Have you ever tried to have a conversation with a Christian brother or sister who just loves to show off? Come on, you know you have. Yeah, I thought you’d remember. They’re the ones that brag about everything and you will never get a word in edgewise because they never shut up bragging about themselves long enough.

A show off will carry the entire conversation and you must admit they do a great job. These types of folks are what I jokingly refer to as, Professional Showoffs. They are far from being humble and I would say this type of bragging would be considered self-exaltation at its highest level. They brag about their fancy cars, big fine houses, smart children, what they’ve done for the Lord, where they’re going and where they’ve been. The saddest part is they never seem to notice that no one asked them.

And, never mind whether or not their car really is all that fancy, or their house really is all that big and fine. Or that their kids, although smart, may not be as smart as they let on, they’re going to convince you of this one thing, everything that’s theirs is without a doubt, no contest, straight across the board, the best of the best.

These types of showoffs try to intimate people but I’ve never felt intimated by them only frustrated with them. Let’s face it, they are annoying. They’re not testifying for God they’re bragging on themselves. The prosperity preachers put on a show and brag everyday on TV. I guess they learned it from them. It’s one thing to have a bragging brother or sister in the church to contend with, but a bragging preacher? Mercy!

Oh dear, I didn’t mean to get on this but nothing frustrates me more than preachers who brag and show off. I quit watching Christian TV for a long time because of it. The self-glorifying on some of these shows is sickening. I call them shows because I think some of them are doing just that, putting on a show. Although a few of them are sincere most are not in it for the sake of the gospel. They’re in it for the flashy life style their viewers provide. They never really teach the Bible and most of their teachings are laced with glamour and showmanship. They love to show off, plain and simple. I heard one preacher say, in referring to his great wealth, if you don’t have what I have, then you’re not serving the same God I’m serving. Oh really?

And, another one said, you wouldn’t believe it if I told you how much money I have. If this kind of talk isn’t considered bragging I don’t know what is. But never mind what my opinion is, what does the Bible have to say? It says in Luke 14:11 that

I’m telling you folks, quite a few of our preachers have gone from winning souls to exalting themselves and putting on a show. I know one thing for sure, all the glamour they promote and their showmanship does not impress me. I am interested in the things of the Lord and all their boasting extravaganzas aren’t getting me anywhere. Are they you?

Allow me to quickly point out, that NO, I’m not against cosmetic surgeries. Sometimes it’s necessary. I understand that and I am all for it when it is. With that said, let me now say this, what I am against is all the showy aspects that I see going on, not only on TV, but in the Christian community in general. There seems to be no end to what some will do to impress others. God’s people are supposed to be modest yet I see them getting more and more engulfed in their looks. They are being drawn into what my daughter often refers to as the glamorous gospel. In fact, so many are getting facelifts and makeovers that it makes me wonder if there isn’t some kind of beauty pageant phenomenon going on. They seem to be saying, look at me, I’m Miss America! Are they competing with one another to see who is the prettiest? Who will win the crown? Stay tuned to find out.

Of course, I am only kidding folks! But I guess, when it really comes down to it, I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. These women are already beautiful so why are they trying to fix something that isn’t broken.

If something is broken and we can fix it, I think we should. Makeovers are fine and surgery too, when necessary. But, as Christians, how far do we go? It is just my opinion of course, but maybe we should leave out the extreme unless it is deemed necessary. The Bible does not teach self-glorification. And, I believe those that are getting involved in the extreme, when it is not necessary, are hurting their Christian witness. What kind of signal are we sending to the lost? If we tell the sinner, Jesus loves you just as you are, shouldn’t we be held to that same principle? After all, we’re trying to win a spiritual war, not a beauty pageant!

Part III

Brothers and sisters, beware of those who are not preaching the genuine, true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many have turned away from the gospel and are now preaching for filthy lucre. These rich ministers are teaching that gain is godliness and if you sow your money into their ministry God will bless you too! But to the contrary, the Bible tells us to withdraw from them.

How long has it been since your pastor or favorite TV evangelist preached on contentment?

The Bible also warns pastors not to pursue filthy lucre.

And of course, this infamous scripture sums it all up.

How do we know if they are only in it for the money? The Bible says from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Listen closely to your favorite preachers. What do they talk about? What do they promote? Do they promote Jesus or their lifestyle? Do they testify of God or do they brag about themselves? If you really listen to what they are saying you’ll know more about the condition of their heart.

The Bible also tells us we will know them by their fruit.

What kind of fruit are those you’re listening to producing? Are they getting souls saved? Are they praying for the sick? Are they casting out devils? Or, do they spend their entire time talking about their money and how you too can be rich if you give to them. Have they ever tried to sell you the blessings of God by getting you to sow seeds (money) into their ministries? Maybe they have tried to sell you a healing or perhaps salvation for a lost loved one.

Honestly folks, these types of ministry shows are nothing more than paid programming at its best. Jesus has already died on the cross for your loved one’s salvation. He has already bore the stripes on His back for your healing. We don’t have to send anything to these money grabbers to get what is freely ours. Everything is already paid for through the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I just had a thought, if we could actually receive healing by sending them money, that would make them God, wouldn’t it? Now that’s ridiculous!

According to the Bible Jesus never took up an offering when he was out and about healing the sick. He never said, give me some money and I’ll heal you. This is preposterous and God may even consider it blasphemy. Remember what Peter told Simon when he thought he could perish a gift from God.

God does not want us to be taken in by those who are only it for worldly gain. That is why the Bible tells us to know those that labor among us.

How do we know them? As I pointed out earlier, the Bible tells us we shall know them by their fruit. So, I caution you, take heed to the Word of God and do not be taken in by charlatans. Whether they are in your church house, on TV, or down the street, beware of the charlatans.

Copyright 2007 by Darlene Osborne, Publisher