Somehow, I just can’t seem to let go of the Word-of-Faith church I used to go to. Even though I now go to Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (LCMS) that as I have discerned, rightly divides the word of God, I am compelled to visit Living Water Ministries Inc. of Vero Beach, FL. Today, I came away from LWM feeling as if God was being mocked. I stayed for about an hour and twenty minutes and only one verse was read from the Bible (1 Corinthians 13:1-3), and that was taken out of context, not understanding that these verses are an exaggeration to show that without the greatest gift, love, all else is futile. (see also Henry’s Complete Commentary)

Of course, the totally unscriptural praise and worship music was way too loud, vibrating my very bones. I read Scripture during this time as not to be drawn into the mezmorizing effects of the repetitive rock music. After several songs, Rick McDanial, the associate pastor went into a flurry of pseudo-wisdom from his mind, not the word of God. In general, this opening talk was whipping people up, saying that, “we’re getting loose.”

Galations 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance(self control): …

On numerous times today, various people spoke as if they were speaking of God in the first person! Not Scripture, but again, words from thier own mind and feelings. At one point, the pastor, Irwin McDanial, said, “I feel a breakthrough coming”, which I seem to remember as a quote from a known heretic of the WOF movement, Rod Parsley. There was no Scripture, no Biblical reason, just another ‘feeling.’ There was the usual vague references beginning with, “the Bible says”, “God said”, or something similar with absolutely no Scriptural references. How can anyone really learn the true word of God from this? Where is the Biblical survey, teaching of the WORD OF GOD? I do not know what to do…

Another charasmatic, aberrant phenomenon is the speaking in tongue, if you can rightly call it that.

Tongues: gr: glōssa (also Strong’s 1100)

Thayer Greek Definition:

• 1) the tongue, a member of the body, an organ of speech
• 2) a tongue
  • 1a) the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations

When tongues broke out today, it was the usual babbling, and not a known language as the Bible teaches. There were many doing so, men and women (who should be silent in church) and no interpretation which is also unbiblical. At one time the pastor even interpreted his own tongue. Now, who exactly is edified?

1 Corinthians 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

How to Recognize a False Teacher

The gospel is defined as the good news concerning Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). As nice as they sound, the statements “God loves you,” “God wants us to feed the hungry,” and “God wants you to be wealthy” are NOT the complete message of the gospel. As Paul warns in Galatians 1:7, “There be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” No one, not even a great preacher, has the right to change the message that God gave us. “If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:9). (GotQuestions.org)

Why Name the Names of False Teachers

Paul saw no problem specifically exposing people in his day. In 2 Timothy 4:14 Paul names Alexander the coppersmith. He not only gives his name and gives the trade he was in, but prays that God would judge him for what he did!

2 Timothy 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

In 1 Timothy 1:18-20 Paul names Hymenaeus and Alexander. In 2 Timothy 1:15 Paul names Phygellus and Hermogenes. In 2 Timothy 2:17-19 Paul names Hymenaeus and Phyletus. In 2 Timothy 3:8 Paul names Jannes and Jambres; although they were dead, he still names them. In 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul names Demas, mentions that he had forsaken him, and notes how he “loved this present world” pointing out that the man was hell bound (1 John 2:15). In Galatians 2:11-21 Paul even publicly confronts Peter, who was not a false teacher, and calls him to account for his hypocrisy.

Christians are told to “note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” (Romans 16:17) Paul practiced what he preached.