They Show Much Love

“…they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord. So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth THEY SHOW MUCH LOVE, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.” (Ezekiel 33:30-32)

The New International Version ends that passage like this: “Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice”

In today’s reading of the Old Testament, it clearly shows the motives of the people who attend these seeker-friendly churches of this present time. Ezekiel had a pleasant voice and could play an instrument very well creating a comfortable atmosphere, however as you read throughout the book his purpose was not to entertain the people but to warn.

When entertainment and pleasing the congregation has more of an emphasis over the word of God something is definitely wrong and as true Bible-believing Christians we should avoid these type of movements at all cost. However as we see here, it was the people’s own selfishness that desired the entertainment over the Word of God. Although they spread the news to everyone and said, “come hear what the Lord has to say” their interest was not really in God’s word, rather in the atmosphere and setting of the songs and music, thus to “show love” came very easily for them.

John MacArthur’s sermon regarding True Worship touches upon this very subject:

“In the pop church, music often dominates, long and loud and repetitious. And it is an effort to move people’s feelings and emotions in the direction of worship. There are many people who assume music is the origin, or the source of worship. And the illusion is that certain styles of music produce worship, certain tunes and certain arrangements induce worship and other ones somehow limit it.”

In writing to the Colossians Paul said this in chapter 1 verse 9, “For this reason also, since the day we’ve heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” If you want to have spiritual worship, you need spiritual wisdom, spiritual understanding. You need the knowledge of His will so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in all respects.

“So what is the source of true worship? It is the truth, the knowledge of the Word of God …” [bold added]

[“The Critical Elements of True Worship” May 2008 Grace To You Sermons]

In regards to how much emphasis some of today’s pastors put on the church’s “atmosphere”, Word Faith / Prosperity Preacher Bishop T.D. Jakes believes, “There is something about the atmosphere. I might be lame, but put me in the atmosphere. I may be drunk, but put me in the atmosphere. I may be weak, but put me in the atmosphere.”

Is Jakes really stating that as long I’m in the “atmosphere” I can be drunk? This is just one of the ludicrous and un-sound teachings that has been going on within this movement for decades. Nevertheless there is no doubt that pleasing the people and creating an atmosphere with entertainment, singing, and dancing will enhance a person’s emotions, this is why with their mouth it is easy to show much love.  Bishop Jakes may have done many noble things throughout his career as a Word Faith Pastor, and yes from the outside it may easily be presented as “much love”, however like we read in Ezekiel it is only for his own gain. For pleasing the people produces church growth, and according to Jakes’ extravagant lifestyle also produces heavier pockets.

Unfortunately it is not only the Prosperity and Word Faith Movements that have adapted this “seeker-friendly” style of preaching. We see this in some of today’s Evangelical churches as well, making this “seeker-friendly” epidemic even more dangerous. For although the emphasis may not be on finances or prosperity, entertainment and pleasing the congregation is about 85% of the church service, while 15% is on a watered-down presentation of the word of God. Repenting and Conviction is replaced with Emotions and Feelings making it very easy for the flock to present themselves as “loving and caring”, while sin runs rampant throughout the church.

One last thing both churches have in common with the passage from Ezekial is the simple fact that “they do not listen.” With all do respects, they may know scripture, some even have it memorized, but both have issues when it comes to ALL SCRIPTURE, thus sin is looked upon as something petty and not important. It is no wonder why seeker-friendly churches grow immensely, our emotions and wants for entertainment and feel-good messages make us happy and filled with a sentimental love for everyone, while true doctrine reveals love based on the Truth of Scripture, producing discernment and recognition of our sins.

Jesus echoed the truths of Isaiah when He said:

“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” (Matt. 15:8, Isaiah 29:13)

May the truth of Scripture indwell in our hearts, and let us not build our foundation of our Christian life on emotions and feelings, rather on the life and the words of our Lord Jesus Christ!