A series from The Refuge: A look into the future and the power of living in a Christian Community by Jim Bakker 

We are seeing and hearing a preponderance of such messages today. “God wants you to be rich, to have the best, to own jet airplanes, and fancy cars” and on and on. The “desires” about which Paul warned Timothy are not merely sexual lusts, but strong desires for the material things of the world. Unfortunately, despite Paul's warnings, more and more Christians are becoming enamored with this world. The old saying, “He's so heavenly minded that he is of no earthly good,” has been turned upside down. Nowadays, most Christians are so earthly minded, so caught up in their quests to achieve the “American Dream,” that few even take heaven seriously, much less feel an urgency to prepare for the soon return of our Lord Jesus. Consequently, we are getting what we deserve from our pulpits. We are inundated nowadays with quasi-biblical messages designed to tickle our ears and lift our spirits. 

How can you tell whether a message is on target? The true test of modern teaching, preaching, or what we see or hear on television and radio or find written in books is, How does this line up with the Word of God? If the message is inconsistent with the Word, do not accept it. God will never speak to you or anyone else something that is contrary to His own Word. Those who insist on trying to find exceptions to that rule are dangerous to your spiritual welfare. Avoid them and their false doctrines like the plague. 

(from The Refuge, Copyright © 2000 by Jim Bakker. All rights reserved.)