Watch Out For Charlatans!

“Walk with the wise & become wise; associate with fools & get in trouble.” Proverbs 13:20

We are living in a time where believers must guard themselves from spiritual charlatans.

What is a CHARLATAN? A charlatan (also called a swindler) is a person practicing quackery or some similar confidence trick or deception in order to obtain money, fame or other advantages via some form of pretense or deception. Synonyms for charlatan include shyster, quack, or faker.

Sadly, there are many self-proclaimed "apostles, prophets & pastors" who prey on weak minded believers by enticing their thirst & curiosity for the "supernatural" with a so called "WORD FROM THE LORD"...which really aren't words from The Lord, but rather flesh driven trickery to control, manipulate & keep a cycle of dependency on them rather than Christ.

This is one reason why we need true pastors & true spiritual fathers/mothers in our life. They help guide our discernment through sound biblical teaching. They protect us from charlatans & those who would take advantage of our good nature & innocence.

As a shepherd, you take great care in leading, feeding & protecting those whom you've been entrusted. It pains you to see folks fanged by the teeth of carnivorous wolves who make cloaked promises of positions, titles & familiarity. True spiritual discernment can see through the veil of appearances & anyone with even a natural eye can see a person's track record in both the natural & spiritual. God will reveal it & has.

I caution people to avoid associations with this spirit. It is "another spirit" masquerading around the body of Christ. It longs for the affirmation of fatherhood but was never legitimately birthed. It appears to have the structure of biblical theology but it's foundation is pride & self-promotion. Discerning believers should not let its poison have access to their life.

Romans 16:17-18 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

You cannot cover what remains uncovered.

You cannot lead what will not be led.

However, you can continue to teach the truth, model & love unconditionally. Father's don't leave the porch. They remain on the porch with a watchful eye for prodigals on the horizon.

Some more information that is helpful...

Fathering The Fatherless (Part 1)

Sent or Went...that is the Question

The Forerunner Generation (Part 1)

The Forerunner Generation (Part 2)

The Forerunner Generation (Part 3)

The Forerunner Generation (Part 4)

Don't Live Life In Reverse

Saddens me to see people do things backwards. We should do all we can to help people do better & be better as they are charting their life.

Sometimes, folks don't have the understanding or upbringing to point them in the right direction. And sometimes people don't want to listen to instruction, so they end up living life in reverse.

I believe that when you have it in your power to elevate someone's mindset, seat them in the room of greater & expose them to "more" - you raise them up!

You can't make people want it or to even do it for themselves. But you can offer it.

I don't buy this excuse, "My parents didn't teach me or I wasn't raised to know any better." We are too far along in society for that to be the "go to" excuse. We must educate ourselves. I can't look back & blame my parents or their parents for what I didn't get. Once I have "knowledge" I must then do something with it. Standing around with my hand out, expecting everyone to cater to me, is not a viable option as long as I'm physically & mentally able to provide for myself. I haven't even addressed the spiritual aspect.

The saying, "When we know better, we should do better" is true in many aspects. However, once a person receives knowledge (with comprehension), the choice is theirs on what to do with it. You can give 10 people a tool box, filled with tools, but only those who open the box & decide to use the tools to build will actually do something beyond what they've always known.

This is why we need SPIRITUAL FATHERS & MOTHERS! We are in desperate need of mentors & coaches to help the generation, coming after us, to understand SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES above all! I may be able to teach a "trade", a "skill", "techniques", etc., but what this generation needs, for ETERNITY, is THE GOSPEL of Jesus Christ.

They say "Knowledge is power." This is true to a certain degree. Someone can have knowledge but that doesn't mean they obey truth. You can empower yourself right into HELL although you had knowledge.

I digress.

Let's help people, especially young people, do better. Don't give up on them. You were once stubborn yourself.

Pastor Hylton
#MakingRoom

Who Do You Give Your Ear To?

You Need A Spiritual Father / Mother

YOU NEED A SPIRITUAL FATHER/MOTHER IN YOUR LIFE...TODAY & TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Fathers have the ability to speak ORDER into CHAOS.

2. Fathers EXPECT effort, efficiency & extra from their sons. They are willing to model & provide the same.

3. A father/mother will LOVE you enough to CORRECT you when you’re out of order. If you cannot or will not receive guidance or correction from them, then you don’t belong to them.

4. I would not be where I am without mentors, coaches, FATHERS & MOTHERS.

5. I NEVER dishonor or disrespect my spiritual or natural father by dismissing their phone call or text. A lack of response, disregarded or delayed, reveals my heart.

6. You don’t have to have a FAMOUS spiritual father/mother to have an EFFECTIVE spiritual father/mother. You just need someone who’s willing to GUIDE, GUARD & GOVERN your life.

DON’T TAKE FOR GRANTED THE GIFT GOD HAS PROVIDED.