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Topic: Vitriol and Venom & Benny Hinn’s Marriage Problems -Mark J. Whitby
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Mary Lindow
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Posted: 03/02/2010 at 2:29am
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Vitriol and Venom & Benny Hinn’s Marriage Problems
Mark J Whitby
http://southwindinc.blogspot.com/
We are entering a tremendously important time in the kingdom and the
Lord is hovering in new ways and there is an expectation of those that are
standing in places of authority in the body to speak that which is true and
strong for the body of believers.
It has been revealed recently that Evangelist Benny Hinn’s wife has
decided to end her marriage to Hinn. She has filed for divorce. Whilst
many believers will be shocked, perhaps we should learn some things
from relatively recent church history.
Some years back (The late 80’s) the body of Christ went through a
significant shaking that was precipitated by the defrocking and public
humiliation of Marvin Gorman, Jim Bakker and ultimately Jimmy Swaggart.
Both Swaggart and Bakker were the face of the American church in their
hour and the entire world would listen as they spoke, yet both were
caught in a place of want. The lesser known Marvin Gorman had also
been a respected television evangelist, but had also been exposed as
having been involved in several affairs.
Jim Bakker led the now infamous Heritage USA – a Christian themed
amusement park in Charlotte, North Carolina – at one time the time the
third most visited site in the US aside from Disneyland and Walt Disney
World.
Swaggart, a gifted preacher, the cousin of singer, Jerry Lee Lewis, was
renown as a the darling of the church as he preached forthright messages
seeing thousands brought into the kingdom.
The melee that precipitated their fall from grace was in part initiated by
Swaggart who in his preaching started to take the high moral ground
about the problems in the church in the US.
He based a lot of his messages at that time on a book called ‘The
seduction of Christianity – A book that ostensibly exposed the enemy’s
strategy against the church, but ultimately it criticised many of the things
that were happening in the church in that season. Ironically it was
written by an anti Pentecostal whose theology was the foundation for his
penmanship. It was one of the first of a unfortunate sub-culture that has
now risen in the church that empowers people to criticise what they don’t
either understand or agree with.
There is now a plethora of books and web sites that see it as their
mission to criticise and expose what is happening in the church – a very
dangerous and ultimately a very arrogant practise. Many of these are
written by hurt and unhealed Christians who are easily deceived. Thinking
they are exposing error, their actions rather demonstrate a far more
serious sin of judgement.
In the midst of Swaggart’s tirade against others in ministry in the nation,
Swaggart started to name names and finally came out and exposed
Marvin Gorman as having failed morally. Initially his influence in his
denomination gave him a strong voice and they acted on his accusation.
Sometime later he also declared that Bakker was ‘a cancer on the body of
Christ’ and should be removed. His history with Bakker was in some
manner based on jealousy as Bakker had a powerful voice in the American
Television Church at that time – a place Swaggart sought for himself. He
had discovered that Bakker had entered into a payment to a young lady,
with whom he had fallen morally, to cover his tracks. Swaggart used his
considerable influence to disclose his adversary’s sins.
Ironically all three were members of the same denomination – the
Assemblies of God.
Later, encouraged by an ever-present voice that finds criticism a positive
thing, he continued his tirade until he himself was uncovered as having
visited with prostitutes.
Ironically Marvin Gorman staked out Swaggart and photographed him
going into a brothel, in retaliation for his own exposure!
Swaggart’s confession, with him weeping , quickly spread across the
world as he was exposed in his own moral dilemma. Quoting from
David’s Psalm of repentance – Ps 51 – the world watched as he prayed
‘Take not thy Holy Spirit from me’. He also prayed "I have sinned against
you, my Lord, and I would ask that your precious blood would wash and
cleanse every stain until it is in the seas of God's forgiveness.”
Swaggart had been renowned as a voice for reason in the church and
wrote much on the disciplining of ministers and the place of discipline in
the church. However in his own situation he was unwilling to comply with
the requests of his movement – the Assemblies of God, to step aside for a
season for restoration and rehabilitation. He was thus defrocked and
stubbornly continued in his ministry as an independent.
His fate however was sealed and he quickly disappeared from the public
view and much of his influence and power dissolved and his huge
television audience quickly deserted him.
Ironically Swaggart continued and in fact continues today to run his
church, however in a far less influential way.
Marvin Gorman’s ministry quickly faded and with some irony he later
successfully sued Swaggart for destroying his ministry!
Bakker however was incarcerated for money issues relating to his ministry
and spent some years as a guest of the US government as a prisoner.
Finally released in 1994 after serving 8 years of a 45 year sentence, he
wrote several books admitting his failure, the most prominent being – ‘I
was wrong’, – a blow by blow life story of his journey and ultimate failure.
Bakker however remarried after Tammy Faye, his equally famous wife ran
off with one of his former supporters. He today runs a small television
ministry with his new wife in Branson, Missouri.
-----
Swaggart fell upon a powerful principal that is imbedded in our
foundation as Christians.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge,
you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured
back to you.” (Matthew, 7,1-2)
The very manner that he entered into judgement over Gorman & Bakker
was measured to him – as the scripture declares!
Whilst it is evident that Gorman & Bakker were in the wrong and
ultimately paid for their own mistakes but the reality is that Swaggart
blindly thought that he could judge others whilst he was dealing with his
own internal struggles?
The Bible declares that the Lord covers our sins (Rom 4:27) – we are
forgiven and cleansed as we confess our sin to him (1 Jn 1:9) – we have an
amazing God who chooses to use us in our weakness and foolishness.
Many have fallen at this hurdle in their Christian walk – we are saved by
His grace and it is by His grace that each of us stand. When we come to a
place of thinking somehow that we have earned a place or obtained a
higher status we enter into deception.
Whilst it is a sad fact that Benny Hinn’s wife has now filed for a divorce,
there are most likely many issues they both now face. It is a sad reality
that this will now effect his ministry and his ability to continue to be a
voice for the church.
Recently Benny Hinn took it upon himself to speak a series of messages
about deception in the church and in the midst he declared a fellow
preacher as deceived and wrong.
Whilst not actually naming Todd Bentley, his tirade, against not only his
style and theology at the now quite infamous Lakeland outpouring, made
his position very clear.
Whilst Bentley has had many critics and his style is at best, very unique.
The fact that his marriage fell apart during the Lakeland outpouring was a
point that was not lost on Benny Hinn.
Bentley was uniquely used of God during that season of visitation and
many people received healings and miracles that surpassed the ministry
of Benny Hinn, a fact that I am sure grated in Hinn's heart.
Whilst Bentley’s demeanour and tattooed body and at times outrageous
claims makes him a perfect target for critics, it is dangerous place to go
to enter into judgement.
Benny Hinn will now go through a challenging season and perhaps will
survive and still in some way be voice in the church; however I suspect
that his future is determined by his own decisions regarding these issues.
Benny Hinn has been the subject of much criticism himself and has
undergone attacks from many from within the church. He has weathered
much of this criticism and perhaps learnt many things, ironically as has
Todd Bentley.
However as Luke says in his gospel in 12:38 From everyone who has
been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has
been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
1 Corinthians 10:12 - So that let him that thinks that he stands take heed
lest he fall.
A lesson here needs to be learnt – perhaps the next generation of leaders
will not fall at this very prominent hurdle.
With the invention of the internet and the ease of publishing ones views
on any subject it is a sad reality that many with a spirit of religion use to
attack and deride people with whom they disagree. However the
credential of those who criticise is very rarely brought into focus.
I suspect the Lord will use this new medium as a filter that ultimately will
disqualify many who dare to point fingers at and malign his children.
The amount of vitriol and venom that is often pointed at others is perhaps
a sign of the times as we enter into the final days.
Whilst we are called to discern and be watchful, the Lord is continually
looking at our hearts. The hearts of those that dare to speak with such
venom against his sons and daughters bring many of them into
judgement – a place I would never want to be.
__________________
The International Prophetic Mentoring Council
“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser, Mentor a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.” Proverbs 9:9
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Stacey Yerian
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Posted: 03/02/2010 at 8:58am
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Thanks for posting this one Mary!
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge,
you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured
back to you.” (Matthew, 7,1-2)
This law of sowing and reaping is foundational and applicable to all - from the greatest to the least - from the known to the unknown - from the sinner to the saint. This is why we each must walk in the fear of the Lord with regard to what we see, hear, say and do and especially as we see the day approaching.
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Laurie Vaughan
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Posted: 03/02/2010 at 12:55pm
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True, one must not stand in judgement over others. Scriptures support, however, the judgement of sin. We are to bring a brother back through repentance, unless they refuse. However, these situations of marriages ending and such, are not to be speculated over. Nor is it our place to condemn a ministry or person because they get hit with hardship. We should pray for them and know that they are called, even if they have difficulties. Difficulties and trials in life, are not the same as sin. Hardships, failures and problems cannot disqualify anyone from what God has called them to do. If it is not a matter for the church(sin), then it is a matter only for God.
Edited by Laurie Vaughan on 03/02/2010 at 12:59pm
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Thanks Laurie
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Don Holycross
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Posted: 03/02/2010 at 1:06pm
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When Jesus said this, was He refering to judgements about who will go to heaven and hell? Or character?
Matthew 7“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
To see what kind of fruit one has is to Judge it....Fruit is character! How else do you know if they are wolves in sheep clothing?
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Stacey Yerian
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Posted: 03/02/2010 at 2:49pm
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Hi Laurie,
you wrote: "Nor is it our place to condemn a ministry or person because they get hit with hardship." To me this was a main point in Mark's writing.
Yes. As you said, our prayer should be for restoration. When one is hurting is affects the whole.
Jesus said all things will be exposed in the light of truth. If not through means of man for whatever his/her motive may be to expose sin, it will happen because the Word of God is true.
Yes the guidelines are there for the church to deal with its own. Isn't this where things so often have gone wrong? The lack of compassion or understanding about to do this?
I just read Rick Joyner's article elsewhere about the restoration process for Todd Bentley. I have been out of that loop and for a number of reasons, pretty clueless to the whole Lakewood deal. Although there is apparent controvery and persecution toward Morning Star for their stand in this process, I hear the heart of the Lord speaking through it - this is LOVE. Mercy triumps over judgement.
I think this article and others like it are good for measuring our own hearts. I'm sure I am not the only who has been on both sides of this in some measure or another.
Jesus is coming back for the Bride without spot or wrinkle and there is still much for Him to do in and through us but He is more than able. Lord make us willing.
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Anastasia Lee
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Stacey Yerian
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Posted: 03/02/2010 at 3:18pm
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Hi Don,
Is this article debating whether or not we are to judge the fruit of others? Maybe I'm missing something here and forgive me if I miscommmunicated my point.
One of the points I took from this was many of the judgments made by Christian leaders, (and I would include all of us in this because I think we all have been equally as guilty of it), have been from a wounded spirit, a critical spirit, and/or religious spirit. And this, without a true heart of restoration and the love of the Father in the process.
So...in keeping with that line of thinking, I conclude that another point to this article is that we must first keep our own cup clean and pull the speck out of our own eye.
I realize that as Laurie stated, there are biblical guidelines in place for addressing sin in church leadership. For the most part though, this has not been modeled very well and as Rick Joyner generally expresses in his article, there is room for more understanding and improvement in many areas related to this subject.
God Bless those in leadership that are seeking the Lord and involved in those processes. May His grace and truth guide them as they walk by His Spirit to bring restoration.
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Anastasia Lee
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Jeffrey Stewart
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Posted: 03/02/2010 at 4:02pm
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Well, we can look at biblical examples for guidance. Paul most certainly judged the man who lived with his step mother in I Corinthians, and he also judged Peter in public for siting with jewish believers. So all judging is not wrong. But we can ALSO see from Paul's writings that he walked in humility (I am the least of all apostles) and love. So it is more "what spirit are you walking in when you judge"). Swaggart was condemning others while living in sin. He was judging by the wrong spirit. Shakespeare said "I think she doth protest too much". Pharisees judged Jesus out of a spirit of pride and condemnation. They were very clearly wrong in their judgment. So it has to do a great deal about the heart of the person who judges.
Interesting - the title of the original post is Vitriol and VENOM. Venom is associated with the serpent. The Religious Spirit is a serpent. It is an expert at camoflage, at hiding, at appearing to be Holy Spirit. It contains poison in its mouth. It seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. When Jesus corrects, through a spirit led person, it is for that person to ultimately have life and that more abundantly. Peter was "set free" from a constricting way of thinking when Paul corrected him. The man who lived with his mother in law was restored by the time Paul wrote 2nd Corinthians. Venomous judgment comes from those controlled by the religious spirit, and there is a judgment for those who operate under the influence of the enemy to destroy others in His Body.
Edited by Jeffrey Stewart on 03/02/2010 at 4:31pm
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Gayle Getz
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Posted: 03/02/2010 at 6:18pm
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Without the gift of discerning of spirits, one can be deceived into operating in a critical judgmental spirit. Then thoughts from the soulish realm make one think they are judging from a Biblical prospective.
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Shalom-nothing missing, nothing broken-Gayle
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Jeffrey Stewart
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Posted: 03/02/2010 at 6:36pm
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Very true
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Don Holycross
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Posted: 03/02/2010 at 8:50pm
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You can never go wrong with looking at someones fruit....
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Mark J Whitby
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Posted: 03/03/2010 at 3:27am
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HEY GUYS - THANXS FOR READING THE POST (ACTUALLY IS WAS FROM MARY LINDOW) CHEERS 
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Stacey Yerian
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Posted: 03/03/2010 at 7:31am
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Mark - I wrote, To me this was a main point in Mark's writing. Thanks for correcting me on the actual writer of this post. Oops! Jeff - Great examples from scripture to keep this thread on course. Don - You are right about the fruit. Mary - these were great points for our consideration and reflection as we deal with our hearts in these matters regardless of who and where we are as we progress in the Kingdom.
Grace and Peace
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Mary Lindow
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Posted: 03/04/2010 at 3:13am
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Hey all!! I DID NOT write the posted article!
I DID POST it though! Mark Whitby was the author!!
I felt that this article was much needed, and wanted to share it. I know Mark
and his wife Sue. They care for the orphans and the widows with much much
mercy and grace.
Mary Lindow
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“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser, Mentor a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.” Proverbs 9:9
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