We used to listen to music when we were young. Over the years, I’ve been a secret emulator of my elder brothers. They started listening to music in their younger years. I was a toddler. By the time I was five, I had learned to appreciate that Art, at some point I wanted so bad to make music. A few days ago, I was listening to this song by the group Hozier called “take me to church”. I’ve said I love Art and the words. 1st verse of this song goes like “My lover’s got the humor, she’s the giggle at the funeral, Knows everybody’s disapproval, I should’ve worshipped her sooner if the heaven ever did speak she’s the last true mouthpiece. Every Sunday’s getting bleaker. A fresh poison each week ’We were born sick’ you heard them say it, my church offers no Absolute. She tells me’ worship in the bedroom’ the only heaven I will be sent to is when I’m alone with you, I was born sick, but I love it, command me to be well”. I won’t quote down the chorus, but it’s something too.
Listening to this song, I saw a reflection of how the young generation feels and views the church today. Youths are no longer interested in going to church. Have they fallen from God? Many modern churches are no longer refuge for the needy in society, but they have mixed worship with entertainment for the stable and the well-up. I've learned of churches operating in the Leafy Suburbs. The leafy suburban churches are situated in places that are hard to access on foot. Meant for the rich and who is who in the community. The hired worship leaders are so gentle and do all the singing. You know the one that sings so well like a CD. If by mistake the power blacks out and the instrument mutes, the entire congregation is silent like a river. They pause the singing to fix the generators.
I won’t mention what they preach there because you don’t want to know. If you are lucky enough to attend these sanctuaries and you are financially unstable, they won’t know your name and how you look. They view poverty as a crime or a burden given to the faithless. Good news the Messiah brought for free, therefore turning to a complicated affair to the average congregants who claim prosperity without a sweat. “Pray to know God not just to get things from him” I found those writings at the back of a public transport van. Recently, the Church is focusing on educating people to fall into this trap of corrupt faith.
In Mathew 6:33, the Bible talk of seeking the kingdom of God first, and anything else will be added. The young generations struggling to make the ends meet aren’t the target of the urban church. The giving and planting and replanting to buy Porsche cars for their celebrity Pastor are so much for their little income. Recently, I talked to 5 youths of 24 and 35 years no longer attending any church service. I wanted to know, despite having been raised in Christian families, they still dropped their beliefs.
Finding something to hold on to in church has become an uphill task one of them said. What concerns many youths is the amount of money they must come up with to sponsor church projects.
As they agreed to give isn’t bad, they weren’t happy with the many projects they had to sponsor and the amount of time in church activities while they are busy shaping their careers. The 21st Century church has led many in confusion. Today, people lack an understanding of the holy book. Many have no idea what the bible talks about life issues. They have received watered-down Christianity for so long they don’t know who Jesus is and what the Gospel Advocate.
Finding five different churches in one building with the same doctrines is an ordinary thing these days. In my neighborhood recently, one church had to vacate the premises because of a disturbance from the next-door church. People would think I fell out of the church, as a matter of fact, I stayed. I believe God wants us to know him on a personal level. That means you should read your bible every day, pray every day and you will be able to differentiate between rogue and good preachers.
Few fake preachers are taking advantage of lazy people who are seeking quick blessings without putting in any effort.
In Mathew 24:24 the bible record “For false prophets will appear to perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect.” Therefore, there isn’t any excuse for you to run from the church. It’s up to you to seek the Lord as the bible state in Isaiah 55:6-7, Seek ye the LORD while is found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return unto the LORD for he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
If you are a believer, the best escape to false preaching is to read your bible every day. Listen to your subconscious mind. Establishing a relationship with God will save you a lot of trouble.