Finally, Joyce Meyer realized that the prosperity gospel is not only a theological aberration, but it rudely condemns God’s most faithful disciples, just by virtue of their suffering.
An article in Faithwire revealed the good news of Joyce Meyer’s transformation, “Evangelist Joyce Meyer recently admitted that in the past, her views on the “prosperity Gospel” were “out of balance.”
Meyer, who has received much criticism for her preaching on the prosperity Gospel, shared with her Instagram followers the dangers in taking such theology too close to heart.
“I’m glad for what I learned about prosperity, but it got out of balance,” the well-known Christian author and speaker said. “I’m glad for what I’ve learned about faith, but it got out of balance.”
Meyer noted that this sort of theology led her to believe that the reason others experienced calamities was due to a lack of faith.
“Every time somebody had a problem in their life, [I thought] it’s because they didn’t have enough faith. If you got sick it’s because you don’t have enough faith. If your child died, it’s because you don’t have enough faith,” Meyer said.
She explained that she has since learned that faith doesn’t ensure that everything will be perfect, but rather it means simply putting your trust in God in all things.
“Faith is something God gives you that you need to use and release in your life. It’s a powerful force but it’s not just an automatic, you put your trust in God, you put your faith in Him,” Meyer added.
Meyer’s announcement came as a surprise to some, as she has been a major proponent of the prosperity Gospel in the past.”1
Joyce Meyer, in her 8th January 2019 video on Instagram, said, “Faith is something God gives you that you need to use and release in your life. It’s a powerful force, but it’s not just an automatic. You put your trust in God. You put your faith in HIM. I’m glad for what I learned about prosperity, but it got out of balance. I’m glad for what I learned out of faith, but it got out of balance. And so every time somebody had a problem in their life was ‘cause they didn’t have enough faith. If you got sick, you didn’t have enough faith. If your child died, you didn’t have enough faith. Well, that’s not right. You can’t – there’s nowhere in the Bible where we’re promised that we’ll never have any trouble. I don’t care how much faith you’ve got, you’re not gonna avoid ever having trouble in your life. Jesus said, “In the world there will be tribulation. Cheer up, I have overcome the world.”2
This is the same Joyce Meyer, who audaciously said that Christ might have owned an airplane, had HE been living now.3
But by the grace of God, Joyce Meyer has now understood the truth behind prosperity. Now, we believe, that her ministry would effect a change in the hearts and minds of those who have fallen for the deceptiveness of the prosperity gospel.
The deceptiveness of the prosperity gospel was emphasized by Pastor John Piper, “In a video for his ministry, Desiring God, Piper argues that a huge component of the prosperity Gospel is wealth.
He points out that Paul talks about the dangers of money in 1 Timothy 6:6-10:
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
“In other words, the very thing that leads people to suicidal piercings of pain is nurtured and cultivated by the prosperity preachers,” he notes. “They are encouraging that this suicidal behavior happens. That is abominable.”
“It’s because riches are such dangerous things. They’re not a blessing usually, they’re usually a curse. People are cursed with riches; they’re destroyed by riches,” Piper added.
He goes on to point out that “it’s not sinful to make a lot of money, but sinful to keep a lot of money.”4
Prosperity Gospel is indeed deceptive.
But just as Joyce Meyer realized before it’s too late, let’s hope and pray that the bulldogs of the prosperity gospel – the Joel Osteens and the T.D Jakes’ of this world – and their believers, understand the deceptiveness of the prosperity gospel and preach Christ-crucified, for Christ did not come to make poor people rich, HE came to make dead people live (spiritually).
Endnotes:
1https://www.faithwire.com/2019/01/14/joyce-meyer-takes-a-jab-at-the-prosperity-gospel-denounces-her-past-beliefs-in-it/
2https://www.instagram.com/p/BsWuTxmjS_y/?utm_source=ig_embed
3https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/joyce-meyer-transparent-evangelist/story?id=10355887
4https://www.faithwire.com/2019/01/14/joyce-meyer-takes-a-jab-at-the-prosperity-gospel-denounces-her-past-beliefs-in-it/
Websites last accessed on 17th January 2019.
1 comment:
A very important conclusion that can be drawn is to never blindly follow theology of any kind. Since the teacher is also learner we need to be cautious of being "out of balance". She had the opportunity to realize this and correct herself - however many of victims of such theology may not.
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