ctmi press

Since last October, CTMI has been broadcasting a series of straight-talking messages on Christian TV about issues facing the Church today.  Excerpts from individual messages will be published throughout this year in JOY! Magazine.

• Why does the Church need to know about these issues now; what does this say about your opinion of the state of the Church today?

Let us all acknowledge that the Church has deviated somewhat from sound doctrine, with the resultant effect on the lives of Christians.  I felt that it was time to address some key issues directly, so that people may realise that the Lord has better things in store for them.  Also, I long to see Christians walk in freedom and in victory…

• Some people, including leaders, might consider what you say, about certain practices and beliefs that have taken root in the Church, controversial… With the same Bible and the same Holy Spirit, how come there are different gospels being preached?

Firstly, many leaders have been greatly influenced by prosperity teachings, and are seeking their own benefit. Secondly, possibly lacking revelation, or out of ignorance, many don’t realise that the preaching of the Cross is the power of God to bring Christians to spiritual maturity. The Cross, and the compromising message of prosperity, draw Christians in opposite directions. It’s like in the days of Apostle Paul… the same Bible, but different gospels (Gal. 1:6)!

• You’ve received much feedback from viewers across Africa; have any Christians objected to your preaching?

I’m not aware of negative comments about these broadcasts. On the contrary, we’ve received much encouragement, and many questions from Christians, who have felt free to speak about deeply personal issues. In fact, these TV programs have had an extremely positive impact.

• You began with “God’s Heart on Marriage and Divorce”. JOY! readers sent us 2 questions on this particular subject… Firstly, why can’t two spirit-filled Christians work out their differences; and, is there any justification for these to remain unresolved, or for them to divorce?  Secondly, how can a pastor get divorced and continue to pastor his church?

This first question is very pertinent! I believe that if a Christian couple cannot sort out their problems, it’s primarily because they do not know their true responsibility towards each other in marriage. We see in Scripture that the husband has a very big responsibility: that of loving his wife as Christ loves the Church. Likewise, the wife is called to submit to him. Unless both take their cross, and allow the Spirit of God to break and change them, that can never happen… it needs a work of God in their hearts. No technique can do that… it is the fruit of the Cross at work in both of their lives!

The second question is a delicate one… A few years back, when the Church still held onto sound doctrine and Biblical Truth, a pastor divorcing and continuing in ministry was inconceivable, unacceptable. But today, the Church has compromised, and become religious. It tolerates pastors getting divorced, turning the page, and carrying on… as if nothing happened. So, firstly, I don’t believe it’s God’s will for any Christian couple, let alone a pastor, to get divorced; because through the Cross, God provides a way for the restoration of love and unity between them. Secondly, if a pastor gets divorced, I strongly believe he loses his anointing.

• In “Can Christians be demon-possessed?” you categorically state that this is impossible for a born-again believer. Tell us your point of view.

I am often asked this at conferences in Africa… Allow me to say how sad it is that a Christian can even believe that he could be demon-possessed. The Bible is very clear on that subject! When we are born-again, we are delivered from the powers of darkness and are translated into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. There is no way that a demon can live in a truly born-again Christian, who has given his life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and desires to serve Him. It’s simply impossible! The problem here is the flesh; but it is often attributed to the devil.

• Won’t some youth struggle with “God and Music”, where you want to draw a clear dividing line between worldly music, and praise and worship?

It is sad to say, but much of what we hear today is simply pop music with Christian lyrics! Where are we going? What has true worship in common with worldly music?  I can’t understand why we are trying to mix the two; praising the Lord, with a worldly beat… it can’t be done! When we are born-again, we should want to worship from our hearts, in Spirit and in Truth. Anything else is just entertainment!

• Many Christians put a lot of emphasis on spiritual warfare, casting out demons everywhere they go, and binding evil spirits for every problem they face.  In “Spiritual Warfare”, you approach this issue in a completely different way. Why?

Let me reply with 2 questions: “What is spiritual warfare?” And, “Is it mentioned in the New Testament?”  In fact, what the Church calls “spiritual warfare” today is nothing other than fighting demons. Many Christians see it as the way to have victory in their lives. However, we see the real call of God on the believer’s life when we look at Eph. 6, where Paul urges us to strengthen ourselves in the Lord, in order to be able to stand in the evil day. Secondly, when the enemy attacks, James says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” I don’t see any “warfare” in that! Do you?

So, it’s a simple issue; the Bible says: “…if we are in Christ, the devil cannot touch us.” If our life is right before God, and our hearts are pure, why should we fear demons? We need only resist them.  Sadly, these days, much of the Church is more demon-conscious than Jesus-conscious!

• You turn the whole concept of dating, girlfriends and boyfriends upside down in “Relationships Before Marriage”. The world system has entered the Church on this issue, yet in some churches there is legalism, and in others, total leniency.  What do you say to young people about relationships?

I sincerely believe that the Church has abandoned its responsibility towards young people by not being clear or direct concerning the way they should live the true Christian life, whether it be before or after marriage. When we allow the world’s standards and mentality into the Church without reacting, we stop standing for the Truth of the Gospel, and we compromise. The result is that Christians are being destroyed by relationships that are not spiritual, and do not help them grow and serve the Lord in the right way. In some churches nothing is said; in others, there are laws about what people can and can’t do. Neither of the two is right!

What I do know is that when the gospel takes hold of young people, they don’t struggle, or feel any pressure as to what is allowed, or where to draw the line. They desire to do God’s will, remain pure, and walk in a way pleasing to Him.

• Probably your most contentious message is, “The Christian and his Money”, where you condemn the preaching of the doctrine of prosperity, and talk instead about the heart behind our giving.  Why is your perspective on God’s material blessings so different to what is preached these days?

It’s not that I attack the teaching of prosperity. Rather, I try to look at it from the right perspective; to see what the heart of the Lord is about it. I have no problem with Christians prospering materially, being blessed. But I take issue with the teaching that it’s God’s will that all believers are called to be rich. Where is this found in Scripture? Even in the Early Church, there were poor Christians. Therefore, I believe it is a heresy to make all Christians believe that it is God’s will for all of them to be rich, possess big houses, luxury cars, etc… a complete heresy!  In places like Africa and India, most believers are living in conditions of extreme poverty. There is no shame in that, and it does not mean they lack faith. Moreover, far too much importance is given to money in messages preached these days!

• In “The Road is Narrow” you bring everyone back to the Cross, the Gospel of the Cross, the foundation of everything that you preach… Why is everything always about the Cross; why don’t churches put as much emphasis on preaching it today?

I will ask you a question in return… “Why shouldn’t the foundational message of Jesus Christ – what the early apostles taught, what you read in the epistles of Paul, James, John, and Peter – be preached in every church?  It is the basic message of Christianity! We always want to bring the heart of the Christian to the place where he can see his need, where he allows himself to be dealt with by God. That way, he can grow into the image of Christ and carry the life of Christ continually in him.  That’s why it is absolutely necessary to preach the message of the Cross, the foundational message of our Christian life.  You can’t ever preach it enough, because as a believer, you need that confrontation, that truth everyday of your life.  Yet today, many Christians are falling apart, being destroyed, because they don’t hear the right Gospel enough. As a result they backslide and leave the Church. Because of the lack of genuine Apostles carrying the true anointing, this message is absent from the Church today.

• A final word for JOY! readers…

Well, I really encourage them to watch these messages on TV – 3 times a week now (see below). Even better, they can order the CD or DVD. There is much more that will encourage, edify, and set them free, as they listen to the only Gospel that can bring victory to their lives, and allow them to experience true freedom in Christ. Reading the excerpts in JOY! can only give a taste of what is being said.