Recently, the Walt Disney Corporation released an adaptation of the Brothers Grimm story, “The Frog Prince” in theaters. In this and other adaptation of the story, the frog prince is released from a curse which was placed upon him after being kissed by the princess. This is the common ending of the story but not how the original authors ended it. In the original ending, the prince is released from his curse only after the princess throws him against a wall of her bedroom in disgust. This isn’t the only story which was changed to fit the common “Disney Ending.” Hans Christian Anderson’s “Little Mermaid” actually ends with a suicide. The Greek myth of Hercules ends with an accidental murder. Cinderella is just as morbid as the two aforementioned stories. More often than not, these stories did not end with the “Happily Ever After” which we love to imagine. Granted, Disney changed these stories to give an upbeat ending which people prefer. Anderson and the Brothers Grimm were not known for “feel good stories” but everyone loves a happy ending even at the cost of the truth.
Sadly, many preachers have adopted the Disney attitude to many sermons and articles which are written. No longer is the message about what God would have men to know but what will make a man “feel good” when it is all said and done, even if his spiritual condition would keep him from living “Happily Forever After” this life is over. The truth of the matter is that while some would have man believe one thing, God’s Word speaks the reality of each subject.
God’s Word is that which is to be preached. Paul told Timothy to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). Timothy was to preach God’s Message regardless of whether or not others wanted to hear it. God told Ezekiel to give the children of Israel His message telling Ezekiel, “They will NOT listen but TELL THEM anyway” (Ezekiel 3). Yet, the backlash from those who refuse to listen has caused too many today to preach “the Disney Gospel.” Everyone is going to get the “Happy Ending” they’ve always wanted. Sadly, the reality is different.
This refusal to preach God’s Word has caused too many areas of doctrine to be twisted to that which man would have others know. Marriage/Divorce/Remarriage is pretty much ignored, although Christ was very clear on the subject (Matthew 19:9). Salvation has been dumbed down to saying ten words and a prayer that never once appears in the Bible. James was very plain when he said, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). When Paul told the jailor to “believe,” we are never told that he believed until AFTER he heard God’s Word, washed the stripes of Paul and Silas (a sign of repentance), and was baptized. After these things were done, he believed (Acts 16:34). Man teaches one thing but the reality is different.
Some would argue that the change in preaching came from a change in man. “No one wants to hear it anymore.” Remember, God told Ezekiel that his people would not listen. He also told Ezekiel to tell them regardless. After exhorting Timothy to preach God’s Word, he told the young preacher that many would refuse to listen to the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Never once did Paul tell Timothy to change the message. A change of the heart of man is no reason for a change of message. A change in message only leads to one thing. Complete destruction for the one who teaches and the one who follows. The “commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9) can be taught and feel good messages spread abroad. The reality is far different.
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