Originally posted: February 2022
There has been something bothering me for quite some time now, and I think it is time to address it. We often hear preachers, pastors, apostles, and leaders in general speak about their haters. The people are talking about them, coming against them, or whatever the case may be.
Have they forgotten what Jesus told the disciples in John 15:18 - 21
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.”
Therefore, I would like to ask you, are we greater than Jesus? You are not supposed to be liked by them. You are supposed to be hated by them. You should not expect them to agree with you. Why? Due to the fact that you oppose sin.
Sinners can be divided into two types. Those who wish to be delivered. As they hear, and receive the message of God, they are compelled to repent of their sins. Then there are those who claim that they are talking about me, they are picking on me, they are judging me. Why? Because they are not ready to come out of sin. They are comfortable with the way they’re living, so they will not accept the word of the Lord.
Yet, that is not the thing that bothers me the most. It bothers me when I see preachers reacting in a way that is not of God. A few years ago, there was a pastor/prophetess who was the target of attacks. Her enemies accused her of prophesying lies and attacking her openly. She said that witches and warlocks were sending spirits to attack her. That could have very well been true, but the issue I had was when she sent those spirits back. She prayed and wished death on those who came against her. Yes I know that the Bible says suffer not a witch to live but at that time sin was to be dealt with accordingly. Sending those spirits back is a form of witchcraft. There is a difference between rebuking spirits and sending them back to the pit of hell. When you are sending spirits to people that is witchcraft.
There was another incident that happened with another pastor/prophetess that people had been coming against. Laughing at her and picking at her. Her response was that God was going to get them. He was going to get their husband, children, and grandchildren. Again I ask are we greater than Jesus? When Jesus had been falsely accused, sentenced to death, beaten, scorned, spit on, and nailed to the cross. He still had compassion in Luke 23 verse 24. Jesus said Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.
In Matthew 5:46 Jesus told the disciples
“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?”
So, what is Jesus saying? Even sinners do the same. As a child of God, we are supposed to love unconditionally, but I have often found that sinners show more love and compassion, which is sad to say.
Jesus is the example of what we are supposed to follow and how we are supposed to govern ourselves. I am a firm believer that God will fight our battles if we act accordingly. Let’s bring back love and compassion for our fellow man. If God looked at us the way we look at others, none of us would be fit for redemption. Let’s reevaluate ourselves and ask yourself the question: are you greater than Jesus?