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Though we are more focused on evaluating the claims of cessationists and Calvinists in this blog, we are not reluctant to criticize our fellow charismatics when the situation warrants it. Today's article from Charisma News is one such situation.
The author leads us in with a sensational headline, tells us that what we think is a actually a lie, then goes on to term switch. Getting sin out of our lives is not the same as fixing our sin, nor is it the same as overcoming our sin
Although this article looks more substantial, the advertisements and links to other articles are just padding. It's really quite short at a little over 350 words, barely worth the time. Especially since there are no Bible references and only a couple of unreferenced and misrepresented Bible quotes.
Although this article looks more substantial, the advertisements and links to other articles are just padding. It's really quite short at a little over 350 words, barely worth the time. Especially since there are no Bible references and only a couple of unreferenced and misrepresented Bible quotes.
We must deem this Bad Bible Teaching.
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What if the very first thought you had after giving your life to Jesus was actually a lie from the enemy?
According to Kelly K of Kelly Kopp Ministries, (Who? Well, he's a tattooed former rocker who had a "come to Jesus" experience. We were unable to determine what, if any, training or education he's had that might qualify him to ministry.)
What if the very first thought you had after giving your life to Jesus was actually a lie from the enemy?
According to Kelly K of Kelly Kopp Ministries, (Who? Well, he's a tattooed former rocker who had a "come to Jesus" experience. We were unable to determine what, if any, training or education he's had that might qualify him to ministry.)
countless believers have spent decades unknowingly trapped in a deception that keeps their focus on themselves instead of Christ.
“Think back to the day you gave your life to Jesus,” Kopp says. “As soon as you did, you had a thought. You remember, don’t you? The thought was this: ‘Now if I can just get this sin out of my life, I’m going to have a great relationship with God.’” (Getting sin out of one's life does not describe a method or strategy, it's simply a desire.)
It sounds good—almost holy. But Kopp insists this is “a lie straight from the pit of hell.” (This charismatic phrase irritates us immensely.)
Why would Satan want you to fix your sin? (Here's the first term switch. First it was "get sin out of my life," now it's "fix your sin." These do not mean the same thing.)
“Because if you’re trying to fix your sin, where’s your focus? On you,” Kopp explains. “But what does the Bible tell us? To fix our eyes on Him.” (Let's quote it:
“Think back to the day you gave your life to Jesus,” Kopp says. “As soon as you did, you had a thought. You remember, don’t you? The thought was this: ‘Now if I can just get this sin out of my life, I’m going to have a great relationship with God.’” (Getting sin out of one's life does not describe a method or strategy, it's simply a desire.)
It sounds good—almost holy. But Kopp insists this is “a lie straight from the pit of hell.” (This charismatic phrase irritates us immensely.)
Why would Satan want you to fix your sin? (Here's the first term switch. First it was "get sin out of my life," now it's "fix your sin." These do not mean the same thing.)
“Because if you’re trying to fix your sin, where’s your focus? On you,” Kopp explains. “But what does the Bible tell us? To fix our eyes on Him.” (Let's quote it:
He. 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...
So the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to throw off sin, which seems to involve some sort of effort on our part. But the KellyK told us that this is a "lie from the pit of hell.")
The enemy’s strategy is subtle—convince believers to do what only Jesus can do, making them feel like failures when they inevitably fall short. (Yes, only Jesus' blood washes our sins away, which of course is not the topic. The topic is the residual effects of sin that still affects us.)
Kopp reminds us of the core of the gospel: “If I could have fixed my sin, I would have by now—but I can’t. That’s why I need Jesus.” Yet many Christians spend years struggling, never realizing that they are trying to take back what they were meant to lay down.
So, how do we overcome sin? (Terms switched again. First it was "get sin out of my life," then it was "fix your sin," and now it's "overcome sin." These do not mean the same thing.)
“Expose it,” Kopp declares. “Sin grows in the darkness. The devil tells you, ‘Don’t you dare tell anyone about that sin in your life. They’ll judge you. You should be ashamed.’ But that’s a lie. Shining light on sin kills it.” (Does it really? We are familiar with various Christian friends and their struggles with certain sins. They openly confessed things like drug addiction, porn, anger problems, etc. The public confession did nothing to quell the sin. Nothing.
Kopp reminds us of the core of the gospel: “If I could have fixed my sin, I would have by now—but I can’t. That’s why I need Jesus.” Yet many Christians spend years struggling, never realizing that they are trying to take back what they were meant to lay down.
So, how do we overcome sin? (Terms switched again. First it was "get sin out of my life," then it was "fix your sin," and now it's "overcome sin." These do not mean the same thing.)
“Expose it,” Kopp declares. “Sin grows in the darkness. The devil tells you, ‘Don’t you dare tell anyone about that sin in your life. They’ll judge you. You should be ashamed.’ But that’s a lie. Shining light on sin kills it.” (Does it really? We are familiar with various Christian friends and their struggles with certain sins. They openly confessed things like drug addiction, porn, anger problems, etc. The public confession did nothing to quell the sin. Nothing.
Now certainly we are commanded to bring our sins out:
Ja. 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
The reader will notice that James offers prayer as a remedy. Confession brings the opportunity for prayer.
Confession also brings forgiveness:
1Jn. 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Notice that this does not speak to besetting sin, but rather our saved status.
In actual fact, repentance, true repentance, is the answer:
Lk. 24:47 ...and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
2Ti. 2:19 Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.
For the Christian, repentance includes putting off of the fleshly nature [Ep. 4:22] and being clothed with the New Man [Col. 3:10].
KellyK mentions none of this.)
2Pe. 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. He wants you free more than you do. (This is another misrepresented Scripture. Let's quote it:
Ro. 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.This is not about the condemnation one feels for hidden sin, nor is it the fear of getting condemned for confessing sin. It is the lifting of the death sentence under the Law. The Law of God no longer condemns those who are in Jesus.
KellyK makes a substantial mistake.)
“If you could have fixed your sin by now, you would have. But you can’t—and that’s OK, because Jesus can,” Kopp explains.
So, stop striving and start trusting. Shift your focus from your sin to your Savior, and let Him do what only He can do.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
“If you could have fixed your sin by now, you would have. But you can’t—and that’s OK, because Jesus can,” Kopp explains.
So, stop striving and start trusting. Shift your focus from your sin to your Savior, and let Him do what only He can do.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
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