MATTHEW 23:3
“FOR THEY PREACH, BUT NOT PRACTICE. THEY TIE UP HEAVY BURDENS, HARD TO BEAR, AND LAY THEM ON PEOPLE’S SHOULDERS, BUT THEY THEMSELVES ARE NOT WILLING TO MOVE THEM WITH THEIR FINGER..”
A pastor friend visited my church 2 years ago and after listening and watching my ministration gave me a proposal.
He is doing well as a preacher, but has never preached in my church. I am very careful who mounts my pulpit, especially considering the betrayals I went through. My friend was surprised that, after all the popularity and the number of people in my church, I am still renting both my place of worship and my accommodation. He proposed to get me some people to sponsor my ministry, at a percentage, the income will be shared on 50 50 basis because according to him, I don’t deserve to be “struggling” in ministry, and I must not be “poor”. (I am rich in Christ, I am not poor)
Immediately I knew I am in for a manipulator. My level 100 Psychology course at the university as a student of (Religion and Psychology) teaches me that; “manipulation is a type of social influence that aims to change the behaviour or perception of others through indirect, deceptive or interchanged tactics, by advancing the interest of the manipulator, often at another expense”. Manipulative people have mastered the art of deception, they appear respectful, sincere, honest, well dressed, but that’s just facade. Those traits are just to draw you in, and ensnare you in a relationship before they show you their true colours. We have them in the church (pastors and Prophets) politics, business, marriage, academia etc.
In recent times however, the most dominant ones are our politicians, pastors and businessmen. Manipulative people usually play the victim card, making you seem to be the one who caused the problem which they began, but will never take responsibility. Spiritual manipulation is a technique used by some preachers and intelligent church members to abuse churches and church members as a cult to control individuals and some genuine men of God to control them and acquire gain, wealth or popularity, while giving the impression that their teachings, actions and doctrines are based on the Bible and approved by God. They will usually twist scriptures, instill fear and keep people under their control. Many people are misled to place blind loyalty to such people. If it is politics or business, these blind loyalists don’t care who you are and what you have achieved. They will usually descend on people who have divergent views with unprintable words and insults, because they don’t even know they are being manipulated. Listen to the radio phone-in segments, watch TV and read the comments below, go to social media and read the comments and reactions by blind loyalists who are being manipulated. They take mosaic positions and any other person with a contrary view is an enemy, a foe or ignorant.
“An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets (leaders, captains of industry, experts etc, emphasis mine) prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction, my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes? (Jeremiah 5:30-31)
It is sad, when God places a responsibility on us to lead His people (circular, political or religious) and we tend to manipulate, abuse the system and take advantage of the very people we have been entrusted to lead.
To be cont…
Stay blessed always and remember to love someone and mean it.
#sociallysignificant #Lukebarson #Libertybreakfast
Rev. Prophet Luke Luki Barson is the Senior Pastor at Liberty House Christian Centre at Tema Community 25.
He has studied at the University of Ghana, the Methodist University College and the Christian Service University College.
He is currently a PhD student at the University of South Africa.
Source: BestNewsGH.com
