David was driven from his home and on the run from his enemy, Saul. David had an army of people with him, but the numbers paled in comparison to Saul’s GREAT company of soldiers. David feared for his life. If Saul caught him, he would surely kill him. On two different occasions, Saul got so close to David that David had the opportunity to kill him. Saul didn’t see David but David saw Saul. David’s men said, “Now is your chance, David. Kill him.” I mean… it would have made life simpler for David, right? With Saul dead, David could go back home and become king. But… David wouldn’t do it. He refused to kill Saul. He said, “I shouldn’t attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.”
David made the right decision. He would let God deal with Saul. David was just following the law… the one that said: “Do not touch my chosen people, and do not hurt my prophets” (1 Chronicles 16:22). David was not swayed by the crowd. He listened to God.
You know, I see similar things today. I see people calling out pastors and Bible teachers and labeling them false teachers. They call them out by name, often tarnishing their name. Now, hear me… there are some we should call out by name. But we must be very careful because if they are called by God, then His anointing is on them. The Bible gives permission to call out some. The apostle Paul called out several by name… Demas and Alexander are two he named by name. They had left the truth and began to teach false doctrine.
In today’s world, we have to be VERY careful because there is a lot of deception (especially with AI). People will post on social media pieces of sermons or messages but fail to show the context to which it was said. They are calling out by name some faithful teachers of the Word of God. Here’s the thing… they may be doing it for followers, notoriety, money, or just because they can. They may be following a false gospel themselves. But some of these people have become very popular and have thousands of followers because people love gossip.
On Sunday, my pastor said… “I’m often asked why I don’t talk about politics a lot more.” He said, “Her’s my answer… If the government stays in their lane and is doing what they should be doing, then there’s no need to talk about it. But when they go outside their lane and invade theology… like redefining marriage, promoting gender confusion, or devaluing life, then we will talk about it.” I love this. And this is true when it comes to teachers of the Word of God. If they are truly a false teacher by promoting a different gospel, twisting Scripture to fit their own narrative, adding to or taking away from Scripture, then by all means call them out by name.” I have no problem calling Joel Osteen out by name because he’s teaching a prosperity gospel.
Now, there are some pastors and Bible teachers that I won’t listen to because I do not agree with some of their theology or I don’t like where they may be heading, but that’s a far cry from calling them out by name. Here’s what we must do… before accepting what someone is saying about a faithful servant of God, do your own research. If you’re watching a clip that raises your eyebrows, go back and watch the whole message. The best thing we can do is measure it by the Word of God. We must be wary and watchful during these days when Satan is using all sorts of people to bring down good and faithful teachers. Just some thoughts today…