People Will Believe Anything

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

Does anyone doubt that some people will believe anything? They will—if it comes from a scientist, a doctor, or someone claiming to have the power of God. All a scientist needs to do is to don his white lab coat and mumble something about, “Only hicks and those lacking in educational attainments refuse to believe in evolution,” and most uninformed souls are immediately convinced. He will not tell them, and they probably do not know, that no less a brilliant scientist than Werner Von Braun wrote a letter to the California Board of Education, urging them to allow creation to be taught, as well as evolution. Some of the most famous scientists who ever lived either trusted fully in God or opposed Darwin’s theory of evolution as unsound, which it was.

Meaning no disrespect for the profession, but if a doctor gives an opinion, it is regarded by some as law, and many will not even obtain a second opinion. Or if the medical community agrees on some point, they must be right—despite what the evidence says. Just check with Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, who was ignored in the mid-nineteenth century despite the fact that he lowered the death rate dramatically in a hospital, or Sister Kenney, whose valid treatment for polio victims was ignored by the majority in the medical community in the mid-twentieth century. At least some are beginning to doubt politicians who have falsely been spreading the global warming hysteria, while lining their own pockets.

In the New Testament, Simon the Sorcerer convinced many in Samaria that he was some great one, and they believed that he possessed the power of God—until they saw the real power of God, which Philip showed them. Even Simon knew that his own efforts were puny by comparison (Acts 8:5-13). And when he saw the apostles, Peter and John, laying hands on people to impart spiritual gifts, he coveted that ability for himself, thus sinning in the process. He was told he had no part in that ministry and that his heart was not right with God. He needed to repent (Acts 8:14-24).

Jonestown

Especially are people willing to follow cult leaders. He becomes the authority—not Jesus, not the Scriptures. James Jones persuaded 900 followers to drink the grape Flavor Aid, poisoned with Valium, chloral hydrate, cyanide, and Phenergan in Jonestown, Guyana, back in November of 1978, according to Wikipedia. He told them:

Die with a degree of dignity. Lay down your life with dignity; don't lay down with tears and agony. I tell you, I don't care how many screams you hear, I don't care how many anguished cries…. Death is a million times preferable to ten more days of this life. If you knew what was ahead of you—if you knew what was ahead of you, you'd be glad to be stepping over tonight.

This example of followers blindly believing anything is extreme, but it illustrates the old adage: “Some people will stand for nothing and fall for everything.”

Religious leaders have been preying on folks since probably not too long after time began. Although God established a legitimate priesthood, men have established many of their own to serve their own purposes and to profit from others. Not only have such men proliferated in false religions, they have plagued Christianity since the first century, just as Peter said they would (2 Peter 2:1).

Even though Peter assured brethren in the first century that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), many advocate that, somehow, there is more revelation that was not included in all. Jude likewise affirmed that the faith was once for all delivered to the saints (3-4), but these verses have never stopped impostors like Joseph Smith and others who continually invent “new revelations.”

Pretoria

Many religious figures have also claimed powers of healing (Oral Roberts, Benny Hinn, et al.). These charlatans (and others like them) have duped and continue to bamboozle quite a few souls who tend to be gullible, and even when they are exposed as frauds, they still retain a sizable following.

In the same vein as previous “fake healers,” now comes a man from Pretoria, South Africa, with a different slant on things. The city is about 35 miles north of Johannesburg and varies in population from ½ million to 3 million, depending on what suburbs are counted. The name of the “miracle” worker is Lesego Daniel, and he works with the Rabboni Center Ministries. He claims to have the power of God, and on August 31, 2014, he had one of his members pour gasoline from a bottle into a basin and then set it on fire in order to prove it was actually gasoline. Then he claimed to change it into pineapple juice and bade his followers to drink of it. One cannot help but wonder if pineapple juice is what they drink at wedding feasts in Pretoria.

After Lesego performed this “miracle,” he handed the bottle to a man, who should have handed it back and said, “You first.” The “pastor” then asked the man who drank the “juice” how he felt. At the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, Jesus did not ask the guests who sipped the grape juice that He created from water how they felt. Of course, the worst that would have happened to them if Jesus had failed was that they would have tasted water, which would not generally be particularly harmful. If Mr. Daniel failed (which he did), people could actually become very sick—depending on how much they ingested.

In response to the question the man coughed and then said: “It has a lot of fumes but I don’t have any side effects.” That didn’t sound like a ringing endorsement that it tasted like pineapple juice. After those present noticed that the first guy didn’t keel over and expire, members of the congregation, some dancing and moving around frantically, came to the front to receive their dose. Luckily, no one had any immediate bad side effects, but there are several problems that could develop.

And why was this procedure done? They claimed that it was to prove their faith; Hebrews 11:6 was cited. No one was proving his faith in God; they only proved that they would trust a kook. The devil tempted Jesus to throw Himself off the pinnacle of the temple because God had said He would protect Him. Jesus rejected such a foolish notion, saying that such an action would only tempt the Lord God (Matt. 4:5-7). Lesego should throw himself in front of a moving bus, and as he does, yell, “Lord save me.” One could devise numerous tests and claim to be fulfilling Hebrews 11:6, but all such attempts are nothing more than absurdities. God has never commanded or expected such frivolous inventions as a way of proving our faith. Living by God’s Word demonstrates our faith.

John 2:1-11

Since the alleged turning of gasoline into pineapple juice is used to parallel what Jesus did, let’s take a look at the two events, comparing John 2:1-11 with what happened in Pretoria.

Jesus did not stand up before a crowd and tell them what He was going to do. Lesego did.

Jesus did not employ a dangerous liquid that can have dangerous side effects.

Jesus did not tell His disciples, His mother, or anyone else, that this would be a test of their faith.

Jesus actually did not even announce what He was going to do in advance.

Even the ruler of the feast did not know where the wine came from.

Jesus did not begin running through the crowd, saying, “Hey, everyone, do you think this is a good quality wine? I made it Myself.”

Although Jesus performed many miracles that glorified God, He also did some that few people had any knowledge of.

The purpose for the miracle was to help the host of the feast through an embarrassing moment—at the request (and insistence of His mother).

Except for all these differences, what happened in Pretoria was almost identical to what happened in Cana! Jesus quietly helped out someone without involving any dangerous elements and did it in a quiet manner. He was not trying to prove anything to anyone. If someone who drank the gasoline should suffer a health problem afterward, what will Mr. Daniel say when he cannot heal that individual?

“Except you eat grass…”

Oh, but guess what? This is not the first stunt the “pastor” has pulled. Earlier this year, he commanded members to eat grass. This action is not without Biblical precedent; Nebuchadnezzar had a steady diet of grass for seven years (Dan. 4:32). This was God’s idea, however, and it served as an aid to learning—namely that the Babylonian king would learn not to be lifted up by pride.

But the modern-day, half-a-bubble-off Daniel was not trying to teach his following humility. He told them that it would rid them of their sins and heal them of any ailments they may have had. Why did not some become suspicious right then? Are we so lacking in spiritual leadership that people are willing to follow certifiable nuts? Okay, so who was healed of a disease because of eating grass, and what exactly was cured? Was anyone healed of mad cow disease, for example?

Where is one example in the Scriptures of anyone being told they would be cured of a disease by eating grass? Frequently, Jesus or the apostles might lay their hands on the sick, but nothing this bizarre was ever done. If this notion had any merit whatsoever, sick people would leave their hospital rooms and begin grazing outside on the lawn.

But what is this about forgiveness of sins? When God gave the New Testament to Christians, it came with a way for man to be forgiven of his sins. Jesus did not say, “I tell you, no; but unless you eat grass, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). We learn from the New Testament that forgiveness of sins comes through the preaching of Jesus (Acts 13:38). We find that forgiveness occurs after men turn from darkness to light (Acts 26:18). Nothing shows that these “Christians” following Lesego Daniel are more in the dark than to heed him when he tells them they can have forgiveness by eating grass.

Furthermore, genuine forgiveness of sins comes through the blood of Jesus (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:22). It comes through believing on His name (Acts 10:43), and it comes through repenting and being baptized for the reason of being forgiven (Acts 2:38). This is the plan that God instituted on the Day of Pentecost.

Who Changed the Plan?

Since a new method has been set forth for ridding man of his sins, we must ask by whose authority was it initiated? Is it from heaven or from men? Since God already gave a means of spiritual purification, then why would He change it? Does “Pastor” Daniel claim to have authority from God to do so? It is clear that he thinks he does. Not only is he filled with pride himself, he is wrong—and blasphemously wrong!

First of all, there is no forgiveness apart from blood—in any covenant (Heb. 9:22). Second, God has already declared the manner in which sins are to be forgiven—through faith, repentance, confessing the name of Christ and baptism so that sins can be washed away (Heb. 11:6; Luke 13:3; Acts 8:37; Acts 2:38).

Third, God’s plan involved Jesus dying on the cross and His blood being poured out (John 19:34) as a fountain for all that all might wash and be clean (Zech. 13:1). God had this plan in mind from eternity. As the Lamb of God, Jesus was slain from the foundation of the earth (Rev. 13:8). The Old Testament prophesies that He will come and through whom He will come.

And are we to suppose that God planned and executed all these details over centuries of time—only to abandon it with a command to eat grass instead? This blasphemes God’s plan (which unfolded just as He said it would), Jesus (Who suffered on the cross for our sins), and His precious blood (which flowed for our redemption). Besides, eating grass makes both the Old and New Testaments irrelevant and worthless.

It is difficult to imagine anyone stricken with a worse case of megalomania than Lesego Daniel (ego is part of his name). Eating grass for the forgiveness of sins! Such a notion is both vile and vulgar. It does away with the spiritual purpose of God first announced in Genesis 3:15. It voids the spiritual promise of Genesis 22:18, which was fulfilled in Christ. It takes the sacrifice of Jesus and makes it of no effect. This “Pretorian prophet” deserves to be deserted en masse.

Sadly, he probably will continue to have a following because some people will believe in anything—no matter how tasteless and illogical. Nearly anyone can say they are doing something in God’s name, and they will get a crowd to go after them—because people would rather follow a charismatic individual than to read the Bible and evaluate what someone teaches. He does not need to make sense; he just has to be likable and convincing. Many lack a love of the truth and are therefore deceived by the devil’s disciples (2 Thess. 2:10; 2 Cor. 11:13-15). We should instead evaluate what we hear and be certain that God said it (1 Thess. 5:21-22).