Suppose I wrote a book on a specific subject. And a popular Christian artist wrote a book on the same topic. This Christian artist has a huge following within the Christian community. They draw multitudes of people on social media and in big arenas. We both submit our book to a renowned Christian publishing company. Comparing the two books… their book is a feel-good page turner and lacks spiritual depth. Mine is biblically solid and theologically sound. Which book do you think they will choose to publish. Most of the time, they will choose the popular Christian artist’s book. Why? Because they know they can sell it. Don’t get me wrong… I understand that they must sell their publications to stay afloat, but I want to talk to you today about what sells.
People, even Christians, love gossip, gregarious speakers, popular people, and conspiracy theories. In fact, Christians are also drawn to people who say they have secret knowledge, prophetic words, or unusual – almost mystical – encounters with Jesus. Christians are drawn to pastors and teachers who venture outside the Bible and give specific details about end-time events. All of us are curious, but Christians are especially curious about the future. Could this be a prelude to the Rapture? Does this have any bearing on the prophetic time-line? They even ask… Could he be the Antichrist?
These are the things selling today. Not in monetary value but in attention. We spend a great deal of time listening to them. We buy into what they’re offering. In fact, many of those promoting these wacked out things are brilliant marketers themselves, or they hire great marketers. Marketers who know what sells and promotes it well. Marketers who appeal to our senses. Some go from skeptics to outright believers.
Strange, new ideas draw many Christians in. But the writer of Hebrews says not to be attracted to them. Just because someone has thousands of followers on Instagram or TikTok, they are published from a renowned publishing company, they pastor a mega-church, or your friends are followers, does NOT mean they are biblically accurate. In fact, these people can be very dangerous because they have been known to lead many astray from truth. Hence, don’t get sucked into what’s selling these days, unless it is the whole gospel and it aligns with the Word of God. The apostle Paul said: “Test everything that is said” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). In other words, measure it by the Word of God. And remember that God speaks to every Christian. All you have to do is listen to His Word. We must be very careful these days.