Challenging Conversations: Exposing self worship and the danger of compromised churches

OPINION:

It is concerning to observe the compromises being made within churches regarding biblical doctrine.

Churches are intended to be places where believers come together to worship God, study His Word, and strengthen their faith. Nevertheless, in many churches today, the emphasis has shifted from teaching sound biblical doctrine to catering to the selfish desires of individuals.

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As more and more people are giving in to the temptation of prioritizing their desires over recognizing sin, it’s crucial to address this very compromising mindset that undermines the essence of Christianity.

The most effective way to combat this compromising mindset is to stay grounded in the Bible as the infallible Word of God. Paul describes the magnificent impact the Scriptures will have on your life, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Did you catch that?

When churches and Christians spend time learning God’s Word and unpacking the rich doctrinal truths that make up the Christian faith — they will be complete and able to fulfill the will of God. As physical exercise is beneficial for your body, so too is the Word of God profitable for Christians as they are trained on how to form proper habits of behavior so that they are qualified and able to live out their faith every day.

But that’s not all.

In Colossians 2:8, Paul exhorts, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” The more Christians know the Word of God, the greater their discernment will be to combat false teachings.

Another concerning consequence is the widespread rejection of the concept of sin and our inherent need for redemption. Many individuals are enticed by a narrative that dismisses personal responsibility and moral accountability. Instead of confronting their shortcomings, they embrace a self-righteous attitude that validates their actions without considering moral absolutes. This subtle compromise renders the sacrificial act of Christ meaningless, preventing individuals from experiencing the true freedom and forgiveness that comes through embracing Him as their Savior.

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You might wonder, what can I do to combat such sin in my life?

First, don’t overlook your sins, but repent. The beloved apostle, John, wrote, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Second, ensure you live a life worthy of the gospel (Ephesians 4:1-2). Third, call out sin as Paul did in Galatians 5:19-21:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

The final area of compromise is the shift towards self-centered worship. Compromising biblical doctrine often results in creating a self-centric version of Christianity. People are drawn towards a message that caters to their own desires, focusing solely on material blessings and personal fulfillment rather than emphasizing the importance of repentance, holiness, and obedience to God’s word. This self-centered approach turns worship into a means to satisfy individual needs rather than a genuine expression of devotion to God.

In an attempt to stand against the evils of self-aggrandizing, the great English Puritan Stephen Charnock unabashedly proclaimed, “When we believe that we should be satisfied rather than God glorified in our worship, then we put God below ourselves as though He had been made for us rather than that we had been made for Him.”

Genuine worship requires acknowledging our sinful nature, repenting before Him, and gratefully accepting His gift of salvation. It is in this posture of reverence and humility that we can truly experience the power and presence of God in our lives.

Given this, seek to follow the three biblical mandates to honor the Lord as you seek to worship Him.

1. Humble yourself before God. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God.” The word “submit” means to surrender to God’s will.
2. Serve others above yourself. Philippians 2:3 reads, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
3. Use your spiritual gifts to build up the church. Romans 12:5-6 reads, “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.”

I hope this article is a reminder to you of the perils that arise when churches compromise on teaching biblical doctrine and how this can lead to widespread spiritual decay. But, it is also my hope that by shedding light on the moral decline in churches, we can inspire a renewed commitment to biblical doctrine and encourage readers to reject self-centered worship in favor of a genuine relationship with God.

By solidifying our understanding of sin, redemption, and surrendering ourselves before God as sinful beings who need salvation through Christ, may we continue to reaffirm our commitment to authentic worship while remaining faithful to the biblical doctrine that transforms.

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Jason Jimenez is the founder and president of Stand Strong Ministries and is a respected Christian-worldview speaker, and faculty member at Summit Ministries. He is the best-selling author of “Hijacking Jesus: How Progressive Christians Are Remaking Him and Taking Over the Church,” “Challenging Conversations: A Practical Guide to Discuss Controversial Topics in the Church,” and “Parenting Gen Z: Guiding Your Child through a Hostile Culture.”