Are Christian worship singers exempt from practicing discernment and not participating with false teachers? Biblical Christians would be in an uproar if their pastor invited teachers like Joyce Meyer and Mike Bickle to speak to their congregation. So why is it okay for worship singers to lead worship for Joyce Meyer and Mike Bickle?
Below are five reasons why worship bands and singers should not participate with false teachers. This is a call for discernment for those who lead worship at church and also sing songs from bands who promote a different Jesus.
1. Worshiping with false teachers is not worshiping God in truth.
"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24
The Father seeks worshipers who worship Him in truth. When a worship singer worships to God with those who claim to be Christian yet their teachings are contrary to Scripture, this is not worshiping God in truth.
Some of Joyce Meyer's false teachings are:
2. They are participating in their evil deeds.
"Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." 2 John 1:9-11
There are warnings and commands in Scripture to avoid those who teach what is contrary to Biblical doctrine.
"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." Romans 16:17
Worship leaders such as Kari Jobe, Matt Redman and Phil Wickham should not lead worship for Joyce Meyer. This goes against the Biblical teaching to stay away from her because she is a false teacher. Staying away or refusing to lead worship at an event such as IHOP's One Thing conference would not be "mean" or randomly "judgmental." Instead this would be a righteous judgment made (John 7:24) based on what the Bible says on how to handle false teachers. However, by joining with Mike Bickle and Joyce Meyer these Christian musicians are participating in their evil deeds.
Worship singers, bands and teams are not exempt from discernment. These verses are commandments to all Christians, not just the "theologians, polemicists and apologists" in your local church.
"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24
The Father seeks worshipers who worship Him in truth. When a worship singer worships to God with those who claim to be Christian yet their teachings are contrary to Scripture, this is not worshiping God in truth.
Some of Joyce Meyer's false teachings are:
- Jesus stopped being the Son of God
- Jesus was born again
- Jesus paid for our sins in hell
- Jesus went to hell and was tormented
- You cannot be saved if you don't believe Jesus went to hell
- We are called little gods
- Joyce Meyer said she is not a sinner
2. They are participating in their evil deeds.
"Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." 2 John 1:9-11
There are warnings and commands in Scripture to avoid those who teach what is contrary to Biblical doctrine.
"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." Romans 16:17
Worship leaders such as Kari Jobe, Matt Redman and Phil Wickham should not lead worship for Joyce Meyer. This goes against the Biblical teaching to stay away from her because she is a false teacher. Staying away or refusing to lead worship at an event such as IHOP's One Thing conference would not be "mean" or randomly "judgmental." Instead this would be a righteous judgment made (John 7:24) based on what the Bible says on how to handle false teachers. However, by joining with Mike Bickle and Joyce Meyer these Christian musicians are participating in their evil deeds.
Worship singers, bands and teams are not exempt from discernment. These verses are commandments to all Christians, not just the "theologians, polemicists and apologists" in your local church.
3. It validates their false teachings.
When a Christian musician leads worship at a false teacher's church or conference this validates the false teacher as a true teacher of God's Word. This will lead others astray.
"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." 2 Peter 2:1-3
Peter and Jesus spoke how false teachers will secretly bring into the church heresies that are destructive. Jesus referred to these teaches as wolves in sheep's clothing (Matt 7:15).
When a Biblical worship singer worships for a false teacher, this gives approval to the false teacher and makes it seem as if the false teacher is a part of evangelical Christianity when in reality they are a wolf.
Titus 1:9 says to refute those who contradict sound doctrine, not team up with them.
"Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." Titus 1:9
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 is clear that false apostles and deceitful workers will disguise themselves as apostles of Christ and servants of righteousness. It is already difficult enough to discern a false teacher because they "disguise themselves," how much harder is it when Evangelical worship leaders team up with them?
When a Christian musician leads worship at a false teacher's church or conference this validates the false teacher as a true teacher of God's Word. This will lead others astray.
"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." 2 Peter 2:1-3
Peter and Jesus spoke how false teachers will secretly bring into the church heresies that are destructive. Jesus referred to these teaches as wolves in sheep's clothing (Matt 7:15).
When a Biblical worship singer worships for a false teacher, this gives approval to the false teacher and makes it seem as if the false teacher is a part of evangelical Christianity when in reality they are a wolf.
Titus 1:9 says to refute those who contradict sound doctrine, not team up with them.
"Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." Titus 1:9
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 is clear that false apostles and deceitful workers will disguise themselves as apostles of Christ and servants of righteousness. It is already difficult enough to discern a false teacher because they "disguise themselves," how much harder is it when Evangelical worship leaders team up with them?
4. The worship leader is questioned and discredited.
It reflects negatively upon a worship leader when he or she worships for a false teacher. The worship leader is questioned for his lack of discernment, knowledge of the Bible and approval of these teachers.
It also implies that worship leaders are exempt from the same standards we would apply to other ministries. Christians should be on guard and aware of false teaching not blurring the lines by linking arms with false teachers.
"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." Acts 20:28-30
5. It distorts the Gospel.
"Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them." Acts 20:30
False teachers do not give a clear gospel presentation representing the full counsel of God (sin, rebellion against God, punishment for sin, Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, God's grace and mercy, redemption, forgiveness and living a holy life for Him).
Therefore, when a professing true Christian teams up with a false teacher is distorted because it will not be communicated clearly to the masses.
Paul was concerned for God's sheep that they would be lead astray from the simple Gospel.
"But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully." 2 Corinthians 11:3-4
"But I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed." Galatians 1:6-9
It reflects negatively upon a worship leader when he or she worships for a false teacher. The worship leader is questioned for his lack of discernment, knowledge of the Bible and approval of these teachers.
It also implies that worship leaders are exempt from the same standards we would apply to other ministries. Christians should be on guard and aware of false teaching not blurring the lines by linking arms with false teachers.
"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." Acts 20:28-30
5. It distorts the Gospel.
"Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them." Acts 20:30
False teachers do not give a clear gospel presentation representing the full counsel of God (sin, rebellion against God, punishment for sin, Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, God's grace and mercy, redemption, forgiveness and living a holy life for Him).
Therefore, when a professing true Christian teams up with a false teacher is distorted because it will not be communicated clearly to the masses.
Paul was concerned for God's sheep that they would be lead astray from the simple Gospel.
"But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully." 2 Corinthians 11:3-4
"But I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed." Galatians 1:6-9
Objections
Some will object to the above by stating that both the worship leader and false teacher believe in Jesus and therefore it doesn't matter. Others will object by saying that when it comes to worship music discernment doesn't apply.
Both of these attitudes are unscriptural. The New Testament writers were very concerned for God's sheep over being lead astray by myths, false gospels, false Christs, false spirits, false teachers and apostles, they were always strongly encouraging the church to stay close to Jesus Christ, the message they first received, to listen carefully lest they drift away because servants of Satan would disguise themselves as servants of Christ in order to draw them away from the truth. And these false teachers and prophets would be among them.
(Hebrews 2:1, Acts 20:30, 1 Timothy 4, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4,13-15, 2 Peter 2, Matthew 24, Galatians 1, 2:4, Jude 1:3-4, Matthew 7:15, 2 Timothy 2:12)
We can classify worship leaders as:
1. The worship team at your local church
2. Worship team that claims to be a movement such as Jesus Culture.
3. Christian worship artists such as Kari Jobe, Phil Wickham and Jake Hamilton.
Some will object to the above by stating that both the worship leader and false teacher believe in Jesus and therefore it doesn't matter. Others will object by saying that when it comes to worship music discernment doesn't apply.
Both of these attitudes are unscriptural. The New Testament writers were very concerned for God's sheep over being lead astray by myths, false gospels, false Christs, false spirits, false teachers and apostles, they were always strongly encouraging the church to stay close to Jesus Christ, the message they first received, to listen carefully lest they drift away because servants of Satan would disguise themselves as servants of Christ in order to draw them away from the truth. And these false teachers and prophets would be among them.
(Hebrews 2:1, Acts 20:30, 1 Timothy 4, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4,13-15, 2 Peter 2, Matthew 24, Galatians 1, 2:4, Jude 1:3-4, Matthew 7:15, 2 Timothy 2:12)
We can classify worship leaders as:
1. The worship team at your local church
2. Worship team that claims to be a movement such as Jesus Culture.
3. Christian worship artists such as Kari Jobe, Phil Wickham and Jake Hamilton.
"It’s never-ending. The apostasy, the lack of discernment, the gullibility. How can anyone who proclaims the name of Jesus Christ not recognize the dismal state of the professing church? Words cannot even begin to describe how far away the church is from Christ in these days. The attractions, the concerts, the conferences. People joining hands with those teaching for shameful gain things they ought not to teach. This is not revival, but the falling away in it’s most deceptive and extreme form—a form of godliness that denies its power." —Jeff MaplesWhat one believes subtly finds its way into their lyrics and slowly begins to influence others. The kind of people one associates with also says something about what one believes. When false teachers, such as Paula White, are featured on your albums, it reveals a lot about you. Many of these artists are described as "Christian" or "Christian Worship," yet there is nothing Christian about them. Sadly, many of their songs have found their way into many church worship services.
CATHOLIC ARTISTS
Audrey Assad
Cimorelli
Matt Maher
Prayer Chain, The
CHARISMATIC ARTISTS
Anita Alexander
Austin & Courtney
Beckah Shae
Bruthaz Grimm
Deitrick Haddon
E-Roc[k] a.k.a Rhymes Monumental a.k.a Rockstar
God's Original Gangstaz
Gospel Gangstaz
Kirk Franklin
Papa San
Phil Wickham
Preachas In tha Hood
Str8 Young Gangstaz
T-Bone
CHARISMATIC/NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) MOVEMENTS/ARTISTS
Bethel Music (from Bethel Church lead by Bill Johnson)
Amanada Cook (nee Falk)
Brian & Jenn Johson
Cory Asbury
Hunter Thompson
Jeremy Riddle
Jonathan & Melissa Helser
Josh Baldwin
Kelley Heiligenthal
Kristene DiMarco
Leeland
Matt Stinton
Paul & Hannah McClure
Sean Feucht
Steffany Gretzinger
Elevation Worship (from Elevation Church lead by Steven Furtick)
Gateway Worship (from Gateway Church lead by Robert Morris and Jack Hayford)
David Moore
Kari Jobe
Rebecca Hart
Thomas Miller
Walker Beach
Zac Neese
Hillsong (from Hillsong Church lead by Brian Houston)
Brooke Fraser Ligertwood
Darlene Zschech
Geoff Bullock
Joel Houston
Luke Munns
Mary Sampson
Miriam Webster
Reuben Morgan
Taya Smith
IHOP Music [International House of Prayer] (lead by Mike Bickle)
Alisha Powell
Audra Lynn
Cory Asbury
Derek Loux
Jaye Thomas
Jon Thurlow
Jonas Park and David Bollmann
Julie Meyer
Justin Rizzo
Laura Hackett Park
Luke Wood
Matt Gilman
Merchant Band
Misty Edwards
Nick Syrett
Pablo Perez
Pas Neos
Jesus Culture (formed at Bethel Church)
Andrew Ehrenzeller
Bryan & Katie Torwalt
Chris McClarney
Chris Quilala
Derek Johnson
John Mark McMillan
Josh & Amberley Klinkenberg
Justin Jarvis
Kim Walker-Smith & Skyler Smith
Mary Kat Ehrenezller
Planetshakers (from Planetshakers church lead by Russell and Sam Evans)
MODALIST ARTISTS
Phillips, Craig & Dean
HOMOSEXUAL ARTISTS
Everyday Sunday (Lead Singer)
Jennifer Knapp
Ray Boltz
Tonex
Vicky Beeching
PRO-GAY MARRIAGE ARTISTS
Jars of Clay
ARTISTS WHO ASSOCIATE WITH FALSE TEACHERS
Christy Nockels
Matt Redman
Audrey Assad
Cimorelli
Matt Maher
Prayer Chain, The
CHARISMATIC ARTISTS
Anita Alexander
Austin & Courtney
Beckah Shae
Bruthaz Grimm
Deitrick Haddon
E-Roc[k] a.k.a Rhymes Monumental a.k.a Rockstar
God's Original Gangstaz
Gospel Gangstaz
Kirk Franklin
Papa San
Phil Wickham
Preachas In tha Hood
Str8 Young Gangstaz
T-Bone
CHARISMATIC/NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) MOVEMENTS/ARTISTS
Bethel Music (from Bethel Church lead by Bill Johnson)
Amanada Cook (nee Falk)
Brian & Jenn Johson
Cory Asbury
Hunter Thompson
Jeremy Riddle
Jonathan & Melissa Helser
Josh Baldwin
Kelley Heiligenthal
Kristene DiMarco
Leeland
Matt Stinton
Paul & Hannah McClure
Sean Feucht
Steffany Gretzinger
Elevation Worship (from Elevation Church lead by Steven Furtick)
Gateway Worship (from Gateway Church lead by Robert Morris and Jack Hayford)
David Moore
Kari Jobe
Rebecca Hart
Thomas Miller
Walker Beach
Zac Neese
Hillsong (from Hillsong Church lead by Brian Houston)
Brooke Fraser Ligertwood
Darlene Zschech
Geoff Bullock
Joel Houston
Luke Munns
Mary Sampson
Miriam Webster
Reuben Morgan
Taya Smith
IHOP Music [International House of Prayer] (lead by Mike Bickle)
Alisha Powell
Audra Lynn
Cory Asbury
Derek Loux
Jaye Thomas
Jon Thurlow
Jonas Park and David Bollmann
Julie Meyer
Justin Rizzo
Laura Hackett Park
Luke Wood
Matt Gilman
Merchant Band
Misty Edwards
Nick Syrett
Pablo Perez
Pas Neos
Jesus Culture (formed at Bethel Church)
Andrew Ehrenzeller
Bryan & Katie Torwalt
Chris McClarney
Chris Quilala
Derek Johnson
John Mark McMillan
Josh & Amberley Klinkenberg
Justin Jarvis
Kim Walker-Smith & Skyler Smith
Mary Kat Ehrenezller
Planetshakers (from Planetshakers church lead by Russell and Sam Evans)
MODALIST ARTISTS
Phillips, Craig & Dean
HOMOSEXUAL ARTISTS
Everyday Sunday (Lead Singer)
Jennifer Knapp
Ray Boltz
Tonex
Vicky Beeching
PRO-GAY MARRIAGE ARTISTS
Jars of Clay
ARTISTS WHO ASSOCIATE WITH FALSE TEACHERS
Christy Nockels
Matt Redman
"Below is a prime example of a typical response from an undiscerning individual that has no idea what she’s being fed. She simply downplays the importance of sound doctrine, and elevates the way she “feels” above all else. This is why it’s so important to expose the error in this music. It is leading many people astray." —Jeff Maples
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." Galatians 5:16-17
