Should This Matter?

I came across an article at www.faithwire.com about Lauren Daigle highlighting yet another controversy for the singer (“Lauren Daigle Takes Issue with the Label ‘Christian Artist’” by Lindsey Elizabeth). I really like her music but should I be concerned? Is this a big deal?

So the first major controversy that came Daigle’s way was regarding her performance on “Ellen” which is a show hosted by an openly gay woman. Daigle then made some contentious comments regarding homosexuality. When asked about how she feels about homosexuality as a sin, Daigle responded that she doesn’t know and if someone isn’t sure they can go and read the Bible for themselves. I was not ok with her comments on homosexuality and was disappointed to say the least. She either 1) knows the truth but doesn’t want to commit to an answer for fear of how she will be treated or 2) doesn’t know the Bible which she claims to love. Either scenario is absolutely saddening and not what a “Christian” should do. I expect this non-commitment to Biblical principles and general lack of Biblical knowledge from supposed “Christian” artists, unfortunately, so while I was disappointed, I was not at all surprised. My faith is not in these people but in the God of the Bible.

Now, she is yet again in the headlines as desiring to be considered an “artist” not a “Christian artist”. She views herself as an artist (without “Christian” added) because “it encompasses everything. That’s kind of how I see myself.”

Are you telling me a supposed “Christian” artist says being an artist “encompasses everything” but being a Christian doesn’t? Let’s ignore the fact that that her songs are catchy and sound nice and really consider what she is saying here. Can a Christian ever just not see themselves as a Christian first and foremost? Can I be a genuine Christian and not consider myself a Christian? No! Don’t take my word for it, take God’s Word for it!

Just like her cowardly stance on homosexuality, she is yet again speaking directly against what the Bible says. And please note, as I described above, this is not the first time! Let’s look at just some of the passages that show how anti-biblical her stance is. I have included a few passages below to prove my point, but please know that these are merely a sample of the MANY passages that relate to this subject!

Jesus Christ makes it clear that you cannot put anything above being a Christian!

Matthew 6:24, 33 (KJV)

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luke 14:26 (KJV)

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple

The Old Testament also comments on this subject multiple times. It is God that is to direct our ways, not our inner being or our gifts or our career!

Proverbs 16:3 (KJV)

3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

1 Chronicles 16:11 (KJV)

11 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.

New Testament writers also have a lot to say on this concept reiterating the words of Christ. We are to put God before the world. Everything we do is within the will of God.

Romans 12:2 (KJV)

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

John 3:30 (KJV)

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (KJV)

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Why should I care about this? Well, we are commanded to fight against apostasy and what Daigle is saying, folks, is clear apostasy. Listen, we know from Scripture that false teachers will come and claim they are Christian but they are not. The terms “false teachers” or “false prophets” seem antiquated, but they are words that just describe the person who says they are one thing (such as a Christian) but promotes a message that is not consistent with that stance and in so doing draws people away from the the truth they claim to believe. They may write pretty songs that say nice things that sound Biblical on the surface but they are just wolves in sheep’s clothing. We are not only to avoid their teaching, we are to cast them out of our homes! Her message is damaging to the kingdom of God. Her ideology is strictly anti-Biblical. And, as harsh as this sounds, the fact is that if you are not working for God, you are working for Satan. There is no in between!

Jesus Christ tells us to expect false prophets to arise in the days before He returns. He even warns that the words of these false teachers will be so persuasive, that they will come close to deceiving even the genuine believers.

Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV)

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 24:24 (KJV)

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Peter doesn’t hold back when he warns of false prophets who would come with swelling words that sound and feel good to us. They act liberated but are really in bondage to sin. Their message is so dangerous that it can take someone who knew the truth and turn them back into sin and away from God placing them in a worse place than they were before they knew the truth.

2 Peter 2:18-20 (KJV)

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

We are told to test everything that we hear to know if it is true. 1 John 4:1-6 is a passage that emphasizes how we know when someone is being truthful to the Bible. Jesus Christ also speaks to how we can recognize a false prophet in Matthew 7. We do this by looking at their fruit. Does what they say and do match what the Bible says? If not, then they are a false prophet.

1 John 4:1-6 (KJV)

4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV)

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

I could go on and on with various passages from the Bible that warn against false teaching. But I don’t have enough space for that – because there are that many passages! There is no doubt that God takes false teachers very seriously. So, now that we know that Lauren Daigle is a false teacher (she claims Christianity but speaks an alternate anti-Biblical message) and that being a false teacher is wrong, what do we do about it?

We should speak out first and foremost! We should not sit idly by while she pulls unsaved and immature Christian people away from God. Next, we should do what John says: “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 1:10-12). This means were are to not even allow these false teachers into our house! We are to send them away without even wishing them Godspeed! This sounds harsh, but it is better to do this than to risk our souls!

And to all the “Christians” who are fighting to defend her and her false teaching, I would remind you of following passage in 2 Peter. Turning to follow an apostate is a very dangerous decision. You may feel better now, but your soul will be destroyed. Take your stand for Christ NOW! Follow God’s teaching NOW! Do not be deceived and led away. If you are led astray, you will be in a worse place than you were before you came to Christ!

2 Peter 2:20-22 (KJV)

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Christ wants us to remain faithful until His coming. It is difficult to do this in these times when our culture demonizes Christianity and upholds everything else and when in order to be recognized or famous, you have to back away from what the Bible says. We need to remain focused on Christ’s return and not the world around us! In the end, we will be rewarded for better than anything this world could ever provide.

Luke 12:43-48 (KJV)

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Do you have a question?  Do you have something to add?  Leave a comment below or on my contact page!  I am more than happy to engage in friendly discussions. Thank you!