As I reflect on the state of our world, I am compelled to speak out against the hypocrisy that has taken hold of many churches. If the church was truly following the teachings of God, we would not see the rampant immorality, corruption, rape, indiscipline, murder, and other sins that plague our communities. The Bible warns us about the dangers of hypocrisy, saying, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces" (Matthew 23:13). Instead of standing up for truth and righteousness, many churches have become institutions of hypocrisy. They preach one thing but practice another. They call evil good and good evil. They prioritise worldly gains over spiritual growth. They exploit their followers for financial gain, using unscriptural rituals and practices that are not backed by the Bible. Jesus condemned such practices, saying, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness" (Matthew 23:23).
Many churches emphasise tithing, but neglect the important matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. They demand financial sacrifices from their followers, often without regard for the well-being of the poor and vulnerable. Jesus taught us to prioritise justice and mercy, saying, "What I want is mercy, not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6).
Some churches claim to perform miracles, but these claims often lack authenticity. They use fake miracles to exploit their followers, taking advantage of their faith and vulnerability. The Bible warns us about such practices, saying, "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie" (2 Thessalonians 2:9). While we have freedom of worship, this freedom should not be used to violate spiritual initiatives or exploit people's faith. Some practices in the name of worship violate basic human rights and sanity. We must be mindful of the impact of our actions on others and ensure that we are not exploiting or harming those around us.
Different belief systems have led to division and strife within the body of Christ. God is one, and He calls us to be united and work towards the betterment of our society. Jesus prayed for unity among believers, saying, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me" (John 17:23).
Some churches have contributed to the breakdown of marriages and families. Jesus taught us about the importance of love and commitment in marriage, saying, "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Mark 12:31). We must prioritise love, kindness, and compassion in our relationships.
As a steward of the divine word, I Pastor Marwenze call people to worship in Spirit and Truth, as Jesus said, "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). We must prioritise authenticity and sincerity in our worship, rather than focusing on external rituals and practices for every one of us will be judged for our actions, as the Bible says, "For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Let us strive to live according to God's word, prioritising justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
In conclusion, I say to you that the church must return to its roots. It must prioritise spiritual growth over worldly gains. It must call sin by its name and stand up for truth and righteousness. As for me, I will continue to preach the true gospel, without compromise or hypocrisy. Join me in this mission, and together, let us seek the true solution to our problems in God alone, amen.
- GRDC in corruption allegations
- Divine insight: Secrets about prophetic timelines
- Grace tidings: Do you understand what it means to be holy?
- Katai fails to make the cut but …
