BEWARE OF THE GOSPEL OF EMPOWERMENT
By: Derrick P. Rodgers

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

(Galatians 1:6-9)
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The core concept of empowerment depends upon power. The question is; what is the origin and source of that power? I’m aware that we all need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit of God. There is a legitimate biblical empowerment that causes dependence upon God The Father and His abilities:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (II Corinthians 12:9)

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. (I John 2:14)

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (I John 4:4)

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (I John 5:4, 5)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

However, there is a pernicious form of empowerment disguised in the form helping people. This form of empowerment has filtered through many of our congregations and is being adopted as “another gospel.” Through careful observation this gospel can be identified by paying close attention to the continual empowerment messages that are absent of dependence and submission to the doctrine of Jesus Christ. This gospel, with its promotion to look within ones own-self is very much characteristic of “New Age” practices.

This “gospel of empowerment” is precisely being facilitated through both Christians and non-Christians that shroud behinds titles such as mentors, life coaches, consultants, empowerment specialists, Dr., and traditional titles such as apostle, bishop, prophet and pastor.

What makes this new gospel demonic and in violation of the gospel of the kingdom; is that it lures men away from trusting God and depending on His word. It creates a platform for the operation of Idolatry with “self” being the center stage. It promotes the pursuit of health wealth and prosperity which provides a layer of confidence and acceptance among most people without any further evaluation.

The difference between self empowerment and biblical empowerment is the Word of God encourages one to yield to the Spirit of God, deny self and trust in Gods ability whereas todays self empowerment movement is geared towards advancing self independently of Gods ability with the promotion of “your personal power.” For blood purchased believers, saints of God– we are not to engage in self help empowerment methods that promote the “brand called you.” Authentic believers are to trust within the power of God and not the “power of self.” The true believer comprehends and behaves as if they can do nothing without Christ Jesus. John 15:5

There are two distinguishing marks of the gospel of empowerment.

THE GOSPEL OF EMPOWERMENT PROGRESSIVELY ATTEMPTS TO SUBSTITUTE THE BIBLE GREAT COMMISSION: The gospel of empowerment says go and empower men to look within themselves to become great and overcome any challenge. The bible’s great commission says go and make disciples of men (followers of Christ) baptizing them In the name of the Father, son, and the Holy Spirit. The gospel of empowerment baptizes men into self indulgence and human inner abilities. This operation is often cloaked with very inspiring words without any commitment to trust, follow and obey Christ. This can explain why so many non-Christians attract to this type of gospel; whether its being propagated in a secular forum or preached in a church, the notion to prosper and become great without any commitment and alliance to God and His ways is very appealing to many people.

The gospel of empowerment on the surface gives the appearance of a noble message, thereby rendering its instruction acceptable among its audience. However, this gospel is prepared with a mixture of truth and well crafted deception for the consumption of men. Suffice it to say, this is why both Christian and non-Christians can come together in collaboration and build an alter to the gods of empowerment and prosperity that gather multitudes to follow. Any proclamation that encourages men to do better and advance forward- but leads away from Jesus and disconnects one from trusting in God and His word, is “designed demonic seduction.”

We are encouraged to acknowledge Him (God) in all of our ways and He will direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:6) To acknowledge Him means to yield to His ways and trust in Him. Trusting within our own ability apart from God leads to destruction.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

—Proverbs 16:18-20

We are witnessing a time period in history where worldly representatives and some members of the church are coalescing into one to advance the gospel of empowerment. This blatant alliance is in direct defiance to the Kingdom of God and its King.

In Essence Magazine, June 2013 issue, Essence is promoting “Dream Big and unleash your power and claim your blessings” The secular magazine is also promoting the “Essence empowerment experience festival” which hosts both non-Christians and confessed Christians gathering together to promote empowerment…

This empowerment apparatus has penetrated the walls of the church, where as some influential leaders refers to themselves and other leaders as “empowerment specialists.” The empowerment movement carries a level of insidious perversion that is hidden from many Christians.

The gospel of empowerment will not permit the participating conduits to speak or expose the truth regarding the pillars of perversion. You can always spot those who possess this hybrid gospel, their teaching carries slivers of perverted doctrine. The majority of them will outright support the practice of homosexuality in the church or communicate very ambiguously about the subject. The influencers of this gospel will typically host some form of perverted doctrine that ultimately leads to the practice of lasciviousness. This alliance between the church, and the world produces an universal “hybrid doctrine” through the interaction or crossbreeding of two unlike cultures.

THE GOSPEL OF EMPOWERMENT PRODUCES FINANCIAL PROSPERITY: The prosperity gospel was primarily established in the church whereas the gospel of empowerment is a portal to cross pollinate between both the world and the church hence mingling the two together. True Believers of Christ are forbidden to be married to the world. Yet there are influential so-called Christians creating breaches for demonic ideology to seamlessly segue into to church.

One of the primary reasons this false gospel is rapidly gaining traction is due to the enormous amount of wealth it produces; not only in the church but in secular venues as well. The servants of this gospel aggressively manufactures the opportunity to become rich on the backs of marginalized people. The bible doesn’t teach that He gave some to be empowerment specialists…Jesus never said go into all the world and empower men. He said to go and make disciples of all nations, which means to be Christ like, take up your cross and follow him, His ways, His teachings and receive His Spirit.

Because of the chronic dysfunction among the ranks in our society, many will pay hundreds even thousands of dollars to become empowered by the “servants of empowerment.” Many of those that propagates the gospel of empowerment burns with lust to exploit such weaknesses which transforms into heaps of cash.

A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste. (Proverbs 29:4 MSG)

Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned. (Matthew 7:15-20 MSG)

With everybody listening, Jesus spoke to his disciples. “Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preen in the radiance of public flattery, bask in prominent positions, sit at the head table at every church function. And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they’ll pay for it in the end.” (Luke 20:45-47 MSG)

They walk all over your people, God, exploit and abuse your precious people. They take out anyone who gets in their way; if they can’t use them, they kill them. They think, “God isn’t looking, Jacob’s God is out to lunch.” (Psalm 94:5-7 MSG)

Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich; restrain yourself! Riches disappear in the blink of an eye; wealth sprouts wings and flies off into the wild blue yonder. (Proverbs 23: 4, 5 MSG)

We should really take time and examine the different trends emerging within the church borders, it would do us good to know the truth, which will ultimately deliver us.