The Virus Infecting The Church... Mario Murillo
The fame virus is wreaking havoc in the church. What is the fame virus? It attacks preachers and infects them with blinding obsessions.
Paul the Apostle not only predicted this virus, but he also gave Timothy the clearest instructions to confront it.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers…”
2 Timothy 4:3.
This virus is lethal because it is the opposite of what we have seen before.
False ministers normally rise by gathering crowds to themselves. But this virus causes people to gather preachers to themselves. The crowd literally collects (heaps up) teachers!
Once it infects leaders, everything becomes about pleasing the crowd.
Why is this virus attacking us now? The answer is because revival is life and death for America. And this virus is the perfect weapon to prevent an awakening.
The virus creates distraction. Podcast wars are making us unavailable for revival.
This virus created the perfect distraction: podcast wars. It has us choosing sides instead of joining sides for an awakening.
In one corner, we have infected Charismatic ministries oblivious to their emotional excesses, false doctrine, and authoritarian rule.They seem unable to truly repent.
And in the other corner we have “discernment podcasters” relentlessly exposing abuses and juicy gossip. It’s not for doctrinal purity, its because the virus compels them. They have left their original calling. They are trapped and must feed the audience’s need for scandal.
Both sides in this war would be shocked to learn they are driven by the same virus. Emotional extremes must keep going. Angry posts must keep coming. Clicks and subscribers matter, the truth does not. Appeasing the crowd is all that matters.
There are many sincere ministries in the Charismatic movement, and there are solid podcasters out there rightfully calling out abuse with integrity. God is using them. They should be heard, but the noise drowns them out.
The fame virus ruins the next generation of preachers.
The fame virus’ system rewards corruption and punishes integrity. The clearest example I can show you comes from my childhood in the ghetto.
If you wanted to get ahead, it was inevitable that you would end up flipping burgers for minimum wage, instead. While you sweat and barely eke out an existence, you watch the pimps and the drug dealers who have money to spare. The pull to a corrupt life is almost impossible to resist.
That is happening in the Church right now. Young people feel the giant suction of fame by compromise and shortcuts. They are told to use formulas instead of the power of prayer and obedience.
Our on-fire youth work hard to build a ministry on the Rock. They see others zoom past them because they use tricks.
The devil tells them purity, hard work and patience are outdated and promotion comes from self-promotion.
They feel like the psalmist who said “This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments (Psalm 73:12-14).
The Devil says that trying to be good is useless.
Is there any hope against this virus? NOT ONLY IS THERE HOPE! THERE IS GREAT HOPE! THERE IS TOTAL VICTORY OVER THIS VIRUS!
I am thrilled to tell you that God used Paul to write the exact words of victory and guidance over this devilish scheme!
How exciting to realize that none other than Paul the Apostle was writing as much to you as he was to Timothy!
The whole point of 2 Timothy, chapter 4, is victory over the fame virus.
Let’s apply God’s strategy for defeating this enemy! God has a mighty ministry for you.
He has something infinitely greater for you than the cheap here-today-gone-tomorrow ministries that seem to pop up every day. Let’s look at the Word!
2 Timothy 4:1, “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom…”
Paul is telling us to never forget the real future! Christ will judge. Everything built artificially will burn.
This is exactly what set the Psalmist free! He was sick with grief, envy, and confusion as he watched the success of the wicked. But then it became clear:
Psalm 73:16, “When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me—until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.”
Paul tells us to be Bible-based always!
2 Timothy 4:2, Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” Preaching the Word of God brings an outpouring of the Holy Spirit! Devils flee, sickness is removed!
‘Be instant in season and out’ means you keep doing what is right even when you don’t see immediate results. Trust the process. Be patient and wait.
You will see God build a true ministry of power!
2 Timothy 4:3, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
“But you!” Yes, you are different. You can resist the pull of fake success! Be alert. Bear the pain of doing things right! Win souls!!
“Fulfill your destiny.” Your destiny is so awesome that nothing the world offers can compare. God has a destiny for you that will hold you. His destiny will keep you on course.
Soon the corruption will fade. The liars will be silenced. Then the true lions and eagles will appear in the fire of true revival. Hallelujah!
Mario Murillo
