Banned by HWA continues to lie and mislead
16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
Proverbs 6:16-19
Gary Leonard, the webmaster at the Banned By HWA site (an anti-Church of God website), continues to post lies and allow misinterpretations of what I write. He is a false accuser that does not take Proverbs 6:16-19 seriously.
While I do not intend to respond to most of the falsehoods and accusations he continues to post about me, I thought it could be helpful to some for me to show what he falsely asserted about me today, to help demonstrate that he and others like him need to repent and should not be trusted until they do so.
Here is a headline today at the Banned By HWA site and some of what Gary Leonard posted:
Another COG False Teacher Claims Women Should Cover Their Heads While Praying
Over the decades various Church of God false teachers have tried to force the old covenant upon church members, particularly when it comes to women in the church. …
One of the bigger groups to force women to cover themselves in prayer and speaking is Yisrayl Hawkins cult in Abilene, Texas.
These pictures are of women leading prayers and teaching classes which is exclusively for women. They cover their heads and their mouths when speaking and praying in church. During Hawkins preaching on Saturdays, women are kept separate from the men who also cover their heads while even some of the men cover their mouths.
Quite truthfully, this is appallingly sick. Yet, we have two more Church of God cult leaders who also claim women should be covering their heads, Pharisee James Malm and Almost-arrested Elisha, Elijah, Amos, Habakkuk, African prophet, second witless witness, and the most disappointing “son” of Rod Meredith, claim their women must cover their heads when praying. …
Now we have Almost-arrested Thiel claiming his female members should over their heads during prayers. I wonder what the women in Africa feel like when some sniveling fraud in American tells them to cover their heads?
Here is Elisha Thiel’s list of demands that he has laid out for his cult members to follow when praying. 28 steps to pray! No one needs 28 steps on how to do it. How incredibly stupid is that! Here is his list:Here is a listing of the 28 tips:
1. Pray to God the Father
2. Worship God in Truth3. Believe God4. Obey God: Do More than the Demons5. Worship God in Spirit6. Resist Satan
7. Don’t Fight God8. Pray for Others
9. Pray for Your Needs10. Remember God’s Will and Have Your Priorities in Order
11. Praying Positions from the Bible12. Pray Every Day
13. Forgiveness14. Recognize God’s Spirit15. Pray for What the Bible Says to Pray For16. Ask for Spiritual Gifts17. Don’t Pray for Show18. Obey the New Testament About Head Coverings
19. Ask Often, Do Not Use Vain Repetitions,But Be Fervent20. If You Are Suffering or Sick, Pray About It21.Pray for Church Leaders
22. Pray For Secular Leaders23. Put Jesus in Your Prayers24. The difficult: Remember Fasting25. Pray With Thanksgiving26. Deal With ‘Secret Sins’27. Change Can Make That Possible28. Close with AmenThis is what happens when foolish men set themselves up as purveyor’s of truth when all they are doing is setting forth their own perverse teachings.
Even though my booklet calls the above “tips,” Gary Leonard calls them “Thiel’s list of demands” and says scripturally-based tips are stupid.
Between tip 28 and his “foolish men” comment, Gary Leonard shows two photographs of women heavily covered with veils–implying that I want women covered in like manner.
But my booklet never required anything like that at all. Apparently Gary Leonard never read it.
Notice what my booklet actually says about women and head coverings:
Tip Number 18: Obey the New Testament About Head Coverings
Does the covering or uncovering of your head make any difference to God?
According to the Apostle Paul it does:
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. 6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. 10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. 12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.
13 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. (1 Corinthians 11:1-16)
… Women should have relatively long hair, but can (but are not required to) wear head coverings like hats or veils when praying.
That is everything my booklet says about women and head coverings. My booklet does not require women to wear veils to pray–it simply does not prohibit them.
So, no, I did not make stupid demands. And no, I do not believe that this at all offends our Christian women in Africa.
But Gary Leonard again lies and calls me a sniveling fraud. He needs to apologize and tell the truth.
Jesus wrote:
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)
People like Gary Leonard say all kinds of evil against me falsely–this is one way they persecute.
Sadly, Gary Leonard and many other opponents do not care about the truth and think that they are getting away with their lies and falsehoods.
Yet scripture says, “be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
The Book of Proverbs teaches:
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes. (Proverbs 26:4-5)
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. (Proverbs 26:16, KJV)
Because of Proverbs 26:4, I do not respond to most of the lies and false accusations at the Banned By HWA site, but because of Proverbs 26:5, I sometimes will.
As regular readers at the COGwriter.com website are aware, I provide scriptures and many facts and reasons to back up my writings. Gary Leonard and others should ask themselves if they can accept the truth or if they prefer dismissive conceit.
Gary Leonard is an accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), and often a bearer of false witness (Exodus 20:16).
Gary Leonard has had a chances to come clean, confess his errors, and move forward.
But so far, he has chose Satan’s way. Jesus spoke about people like him:
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. (John 8:44-47)
Jesus also said:
20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. (John 3:20-21)
The tactics of anti-COG sites seem to be to combine truth with error, just as Satan did in the Garden of Eden (cf. Genesis 3:1-4)–Christians are NOT to be ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:1).
In the days of the old Soviet Union it was said that propaganda needed to be about 90% true or people would not be as susceptible to believing it. The anti-COG sites often do have some items that are true. But they often come to conclusions or make accusatory statements that are false.
Although he tries to disguise it, much of his hate is without cause. Gary Leonard hates those who pretend to be in the COG as well as those that truly are in the Church of God. Jesus taught:
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.‘ (John 15:22-25)
The anti-COG writers bring to mind something that the Apostle Peter was inspired to write:
18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:18-22)
The anti-COG sites, like Banned By HWA, make bold improper words. Notice more of what Jesus said:
11 … Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)
12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Mark 13:12-13)
Sadly, various ones have let the anti-COG people “take their crown”–did not “endure to the end” as they should have. They allowed people once considered to be brothers to betray them spiritually–and yes it will also happen physically (see Persecutions by Church and State).
Notice something that Jesus wrote about people which reminds me of many of those who post at the anti-COG sites as many intentionally cause offense:
6 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! (Matthew 18:6-7)
The webmaster and several others at the Banned By HWA, as well as at some others at antiCOG websites remain in my prayers. Consider also the following:
21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned. (Psalms 34:21-22)
We are to pray for those who have made themselves enemies of true Christianity as well, since Jesus said:
27 But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. (Luke 6:27-28)
We are to pray and not give up because of criticisms.
Some do not seem to understand that Jesus and the apostles faced intense criticism and false assertions–and that those who really want to follow Him will be subject to it as well (John 15:18-25).
Satan is the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). The anti-COG promoters have been influenced by Satan. Yet, according to Jesus, their tactics will not prevail:
18 I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18).
Satan’s power, and those on his (Hades) side, will not stop the Continuing Church of God. Nor can they stop prayer (cf. Luke 6:27-28; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
After all of this, some of you may think you should have nothing to do with the Continuing Church of God as Gary Leonard and others improperly speak against it. But biblically, that is NOT the right attitude to have.
Notice what some said to the Apostle Paul:
21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.” (Acts 28:21-22)
So, despite true Christianity being spoken against, some were interested in hearing. Here are the verses that followed:
23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying,
‘Go to this people and say:
‘Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”‘ (Acts 28:23-27)
Being spoken against did not stop the Apostle Paul from teaching the truths of God. Nor is it stopping me or the Continuing Church of God. Nor should it stop those who are really believers in the truth.
The webmaster and various others at the Banned By HWA site remain in my prayers.
Some items of perhaps related interest include:
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them. Here is a related article in the Spanish language ¿Por qué estar preocupado acerca de falsos y heréticos líderes?
Banned by HWA and Ambassador Watch There are various ones that oppose the Church of God, but they will not prevail (Matthew 16:18).
Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God How has God used dreams in the past? Does God still use dreams? Did He use any involving those in the Continuing Church of God? Here is a link in Spanish: Sueños, la Biblia, la Iglesia de Dios de la Radio, y la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. A related sermon is also available: Dreams, COGs, and One Man Rule.
Is the Genuine Church of God a Cult? There are misleading statements on the internet that this article tries to address.
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught? For a more detailed discussion of the first four commandments, please see the video The Ten Commandments: Loving God. For a more detailed discussion of the last six commandments, please see: The Ten Commandments: Loving Your Neighbor. Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese 十条诫命显示爱，违反诫命的就是邪恶的
The Philadelphia Remnant: It’s All About Love This is what CCOG teaches. It is important to remember.
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? This free booklet contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related two part sermon is available: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer? and What does the Bible Teach About Prayer (& Healing)?
 |
Tweet |
|