Out of Babylon

THE UNHEALTHY CHURCH CULTURE Many believers are distraught concerning what they witness going on in their local Black churches today. Ezekiel experienced similar conditions in Israel in his day. The Scripture says, the Israelites were still living in sin and trusting in their own righteousness. God told Ezekiel, "And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say, but they will not do it, for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on gain. And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it." (Ezekiel 33:31-32 ESV). The exiles had claimed to go to the prophet to receive God's revelation, but their behavior was not in compliance with their stated beliefs and values. Their true desire was for entertainment - but not for divine enlightenment. If the fall of Jerusalem failed to spiritually awaken them, nothing would. Yet it would open their eyes to the divine truth of Ezekiel's preaching! As the church, we must call all cultures along with ourselves in every generation to the rule that judges all other rules - the rule of faith, the Holy Bible! Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.