Today’s Daily Bread ~ John of God

Deuteronomy 13:1-3 – “Suppose there are prophets among you, or those who have dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or miracles take place.  If the prophets then say, ‘Come, let us worship the gods of foreign nations,’ do not listen to them.  The LORD your God is testing you to see if you love Him with all your heart and soul.”

On Wednesday, November 17^th, Oprah Winfrey did a show on a man from Brazil called “John of God.”  I don’t normally watch TV during the day, but a girlfriend tipped me off, and the tagline on the cable guide intrigued me: Millions of people are flocking to a small town in Brazil to visit a farmer, with no medical training, performing miracles.  I hit record, then when I had the house to myself, sat down to watch.

Right from the get-go, I was hooked.  There was no doubt about it, something was happening.  John appears to be a quiet, humble man.  He takes no credit for his work, claiming he is merely the vessel of something greater than he.  He takes no payment, either, stating that healing is a gift, and to accept money would be to forfeit it.

His nickname, “John of God,” was given to him by others.  John cites many spirits responsible for the healings, around 30, including deceased doctors, surgeons, theologians, and notable people of their time.  He also credits God, saying, “I do not heal anyone. It is God that heals. He, with his infinite kindness, allows the entities that assist me to bring healing and comfort to my fellow man. I am only an instrument in His divine hands.”

The “healings” take place at The Casa, a spiritual house that embraces all faiths.  Pilgrims are instructed to wear white, and arrive with an open mind.  They gather in the main hall for a brief orientation, then line up to meet João de Deus (John of God).  Oprah showed video of people kneeling before him as he assessed their energy fields, and then gave a prescription for healing.

The next step is often the “Mediums’ Current Room.”  This is one of two rooms where guests sit in meditation.  The idea is to both give and receive energy, for your healing, and the healings of many.  Some guests are invited to sit in a room called “The Entity’s Healing Room.”  This is the room where John of God receives people, and is by invitation only.

Oftentimes, John prescribes physical or spiritual surgery.  The physical surgery can involve eye scraping, nasal probing, or actual surgery with a scalpel.  His instruments aren’t sterilized, no anesthesia is used, but there are no known reports of infection, and most people report little to no pain.  Something is happening.

There is a strong temptation to believe that what this man is doing is pure, good, and of God.  But is it?

Jesus had much to say about false prophets or miracle workers, and the rise of them in the last days:  “And then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There He is,’ don’t pay any attention.  For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.  Watch out!  I have warned you (Mark 13:21-23)!”

Those are frightening words.  I suggest we become very familiar with them.  For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.  This text suggests that not only will Christians be fooled, but so will church leaders not properly grounded in the Word.  There are no reports of evil coming out of The Casa.  Everyone talks of the great love they feel, and the realization that there is so much more than we know.  John does not discredit God.  But he never mentions His Son, Jesus Christ.  And Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father but through me (John 14:6).”

Consider what the Bible says about mediums: “And do not let your people practice fortune-telling or sorcery, or allow them to interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.  Anyone who does this is an object of horror and disgust to the LORD (Deuteronomy 18:10b-12a, emphasis mine).” John of God is a self-professed medium.

The Casa tells Pilgrims they must believe in order to be healed.  According to John, doubting him blocks the healing energy of the spirits.  Jeremiah 14:14-15a – Then the LORD said, “These prophets are telling lies in my name.  I did not send them or tell them to speak.  I did not give them any messages.  They prophesy of visions and revelations that they have never seen or heard.  They speak foolishness made up in their own lying hearts.  Therefore,” says the LORD, “I will punish these lying prophets, for they have spoken in my name even though I never sent them.”

We simply must be in the Word.  We absolutely have to know what Jesus says about matters like this.  Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not all people who sound religious are really godly.  They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in Heaven.  On judgment day many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed miracles in your name.’  But I will reply, “I never knew you.  Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.

Everyone interviewed on Oprah had different experiences, with one unanimous similarity; there is more to this life than we know.  My friends, they are very much right.  God uses a severe tone when He speaks of mediums, psychics and false prophets.  Yes, they have power.  But that power is NOT OF GOD.  “Cling to ME!” He tells us.  “I will heal you and make you whole.  Only I can meet your needs. Satan roams around like a ravenous lion, waiting to devour his victims.  Do not be one of them!” 

The enemy is very clever, and very patient.  He will seek to distract you before he’ll try to destroy you.  Test everything against Scripture, and hold fast to Jesus, who warns us, “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.”

Dear Heavenly Father, we love You so much, and we ask that You would give us the gift of discernment, so we can know what is of You and what is not.  Please give us a spirit of boldness, so that we can speak the truth to a world that seeks to dilute Your Word.  Your Word is truth, God, please write it on our hearts!  Please strengthen us to stand up for what we know is right.  Please give us the courage to speak out for Jesus.  So many see Christianity as intolerant and hypocritical.  Help us to prove them wrong, God.  Help us to love others like You do.  Help us to see them like You do.  Help us to shine, that we might lead the lost to You.  We ask these things in the precious, beautiful name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.