of internet information, streaming stations, and podcasts, I’ve realized there are a lot of people fighting for our attention daily, constantly pushing ideas, principles, and points of view. One contradicts the other, but all sound extremely passionate and true. It’s almost getting to the point where folks either don’t know what to believe anymore or choose to follow the voices that make them the most comfortable. So I chose to speak on the subject. I like to title my talks, and I call this one “The Preacher Ain’t the Only One Preaching.”

If the Lord orders the steps of a good man, what if his steps were ordered by your favorite musician? You well know many of us grew up in fatherless homes and music raised us, told us how to deal with life, conflict, and women. We wanted to walk like them, talk like them, and dress like them. Lowkey making us in their image! We even quote those lyrics like scriptures. And I say to you, “The preacher ain’t the only one preaching.”

What if our steps are ordered by our favorite political commentary? Political ideologies are tearing this country apart, and the bible tells us a house divided cannot stand. Each side is screaming that the other will be the death of this country and your freedom. Each side is telling you how stupid the other is. I haven’t seen people so hateful towards each other behind men they don’t even know. It’s to the point that if someone disagrees with your party choice, they’ve become your enemy, as if we all don’t live next door to each other in and of the same country. Even though the Bible said explicitly to not only love thy neighbor, but love thy enemies as well…but that’s another conversation for another time. “And I say again, the preacher ain’t the only one preaching.”

Don’t get me started on how the algorithm on your phone works to keep feeding you what you’re into, keeping you stuck in your own custom-made bubble of information. Even your cellular device is preaching! All these things can, will, and have ordered the steps of men with the words they preach.

So if faith comes by hearing, then we’ve got to ask ourselves what are we listening to and allowing to build our faith and worldview. Is it faith in CNN or Fox? There was a time we just got the news as it happened, but now you get news with tailored opinions preached about the events that are taking place. Fear and anxiety are also preached here. Christ never said choose ye first the right channel; he said choose ye first the kingdom of God. Is it faith in the verses of the Bible or the verses of your favorite songwriters? The Bible says believe and confess in Jesus and you will be saved… Jay-Z says, “Jesus can’t save you, life starts when the church ends.” Which will you believe? These principles will plant themselves if you listen long enough. Subtle scriptures of demonic origin are being preached daily.

Would you follow a blind man? Maybe not physically but how about from a spiritual sense?Many don’t realize We wrestle not against flesh and blood. This is a spiritual war we are all in. A battle for the mind and spirit of the people. This is what endorsement deals are about. Big business will dress an athlete or performer with their clothing brand to influence those who are fans to dress and act like him or her. Drink the soda they’re drinking. Use the products they use etc. We follow these people in all they do when that’s exactly how we are to follow Christ. If you want to see what their doing on instagram you must first be a what? A follower. We’ve been given replacements for who we really should be influenced by. Nothing at all wrong with a commercial or drinking a Gatorade, I’m just using the example of how the world is constantly preaching and guiding your steps. Just know that If what you’re being lead by is contradictory to Him it’s leading you in the wrong direction. Test what you hear and follow by His word. The Bible says there is a way that seems right to a man but in the end there of are the ways of Death.

Due to these false doctrines many will turn away from the principles of Christ cause the other ways sound better to them. Seducing if you will. This verse speaks of who’s really doing the preaching through our choices of influence. “Doctrines of Devils.” That murder kill music…doctrine of devils. A woman can be a man and vice versa…doctrine of devils. Hate because of race or political group…doctrine of devils. Again the Bible tells us we wrestle not against flesh and blood but principalities and wickedness in high places. There is an influence over this world that you cannot see but I know you feel it. You hear it in the hateful words and actions of man. The more we’re convinced we don’t need God the darker it gets. With no moral standard there will be chaos. There are false prophets and teachers in all forms of practice and they don’t care about your soul nor your mental dexterity of dealing with it all, so be mindful who the voices you listen to represent in the spiritual sense.

I truly believe we’re in the fourth quarter, and if this is so, just like any basketball game, the opposition is going to start fouling and playing dirty to win. This is what we’re seeing in the world today. The enemy’s time is short, so he’s trying to influence, confuse, shift our focus, make us bitter, divided, self-centered, and ultimately take our eyes off God. Jesus told us what it would look like, so if someone is trying to convince you to be a part of anything that sounds like this, you need to separate yourself. They may even use Jesus' name, but if those actions don’t match, they’re playing on the wrong side.

Practical Practices:

1. Stay in your word so you know Him when you hear and see Him.

2. Don’t allow the noise of the world’s opinions to detract you from Gods truth.

3. Be mindful of what you consume. What you feed grows and what you starve dies off

4. Don’t be so Heavenly bound you’re no earthly good. Live but live with Christs principles in mind and in action. Press towards the mark.

5. The devil masquerades as an angel of light. He’s preaching to you daily through unsuspecting human beings. Be aware and have discernment. Get in the word. The more truth you know the easier it is to discern a lie.