Marks of a False Profession

Subtitle: I'm teaching, preaching and saying what God told me to say, “Why aren't they changing?”

This article is based on the book of James.

The scriptural references are: James 1:23-27, James 2:12-20, 26, James 3, James 5:12-20, James 1:8

Have you ever wondered why some people can sit in rich teaching and preaching environments and year after year they remain the same. They always seem to struggle with something different. The truth is, it's the same thing. What is it? I propose to you this day they have a false profession of Jesus Christ.

Before I share the marks of false profession with you, I pray you ask God to show YOU as well as others who you lead in some way.

Here are the marks of a false profession:

Mark #1 – They can't remember

Those you teach and preach to on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis can't remember half of the anointed God-inspired messages they have heard. Truly, they mishandle the Word of God and are careless in appropriating it in their life.

Solution: Do the Word! Suggest to those you teach to go back over what was taught or preached and ask Holy Spirit to help them apply it each and every day of their life.

Mark #2 – Unbridled tongue

They hold leadership positions, are ordained, credentialed (i.e., MDiv, MTh, etc.), speak in some spiritual tongue, but they can't control their natural tongue. By the way, did you know that one of the reasons God choose to give us the gift of speaking in tongues is to demonstrate that those who have been baptized in His Spirit have given their tongue over to the control of Holy Spirit?

Solution: Leader, be subject to the law and not only a judge of it. One thing that bugs me about Christian leaders is that they somehow forget this word (e.g., God's law) is to be feared, reverenced, and obeyed by them. Go figure . . .

Mark #3 – Respecter of persons

Oh, now don't get me started. Don't you just hate that Phariscal leadership approach of “honor?” Yes, the Bible does say we should bestow honor on those who honor is due. My question becomes,” Can we do it without turning them into a full-blown idol?” Can we do it without the expense of our family suffering (i.e., bill money being used to “honor” a lifestyle your leader is trying to uphold)?

What amazes me about Mark #3 is that a false professor never seems to see or meet the needs of the truly poor. As a matter of fact, they despise the poor. So, then what are the real motives for honoring . . . a position, a title, your ministry papers—ordination, to sit in the chief seats in the pulpit displaying your own idol of self-recognition . . . what?

Solution: Read this issue of Gem News as God candidly shares who we should be counting on.

Mark #4 – Half obedience

I will never forget it. The Lord told me one day, “Karen, half obedience equals not obeying Me at all.” False profession can't stand in the truth, but can quote it all day and night. God and I want to know, “When are you going to stand and flat-footedly obey and keep the entire counsel of God?” By the way, some of His counsel some of the time does not count!

So far we have been talking about keeping the logos word. How about the things He personally tells you to do? Do you partially obey them as well? I believe so. For truly the way you do anything is the way you do everything.

Solution: Obey God fully, period.

Mark #5 – Can't catch or cast a prayer on a wave!

False professors believe God one day and the next day they will call you on the phone because they are distraught and hopeless. They say things like, “I'm really being blessed by God in my prayer time. As a matter of fact, I'm praying more than I ever have. He's showing me great and mighty things . . . awesome things truth be told.” But, (“You knew the ‘but' was coming, right?”), my prayers are not being answered.

Now, this is an interesting situation that requires keen discernment. On the surface, the professing leader appears to be living a life of prayer, intimacy, devotion, right? But inwardly they don't believe anything God is saying. They waver back and forth like a wave of the sea being driven back and forth by the wind. He is like one with two minds. With one mind, God is moving on their behalf and moving mightily. With the other mind, they are hesitant, doubtful, and irresolute that He is doing anything for/through them at all.

Remember, unbelievers will not inherit the Kingdom of God . Most often when we hear this, we immediately think those of who don't believe in Christ as Savior. How about those in Christ that don't believe? Unbelief is unbelief.

The phrase can't catch or cast a prayer on a wave is coined because the man who is double-minded will not receive anything they are asking or anything God is giving. They can't cast a faith-filled prayernor can they catch one you cast upon the water either. Oh, false professing, faithless generation, brood of vipers trying to suck out the faith of my true ones.

Solution: I admonish you to limit the access and time these people have to and with you leaders of the Most High God. If you find yourself with Mark #5, the solution is to ask God to help you trust, believe, and receive even if it means your life. Because it really does.

Mark #6 – I know, I know.

Have you ever watched a parent try to help a child do something, and the child bellow at the top of their lungs, “I know how to do it.” This is how many with false religion are. They intellectually know everything. Honestly, they are the expert of facts, stats, and all that, but yet they remain unchanged and shallow in Godly character by all they know.

Closing Words:

I hear some territorial spirits saying, “God's Coach/Karen, you have gone too far now. Who are you to judge?” So we deal with those spirits of accusation and the accuser of the brethren by saying, “It is the word of God that judges.”

Remember, this entire article is based on the book of James which clearly delineates true religion/true profession from false religion/false profession. The word also tells us we will know what is what and who is who by doing a fruit inspection – Karen's paraphrased version, but you get the picture. Jesus said, “We will know them by their fruit or lack thereof.” So, this article is highlighting and bringing to your attention apparent fruit that is already there.

The church has to get beyond the sheepish way we deal with the “false.” It exists amongst us so let's deal with it, call a spade a spade, and boldly confront it when we see it in ourselves and in those we lead, and even in other leaders.

I love you enough to say the tough things and to tell you the truth. Thank you for allowing God to sharpen you and make you into the leader God intends. I pray this series shakes you, wakes you, and causes you to look carefully at the fruit in your life. Is it real or plastic fruit?

Surely,

Karen M. Pina

GOD's Coach

©2009 All Rights Reserved. This article may be reprinted and copied in full without special permission, provided it is used for non-profit purposes and full attribution, copyright notice, and About The Author information remain intact. Send a courtesy e-mail to kpina@godscoach.com and let us know where the article will appear. For all other purposes, please contact Gifts Ordained by Direction, PO Box 110022, Trumbull , CT 06611 , www.godscoach.com.

BIO

International coach trainer, author, leadership coach, and minister, Karen M. Pina has been creatively writing for over 15 years. Karen's business, personal, and leadership development articles are featured in various online publications, newspapers, and magazines. She is the author of the well received "Leadership FITness - Experiencing Fullness In the Temple" and "Is it the job, the boss, you. . . or are you an entrepreneur?"

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