Banned’s Gary Leonard makes more false accusations and then asserts he in not an accuser of the brethren

¹⁶These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: ¹⁷ A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸A 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), made a partial response to my post ‘Banned by HWA’ continues to make false assertions–Matthew 13:19-21? yesterday. Apparently he 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 astute readers might find his responses show his true colors.

In my post ‘Banned by HWA’ continues to make false assertions–Matthew 13:19-21?, I charged Gary Leonard with making several false assertions such as:

Claiming I was ripping up families.
Claiming I was breaking up marriages.
Claiming I do not care for the brethren.
Claiming I was silent if I saw actual abuse of COG members.
Claiming I am self-appointed.
Claiming I receive and deduct a parsonage allowance.
Claiming my most recent sermon was not about Jesus.

I also provided various proofs behind my statements, yet Gary Leonard did not for his claims.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that my wife was quite repulsed when I told her that Gary Leonard said I broke up families and marriage. She found it incredulous that Gary Leonard would make such a things up on the above list, but he did.

Gary Leonard is an accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), and often a bearer of false witness (Exodus 20:16).

Gary Leonard had a chance to come clean, confess his errors, and move forward.

But instead, in his response yesterday, Gary Leonard posted:

Today started of with one of the most hilarious posts that Bob Thiel has posted in a long time. The Almost Arrested Elisha Elijah Joshua Bob had an epic millennial melt down this morning. …

So Thiel claims he has makes an effort to never break families apart. Well good for him. …

God no more appointed Bob Thiel as an end-time prophet/church leader, through the blessing of Gaylyn Bonjour during a simple prayer, than Dave Pack was personally educated at the feet of Herbert Armstrong. Just because Thiel and a disturbed woman in the Southern Hemisphere had some nightmares, which they assume came from their god, it no more makes Thiel a prophet than the dream of my cat being made Supreme Leader of the Planet Argon I might have had several months ago. …

Am I an accuser of the brethren? No!

Despite his denial, Gary Leonard is an accuser of the brethren. Currently, it seems to be part of his nature. And no, I did not have a “meltdown,” only decided that it was appropriate to put forth truth to expose darkness to show those with ‘eyes to see’ (Proverbs 20:12, NLT) that Gary Leonard was a false accuser of the brethren. Jesus 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)

An astute person whom I do not know, posted a comment about this at the Banned By HWA site after Gary Leonard made his aforementioned post:

Charlie Speck said…

This blog is getting to be more pathetic as time goes. Little children name calling instead of simply using a persons real name when referring to them, and then we watch the other children play monkey see monkey do as they repeat the same childish names. Bob Thiel has it right this time but obviously the blog owner can’t handle the truth and had to make another rant against Bob Thiel. Then we have our usual Dennis the Athiest posts with his not very convincing arguments at hat go on and on and on, actually it seems this blog is becoming a place for Athiests to come where they can spew their Christian hate. Anyway, that’s it for me, I’m out of here, far to negative and full of hate.

September 4, 2016 at 2:42 AM

Charlie Speck is correct that many at the Banned By HWA site are improperly negative and full of hate. It is good that some who go to that website are able to see through various of the lies and innuendoes that are posted there.

In his post, Gary Leonard never apologized for falsely claiming anything on my list of seven, though he at least seemed to acknowledge I claim to make an effort not to break up families.

Those who think he, without proof, despite me having with proof of his falseness may wish to consider the following proverb:

16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly. (Proverbs 26:16)

Consider that furthermore more in his latest rant against me, Gary Leonard falsely asserted that I and a woman from New Zealand (who I did not know) had nightmares. No, we had dreams.

Apparently Gary Leonard does not believe that God uses dreams, even though the Bible says God does (Genesis 20:3-7, 28:10-17, 31:10-13, 31:24, 37:5-10, 40:5-18, 41:1-32; Numbers 12:6; Judges 7:13-15; 1 Kings 3:5-15; Daniel 2:3-45, 4:4-27, 7:1-28; Matthew 1:20-25, 2:12, 2:13, 2:19, 2:22; Acts 16:9; see also Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God).

Notice also that Gary Leonard called the Church of God member who had a dream while she attended the Living Church of God, a “disturbed woman.” Neither she nor I described out dreams as “nightmares,” so this is yet another false accusation from Gary Leonard.

Gary Leonard presumably has not met the woman, Fesilafai Fiso Leaana, yet has accused her of being disturbed. Again, this shows that he, like Satan, truly is an accuser of the brethren.

Furthermore, he continues to refer to refer to me with statements like “Almost Arrested” to imply I am some type of criminal, without bothering to explain that I was almost arrested because I told government authorities that I would observe the biblical Day of Atonement (details of this are in my post, ‘Banned by HWA’ continues to make false assertions–Matthew 13:19-21?, that Gary Leonard responded to, though he did not bother to mention the truth about this).

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.

What about addressing any of Gary Leonard’s false assertions and innuendoes?

At risk of repetition, consider that the Bible says:

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)

1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: … 7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7)

Thus, while I normally do not bother to deal with most of the innuendoes, lies, and false assertions at the Banned by HWA website, sometimes there is a time to do it (cf. also Ecclesiastes 3:16-17).

Consider something that Jesus stated:

43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 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 8:43-47)

Gary Leonard is NOT of God and he hates.

Although he tries to disguise it, much of his hate is without cause. He 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.
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.