Is the Christian walk always happy?

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ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
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#21
For about two decades now I have been learning to find the Lord in my circumstances.

That is: instead of declaring "Whoa is me!" I ask Him "What are you doing?" I'm wise enough to know my instruction is not complete: just when I conquer what seems to be the most difficult of circumstances, He leads me forward into an other. I expect all sons of God are treated this way as they advance toward maturity. It is, after all, the way a loving father prepares his children for greater things.

As an aside (sort of): being critical of apostasy had its place early in my walk with God. Not that we should ever tolerate apostasy but it (speaking against wrong) dominated most of my thinking. As I matured I learned that there is much more than cursing the darkness to the walk of a son. Indeed, God uses the apostasy all around to remind us of our need for Him in increasing measure as we mature. In short: constantly cursing the darkness is a dalliance reserved for children. As one matures they learn to be examples of the Word they claim to believe.
Funny, my experience has been exactly the opposite. As I've matured I've gained the courage to call out false teachers unapologetically.
 
Mar 4, 2020
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#22
What Joel is doing is selling an ideal, but it's a lie. It's just an attempt to influence the audience using his status as a wealthy and successful person.

It's actually a propaganda technique called the beautiful people. This technique typically uses celebrities, wealthy, and/or attractive people to promote a product or gain followers to a certain idea. The idea is that if people see that Joel Osteen is healthy looking, dressed nice, is articulate, has a job, and is happy then they will listen to him/give him their money to get more of what he has.

Notice this isn't what Jesus did. In my opinion, being a disciple of Jesus and doing all he said to do is spiritually rewarding, but difficult. The path of Jesus is not for the faint of heart, there's a cross to carry, and there will be enemies. There is no promise of fame, wealth, or even a guarantee or survival; actually he prepared his disciples for the strong possibility of death and persecution.

Jesus was called the man of sorrows, not the man of happiness, and he had the full range of normal human emotions like joy, anger, disgust, sorrow, compassion, frustration, and much more.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
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#23
In this clip, Ted uses Joel Osteen as an example because Osteen is one of the biggest proponents of the pie in the sky, always happy, always positive pipe dream. But this post isn't about Osteen, it's about all of those preachers out there who sell the same thing.

I think Ted has attained a lot of maturity and wisdom and we should listen to him on this. The Bible doesn't teach we will always have happiness or that we can simply decide to be happy; but it does teach we will be comforted in our times of sorrow, pain or grief. There are a lot of so-called preachers of the gospel out there selling people a lot of false hope. We would do well to reject this and stay grounded in reality.

Nice post. I enjoyed and agreed with the video guy. When we go through deep waters, a giggling Osteen is the last thing we want or need. Ted mentions Philippians 4:

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
 

Edify

Well-known member
Jan 27, 2021
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#25
In Luke 11:37-52, Jesus pronounced multiple woes on the scribes, pharisees, & lawyers,
How happy was Jesus when He said this?
How happy was Jesus the day he cleansed the Temple?
Such judgment isn't a happy time.
When the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, does that make you happy or joyous? Yet whom the Father loves He chastises.:)
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
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#26
Funny, my experience has been exactly the opposite. As I've matured I've gained the courage to call out false teachers unapologetically.
Oh, don't get me wrong. It is needed. It's when it dominates one's general behavior that is a sign of immaturity.
 
Jun 20, 2022
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#27
Not a fan of the vast majority of television preachers/evangelists.

But I also cannot deny that they are attacked the most from other Believers, the media (which none of us have to face that scrutiny), attacked by politicians, and billions of people in general who deny God.

They really are a punching bag and they're getting smacked from every angle.

So for some to remain positive while enduring what us nobody Christians will ever endure, is actually remarkable.

I have major trials and do my best to remain positive because I have God in my life. But I don't know if I could face what they face and still be that positive.

I am not a fan of them, but I have major respect that they find the strength to continue because if I was in their shoes I would be wanting a lot of revenge.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
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#28
So for some to remain positive while enduring what us nobody Christians will ever endure, is actually remarkable.
Not really when you think about the $$$ they're pulling down. If I loved money and had millions I'd probably be smiling too. LOL You don't seriously think it's their love of the gospel that keeps them going do you?
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
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#29
How do you know he doesn't have the Holy Spirit indwelling in him ----God calls people to what He wants them to do ----you can't know that Joel is not a true Christian --he is sowing good fruit in his speeches ---and that is an indication that he does have the Holy Spirit indwelling in him ------

So who are you to say he isn't genuinely a Christian ----How do you know ??????????
I'm not saying he isn't saved. I'm saying the prosperity gospel he preaches is more motivational self enhancement than true christianity
 
Jun 20, 2022
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#31
Not really when you think about the $$$ they're pulling down. If I loved money and had millions I'd probably be smiling too. LOL You don't seriously think it's their love of the gospel that keeps them going do you?
Joel Osteen inherited his core congregation from his father. Like Richard Roberts from Oral Roberts.

Joel was always going to be well off.

I think he saw his dad's stance like Grace Doctrine vs Fire and Brimstone.

Now preachers like Kenneth Copeland and that line of ILK are about material possessions and false Doctrine like we are little gods and Demonic trash.

And I am not saying Osteen doesn't enjoy the money he sees coming in. I am just saying he was already rich so I don't believe that's his only motivation.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
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#33
Now preachers like Kenneth Copeland and that line of ILK are about material possessions and false Doctrine like we are little gods and Demonic trash.
Osteen is no different than Copeland or any of the other Word of Faith prosperity preachers. Even if he has an aww shucks southern style and a big smile, underneath he's no different than any of the rest of 'em. In many respects this makes him worse because he uses his charm to get people to trust him. Personality is irrelevant; what is relevant is whether or not a so-called preacher of the gospel is telling the truth or lying to you.
 
Jun 20, 2022
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#34
It's not. He also likes power & manipulation.
The spirit that rules him motivates him.
That could be.

But his older brothers were supposed to take the church over when their dad died and Joel was the only one who actually studied the ministry and had a decent background.

His brothers gave him no choice but to take over.

That doesn't seem power hungry to me but it doesn't mean he didn't become that way after having control.
 
N

notonmywatch

Guest
#35
Is the Christian walk always happy?

That depends upon one's definition of the word happy.

During his time on this earth, Christ wept, got angry, and was grieved, and I doubt that most people would equate things like that with happiness.

Then again, the Bible's definition of happy certainly seems to differ from the world's definition of happy.

1Peter 4:14
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
 
Jun 20, 2022
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#37
Osteen is no different than Copeland or any of the other Word of Faith prosperity preachers. Even if he has an aww shucks southern style and a big smile, underneath he's no different than any of the rest of 'em. In many respects this makes him worse because he uses his charm to get people to trust him. Personality is irrelevant; what is relevant is whether or not a so-called preacher of the gospel is telling the truth or lying to you.
I see Osteen and Copeland the same as I see Calvin and ultra Grace.

So what's the real point here.

All of them are lying.

I was raised Southern Baptist where the pastor and most of the men would hang black people and burn crosses then preach OSAS.

They're all liars!!
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,214
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#39
When I was a kid, there was a certain preacher in our town that was always wearing a smile, always upbeat; seemed like he was always on top of the world. I was glad he was happy and all, but after awhile I dreaded to see him coming. I couldn't be real with him because I felt like I didn't measure up. I was sure there was something wrong with me; otherwise I'd be happy and smiling all the time too.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,226
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New Zealand
#40
I see Osteen and Copeland the same as I see Calvin and ultra Grace.

So what's the real point here.

All of them are lying.

I was raised Southern Baptist where the pastor and most of the men would hang black people and burn crosses then preach OSAS.

They're all liars!!
Well I'm independent Baptist and my church is multi cultural. Same with most independent Baptists in my city. So can't tar us all with the same brush.

But I get what you are saying