THE TRAP OF EXAGGERATION- EVANGELISTIC LIES

Dr Bola Akin- John of blessed memory wrote a book titled: "Evangelistic Ministry". In the book, he warned against some of the evangelistic abuses common today. One that stands out is lies.

He cited an example of an evangelist who claimed he had 1.4 million persons in attendance in his crusade at Ibadan, South west,Nigeria and that 1.2 million persons were saved. After diligent enquiry, he discovered the venue could not conveniently contain 400, 000 people.

Another common evangelistic lies is to exaggerate miracles and healings in a way and manner that will catch people's attention. Some even arrange these miracles.

Why do some evangelist& missionaries lie about attendance, souls won and miracles? Probably to raise more funds from partners. This is the drive most times. In a bid to increase partnership base, some employ lies and gimmicks.

One of the traps that is common to ministers especially those in the evangelistic ministry today is the trap of exaggeration. There's something called "Evangelistic speaking". That is nothing short of lies.

As a missionary evangelist, this is one of our common pitfalls. Our ministry comes with a Satanic pressure to impress and to perform. Rarely will you find evangelists that want to preach in a village of less that 300 persons because the sight may not look appealing on social media. Unfortunately, we have many in the body who do not believe you are doing something meaningful without seeing pictures of crowds with hands up.

Billy Graham, one of the finest Christians in our time, an evangelist who is believed to have seen more converts than Paul decided against this in his Modesto manifesto.

One of the things he decided with his friends in evangelistic ministry was that they will not exaggerate their reports. It was and is common for evangelists to create untrue publicity about numbers, attendance, souls won and miracles.

Today, this devil is still around especially with those mounting the pulpit. Social media has made it worse. The tricks of camera can be applied to make a small crowd appear larger than it is in the real sense just to create a false impression in the hearts of people.

The moment you seek to build social media fans as a minister, you'll fall into this evil trap of exaggeration and showmanship. Psalm101:7 "I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence".

To my dear colleagues in ministry, exaggeration will not grow your ministry. Stop lying about numbers either of souls won or churches planted as the case may be for church planters and missionaries.

Lying may add a few bucks to your pocket but with time, the cookies will crumble. True and lasting ministry cannot be built on lies. It won't survive.

It is time to start building your life on truth even If it won't impress anyone. You're not in ministry for the multitude but for one. Anytime I'm out on the field to preach, I always tell myself that I'm stepping out to go and preach because of "one".

God can make us spend millions just because He wants one person saved. No need to feel bad about "low numbers". Don't tell the world your congregation is 5000 when in actual sense you're not up to 500. That's not faith but unfaithfulness.

Don't start multiple services by mandating same set of people to come just because you want to create an impression of large numbers. Let God's hand rest upon you as you build your ministry on truth.