This week I wanted to share about a prominent false gospel being fed to many in this time. You may know someone who needs to know the truth about this subject, or perhaps you yourself will come to know the truth as you read if you happen to be caught up in this unawares.
In a previous post, I mentioned an unbiblical practice called “decreeing and declaring” being promoted in some religious circles. Most often, we see this practice promoted by teachers of what is called “the prosperity gospel” or the “health and wealth gospel” in what is known as the Word of Faith movement (WOF).
Decreeing and declaring is also common practice in the Apostolic and Prophetic Movement, which contains many problematic teachings, emphases and practices. This movement has also been dubbed the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) by some. Both Word of Faith- and NAR-affiliated churches and ministries contain much more unbiblical teaching to be avoided by those who desire to know and live God’s truth.
Why am I talking about this lately?
Because I once bought into these false teachings and God has set me free. Because being silent while others are stuck in this deception is not something we should do. God loves them and desires their eyes to be opened, that they would know the true Gospel thoroughly and study His Word rightly and in context rather than receiving and believing twisted teachings of truth made to be about us more than about God.
That said, I recently created a page on the site with resources to help others on this journey: Resources That Opened My Eyes to the Truth About WOF/NAR
The False Word of Faith Gospel Versus the Gospel of Christ
In January, I read a book that explains the differences between the false Word of Faith movement’s teaching versus the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m so grateful to have discovered this book because it helped me to find the truth after having been taught things for years that were unbiblical.
This book, Health, Wealth & Happiness: How the Prosperity Gospel Overshadows the Gospel of Christ, was written by David W. Jones and Russell S. Woodbridge.
This book contains a wealth of information concerning the Word of Faith movement’s problematic origins. The book covers different aspects of the prosperity movement’s teaching, comparing it to the truths and principles of God’s Word.
This book details what you need to know about the false Word of Faith gospel versus what the Bible actually teaches, such as:
- • What the false prosperity gospel actually is.
- • The origin and history of the Word of Faith movement.
- • Errors and unbiblical teachings of the prosperity gospel.
- • What the Bible actually teaches on suffering, wealth, poverty, and giving.
Notable Quotes:
“…the New Thought movement was marked by religious beliefs not found in Scripture—that God is a force, that the spirit or mind is ultimate reality, that people are divine, that disease originates in the mind, and that thoughts can create or change reality... These teachings about God more closely reflect the concept of God in Hinduism than the biblical doctrine of God.”
“Instead of promising Christ, this gospel promises health and wealth… According to this new gospel, if believers repeat positive confessions, focus their thoughts, and generate enough faith, God will release blessings upon their lives. This new gospel claims that God desires and even promises that believers will live a healthy and financially prosperous life.”
“It is difficult, if not impossible, to find anyone in either the Old or New Testament who experienced a pain-free life on account of their faith. Many passages in the Bible presume that suffering is a regular part of the Christian life.“
“…believers must take up their cross daily and die to self in order to live for Christ (Matt. 16:24). The cross demands that followers of Christ make sacrifices for the sake of the kingdom of God and exalt God rather than themselves.”
This book contains such a wealth of information. I highly recommend it to all believers so we can be equipped with the truth in the face of this all-too-popular false teaching. Find this book in hard copy and eBook form on Amazon.
Disclaimer: Book reviews on the IPFJ website do not equal 100% endorsement or agreement with everything an author writes, believes or stands for.
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