The Seeds of Apostasy

by Paul Holdren

John Wesley recounted that within every revival were the seeds of apostasy. By this he meant that with revival came righteousness, with righteousness came favor, with favor came prosperity, and with prosperity came the temptation of self-reliance. The temptation of self-reliance is the first step away from God. It is sad that people are willing to serve the illusion of prosperity by means of self-reliance.

As Americans we can definitely see how this insight fits our country. Our land was birthed with the ideal that a nation should have the freedom to worship the true and living God according to one's conscience. The Almighty had blessed our nation with righteousness. With righteousness came national favor, with favor came prosperity, and now we, as a nation, bear the burdens of decline resulting from our own self-reliance. As American Christians we can see how the Spirit of the Lord could speak of a church that sees itself as "increased of goods and have need of nothing" (Revelation 3:17).

When idolatry's seed of self-reliance yields its crop of perversion, poverty, and struggle - many who claim to be worshipers of Almighty God will turn to other gods. These gods are the gods which originate in the satanically manipulated carnal heart. These gods are conceived in the human imagination and constructed by human hands. These gods of imagery are bombarding Americans now, seducing us in a downward spiral of the media's ongoing promotion of abomination against God.

Our present "it's the economy" or "it's health care" politicians have replaced Jeremiah's prosperity prophets, giving us a false sense of security by proclaiming blessing and peace upon the land. Our "soft-sell" preachers are proclaiming health and wealth, while the glory is preparing to depart from our places of worship. "Change that makes a difference" will not come by the hands of men. "Change that will make a difference" will only come when we cast our idols down at the foot of the cross.

Where are the believers like Ezekiel today? Where are the watchmen on the wall of a nation's destiny - crying out that the enemy is coming, that the glory is lifting, and that God is turning His back? Political correctness tells us not to speak in such a manner. Religious convenience tells us not to prophecy such, for the people have ears that need to be tickled (2 Timothy 4:3).

As passionate believers, we cannot help but speak a word of warning. As passionate oracles of the truth, we must speak the promise of restoration grace in order that many may be given the opportunity to cast down their idols and return to the God of our fathers.