Question about a practice at church

[DMA]

My church got a new pastor about a year ago. His sermons are great and attendance is building up again. But, he does something that bothers me. At the end of every service, he says, "Lets make the devil mad" Then he leads the congregation in a declaration telling the devil they are through with him and how he doesn't control them. It lasts about a full minute and is the same speech every time. I look around during the speech and it seems every one but me and my daughter are repeating it, some with eyes closed. Is that strange or am I just being too sensitive? Thank you for any input.

 

[Human]

My church got a new pastor about a year ago. His sermons are great and attendance is building up again. But, he does something that bothers me. At the end of every service, he says, "Lets make the devil mad" Then he leads the congregation in a declaration telling the devil they are through with him and how he doesn't control them. It lasts about a full minute and is the same speech every time. I look around during the speech and it seems every one but me and my daughter are repeating it, some with eyes closed. Is that strange or am I just being too sensitive? Thank you for any input.

Anger and provocation have no part in self-control.

 

[kaylagrl]

My church got a new pastor about a year ago. His sermons are great and attendance is building up again. But, he does something that bothers me. At the end of every service, he says, "Lets make the devil mad" Then he leads the congregation in a declaration telling the devil they are through with him and how he doesn't control them. It lasts about a full minute and is the same speech every time. I look around during the speech and it seems every one but me and my daughter are repeating it, some with eyes closed. Is that strange or am I just being too sensitive? Thank you for any input.

I wouldn't say its wrong really.I dont know the man so its hard to say.But the devil shouldnt be taken lightly and this seems to take him lightly in my opinion. Just from what it sounds like you are saying.

 

[damombomb]

Looks more like he would have an alter call or glorify God in some way.

 

[RickyZ]

1 John 14:12, Jesus says we will do the things He has done and more. One of the things Jesus did was face down the devil directly and rebuke him - and his demons. Now, I don't see this taught in most churches, they teach you to ask God to do such and such, and Jesus told us we are to do it... ourselves, in His Name. So, while reserving judgment on his style based upon limited information, I don't think he's wrong in exampling for his congregation facing satan/demons directly for ourselves. And given the times we are entering, I think that's an ever increasing skill we're going to need.

I'd love to see or hear what it is he says/prays. Are his sermons available online?

 

[presidente]

It depends on what is said. Michael would not bring a railing accusation against him before the Lord, but said, "the Lord rebuke you" but the false brethren in Jude would speak evil of dignitaries.

 

[Keeper]

My church got a new pastor about a year ago. His sermons are great and attendance is building up again. But, he does something that bothers me. At the end of every service, he says, "Lets make the devil mad" Then he leads the congregation in a declaration telling the devil they are through with him and how he doesn't control them. It lasts about a full minute and is the same speech every time. I look around during the speech and it seems every one but me and my daughter are repeating it, some with eyes closed. Is that strange or am I just being too sensitive? Thank you for any input.

To quote a wise man from old days, "If you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you."

There's a reason why we believe that Jesus has conquered the Devil, and that he no longer has any kind of power over us. That's a fact, and we know it deep in our souls. But what about the "mind"??

You see, a human's mind can be filled with anything you expose it to. All you need is to make that practice last for a while, and before you know it you're seeing or doing "things." Think of the people who work into advertisement. Do you think that they are only seeking "good" publicity for their goods? Not always, no! Sometimes, all they seek is "exposure." Good or bad, it doesn't matter. As long as the public will keep seeing these images on their TV, progress is being made. Now try to extrapolate to the "publicity" of Satan. Do you think that it makes a difference to him (the Devil) that we say: "Let's make the Devil mad." or "Let's make the Devil happy."? Do you think it makes any difference to him? All he wants is an opportunity to appear on your television set; because he knows from your eyes he can make it to your brain, and your mind ultimately, to then start making your life miserable... once again.

To pick an other example, these are the instructions that were given to Israel: "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.[...]" (Joshua 1:8)

So what should we feel our minds with? The Laws? Yes, that would certainly be a good idea... but we also happen to know that there's a much easier and faster way to fulfill the 10 commandments without splitting our concentration on each one of them individually. We don't have to "meditate" on 10 items. We can instead focus all our concentration on one and only one item; and that is the man walking ahead of us (Jesus Christ)... and we'll be able to fulfill all the 10 of them without paying attention to them. Think of it as walking on water without looking down on the water (if you remember Peter's story).

Obviously the conversation about the Law and Christ isn't the main topic here (just a parenthesis I couldn't help introducing, but maybe we'll leave it for another conversation).

Anyways: What I'm saying is, we are human beings and we have weaknesses. Our minds happen to be one of those weak points, our "Achilles heels" if you will.

The images we surround ourselves with, they can either cause damage or bring about serenity... depending on what they are.

 

[Joidevivre]

I sure would not want to have the devil "glorified" at the end of the sermon. And to glorify something is to give weight to it.

Wouldn't it be more powerful instead to end with praises to God that he has lifted them above the powers of darkness (Col. 1:13) and that we are safe in Christ....?

 

[notuptome]

My church got a new pastor about a year ago. His sermons are great and attendance is building up again. But, he does something that bothers me. At the end of every service, he says, "Lets make the devil mad" Then he leads the congregation in a declaration telling the devil they are through with him and how he doesn't control them. It lasts about a full minute and is the same speech every time. I look around during the speech and it seems every one but me and my daughter are repeating it, some with eyes closed. Is that strange or am I just being too sensitive? Thank you for any input.

I can find many reasons to question what he is doing. Is he young and inexperienced? Has he considered that he is creating a ritual for the sake of ritual?

It's probably not wise to continue the practice but if the rest of the congregation is into it you will face resistance in any attempt to curb it.

Why is attendance building up? Are they coming to hear Gods word declared or to be entertained? I hope they are coming to be edified through the preaching of Gods word and not to see the antics of the pastor.

Is it tempting God to endeavor to tease the devil?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[themusicmiss]

Why is attendance building up? Are they coming to hear Gods word declared or to be entertained? I hope they are coming to be edified through the preaching of Gods word and not to see the antics of the pastor.

Is it tempting God to endeavor to tease the devil?



^^^Good point.


I think its the wording more than anything that seems a little abstract, I knew if someone said that at some churches Ive attended, most of the congregation would just laugh, not for the intention but because it seems a somewhat juvenile statement. Then again, I guess he's being honest with what he wants you all to do..the practice seems very straightforward and relevant considering.

Ah, I dont know. Maybe pray about it...it could be that you're just not used to it yet

 

[JesusMyOnly]

I wouldn't provoke anything evil. Resist the devil and he shall flee. That practice would be uncomfortable for me. I'd be sitting there talking to God quietly to myself the entire time. Wouldn't enjoy talking to the devil. Now doing a study on Satan's sealed fate with bible verses would be a better idea.
I agree with what Joidevivre said. Singing praises to Jesus would be the best way to remind evil it has no power.

 

[Angela53510]

This is seriously wrong! We go to church to worship God, not to spend time with the devil. When we walk close to Jesus, the devil flees!

"Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee." James 4:7

Notice how the verse starts with submitting to God. We resist the devil by submitting to God.

I would not stay in a church like that for a second service. I go to church to be fed from the Word and to get closer to God. Not to pretend that some ritual will keep Satan away. Only God can keep Satan under control. And he has already won that battle on the cross.

 

[SoulWeaver]

To be honest, I'd take "and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil" and roll in peace anyday rather than picquing hell's attention.
Except God has a different preference at the moment, of course.
Your pastor might be saying it without erring himself, but I undestand why you are troubled with this. Praying that God will lead him to a more edifying way to boast in Him, and hopefully not by leading him into temptation...

Job 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. 7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Which definitely made satan very angry.

 

[DMA]

I know trying to get my feelings across would be met with disapproval...my best friend is on the board and sees nothing wrong with it. I believe the Lord is giving me discernment in this and I just can't keep going and dreading that last part. The church had some issues a few years back and the original pastor, who had been there for 30plus years left. The congregation had decreased from over 1000 members to just over 40 weekly attendees. Now it's up to about 200 but I just can't sit under that, knowing that it will end with the congregation repeating a call out to make the devil mad. I just needed some insight and to make sure I wasn't being overly sensitive. Thank you guys

 

[Keeper]

I know trying to get my feelings across would be met with disapproval...my best friend is on the board and sees nothing wrong with it. I believe the Lord is giving me discernment in this and I just can't keep going and dreading that last part. The church had some issues a few years back and the original pastor, who had been there for 30plus years left. The congregation had decreased from over 1000 members to just over 40 weekly attendees. Now it's up to about 200 but I just can't sit under that, knowing that it will end with the congregation repeating a call out to make the devil mad. I just needed some insight and to make sure I wasn't being overly sensitive. Thank you guys

Then in that case, if "making the Devil mad" will help bring the numbers back to 1000 (from 40); my suggestion would be that he keeps doing it.

But due to the fact that the Spirit of God is already telling you that something isn't right, I can only say that maybe a time has come for you to get out of the "Church" phase and move on; move onto the next Phase.

After all, "Church" is meant to be the place where we first learn about Jesus and all the "good" things that can't be found elsewhere but in Him. But as John used to tell his followers: "I only baptize through water." The phase where we get Baptized through the Spirit and FIRE, that waits until we're ready... until we've grown up enough to quit living on milk and honey (food for babies) but start eating "solid food" as Paul put it.

This will definitely involve long days and nights, of pain and sufferings... loneliness; far away from your "brothers and sisters in Christ" who used to caress all your troubles away.

Repentance Part 2 is a rather long subject for discussion so I will leave it there. But my point is: Maybe your alarm has just gone off and you now have to wake up, pack your things and leave... for the desert. (Armed with nothing but Faith, and with the love you collected during your days of "Church" as the bread to feed on during the few first months... after which you must just learn to "live on the word" as the Lord said to Satan when he came to tempt Him.)

Repentance Part 2: The Baptism of Fire

----

 

[passinthru]

if the word of god is going out and people are being ministered to in a way that they are growing closer to Him just pray about it and ask God for wisdom on what to do, if anything. Don't let it get in your way of seeing the good things that must be happening in your assembly. Hey, you both have the same Holy Spirit within you things will work out.

 

[Agricola]

Making this kind of statement each week seems nieve and misguided. This degrading and mocking of Satan and demons is foolish, respsect your enemy.

Yes Satan should be respected for what he is and what he can do. No one is immnune from Satan and demons. Yes we can call upon protection and expect that Holy Spirit and Christ will do that job, but that still does not mean they are not powerful, they certainly are. Would you poke a sleeping wild bear ?

You can make it clear to demons without goading them directly, they can be reminded of Christs victory and thier fate but simply thanking God for the victory and future life without sin.


I will leave you with this thought, Job was a special man and singled out by God, blessed with everything he did, Satan noticed this and asked why, stating that he is only being so devout to God because of the riches he was given and the amazing life he was living, so Satan asks permission to show God that once all this changes he will end up cursing God. Result was Satan took away and destroyed everything belonging to Job, including his family. Why should we be any more special or protected? So think twice before mocking Satan, who is or was the most beautiful and powerful angel in heaven.

JOB 1

[SUP]8 [/SUP]And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

[SUP]9 [/SUP]Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
[SUP]10 [/SUP]Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
[SUP]11 [/SUP]But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

 

[Dan58]

he says, "Lets make the devil mad" Then he leads the congregation in a declaration telling the devil they are through with him and how he doesn't control them.

Doesn't sound like a wise idea

Its probably best to pay the devil no credence. Church is a place to address the Lord and the things of God. Talking to Satan has no place there. I'm relatively certain that the devil already knows that Christians despise him, so a proclamation to him in a service seems out of place. I can't imagine Jesus would invite Satan into his house, even for a lecture. And remember that Satan fell because of pride, so challenging him would likely double his efforts. The devil is death, he is dead to Christians, so why directly invoke his name in provocation.. Let a sleeping dog lie.. jmo

 

[NewWine]

No where in any of the OP's posts has she mentioned discussing this with the new pastor. Perhaps talking to the pastor and asking the story behind this part of his/her sermons may help discern more? Communication is the key to all relationships, even the pastor/church attendee relationship. Build a relationship with the pastor, and ask him/her questions....how else will you ever get to know the person? After you understand why perhaps you will have a better understanding of what exactly bothers you about this, making you better able to make the right decision for your family.

As for whether or not this is right or wrong, I don't feel I have enough information to really say.
Peace!!

 

[Sirk]

"Resist the devil and he will flee from you". I think I would rather him flee than be "mad" at me.