25 Jan Pastor John MacArthur’s comments about Beth Moore

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

There is a reason why 2nd Timothy is one of the best books in the New Testament. It is no secret that the Apostle Paul is my favorite Teacher, and the second book of timothy is one of my favorite books in the entire Bible. The chapter resonates with me, because I was taught by a man of God who warned me about the same things.

He was a active Deacon at a Church that was experiencing the same type of turmoil and doctrinal slippage that most Churches are experiencing at this moment. The worse thing that ever happen to Christianity is that it became lucrative. Once it became a capitalist venture, the goal of changing lives and living for Christ started to become a afterthought, or a “by-product” of going to Church.

For example, we can look at great people who were at the peak of their careers in their field of study. We can look at Tom Brady of New England; Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls; Michael Phelps of the US Olympic Team; Serena Williams of Wimbledon; Tom Hanks and his Acting; the list goes on and on.

Then people are all great in their respective fields. So great, that you know in order to achieve the things they achieve, that had a desire to be great, and they did the work behind the scenes to reach greatness. A by-product of that was much success and financial riches. But the money was not the primary driving point. It was a by-product of hard work and passion.

Money and Power has slowly become the primary goal of many Christian Churches, while living a better Christ like existence has become a by-product in pursuit of attaining the first. But this setup is completely and utterly flawed, because becoming a better Christian can become a by-product of a Church whose primary focus is on Church membership and exuberant financial offerings.

This is the mindset of how a Company think’s, not how Christ thinks. As the Church has become more lucrative, the word of God has become more damp. It has become watered down to make it more inclusive, when really Christ has always been exclusive, but never elusive.

God is not for everybody. He never was. He’s always had a distinct way in which people should worship him. It was never a “free for all”, or a have it your way relationship. He’s always been peculiar on the ways of interacting with him. It can be frustrating at times, because he goes against our carnal instincts, but God is Holy. His ways are Holy, so requires us to acknowledge and worship him in such a way that lines up with his Holiness.

I have never heard of Beth Moore. I did not know who she was, until I came across an article about a comment Pastor John MacArthur said that caused an uproar amongst several Christian Teachers and believers alike. I will state for the record, because I will always be transparent with you, that I know who Pastor John MacArthur is. Not only that, but I have listened to several of his Sermons.

Pastor John MacArthur is a Pastor whom I do like. One of the few who is wildly popular and in the public eye that I have listen to and liked. Though I like him, my allegiance is and will always be to scripture. Whether I like or dislike a person, is of no importance. If a person who I like is not standing on scripture and biblical principles, then I will turn away from that individual.

Understand that I am speaking on fundamental Christian beliefs. Nontrivial nonsense such as one person believing Church should be on Saturday vs. on Sunday. That is rubbish nonsense. Or one who believes that a Pastor should preach in a suit while one believes they should come as they are and Preach in casual attire. I personally believe you should be comfortable. The material of your clothing is less important than what’s coming out of your mouth!

But we hate rules. Let’s just admit it. We hate rules and we hate being restricted to them. We are rebellious by nature. We love to do what we love to do, especially if were good at it. There are some things we are great at, that we have no business doing. We all want to be great at something. Some of us are great at things that God does not necessarily want us doing.

You could be a Pastor but also be great at playing video games. You could be a Deacon and be great at selling cars. The Apostles were good at catching fish, and it was good for that particular season. Then Jesus called them to their real purpose. Called you to your real purpose, me, etc. Doesn’t mean they’re no longer good at catching fish, but Jesus has called them to a more important work. One that has eternal implications.

Some people are great public speakers. They’re great orators. They are great motivationalist. They may even think that these skills qualify them to Preach the gospel. They’ll pick out a verse or two in one of the books in the Bible, and they will build a great motivational piece around it, on how positive thinking, staying hopeful, and perseverance would get you over the “hump”. Whatever “hump” that your struggling to get over.

The speech will make you feel good. It will make you feel like if you just hang in there, you’ll get over that hump eventually. That’s what a good motivational speech will do. It makes you think that with positive thinking, you can accomplish anything standing in your way and remove any obstacles. It is a far cry from the lives of the likes of Joseph, David and Job.

No wonder the pull to hear a motivational speech is so appealing. It takes you away momentarily of the struggles and circumstances one faces in their own lives. It also assures you that by changing your mindset you can eliminate that which is giving you anxiety.

It is a departure from what scripture teaches. God is the orchestrator of our lives. God said, “study the life of Joseph”, as an example of how to not faint in your faith. Joseph never turned away from God, but his not turning away did not lessen the sorrows he experienced. Motivational speakers who Preach the gospel will tell you to always be cheerful, no matter what you are facing.

Though Jesus himself was never cheerful every moment of his life. In the Garden of Gethsemane he was so stressed he sweat blood! John the Baptist, stressed and worried hours before his execution. Disciples, worried and trembling at the announcement of a man from Taurus name “Saul”, who was coming to town to imprison those who were followers of “the way”.

Motivational Preachers never have a negative word to say about anything. There is always a silver lining and a way for you to turn it around and escape the calamity your facing.

Being a good orator, a good public speaker, or having a good persona does not qualify you to be a good Preacher. God qualifies you to Preach. You don’t need to have any of the qualities I mentioned about. God will equip you with the necessary qualities to complete the task he has for you. You do not need to have them, and then God can use you. You just need to be ready, willing, and able, and God can use what little you have, and add whatever else is needed.

Motivational Preachers are just that, motivational. They were not “called” by the Spirit. They merely made the decision to change career. Motivational Preaching is a very lucrative career field. It doesn’t take much education, though having fancy acronyms behind your name may impress some people.
If you’re comfortable with speaking in front of large crowds, if you have even an ounce of charisma, you can make a career out of it and enjoy a good living.

Obviously, because Motivational Preachers are not “called”, charisma plays the biggest factor here. People who are not spiritual always lean towards those who are Charismatic. It is the reason why Israel chose Saul to be there King. But God never chooses the most charismatic. David was his man. That was God’s pick.

When God calls you to Preach, there is power behind that call. The words you speak will carry life to those who are seeking truth. Motivational Preachers deliver a inspirational message. It will always appeal to your flesh, never to your spirit. It will encourage you and inspire you to become the best you and achieve the best results for your life.

God’s will for his children always comes wrap in them giving up a huge portion of their lives to benefit the lives of others.

When sacrificing for others, God himself said that he will look out for your well-being. He will take your needs off of your plate, so you can focus on the needs of the people he will put around you. Beth Moore may be a very nice person. I did listen to a speech she gave to an audience of hers on YouTube. I did not watch all of it. She is a motivational preacher.

The comment that Pastor John MacArthur said that caused such a stir, is when he asked about his feelings on Beth Moore, and he said she should “go home”, basically saying she was not qualified to teach scripture. Most contributed this to the fact that she is a woman. He does indeed hold that position, as did the Apostle Paul and others.

I as well hold that position. But really it is not my position to hold? It is not my position that I am holding. I have my own thoughts on many things and positions, but it is all rubbish!! My thoughts are rubbish! Instead I take what was spoken, and I adopt that as to what I stand on. I know I have no righteousness of my own, so why try and reason out in my mind what is good and what is not?
It is this thinking that has led to the uproar in the first place. A thing spoken that should not be controversial.

In 1 Timothy 2:11-12, Paul writes ” A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet”.

This scripture should be controversial amongst non-believers, who believe everyone has the right to do whatever they set their minds to do, but for this to be controversial amongst believers, shows you the amount of unbelievers that have been permitted inside the gates of worship. How do I know they are unbelieving? Because they read scripture and deny it in their heart and confess it with their mouth.

Only an unbeliever would do such a thing. Remember I said as human beings we hate rules and are rebellious by nature? Here is a perfect example. The Apostle Paul states that a woman should never be allowed to rule over a man; They have ignored scripture and decided that they know a “better way”.

Brothers and Sisters, listen to me, our generation is no better than the generations before us. We are as rebellious and wicked as a nation as the children of Israel were. They did not listen to the prophets or to the letters. This generation does not listen to the prophets or to the letters. They abuse the prophets and cast them out into the streets.

They slander and persecute them at every turn. They fill up their social media accounts with bold sayings, even attacking them personally.
But since we hold beliefs based on scripture, it is not us they are attacking. They have made themselves enemies of Christ and are to foolish to know who it is they fight against. Going to Beth Moore’s website, in her about section she does not call herself a “Pastor”.

She calls herself an Author, Teacher, and a Speaker. I definitely concur with 2 out of the 3. She does have a book that was published, so she is an author. She is also a well-known speaker.

But a teacher of scripture she is not. I also noticed on her website that it is very female driving. There is a photo of her, and I’m assuming her staff, which is all women. About 15 in total which is a rough estimate. No Men. In fact, her audience that she was doing a motivational speech to on youtube were all women. So that is her target audience.

If you read further in the book of 1st Timothy 2, verse 13 and 14 outlines why Paul made that declaration.

If you have been following my me, then you will recall my sermon on the turning away from sound doctrine. If you did not read it, you can read it here: https://helivebyfaith.org/the-time-has-come-when-they-no-longer-endure-sound-doctrine/.

I used to wonder how a person could read what the Bible said, and right after reading it, they would go and do or say or believe the opposite of what it said. It is the same reason why a person can read the scripture and know that fornication is a sin, and still go out and participate in that act. The reason is sin.

No matter how much Bible we read, no matter how much we pray or fast, we are sinners first, and saved by grace second. But there is a difference in committing a sinful act, and recognizing it to be sin, versus committing a sinful act and believing it not to be sin because of self-deception.

The biggest problems with Christians is their but! There is always a “but” at the end of everything. I know the Bible said this but; I know Jesus said that “but”; I have a big but too!

When a person is honest with themselves and acknowledges their sin, God can forgive the man who seeks forgiveness. But a person who has deceived themselves due to their own lust, does not seek forgiveness, because in their own eye they have committed no sin. That is what makes deception so dangerous.

It justifies your actions even when they are extremely heinous!
Any person who has or is seeking a genuine relationship with Christ, is in no-way in danger of being deceived by Beth Moore. A mature Christian would never listen to her, and a new one seeking an intimate relationship with God will almost immediately turn away.

I don’t believe she has any authority over Men. As I stated, her audience are women. I literally did not see one man in the audience during a speech she was giving.

Men are not easily deceived. I did not say Men cannot be deceived; I am saying Men are not easily deceived. Men are easily a lot of things. Stubborn and Prideful are the two things to point out that come to mind. Women are very susceptible to words and flattery of speech. Which is why she could not see satan in the serpent.

Which is why they have a hard time recognizing a Men who has ill intentions, because they are distracted by his flattering speeches. The Feminist movement today, is not the feminist movement of yesterday. Women who wanted to be treated equally to Men was more geared toward social matters and economics.

If they worked and performed a particular job in the same fashion as a Man, they wanted to be paid equally and not less because of their anatomy. They wanted to have the ability to speak out, speak up, or cast a vote in things that affected their lives and wellbeing, and not just be a by-stander sitting on the sidelines.

Feminism today is not about that. You have a bunch of women, who are being led by the same flaw, that satan was able to exploit in Eve. They have a desire and a yearning to rule. If that was not the case, satans successful attempt would have failed! A promise to be like God would not have been a temptation for her. She would of brush that off and said, “I’m already perfect as I am I have no desire to be like God”.

The temptation succeeded because it was a desire of hers. You cannot temp someone in something if the person has no desire in the temptation that your presenting.

There are many women today, like Eve, that desire to have authority, not over themselves, but they want to rule over Men. It is a wicked desire, because it goes against God’s natural design. Those upset at Pastor John MacArthur’s comments, I would boldly say, are not upset at John. I absolutely believe that they think they are.

But whenever you speak truth, and we know truth to be Christ and his word, and people rail against you, they are not railing against you, they are railing against truth! That’s why Jesus made the declaration that “They do not know the One who sent Me”, if they knew the one who sent him in their hearts, then they would not find his words offensive.

Brother and Sisters, let me leave you with John 15 v19-21:

“If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. 20. Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. 21. But they will treat you like this because of My name, since they do not know the One who sent Me”.