I was invited to speak at an international ministries’ convention. I was sitting in the speaker’s room reading my Bible, meditating and praying quietly before I spoke. The leader of the worldwide organization was there also.
This individual was gazing intently at their iPad. To me, they appeared to be typing something. After about an hour of this, the individual let out a yell and called one of their employees for help. I thought, what in the world has gone wrong! Their Bible program must have stopped?
I discovered that they got irate because the game they had been playing, for over an hour, locked up and they were irritated because they were about to win. I could not believe what I was witnessing! We were in church meetings! I thought they were studying, but they were playing games on an iPad!
Yes, you read that correctly. This was the leader of the entire international organization. No wonder the church is in a mess. The leader! The people in the audience thought they were following a spiritual leader, and were not. People around the world thought they were following a spiritual leader, and were not. I was concerned with the actions I witnessed, but kept my mouth shut. I did take note. I knew not to follow this person, as Paul said to do in Phil. 3:17-20 and Rom. 16:17-18.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) – Philippians 3:17-19 KJV
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. – Romans 16:17-18 KJV
The question is, “Why wasn’t the leader of the organization praying, supplicating and interceding for the meeting?” I will give you the answer. They had no interest in the things of God. They did not reverence or respect God. I knew they had been on the path of Casual Christianity for some years. I did not realize how far this individual had backslid until I witnessed this experience. Yes, by their fruits you shall know them, Jesus Christ said. They had become so casual about the things of God that they had lost interest in them.
When this individual spoke at the meeting, they whipped the audience into a frenzy with their booming voice, shouts, skips and hops. They told the audience how they needed God and should desire Him with all their hearts. They knew how to manipulate the crowd from years of pulpit experience. This speaker imparted carnality to the people because that is all they had to give.
This is some good advice for all preachers. If you are going to play games with Christianity, just to get an audience and a paycheck, quit ministry and go get a street job. You are deceived and are headed for judgment from the Lord Jesus Christ for leading His people astray. I know, I know, you don’t believe in judgment, but one day you will.
…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. – 2 Timothy 3:4b-5
The leader must have received great pleasure from playing the game. More pleasure than spending time with God in prayer. If the leaders do not pray, their followers will not pray either. They had a form of godliness, but that is all.
I say these things not to attack anyone personally, but to point out wrong actions that hinder the church. These actions must be exposed and repented of if the church is to take its place.
The sad truth is this is not just an isolated occurrence. It happens throughout the church world. Therefore, you have very many that play games and do not pray. Many people play games and watch movies on their devices at church because they are bored and have lost interest in the things pertaining too and of the Holy Ghost. They simply follow their leader.
You can ask them if they pray and they will say yes. They mean they say a few words when they get up and maybe when they go to bed, if they are not too tired. In other words, they mentally agree that prayer is good and necessary, but they do not pray Biblically.
In their minds, they are prayer warriors, just ask them. They may have mumbled a few words they call prayer, but it was a waste of time because it produces no results. Pastor Danny Wallace, a great friend of mine who is now in heaven, was asked to speak on the national day of prayer. It was at a big event at the court house in the town his church was in. He opened with prayer and then said to all the dignitaries and people in attendance, “If this is the only day you are going to pray, you might as well go home, it is a waste of your time!” My Lord and my God what boldness and truth he declared! I know some would think that wasn’t nice, but why lie to the people. Tell them the gospel truth.
Take time to pray. Put down the devices, the games, the movies, and anything else in this world that pulls you away from God. Pay the price. You will not regret it. God is with us!
