Pastors! Beware of Feigned Words!

Pastors, please hear me out!

Imagine a friend, a fellow pastor entrusted with a flock of the Lord’s sheep, who appears to be preaching a sound Gospel message and bringing more sheep into the fold. Day after day, he leads them into the presence of God, or so you believe, singing songs of praise. Perhaps the melodies were beautiful to your ears. The words sounded pure. The people were moved. The atmosphere felt holy… even sacred.

Then you decide to start using the same music, seeing the apparent success of your brother in leadership, and model your services in the same way and start to experience that success. Later, when the truth is revealed to you that the men and women who wrote the songs DO NOT bow to the same God as you – will you continue?

Consider, they are part of a system that denies the eternal Son, redefines the gospel, and promotes another Jesus. Despite this, the songs continued in your services week after week because they “sounded good” and “the people liked them.” Or defend them with arguments: “We need to reach our youth, and they love the sound,” or “I only judge a song by whether the lyrics sound biblical, not who wrote them or their origin,” or “We cannot know the heart of the composer,” or “We can fight until the cows come home over music, but it does not serve the Gospel,” thereby rationalizing that the music should remain.

Now I ask: If you, Pastor, stood before the Throne of our Lord, would you boldly present those songs as worship to the Holy God of Israel, knowing the hand that wrote them does not confess the same Lord? – I believe NOT!

And ask another way: Would you knowingly sing the songs of the LDS-Mormon cult?

If you answered no, of course not, then consider this: If you use the music from Bethel, Hillsong, or Elevation – you’ve crossed that line! If you see no problems, please explain how these groups differ from a cult. Adding to that, when their music is played in your church, then you must pay licensing fees via CCLI, meaning you’re supporting the cults who are fleecing us for millions of dollars and misleading followers to Hell! The Scriptures are not forgiving at all when they speak of these people; they are that harsh and unmovable. Are you still listening to this music and using it in your church? It doesn’t seem like you’re turning away those who deny our Lord! (2 Timothy 3:5)

2 Peter 2:1-3 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

There are many alternatives to the music of these cults beyond the Hymns of years past. There are composers, and there should be others in your midst whose talents are probably unnoticed. Let them bring other songs, hymns, and spiritual songs to make melodies in your hearts. Abandon all the false songs created for a false “god” (little “g” intentional) of these cults, and give what is truly worthy of the God we serve – from our hearts, minds, and souls!

Sadly, I know many will not leave this music, failing to recognize the dangers of drinking from what I call poisoned wells or feeding their flocks on fields of noxious weeds. Just remember, even slow-acting poisons still kill, but there are remedies – if you do not wait too long! It may take time to detox from this poison’s addiction, but I can personally attest to other ways God replaces the void with things far better!

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17

Here are some of the “receipts” of the false teachings from Bethel, Hillsong, and Elevation:

Bethel (Bill Johnson and associates)

• Jesus did miracles only as a man, not as God — so we can do the same
• Modern apostles & prophets with authority equal to (or above) Scripture
• Dominionism: take over culture/government to bring heaven to earth
• Sickness is never God’s will; healing is part of the true gospel
• Grave-soaking, fire tunnels, and extreme “Holy Spirit” manifestations
• Ongoing prophetic revelation that supplements the Bible

Hillsong (Brian Houston and associates)

• Prosperity gospel: “You Need More Money” — poverty is not God’s will
• Health, wealth, and success are God’s guaranteed desire for believers
• Soft/evasive stance on homosexuality and biblical sexual ethics
• Experience and production prioritized over clear doctrine and repentance
• Women as senior pastors + partnerships with other false teachers

Elevation (Steven Furtick with other frequent speakers at his “church”)

• Modalism – Furtick teaches what T.D. Jakes does about the Trinity (denies it)
• “Little gods” language: “Whatever He is, you are too” / “I am God Almighty”
• Man-centered motivational preaching that twists Scripture
• God “broke the law for love” (making God a lawbreaker)
• Word of Faith self-empowerment and success theology
• Heavy associations with known false teachers (Joyce Meyer, T.D. Jakes, etc.)

Notable musicians who have co-written or partnered extensively with these three and many of these false birds flock together, crossing over between these cults:

Bethel Music

• Phil Wickham (e.g., Living Hope with Brian Johnson)
• Brandon Lake (former Bethel artist; multiple songs)
• Chris Tomlin (e.g., Holy Forever with Brian Johnson)
• Dante Bowe
• Core Bethel writers: Brian & Jenn Johnson, Kristene DiMarco, Josh Baldwin

Hillsong

• Brooke Ligertwood (major songwriter and solo artist)
• Joel Houston, Reuben Morgan, Ben Fielding, Matt Crocker, TAYA
• Cross-collaborations: Ben Fielding has written with Bethel and Elevation writers
• Chris Tomlin (various partnerships)

Elevation Worship

• Brandon Lake (e.g., Graves into Gardens)
• Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes (e.g., The Blessing with Steven Furtick)
• Chandler Moore
• Phil Wickham (co-writes with Steven Furtick and Elevation circle)
• Core: Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Tiffany Hudson