Name-It, Claim-It: A Dangerous Doctrine Exposed

I’ve witnessed the teachings of false doctrines on blogs and on Twitter recently and I just shake my head at the ignorance of some who are led around by wolves in sheep’s clothing.  One of the more recent heretical philosophies I’ve encountered is something called, “Name It, Claim It,” also known as “Word of Faith” and the “Prosperity Gospel.”  I’m here to tell you today that whoever believes in that garbage is being deceived.

I’m not going to mince any words in this week’s article because too many Christians have fallen victim to shake-downs perpetrated by those who want you to believe they’re faith-filled followers of Jesus.  They’re the preachers that ask for a “seed faith” offering to bring about an increase in one’s personal wealth.  They’re the church leaders that ask for money to perform healings and, when the healings don’t occur, blame your lack of faith for God’s decision to not grant the request.  This is an unbiblical teaching that could cause the foundations of the faiths of many to be shaken.  Read my words:  there’s nothing you can do to get God to do your will.

Jesus had a very clear message about false prophets and those who bear bad fruit.  In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”  There are many in this world today that seem to be Godly men – until you examine their doctrine.  Any so-called preacher that is telling you that God wants to make you wealthy and prosperous in this life or that God can heal your afflictions for a small donation is deceiving you.  They are wolves masquerading as Christian leaders and some lead very, very large and popular ministries.

In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus told us how we should pray (verse 10 excerpted here):  “Your kingdom come.  Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”  We are to pray that God’s will is done on earth.  And because we do not know how to pray as we have been taught, Romans 8:26-27 tells us the Holy Spirit intercedes for us:  “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weaknesses; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”  In other words, even though Jesus taught us how we should pray, we don’t get it right.  The Holy Spirit intercedes for us with what are described by Paul in his letter to the Romans as “groanings too deep for words,” according to the will of God.  The Holy Spirit follows the outline of prayer described in Matthew 6:9-13 and seeks the will of God.

So why won’t God do your will?  Isaiah 55:8-9 gives us an insight into the mind of God:  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  I believe what the Lord said here in Isaiah is very simple:  God, who created the universe and everything in it, knows better than you or me.  He sees the big picture and has exponentially more knowledge of a situation that humans can’t even begin to grasp.  But a quick read over in Romans 9:15-17 tells us exactly when God’s will is done:  “For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.  For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.’”  God will do His will when He wants and only if it glorifies Him.

Does this mean we shouldn’t pray?  Absolutely not.  In fact, in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians in chapter 5, verse 16, we’re told the following:  “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  Does God answer prayers?  Yes, even the ones you don’t know how to pray.  Are all prayers answered?  I believe so, but not always with the result you expect at the time you expect.  Does God heal the sick after receiving prayers about that person?  Sometimes.  Does God also allow the sick to remain ill and even die?  Sometimes.  Remember, God has mercy on whom He has mercy.  But in the end, it’s all about His glory and not ours.  And there’s no amount of money you can send to a preacher on television to get God to take favor with your situation.  All you can do is pray that His will is done in your request and in your life.