272. FALSE WORSHIP – ELEVATION, HILLSONG, BETHEL, JESUS CULTURE AND OTHERS

(The Information & Edification Series – Batch 8)

There is a saying, that all that glitters is not gold and when it comes to spiritual matters, the same is true.

As someone who has been duped by the enemy’s deception on many issues in the past and that still needs to rely on God’s help every day to avoid being deceived by the devil’s tactics and self-deception, it grieves my heart when, after the Lord has opened up my eyes in his mercy, to see an area where I was deceived, to see fellow believers being deceived in the same area.

Knowing the truth therefore, I feel compelled to tell them. Some pay heed hopefully but sadly, some ignore me and continue on, thinking perhaps, that I am overreacting, delusional, “knit-picking” or too unimportant to listen to anything I have to say.

Nevertheless, I have a responsiblity before God to warn my brothers and sisters and to always promote truth, so I will continue to dispense my responsibility in this regard. It is my hope that brothers and sisters would do the same for me.

Having said that, it broke my heart tonight when I checked my phone and saw what a family member, a professing believer, sent. He had listened to a song that he found “reassuring” and out of care and concern (which I appreciate), he sent it to me. However, the song came from a coalition of two groups that parade themselves as Christians but which I know are false.

I could not believe that he had sent such a song to me, as I had sent a YouTube video about a year prior, of a respected Pastor, highlighting the evil in these so-called worship groups which are rooted in satan.

I was therefore disappointed that he had either not heeded the warning, not listened to the Youtube video, not believed what was said or had just chosen to disregard it and listen to these groups anyway. Nevertheless, the need to emphasize the danger of listening to these songs, kicked in and so I sent him a whatsApp message. Actually, it turned into a lengthy response but I just kept typing and typing. I wanted him to understand so badly, that these songs were not made for his spiritual welfare and that he needed to avoid them completely, not court them.

In his whatsApp message, he had attached the song which was from the false group ‘Elevation’ and two singers of the false ‘Bethel’ group, typing:

“Don’t normally recommend these (people) but this rendition of this song is very nice. A very reassuring song.”

The response that came to mind was: Excuse me? “But” what?

How can a work be “very nice” and “very reassuring” if it is a work of Satan? Is he in the business of reassuring? The Bible tells us clearly what is and has been the devil’s agenda, from since the garden of Eden. He is all about killing, stealing and destroying. He does not reassure but destruct. We are therefore told in the Word of God that we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11) and therefore, we ought not to let him have an advantage over us. For, the Word of God also tells us that “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12).

There ought to be no “buts” therefore when it comes to that which is false and displeasing to God. “But” speaks of a desire to compromise. It is essentially one saying, I know this is wrong but I am going to do it anyway. This is exactly what Adam did in the garden of Eden. He knew God’s stand but chose to disobey.

Alarmed and admittedly, very upset by the message, in response, I typed the following, repeating certain key words and phrases for emphasis:

Hi XXXXX.

ELEVATION WORSHIP, HILLSONG and JESUS CULTURE are not genuine Christian groups. Thanks for the thought in sending but I know that they are false and while they disguise themselves with nice words are a movement of the devil. Please avoid playing their songs. I warned XXXXX some time back and (name of my Church) on the chat.

Discernment is needed to expose what the devil is doing in these groups. Do not be duped by how nice they and the music sound. Satan is behind all of their songs. If you do the research on what they believe, it will confirm what I already sensed was true, (which is) that they are diabolical. Their renditions are not genuine worship. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to properly sift what music is of him and what is a work of Satan.

Check out this video of a Christian that has also seen through these diabolical groups.

(I attached the YouTube video of Justin Peters here, called: “WHY YOUR CHURCH SHOULDN’T PLAY BETHEL AND HILLSONG MUSIC”. See this video attached at the end of the Article below.)

Also, do your further research but most importantly, ask God to reveal the truth to you and he will.

I wrote an Article on false worship which included these groups, some years ago, before I even saw Justin Peter’s video. If you wish to read it let me know. I am not guessing or expressing an opinion. I believe that I have been gifted with discernment and am 100% sure that they are a work of Satan. Don’t expose your family to their folly.

(I) forgot to include Bethel, which Kari Jobe belongs to. (These are) four false and diabolical groups of non-Christians. Rendition being nice or not, I am not listening to any of these groups’ songs. I recommend you do the same. The Lord expects complete allegiance to what is true. I did not listen therefore, as (I am) not giving Satan any foothold. I know that you are well-meaning though, so I appreciate it.

Don’t stand on the fence with these songs. TAKE A CLEAR STAND FOR CHRIST and COMPLETELY AVOID THEM. WARN OTHER CHRISTIANS as well. Too many are asleep and not discerning these subtle infiltrations.

One more thing (sorry for the lengthy message but I am passionate about the subject), knowing that the devil’s agenda is always to kill, steal and destroy, songs that he has inspired his followers to write and that he is behind, could never be reassuring. There is no telling what kind of impact Christians opening up themselves to these songs can have in their lives. For sure, God is not pleased with these blasphemous groups and we are never to compromise to doctrines of devils, even if it comes subtly through music calculated to sway your emotions.

Do not believe every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. If they are not of God, then you should not be having anything whatsoever, to do with their so-called “reassuring renditions”. Guard your heart and mind and guard your family’s as well. All that I have said (typed) is in love. I hope you make the right choice.

There is no telling how the family member will take my lengthy message. He may choose to ignore it, dismiss it, downplay it or take the view that I am making a mountain out of a molehill. I hope he takes it seriously and I have prayed for him about the issue, hoping that the Lord will convict him through what I wrote or Justin Peter’s video or through what he leads him to find in his own research.

If he chooses to dismiss what I have stated, that will be sad but I have done my part. I could not know the truth and remain silent, without trying my very best to drive home the issue, so-to-speak, of how dangerous these groups are. For, the Word of God says “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

I may not necessarily be more spiritually mature than my relative but God has designed the body of Christ in such a way, that each has his or her part to play. On one point that a brother or sister is weak, another may be strong and vice versa. No brother or sister can therefore boast that he or she knows everything, discerns everything and does not need other brothers and sisters to encourage, edify, rebuke and warn them where necessary.

When there is danger, we are compelled by love to speak up and tell our brother and sister, not allow them to be devoured by the enemy’s wolves. Galatians 5:5-6 and 13-14, tell us that the law of Christ is love. It reads:

“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love…For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

I am therefore satisfied that I have dispensed my responsiblity in love through that whatsApp exchange. I am now dispensing my responsiblity to you the reader, in love, by sharing the story, so that you too will be equipped with the information. I pray that you too make the right choice and stay clear of these diabolical groups.

There are other false singers and groups, so you must be careful and guarded, as to what you listen to. Not all singers and groups of singers promoting their music as “worship music” are Christians and not all of their songs are genuine worship songs that bring God honour and glory. You must therefore stick close to God’s Word (which exposes folly) and pray to him, asking him to deliver you from the deception of these times. Ask him to guide you to music that he is pleased with and to keep you from that which is from the devil.

The Article that I alluded to in the WhatsApp exchange, which I had written a few years back is on this Website. I recommend that you read it as well, as it is on the same topic. It is Article No. 168 under the ‘SINGLE Daughters’ page and is called: “THE PROBLEM WITH MUCH OF TODAY’S SO-CALLED ‘WORSHIP’ MUSIC.”

In closing, remember this verse and let it be your guide:

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” (John 4:23)

Dear Reader, if you found the above Article to be interesting, informative, beneficial or edifying, you may also be interested in reading the following: