Brain Stopper No. 1: Name Calling
What is one of Satan's greatest tools?Brain stoppers.That's the term I made up for a variety of tactics Satan uses to get people to shut off their minds so they don't critically evaluate teachings. Leaders in the apostolic-prophetic movement use them all the time.I'm not talking about brainwashing. The media often accuses cult leaders, like David Koresh, of "brainwashing" their followers so the leader can gain complete control over people. Yet, I don't believe true brainwashing is possible because every person ultimately retains control of his or her own thoughts.But I do believe religious leaders can discourage their followers from using their minds -- which keeps them from detecting the error in what's being taught.Name CallingOne popular brain stopper is what I've labeled "name calling." This happens when the teachings of an "apostle" or "prophet" are challenged. Instead of responding to the challenges, "apostles" or "prophets" often resort to calling their critics names.The names they've given their critics are numerous: mean-spirited, judgmental, Jezebel, unspiritual, unanointed and old wineskins -- to name a few.This tactic is effective because their followers start to believe that everyone who questions an "apostle" or "prophet" is evil or unspiritual. So, the followers quickly dismiss any criticism of their leader, without ever determining if it is true or not."Prophet" Kim Clement often uses this tactic. In his book Call Me Crazy But I'm Hearing God (Destiny Image, 2007), he calls his critics names that are associated with death -- "undertakers" and "caretakers." Clement says "undertakers are the 'naysayers' of this world who seek to bury what God is doing." And he has an even harsher description of "caretakers":
The caretakers are always poking their noses into your business. They are trying to take care of things that no one ever asked them to take care of. They are the judges who declare what they believe is wrong in the church and the world. They determine who the false prophets are and what is heretical. They don't change the world; they criticize the world. They never take a risk. They live in the comfort of their own high towers (page 156).
Yet, he has a flattering name for his faithful followers -- "risktakers." He calls them the "pioneers" and the ones who "will make history." He says, "God loves risktakers!"Like Clement, "apostle" C. Peter Wagner calls his critics names. He says they're the "unanointed leaders of the old wineskin," and he claims they're motivated by a high-ranking demon he calls the "corporate spirit of religion" [See his book Changing Church (Regal, 2004), pages 18-22].I could give countless examples. Many followers of "apostles" and "prophets" have responded to my articles in this way. One comment I've often received is that I'm just "jealous" of the success of the ministries I've critiqued. This is classic name calling.If someone's favorite teacher is challenged, a better response is to show the critics where they are wrong -- not to just call them names.Read "Brain Stopper No. 2: 'Human Logic' is Bad."