All posts by : Bible Call

Starting this week, I shall embark on a series titled “Rethinking Tithing.” Through this series, we will explore the historical and biblical references related to tithing and examine different interpretations of its relevance in New Testament Christianity.

This being a very wide topic, I will have to break it down into weekly segments. Each segment will focus on a specific facet of tithing and provide in-depth analysis and examples. By the end of the series, you will have a comprehensive understanding of tithing.

I’ll start this week by laying a foundation. I’ll define the terms tithing, testament, and Mosaic Law. This foundation is important in understanding other aspects of the topic that we shall discuss in the coming weeks. It is therefore crucial to have a proper foundation in order to get the right picture.

What is tithing?

Tithing can be defined as the practice of giving the church a tenth of one’s income for the purpose of supporting its work and mission. Tithing is seen as a way Christians demonstrate their faith and devotion to God.

The practice of tithing has its origins in the Old Testament Law. Tithes came in a variety of forms: first, the Levites received a tenth of the Israelites’ crop harvest and animals (Numbers 18:24). In turn, these Levites gave the priests who worked in the temple a tenth of what was given to them (Numbers 18:25–29).

Understanding testaments

A reader of the Bible will notice that the book is divided into two parts named Testaments. The word testament,” as used in the Bible, refers to a covenant, an agreement between two people, or a dispensation that we might think of as a significant period in which God engaged in specific ways with humanity.

The Old Testament is composed of 39 books and focuses on the history of the Jewish people, while the New Testament contains 27 books and centres around the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

A covenant is exclusive by its very nature, as it defines the terms of specific agreements between God and an individual or individuals. Outsiders who are not parties to the agreement do not have any legal right to claim the benefits or protections established by the covenant.

Understanding the Old Testament

It is important to understand that the Old Testament, or Covenant, was contracted between God and the Jewish people to the exclusion of Gentiles. The term Gentile is used in Jewish and Christian contexts to refer to non-Jews.

The Old Testament Covenant is classified by historians as a Suzerain-Vassal Covenant. This is a covenant where a superior party, in this case, God, promises to rule as a suzerain (king), and the inferior party, Israel, is regarded as the superior’s vassal. In accordance with this covenant, God served as Israel’s protector, provider, and leader throughout the Old Testament. This covenant was a conditional covenant that required obedience from Israel in exchange for God’s blessings and protection.

The actual enactment of the Old Testament or Covenant between God and the Jewish people is recorded in Exodus 19–24, and the Pentateuch books of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy shed more light on the terms of this covenant. The location where the old covenant was executed was Mount Sinai (also known as Mount Horeb) after God had led them out of Egyptian slavery.

“Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, ‘This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel:  You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.  Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Exodus 19:3-6 (NIV).

Keeping in mind that a covenant is strictly between two parties, we understand that under the old covenant, the parties involved were God and the nation of Israel. This old covenant DOES NOT give a nod to non-Jews, that is to say, Gentiles were not included in it. The following verses show the Gentiles were given the brush-off as far as the old covenant was concerned:

“These are the commands the LORD gave Moses at Mount Sinai FOR THE ISRAELITES” –  Leviticus 27:34 (NIV).

“It will not be like the covenant I MADE WITH THEIR [JEWISH] ANCESTORS when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord” – Hebrews 8:9 (NIV).

“The LORD our God made a covenant WITH US [JEWS] at Horeb. It was not with our ancestors that the LORD made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today” – Deuteronomy 5:2-3 (NIV).

 “These are the terms of the covenant the LORD commanded Moses to MAKE WITH THE ISRAELITES in Moab, in addition to the covenant he had made with them at Horeb” – Deuteronomy 29:1 (NIV).

“Listen to the terms of this covenant and tell them to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem. Tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Cursed is the one who does not obey the terms of this covenant— the terms I commanded YOUR ANCESTORS [JEWS] when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace. I said, Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God. Then I will fulfill the oath I swore to YOUR [JEWISH] ANCESTORS, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey — the land you possess today.’ I answered, ‘Amen, LORD.’ The LORD said to me, ‘Proclaim all these words in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem: Listen to the terms of this covenant and follow them. From the time I brought YOUR [JEWISH] ANCESTORS up from Egypt until today, I warned them again and again, saying, Obey me. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts. So I brought on them all the curses of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep.” – Jeremiah 11:2-8 (NIV).

In Jesus’ mind, the Mount Sinai Covenant was a factual agreement between God and the Jewish people. We see this in the Gospel story where a Canaanite woman, a Gentile, approached Jesus with the request for Him to heal her demonized daughter in Matthew 15:21–28. Jesus’ response to her was, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs” Matthew 15:26 (NIV). The children referred to here are the Jewish people, and the bread is the Sinai Covenant in which God promised to bless the Jews if they kept the terms and conditions of the covenant. Dead certain, dogs here refer to the Gentiles.

Paul also makes mention of this alienation of Gentiles from the Old Covenant: “Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands) — remember that at that time YOU WERE SEPARATE FROM CHRIST, EXCLUDED FROM CITIZENSHIP IN ISRAEL AND FOREIGNERS TO THE COVENANTS OF THE PROMISE, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ” – Ephesians 2:11-13 (NIV).

The Mosaic Law

The Sinai Covenant contains the Mosaic Law. This Law contains 613 commandments and regulations that governed all aspects of Jewish life, including religious practices, social interactions, and dietary restrictions.

Tithing is part and parcel of the Mosaic Law. As noted above, the Mosaic Law was specific to the Israelites, and it was fulfilled and superseded by the coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the new covenant. The requirement to tithe is not explicitly stated in the New Testament, nor does it contain any direct commandment to tithe. Instead, it emphasizes the principles of generosity, sacrificial giving, and supporting those in need.

Understanding the New Testament

The New Testament contains teachings and stories about Jesus Christ and his life, death, and resurrection. It is considered the foundation of Christianity and is composed of 27 books written by various authors.

Non-Jews (Gentiles) cannot claim the benefits of the old covenant, nor can they be held to its laws and commandments. In the New Testament, Jesus established a new covenant with his followers that extended to all nations and peoples. This covenant was based on faith in Jesus rather than adherence to the laws and commandments of the old covenant. As such, non-Jews who follow Jesus are not bound by the old covenant but are instead part of the new covenant established through his death and resurrection which also incorporates both Jews and Gentiles.

There are four things to note about the New Testament or covenant:

1. The new covenant extends to the Gentiles

Speaking of the Messiah (Jesus) God says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” – Isaiah 49:6 (NIV).

The Apostles Paul and Barnabas testified of this inclusion of Gentiles in this New Covenant: “From Attalia they [Paul and Barnabas] sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples” –  Acts 14:26-28 (NIV).

Paul also said: “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” – Acts 28:28 (NIV).

2. The new covenant does not include the civil and ceremonial aspects of the Old Testament

The Mosaic Law has three categories: civil, ceremonial, and moral rules. The old covenant’s moral principles are explicitly upheld by the new covenant, but its ceremonial and civil regulations are no longer in force.

“First he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them’ —though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he [Jesus] said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.’ He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” – Hebrews 10:8-10 (NIV).

“This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings —external regulations applying until the time of the new order” – Hebrews 9:9-10 (NIV).

Under the new covenant, Jesus accomplished our righteousness “by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations” – Ephesians 2:15 (NIV). The commands and regulations mentioned here include the requirement to tithe.

After Pentecost, the early church’s writings do not breathe a single word about tithing. Instead, what we observe is the gradual drifting away from the temple by the early Christians as we advance through the book of Acts (Acts 2:44–45). In Acts 4:34–37, the early Christians sold their properties and brought the proceeds to the Apostles to be distributed to those in need among them. The end result was that “there were no needy persons among them” – Acts 4:34 (NIV). There was no tithing practiced, and the proceeds from the sales were to specifically benefit the poor among the believers and not church leaders.

3. The new covenant is better and superior to the old covenant

“But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: ‘The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them,’ declares the Lord” – Hebrews 8:6-9 (NIV).

4. The new covenant has only one requirement

As we have noted above, the old covenant had 613 laws. Israel’s receipt of God’s blessings hinged on their adherence to these laws. The fulfillment of these laws demonstrated Israel’s fidelity and trust in God, whereas disobedience threatened to erode their relationship with Him and consequently the blessings that came with it. In essence, God’s blessings were not automatic but were mediated by Israel’s obedience to the old covenant’s laws.

The new covenant has only one requirement: belief in Jesus. This requirement is based on the idea that Jesus’ death and resurrection provided salvation for humanity; something that the old covenant was unable to do. What we are to believe is that Jesus’ one-time sacrifice on the cross was enough to settle our debt of sin and reconcile us to God, giving us right standing with Him. We do not need to add the old covenant laws or our own works and efforts to earn God’s favour. The sacrifice of Jesus is sufficient, as the writer of Hebrews explains: “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” – Hebrews 10:10 (NIV). Tithing was part of Jewish law, and Christians are called to have faith in Jesus and not rely on legal observances such as tithing to dictate their blessings.

The following verses show that all one needs to do in this new covenant is to believe in Jesus.

“After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’ – Mark 1:14-15 (NIV).

“He [Jesus] came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe” –  John 1:7 (NIV).

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” –  John 3:18 (NIV).

“Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent’” – John 6:29 (NIV).

“I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I [Jesus] am he, you will indeed die in your sins” – John 8:24 (NIV).

“They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved —you and your household’” –  Acts 16:31 (NIV).

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” – Romans 3:22 (NIV).

Understanding giving

Giving in the New Testament is always mentioned in relation to the poor and traveling missionaries. There are numerous examples of Jesus and the early church prioritizing the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable in their giving. In Matthew 25:35–40, Jesus teaches that caring for the needy is equivalent to caring for Him: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” The early church in Acts also prioritized giving to the poor with believers selling their possessions and sharing their resources to ensure that no one was in need. In Galatians 2:10, Paul writes that the early church leaders urged him to “remember the poor,” which he adds he was eager to do. The New Testament emphasizes the importance of giving generously and sacrificially to the down and out as a tangible expression of God’s love and care.

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” Quite the opposite, churches today never encourage giving to the poor. Much weight is placed on tithing and giving to the rich church. Churches focus primarily on their own needs and programs rather than on the needs of those inside and outside their walls.

What do we make of all this?

From what we’ve observed so far, we can extrapolate the following:

One, teaching that Christians are required to tithe to earn God’s favour is incorrect because the new covenant is founded on the belief that Jesus’ shed blood has met all the requirements for our righteousness before God. Tithing is not a prerequisite for salvation, righteousness, or receiving God’s favour. Therefore, it’s necessary to cut loose misleading and harmful beliefs that suggest non-tithers are lacking in righteousness or are unsaved. Teaching believers that they must tithe is not in line with the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a departure from the message of salvation through faith in Him alone.

The church in Galatia fell prey to such a false gospel. Paul notes that they were “observing special days and months and seasons and years” as required under the old covenant. He further tells the Galatian church, “I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you” – Galatians 4:10-11 (NIV). Listen to the strong language that Paul uses to address the church: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” – Galatians 1:6-9 (NIV). The gospel that teaches tithing as a means of receiving God’s favour is a perverted gospel; one that is really no gospel at all.

Two, giving tithes to a pastor shows one’s ignorance of Biblical teachings on the tithe. God designated the Levites as the sole receivers of the tithe. “Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD” – Numbers 18:24 (NIV). No other group in Israel, including kings and prophets, received tithes. The Levites were a tribe in Israel designated for the priesthood. Pastors are not Levites. The majority of them are not Jews. Pastors do not serve in the temple in Jerusalem under the old covenant. Pastors are spiritual leaders in Christian communities who serve as ministers under the new covenant. This covenant, established through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, replaced the old Mosaic covenant and emphasizes grace, forgiveness, and salvation through faith in Jesus.

Three, we need to reiterate that the promise of material wealth was made exclusively to Jewish tithers under the old covenant. Under the new covenant, which is based on faith in Jesus Christ, material wealth is not promised to those who practice tithing. Instead, believers are encouraged to “work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need” – Ephesians 4:28 (NIV). Non-Jews giving 10% of their income and believing that God will reward them similar to how He rewarded the Israelites is a barrel of laughs. And the ones doing the laughing are pastors on their way to the bank!

Conclusion

Tithing is a cumbersome burden for many Christians, especially those who are struggling financially. Giving 10% of one’s income can be a significant financial sacrifice, and for those who are already struggling to make ends meet, it can feel like an impossible task. Additionally, some people may feel pressured or guilted into tithing by their church or religious community which can create further stress and resentment.

More tragically, tithing is a work of the Law that separates the believer from the saving grace of Christ. The Bible teaches that salvation is a free gift of God’s grace that cannot be earned or merited through good works or obedience to the Law. Tithing, while being a noble act of giving, is ultimately a work of the Law and cannot earn a person favour with God or secure their salvation under the new covenant. The Apostle Paul warned believers against turning to the Mosaic Law and urged them to rely on the grace of Christ for their salvation. In Galatians 5:4, he wrote, “You who are trying to be justified by the Law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace” (NIV).

While giving generously and sacrificially is an important aspect of the Christian life, it should be done out of gratitude and love for God, rather than as a means of earning favour or salvation. This does not mean that Christians should completely disregard the Old Testament, as it still provides important historical and theological context for the faith. But, as a Christian, you should believe in the grace and forgiveness offered through faith in Jesus, rather than the legalistic requirements of the Old Testament.

Christians who believe that they can “decree and declare” things into existence argue that since God made us in His image, we have the same power as God to speak things into existence. Making declarations over one’s life is a ruse to manipulate God and force Him to do what the individual desires. 

In last week’s blog, I discussed the erroneous Christian practice of “decreeing and declaring.” This week, I shall list some of the verses that subscribers to this heresy use to defend their doctrine. I have to say that this list is not exhaustive. I especially want the reader to observe the trick that heretics use to defend their position with Scripture: they take a single verse out of its context. Hence, the way to evade this type of heresy is for us to be what I call “contextual readers.”

Matthew 16:19 (NIV): “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

This sentence actually appears in two places in the Gospel of Matthew: in Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18. In both places, to better understand the meaning, the contextual reader will seek to find out the meaning of the “keys” as spelt out by the context.

In the Matthew 16:19 case, the contextual reader will start reading from verse 13. The text deals with the theme of evangelism. Hence, the “keys” in this context should be understood to be the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is only the Gospel that acts like a key that opens the doors of the Kingdom to sinful man. Adhering to the Gospel’s redemptive message, we have the authority to declare someone fit for heaven or hell based on their response to the Gospel. So we understand that, through the Gospel, we have the authority to “bind” unrepentant man for God’s judgment and also to “loose” repentant man from God’s wrath. The Amplified Version best captures this perception: “I will give you the keys (authority) of the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.” Notice that, in this translation, whatever we are “binding” and “loosing” on earth is a manifestation of what God has already “bound” and “loosed” in heaven. We have no authority to “bind” and “loose” individuals apart from the constraints provided by the message of the Gospel. It is on this note that Jesus gave these instructions to His followers whenever they went out to evangelize: “If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them” (Luke 9:5). By so doing, His disciples would have symbolically “bound” the rejecters of the Gospel to eternal damnation.

This phrase “binding and loosing” appears in Matthew 18:18 as well. The contextual reader will start his or her reading from verse 15 and will understand the theme of the text to be church discipline. In this text, Jesus paints a scenario where a church member has erred and refuses all stages of admonition, which are: stage 1, a church member admonishes the offender; stage 2, the church member plus two or three other church members admonish the offender; and stage 3, the entire church admonishes the offender. Jesus explains that should such an offender reject the three stages of admonition, the church is to eject the offender from her midst and treat him or her as an unbeliever. The “keys” in this context are the authority given to the church within the bounds of these three stages of admonition. Depending on how an offender responds to these three stages, the church can “bind” (forbid, declare the offender to be improper and unlawful) or “loose” (permit into fellowship and declare the offender lawful).

Job 22:28 (New King James Version): “You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you….”

These words were spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job’s three friends who had visited Job to console him in the wake of tragic events that befell him and his family.

Eliphaz is the first of the companions to respond to Job’s complaints. His first speech is found in chapters 4–5. According to Eliphaz, Job was not prospering because he had done something wrong. In his discourse, Eliphaz emphasized that no life that experiences such anguish as Job’s could be remotely innocent. Another address of his is found in Job 22, where he once again charges Job with major misconduct: “Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless?” (Job 22:5). He goes on to list all of Job’s alleged transgressions in verses 6–9. Eliphaz believed that God would never allow bad things to happen to a good person. 

Eliphaz’s inferences about Job’s moral character were eventually proven to be false. Indeed, in Job 42:7, God singles out Eliphaz for special rebuke for his false doctrines: “After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, ‘I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.’” God Himself identifies Eliphaz as a false teacher with false doctrines. In verse 8, God instructs Eliphaz to sacrifice seven bulls and seven rams to atone for his sin and have Job pray for him, “and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly.” God declares Eliphaz’s doctrine, including his Job 22:28 heresy of “declaring a thing and it shall be established for you,” as folly. Unfortunately, millions of Christians worldwide subscribe to this folly by attempting to decree and declare things into existence.

Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV): “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

The book of Proverbs is a book with one-line instructions that can easily be decontextualized. The best way to study a topic in the book of Proverbs is to search out other verses in the book that touch on that particular topic. That way, the contextual reader gets a clear understanding of the verse in question. For example, Proverbs 21:14 reads: “A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath” (NIV). Reading this single verse might make someone conclude that the Bible condones bribery. The message seems to be: “If you want to prosper, then arm yourself with bribes.” But if we were to read other verses in the same book that touch on this subject, we would get a clearer picture of what that verse really means.

Proverbs 15:27 (NIV) – “The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.”

Proverbs 17:23 – “The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice” (NIV).

Proverbs 29:4 – “By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down” (NIV).

All these verses in Proverbs speak against bribery. This means that Proverbs 21:14 should be interpreted in the same light. Proverbs 21:14 simply acknowledges the fact that bribery does open locked doors and condemns the practice. 

Equally, a reading of Proverbs 18:21 will seem to support the heresy that man has the power to create reality through his words. In fact, Jesse Duplantis is quoted as saying: “I am going to say something that will knock your lights off. God has the power to take life but he can’t. He’s got the power to do it but he won’t. He’s bound, he can’t. He says death and life are in the power of whose tongue? Yours.”

It is not uncommon to hear proponents of this heresy tell a sick person: “Be careful how you speak. Death and Life is in the power of your tongue. Stand on the word of God in faith and speak life. Don’t say you’re sick! That just cancels out the prayer of healing.” But is this what the verse really says: that man can create reality with his spoken word? Let’s inspect Proverbs to see what the book in general says about the power of man’s words.

Proverbs 6:2 – “You have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth” (NIV).

Proverbs 13:2 (Holman Christian Standard Bible): “From the words of his mouth, a man will enjoy good things, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.”

Proverbs 13:3 (Amplified Bible): “The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life; The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.”

Proverbs 21:23 (Message Translation): “Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.”

Again, this has nothing to do with inventive visualization or the ability of believers to summon things from nothing. A study of these Scriptures reveals that man can only influence but not create reality. Scripture does provide us with many universal truths about how our words can either be constructive and edifying or harmful and crippling. For example, if you are called in for a job interview and end up giving incorrect answers, the words you speak will have a negative impact on your future. None of us can bring a non-entity into existence with our words. Only God has that power, as demonstrated in Genesis 1.

Conclusion

Now more than ever, it is very essential for believers to be equipped with the necessary skills for practicing discernment. The sad reality is, discernment has been redefined by contemporary Christianity as being judgmental, and, as a result, all manner of heresies has crept into the church. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 11:4 – “For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough” – (ESV).

God has given every believer the obligation to exercise discernment. As a believer, you need to understand theological truth, learn how to handle the Word correctly, and so determine whether what you are being taught is in line with God’s truth.

In the next three weeks, starting with this one, I will analyze three errors in prayer that Christians make.

I’m sure you’ve come across such a prayer among Christian circles: “I decree and declare that by the power in the name of Jesus Christ, every evil altar against my destiny is destroyed in the name of Jesus Christ!” But what Biblical mandate do we have to carry out such an exercise?

Error number one: decreeing and declaring.

• Definitions

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines a decree as “an order usually having the force of law.” A decree is therefore a legal order given by a legal authority. A decree has to be issued by someone who has the authority to do so in order for it to be considered legitimate. 

A declaration, on the other hand, is defined by the same dictionary as “the act of making something known formally, officially, or explicitly.” By definition, a declaration does not have the ability to make what you declare materialize on its own. It’s simply a statement of fact. It lacks any creative or causative power. It does not have to be issued by a legal authority, as is the case with a decree. So, going by these definitions, a declaration is not nearly as effective as a decree.

In this article, I wish to show you that while humans can declare some things as spelled out in Scripture, they do not have the power to decree. Certainly, mankind does not have the power to bring things into existence through the spoken word. Only God possesses that power.

The Bible’s view

As human beings, we can only declare the truth as espoused in Scripture. For example, in Joel 1:14, God tells the priests in Israel to “declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD” (NIV). In this passage, the priests were declaring what the Law of Moses prescribes: a sacred assembly, crying out to the Lord, etc. We have no mandate to declare things that God has not permitted. In the New Testament, after His resurrection, Jesus told His disciples to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). In other words, He was commanding them to “declare” the gospel to all people. In this context, the disciples could only declare the Gospel as defined by Jesus. No more, no less. In Jeremiah 14:14, the Lord laments about individuals who were declaring things that were not in line with Scripture: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.” Sounds familiar? Aren’t we Christians guilty of declaring “delusions of our own minds” that have no Scriptural support?

It is unbecoming for a Christian to declare that only good things will come his or her way. That is contrary to Scripture which tells us that hardships are part and parcel of a believer’s existence. Jesus Himself told His disciples: “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33, NIV). The apostle Paul told the believers he came across in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch: “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22, NIV). Subscribers to the prosperity gospel have been taught that because they are now “gods,” they can overrule the teachings of Jesus and the Apostle Paul by decreeing and declaring success, wealth, and blessings for themselves.

Only God has the power to decree. Isaiah 46:8–10 (NKJV): “Remember this, and show yourselves men; Recall to mind, O you transgressors. Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure.’”

The Prosperity Gospel

The prosperity gospel has deified man by elevating him to godlike status. According to this false gospel, Jesus died to restore you to the godlike status that man had before the fall. This lie is as old as the book of Genesis, when the serpent in the garden of Eden tricked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit, saying: “For God knows that when you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5, NIV).

One of the proponents of this error is Kenneth Copeland, who broadcasts his sermons worldwide on his Victory Channel. He is quoted as saying: “He [Adam] was not subordinate to God – Adam was walking as a god! What he said went, what he did counted; and when he bowed his knee to Satan and put Satan up above him then there wasn’t anything God could do about it because a “god” had placed Satan there. Adam, remember, was created in the god-class, but when he committed high treason he fell below the god-class.” Copeland is also quoted as saying: “Speak God’s words over your circumstances today. Speak His words in faith and watch Him move!” And also: “By getting the Word deep into your spirit and speaking it boldly out your mouth, you release spiritual power to change things in the natural circumstances.“

In his book Apostasy! Jeff Kluttz writes: “The teaching of man’s elevation to god-status is an essential element of Word of Faith systematic theology. It is from this premise that the supporters of these wicked teachers can be shaped into an understanding of the rest of the theological story. From a god-status, man is in control and can do as God did, using the force of faith to create one’s own reality and shape one’s own future. The end result, according to these teachers, puts man utterly in control of his own circumstances, being an incarnation of Christ, with authority to rule one’s own life. Man has not only become ‘like’ God, but has trumped God’s power entirely, making man fully in control of his own destiny and even the very actions of God. Satan must be very proud of these men. His original sin has come to fruition within the walls of the apostate church.”

Of course, proponents of this “decree and declare” heresy claim to have Scriptural backing for this teaching. In my next blog article next week, I shall examine some of the verses that are used to justify this false doctrine and also show you how they have been taken out of context to make them mean what they don’t mean.

A Supplicant Posture

Needless to say, all through Scripture, our Lord taught us to adopt a supplicant posture before our God. As limited creatures, we are in total dependence on an all-sufficient God to meet our needs. We do not have the power to create reality. Therefore, Jesus taught us to pray to the all-sufficient God to meet our needs. Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus indicate that we remotely have the power to decree our problems away. Take note of the following teachings from Jesus:

John 16:24 – “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (NIV).

Matthew 7:7 – ““Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (NIV).

Matthew 9:38 – “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (NIV).

John 14:14 – “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (NIV).

All through the famous Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9, Jesus never indicates that we can decree and declare reality.

We are to petition Jesus for our needs. Then Jesus, Who is God and has the legal power and standing to decree and declare, will bring about the reality we seek if our prayer is in accordance with His will. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15, NIV).

We must mature in our faith and understanding of Scripture and discard any mechanical theories regarding how prayer operates. Prayer is not magic, and God is not a cosmic robot to be ordered around with our decrees and declarations. Such practices are openly disrespectful to God. 

Temitope Balogun Joshua, commonly known as T.B. Joshua, was a prominent Nigerian televangelist, preacher, and founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). Born on June 12, 1963, in Ondo State, Nigeria, he gained international recognition for his charismatic and unconventional approach to ministry.

T.B. Joshua is widely regarded as a controversial figure within the Christian community, known for his prophetic abilities, healing services, and deliverance sessions. His ministry attracted a diverse global following, and his church, SCOAN, became a popular destination for pilgrims seeking spiritual guidance and divine intervention.

One of the distinctive features of T.B. Joshua’s ministry is Emmanuel TV, a television station through which his sermons and services were broadcast worldwide. With millions of followers on social media and a Christian TV program named Emmanuel TV, SCOAN has amassed a large global following. (In recent news, the Sub-Saharan African satellite television operator of DStv, Multichoice, based in South Africa, has stated that it will be removing Emmanuel TV from the service on January 17, 2024.)

Tens of thousands of pilgrims from Europe, the Americas, Southeast Asia, and Africa visited the church in Nigeria in the 1990s and early 2000s in order to see Joshua perform “healing miracles.” Within his Lagos property, at least 150 guests lived with him as disciples, sometimes for decades at a time.

His teachings often focused on faith, healing, and the power of prayer. Additionally, he claimed to have the ability to prophesy and foretell future events, which gained him and his ministry both admiration and skepticism. Throughout his career, T.B. Joshua was involved in various philanthropic activities, such as providing humanitarian aid, scholarships, and support to those in need.

T.B. Joshua passed away on June 5, 2021, leaving a legacy that continues to spark discussions and debates. Despite the controversies surrounding him, his impact on the lives of his followers and the global reach of his ministry cannot be denied.

BBC Documentary: The Cult of TB Joshua

The award-winning investigation team BBCAfricaEye, in a new three-part documentary series, has uncovered evidence of extensive abuse and torture committed by the founder of SCOAN. Numerous former members of the Synagogue Church of All Nations have accused the late Nigerian TB Joshua of crimes including forced abortions and rape.

Numerous eyewitnesses report Joshua’s physical abuse and torture, including incidents involving the flogging and shackling of children. Many women report that TB Joshua sexually attacked them, some of whom allege they were raped for years on end inside the compound. Following TB Joshua’s alleged rapes, there have been numerous allegations of forced abortions inside the church; one lady claims to have had five terminations. Numerous first-hand reports that were televised to millions of people worldwide explain how Joshua staged his “miracle healings.”

The Doctrine of Christ

Doctrine, in the Biblical context, refers to the systematic teachings and beliefs that shape the Christian faith. The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine, as seen in passages like 1 Timothy 4:16, where the apostle Paul urges Timothy to “watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” In general, doctrine has a great impact on both the individual believer and the Church at large.

The Apostle John writes: “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works” – 2 John 1:9-11 (ESV).

So what is the teaching (doctrine) of Christ? Apostle John explains it two verses earlier in 2 John 1:7, where he writes: “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.” The teaching of Christ centres around His coming in the flesh. This has three implications:

1. Atonement for Sin:

The Incarnation is intricately connected to the redemptive purpose of Christ’s mission. By taking on human form, Jesus was able to offer Himself as the perfect and sinless sacrifice for the atonement of humanity’s sins. Through His death on the cross, He reconciled humanity to God, bridging the gap caused by sin.

2. Mediator between God and Humanity:

Jesus, as the God-man, serves as the Mediator between God and humanity. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in 1 Timothy 2:5, where he writes, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (NIV). Through His dual nature, Jesus brings reconciliation and facilitates a restored relationship between God and humanity.

3. Victory Over Sin and Death:

The Incarnation is a crucial step in God’s plan for salvation. By taking on human flesh, Jesus lived a perfect life, defeated sin and temptation, and conquered death through His resurrection. This victory offers believers the hope of eternal life and a pathway to salvation.

TB Joshua’s Doctrine

In his teachings, TB Joshua pointed to individual effort, as opposed to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, as the means for one’s salvation. He placed the weight of moral justification squarely on the actions and choices of each person, rather than relying solely on the finished work of Christ. The following are a few quotes from TB Joshua that illustrate his erroneous doctrine. Notice how TB Joshua’s focus is on man’s capabilities rather than Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

• “I have never seen where hatred overcomes love. When you love, you overcome. Love is the most powerful weapon.”
• “When Satan wants you to cry and you laugh, you defeat him”
• “God will never allow a challenge that will surmount us; we are always greater than our challenges.”
• “When discouragement comes, don’t stop. Dig deep and fight it through!”
• “If you decide on your direction, God will give you the energy for the distance.”
• “If you don’t have a vision, you can never be focused in a direction.”
• “When everything seems to go wrong, with peace of heart, you can press on. With peace of heart, you can press on, whatever life brings.”
• “In order not to end up like the masses out there who are merely wandering and unsure of their goals and dreams, your objective must be clear. When your purpose is clear, your life will have meaning.”
• “As Christians, we say what God has said over and over until the thing promised in His Word and desired in our hearts is fully manifested in our lives.”
• “Every time you speak right, you are training yourself to think right and act right.”
• “Giving offers us the opportunity to reshape our destiny. When you give, you are reshaping your destiny.”
• “The multitude of people fail because they talk failure.”

According to TB Joshua’s perspective, personal responsibility and conscious decision-making are man’s ultimate route to salvation. This view contradicts the doctrine of Christ, which states that man is inherently sinful and cannot redeem himself; therefore, he has to rely on a Saviour to rescue him from the bondage of sin.

Conclusion

The examination of TB Joshua’s teachings reveals a doctrinal emphasis that places undue weight on human capabilities, diverting attention from the foundational tenet of Christianity—Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. While recognizing the importance of personal responsibility and growth, it is crucial to uphold the core message of salvation through faith in Christ. The primacy of Christ’s sacrifice should not be overshadowed by an exaggerated focus on human abilities. It is imperative for believers to critically assess doctrinal teachings, ensuring alignment with the fundamental principles that underpin the Christian faith and the redemptive work accomplished by Christ on the cross.

The beginning of a new year heralds a sense of hope, renewal, and anticipation for many individuals across the globe. Alongside personal resolutions and aspirations, a significant number of people turn to pastors for guidance and insight into what the future may hold. This practice has given rise to the tradition of pastors making New Year prophetic predictions, wherein they claim to foresee events that will unfold in the new year. However, a critical examination of this phenomenon reveals inherent fallacies and raises questions about the credibility and legitimacy of such predictions. Ecclesiates 8:7 says: “Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?” (NIV).

A Closed Canon

Pastors claim to receive their New Year prophecies directly from God, suggesting that God communicates with them beyond the Scriptures. If that is the case, then these communications they receive from God should be included in the canon, potentially expanding the Bible beyond its current 66 books. This assertion that one can hear God’s voice outside written Scripture introduces a theological dilemma as it challenges the Biblical truth of a closed canon.

“Closed canon” refers to the apostles’ teaching that the Bible is complete and finalized, with no further writings or revelations to be added. In other words, the closed canon concept asserts that the set of authoritative books in the Bible is fixed and closed to any additional contributions. The Bible is complete and sufficient for guiding the faith and practices of believers. Paul writes: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV). The entire body of Scripture is God-inspired and plays a unique, distinctive, and only role in providing guidance and instruction for believers.

The apostles of old emphasized the completeness and authority of the Scriptures, considering them the inspired and inerrant Word of God. When individuals claim to receive revelations outside of the established Biblical canon, it prompts theological scrutiny and challenges the foundational principles of the apostles’ doctrine. This tension between personal revelations and the established Biblical foundation reveals one of the many flaws of the Charismatic Church movement.

Since these New Year prophecies are purported to be from God, the implication is that they hold the same level of authority and inspiration as the Biblical texts. This leads to a broader theological discourse on the nature of God’s communication and the boundaries of the sacred canon.

In accordance with Hebrews 1:1–2, God’s communication with humanity has undergone a transformative shift. While in ancient times God communicated through prophets, dreams, and visions, the present era witnesses a different mode of divine expression. In these latter days, God has chosen to communicate exclusively through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Old Testament directs us to Christ, while the four Gospels capture His life and ministry on earth. The remainder of the New Testament elaborates on Christ’s teachings. The entire Bible, therefore, is the exclusive medium through which God communicates with us.

This implies that anyone purporting that God has given them a word, such as a New Year’s prophecy, through a dream, a vision, or what Charismatics like referring to as God’s “still small voice” is being deceptive. Pastors who claim to receive specific messages from God outside the confines of recognized biblical texts are engaging in fraudulent activities. God has expressly commanded: “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you” – Deuteronomy 4:2 (ESV).  

Hence, if you desire to receive a New Year message from God, read your Bible. Attempting to hear from God outside the pages of Scripture is like trying to find WiFi in a cave! You might as well expect to have deep philosophical conversations with bats and make life decisions based on interactions with cave crickets.

Fundamental Problems with New Year Prophecies

1. The Appeal of Prophetic Predictions:

Prophetic predictions have been an integral part of religious traditions throughout history. The allure of foretelling the future appeals to the human desire for certainty and control in an uncertain world. Pastors, as spiritual leaders, often find themselves in a position of influence, with congregants seeking reassurance and guidance in the face of life’s uncertainties. The prospect of receiving personalized insights and divine foresight is an enticing proposition for many believers.

The core of the prohibition is a divine call to trust in God’s plan. Throughout Scripture, believers are encouraged to place their trust in God’s wisdom and benevolence. This trust is not passive but involves an active and conscious surrender of one’s desires for control and certainty. Embracing the unknown with faith is a testament to one’s dependence on God’s ability to navigate the intricate tapestry of existence.

2. The Tool of Ambiguity:

One of the primary fallacies associated with New Year’s prophetic predictions is the illusion of certainty. Human existence is inherently unpredictable, shaped by a myriad of factors beyond our control. Predicting specific events with absolute certainty is an impossibility for mortal men, as that goes against the very nature of life’s complexity. Pastors, despite their spiritual authority, cannot escape the limitations of human understanding and the unpredictability of the future.

To beat this problem, pastors keep their New Year predictions as vague as possible. Consider Pastor Isaac Oyedepo’s 2024 prophecy, where he declared the year to be one of “the Holy Ghost and Fire.”

By adopting a level of ambiguity in their prophetic utterances, pastors create a wide spectrum of possible interpretations, allowing congregants to selectively attribute meaning to the predictions. This intentional vagueness serves a dual purpose: it provides a sense of inclusivity by allowing diverse audiences to find relevance in the prophecies, and it conveniently shields pastors from the scrutiny of verifiable accuracy. Congregants, in turn, often find comfort in the perceived wisdom of the pastor, as the vagueness of the predictions creates an illusion of flexibility that can adapt to the specifics of individual experiences.

3. Selective Memories:

It is a well-known fact that churchgoers have very poor critical thinking skills. The nature of charismatic teachings that emphasize adherence to false beliefs and authoritative figures dubbed “men of God” discourages questioning and critical examination. Additionally, the prosperity gospel’s heretical emphasis on faith as a creative force creates an environment where accepting doctrines without rigorous scrutiny is more valued than challenging them.

The success of prophetic predictions relies on the selective memory of believers. Pastors deliver vague and generalized prophecies that allow for multiple interpretations. In retrospect, congregants may selectively remember instances where a prediction seemingly came true while overlooking those that did not. This selective memory reinforces the perception of prophetic accuracy, even when the predictions lack specificity.

4. Manipulation and Control:

The practice of making New Year’s prophetic predictions can be seen as a tool for manipulating and controlling congregations. When pastors claim to have exclusive access to God’s insight, they create a power dynamic that fosters dependency on their guidance. This dependence leads to unquestioning obedience and guaranteed financial support as believers seek to align themselves with the prophesied outcomes.

Take, for instance, the prophetic message for 2024 uttered by Pastor David Aigbona, the founder and general overseer of David Aigbona Evangelistic Ministries. The cleric said that 2024 will be a year of “worldwide famine, but there will be provision for true Christians as God will prioritise those who are actively involved in the growth of His Kingdom and reward born-agains’ faithfulness.” This prophecy serves the purpose of binding congregants to the pastor’s ministry, compelling them to make sacrifices and contribute their resources to ensure its growth. This connection is rooted in the belief that fulfilling the prophecy will lead to God’s blessings and favour. The prophet Micah wrote: “Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry ‘peace’ when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths…” – Micah 3:5 (ESV).

5. Vain Hopes:

In contrast to Biblical prophets who unflinchingly pointed out sin and forewarned of impending consequences, pastors tailor their New Year predictions to accentuate positive aspects and deliver a message of hope. While ancient prophets, driven by a sense of divine duty, fearlessly addressed moral shortcomings and called for repentance, modern predictions from pastors focus more on the promise of material blessings and prosperity. The prophet Jeremiah wrote: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’” – Jeremiah 23:16–17 (ESV).

Conclusion:

While the tradition of New Year’s prophetic predictions by pastors may offer a sense of comfort and guidance to believers, a critical examination reveals inherent fallacies and ethical concerns. The pursuit of certainty in an uncertain world is a deeply human inclination, but human limitations in predicting are an unescapable reality. Congregants should approach prophetic predictions with a discerning and critical mindset. Ultimately, only a thoughtful and balanced knowledge of the Bible provides a genuine and enduring source of guidance for navigating the uncertainties of the future.