These posts will be be detailing a few different subjects:
A Piece of My Testimony
Why I left My Church
God’s Protection (+ Holy Spirit Led Understanding) During My Time There
For over half a year, God pushed me to grow in my faith in ways I didn’t know I needed. Once I finally submitted to Him, He took me through a series of lessons which brought me to a greater understanding of things such as: repentance and forgiveness. This journey all happened while still attending my former church home. However, God’s guidance was totally separate from my pastor’s sermons and teachings.
Please be sure to read Part 1, first.
In February 2024, after 10 years at my church, God revealed so much about my pastor’s method of applying a false doctrine which ultimately led to a gross manipulation of Scripture. Certain patterns of thinking – particularly those born out of the Word of Faith movement – became ingratiated in my psyche without me realizing it. Once He revealed it, it took only 10 days do undo 10 years. Trust me, I still have so much to learn about how Jesus calls us to live. But, when you’re exposed to – and when the Holy Spirit convicts you of – the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, it changes your life instantly.
Please be sure to read Part 2.
GOD’S PROTECTION (+ HOLY SPIRIT LED UNDERSTANDING):
It is so important to state that I left my church because God revealed my pastor’s manipulation of Scripture which led to a deceptive root doctrine.
I didn’t leave simply because I “outgrew it.”
I absolutely loved that place. I left because I learned that what is being preached there “appears” good, but it is wrong and dangerous to both Believers and unbelievers. People come to church to seek the truth found in Jesus Christ. And, we should be in church to worship God, fellowship, serve others, and to give and receive encouragement (with and from other Believers). But because a warped message is being preached in many pulpits, people are being led astray or their faith walk is being stagnated.
I also want to state that there are so many good things that I harvested from my former church. That pastor is a wonderful speaker and has always offered some powerful practical tips. I still find some of these things extremely useful and harmless.
Second, my former church is where I was introduced to, and committed to memory, so many Bible stories that I’d never heard before; even if the preaching lacked proper application.
And last, I’ve had a strong prayer life and relationship with God since childhood. God was with me and He met me there every Sunday.
During the 10 days of searching for answers about my church home, I came across an article where the author stated that “misguided congregations” may still contain a good number of members who are truly walking with God. And that, God can reach His people if they’re earnestly searching for Him.
Now, once He reveals the truth to you, you need to be obedient. But, if you’re in a bad situation, it doesn’t mean that God has abandoned you.
I wanted to pass that along for anyone who may need it.
Continuing on that note, I want to say this: When manipulation is present, it is very easy to realize that you are in a bad situation, leave said situation, and then start to question everything you know, believe and desire.
In fact, church deception is one of the things that causes many people to question our faith entirely.
So please hear me:
Deception is intricate and nuanced. There is often some amount of “good” – or even “truth” – mixed in with the bad. When God delivers you from something deceptive, take your experience to prayer. Ask Him to help you parse out the various layers.
What are the things that you find yourself trying to hold on to? What are the things you think you need to leave behind? What does God say about each of these things?
Many of your answers can be found in Scripture. God may reveal other answers during your prayer time.
Don’t let anyone confuse you further by making you feel as though you’ve gleaned nothing from your situation.
I know for a fact, that God protected me. Yes, my spiritual walk was stagnated for years. Yes, some of my former pastor’s teachings got into my psyche and needed to be completely unlearned and undone. However, there was a lot that flew by the wayside.
I would hear everything my pastor taught. But, because I was often waiting on a specific word from God, the main things that stuck were the things rooted in Scripture. Much of what stuck are things I can still hold onto.
When God is with you… If He is drawing you toward Him… if you are remaining in conversation with Him…
…He can use any and everything to bring about His will.
Please also know this:
Eisegetical preaching can be very dangerous. My friend tried to warn me (see: Part 2), and I now finally understand the implications.
However, just as I mentioned above, there are ways in which God covered me in my ignorance. He allowed the Holy Spirit to convict and confirm things, even through my pastor’s roundabout preaching.
For instance, in 2023, I was really struggling with maintaining discretion – meaning, keeping a specific testimony to myself, as God had directed. (See Part 1 to understand why this was so important for my situation.)
To help with the journey, God revealed that I needed to stop entertaining gossip and that I needed to refrain from even “pop culture” news during that time. God was guiding me in a major way, but I was still struggling to be obedient, and I couldn’t stop venting to any and everyone. In the next week’s sermon, my former pastor quoted an obscure verse and made a quick statement which addressed everything I’d been battling. It was so powerful. While the sermon-at-large may have been problematic, the explanation and application of that verse was correct.
There are other instances where, I look back in my notes now and can see how off the message is. Yet, I remember how God used the actual passage of scripture to illustrate something He wanted to teach me. I am in no way implying that God is OK with the mishandling of Scripture. I am simply saying, that He had His hand on me. And, when I finally yielded to Him, He expedited the process of spiritual growth; eventually delivering me out of my church and into Jesus’ hands.
I pray that everything found on this site is sound and that God gives you a huge portion of discernment. I am just so grateful that He has brought me to this point. I pray that we all remain strong in faith, with our eyes set on Jesus and the Gospel.
Update: In the Summer of 2024, I found a new church home! Read about that journey, HERE.
Lexzie in Christ 