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When Preaching Hurts More Than It Helps

8. When we put heavy burdens upon people that don’t emanate from God.

Jesus criticized the Pharisees and religious leaders of His day for putting burdens upon the people while not being willing to help lift them off (Matthew 23).

It is much easier to preach strong messages on the need for prayer, holiness, biblical stewardship and evangelism than it is to be practical and help process believers into wholeness through biblical discipleship.

Whenever preachers proclaim a truth without explaining the truth and enabling the congregation to have options that can empower them to be disciples, then we could put more guilt than freedom upon the saints!

It is far more effective to have things in place for effective discipleship like small groups, Bible studies, mentorship, prayer meetings and retreats. This way, when people are motivated to obey our teachings, there are people in place that will help them walk out these areas of their lives.

9. When we flippantly say “God said.”

Preachers that flippantly use the phrase “thus says the Lord” to get the church and/or leaders of the church to obey them can do great harm!

The challenge comes when the thing we say God told us about does not come to pass, and we leave the church and/or God up for ridicule and we confuse new believers.

I have known preachers that have used “God spoke to me” to manipulate their congregations to get them motivated for a project or to believe for a building—and it never happens the way the preacher said. Either the preacher lied, was deceived by his own desires or God is confused and can’t make up His mind (I opt for the first two!). This causes great chaos in the minds of those who trusted those leaders!

I have learned to rarely say “God told me.” I always preface it by saying, “I believe the Lord is impressing upon my heart.”

I have learned to test the impressions of my heart by praying with my wife, as well as getting a consensus from all my key leaders, before we come out in public and say the Lord is leading us to do a big project or change direction or follow a particular vision.

The Book of Jeremiah is filled with examples of God saying He is going to judge the so-called prophets who prophesied from their own minds things that did not come from the mouth of the Lord!