This is the Time to Hold Fast to Sound Doctrine

Does it seem to anyone else that there has been an increase of evangelical motivational speakers? The Media refers to the ones popular enough to be on TV as “televangelists,” but nothing could be further from the truth— they are not evangelizing; they’re teaching human potential. They have replaced the pure gospel of Jesus Christ with motivational talks, e.g. ‘you can do it,’ ‘have faith,’ ‘keep believing,’ etc. Not the least apologetic, Joel Osteen proudly proclaims himself a “life coach”!

Why am I drawing your attention to it? Why should it matter? Because they are motivational speakers masquerading as Christian teachers, misleading millions into believing they are getting fed the Bread of Life, when all they're getting is white bread buttered with disconnected Bible verses.

Perhaps you argue, “If these people motivate others into action, encouraging them to be better, what is wrong with that? They are uplifting, positive, making people feel good.” But the message that motivates people to self-improvement and human potential is an offense to the message of grace. It is what Paul calls “another gospel” (2 Cor.11:4). John MacArthur says: “Some of the most popular preaching in America presents a message of positive thinking... Joel Osteen and the prosperity preachers forgo the cross and advise us to merely do our best.”

Each of us has a responsibility to “hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:9, NIV).