How do you show someone you love that they follow false teachers?

[Barty]

My Dad is big into word of faith teachers. He believes people like Kim Clement are prophets, and that I'm a self-righteous Christian because I point out their false teachings. We get into heated debates all the time about it, and it makes me very angry. Part of it is because he's blinded to the truth about them, the other part is because they hurt millions of people with their teachings.

Today it got really heated. I was very angry, because after pointing out dozens of times where Kim Clement's prophecies were wrong, he will try and cling to one that's broad, still false mind you, but not as obvious as the rest and say that I'm losing my reward because I'm not following the prophet. He'll throw out arguments that have nothing to do with the person at hand, and try to use those to prove they are true. He'll attack the people who point out false prophecies with arguments like they just want to tear down people, and "How do you know if they are good in their lives?"

Sometimes our arguments go back in forth to the point where I can't tell what he actually believes, like he's just playing devils advocate. But today I flat out asked him whether Benny Hinn was a true teacher. He said, "Benny Hinn is a spirit filled Christian." No matter how much evidence, no matter how much scripture, he will continue to be blinded.

How do I deal with this? My Dad, who I love dearly, is part of the spiritual apostasy of our time and it tears me up inside. :(:

[zhan]

All I know to do would be to pray for him and be patient.

Another thing would be to try not to let him suck you into the 'heated' part of the argument. When it's at that level, no one is learning anything anyway. Through trust me, I know that's difficult.

[FrankDH]

My Dad is big into word of faith teachers. He believes people like Kim Clement are prophets, and that I'm a self-righteous Christian because I point out their false teachings. We get into heated debates all the time about it, and it makes me very angry. Part of it is because he's blinded to the truth about them, the other part is because they hurt millions of people with their teachings.

Today it got really heated. I was very angry, because after pointing out dozens of times where Kim Clement's prophecies were wrong, he will try and cling to one that's broad, still false mind you, but not as obvious as the rest and say that I'm losing my reward because I'm not following the prophet. He'll throw out arguments that have nothing to do with the person at hand, and try to use those to prove they are true. He'll attack the people who point out false prophecies with arguments like they just want to tear down people, and "How do you know if they are good in their lives?"

Sometimes our arguments go back in forth to the point where I can't tell what he actually believes, like he's just playing devils advocate. But today I flat out asked him whether Benny Hinn was a true teacher. He said, "Benny Hinn is a spirit filled Christian." No matter how much evidence, no matter how much scripture, he will continue to be blinded.

How do I deal with this? My Dad, who I love dearly, is part of the spiritual apostasy of our time and it tears me up inside. :(:


I understand your concern for your father, but you have to understand it isn't in your power to convince him. You have to give this to the Lord. There is an active role you can participate in but it has nothing to do with persuading him by debate or criticizing his beliefs. Telling someone they are following a false teacher when they believe that person is their spiritual leader is like telling them they are fools.

Your best witness is always God's word but your presentation is what opens one up to hearing it. You are going to have to learn to hear him. Learn those core things that cause him to believe. Then find those verses that would cause him to question this teaching. But don't present them as if you were there to set him straight. Ask him what those verses mean. Cause him to look into it. Don't present it as "this verse says you are wrong". Your relationship has already put his guard up. He won't hear your point.

Listen to what he believes. Pray for guidance in your choice of verses. Then fellowship with him. Ask him how he sees those verses. See if he studies or just gets indoctrinated. If he studies, plant seeds. Let the Lord lead him. If he doesn't, love him and pray for him. Let your life be your witness instead of your words. Establish commonalities and study those together. And slip him some food for thought as the Lord provides the opportunity.

You have to shed your burden first or you will always be viewed as contending with his beliefs. And belief, true or false, is a matter of passion. From his perspective all you are offering him is a chance to be shaken in his faith. There is no appeal in that.

Show him a change that comes from peace. Show him joy and blessing in your life. That's appealing. Promote a desire to study and God will make him hear. And just love him until the Lord provides your desire. Don't work on his error. Work on your patience in God's provision. Edify him when you can.

Let him become the teacher and you ask all the right questions. Not gotcha's. Make them sincere inquiries. Let his love for you prompt him to study for your sake. Teaching is the best learning experience there is.

[carmen]

You've already gotten two great posts with wonderful advice and I don't have anything constructive to add to them. But I wanted to let you know that I am praying for you and your dad both :hug

[Jany]

Amen to all replies <><

[jesuslover1968]

Pray! Pray! Pray! I know exactly how you feel. Arguing never does any good though, it just damages the relationship. It is so hard to sit back and watch and feel like we do nothing when people we love are following false doctrine.
God Bless.