Who cares about Hillsong Pastor Carl Lentz slamming shots with Justin Bieber?

Fans of celebrities barely bat an eye anymore at the drunken antics of superstars. Instead the public displays of carnality of the rich and famous are celebrated. Smiled at. Wink wink.  Are we seeing this same blasé attitude in the visible Church?

.

Celebrity Pastor Carl Lentz, who pastors Hillsong NYC and megastar Justin Bieber, a close friend whom Lentz personally shepherds, were photographed partying in a  tavern. The world is now seeing the fallout of the spectacle, in which the two slammed back shots. The pictures show Lentz smiling as Bieber began removing his clothes at Blue Door Bar in Queenstown, New Zealand.

.

The singer started out his night fully clothed like any other patron, then stripped off his camouflage jacket and white singlet which saw some unstoppable smiles from the two female bartenders serving him. Shots and cocktails were on the menu for the US singer and his mate, Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz.

We aren’t posting the images. But if you need to see them, an Australian news outlet has them here.

.

What’s the big deal?

We share this not for the buzz, if you’ll pardon the pun. This event is not about what celebrities do. It’s not about whether Christians can drink alcohol (see below). It’s not even about whether Justin Bieber is a regenerated soul (although his fruit is troubling and he is in desperate need of discipling under a real Shepherd). There is a much bigger picture to be considered.
Bieber considers Pastor Lentz his “second father” in the faith. As do many others. The Hillsong Empire and Carl Lentz himself influences hundreds of thousands of young people around the world. So when Justin Bieber makes an announcement that he is canceling his concert tour because he has rededicated his life to Christ, those sheep celebrate and marvel at what Jesus has done in this man’s life.

.

But which Jesus?

.
Is it the Jesus of his famous mentor and pastor, who denies that Jesus is the only way to a relationship with God? Or the one who smiles and nods at Hillsong’s carnal youth pastor, who posed as a Naked Cowboy to the squeals of attendees at a recent women’s conference?  The blatant pattern of sheep stumbling of Carl Lentz is documented here.

.

Be careful little eyes, what you see.

Who cares about this little party in New Zealand?  Well, Christian, if you care about the souls of those sheep following Lentz and the Hillsong dynasty, those sheep whose faith is being shipwrecked not only by a prosperity gospel that does not save, or a carnality gospel that tells young people their “fruit of repentance” is nothing to worry about, then you should.
.
Mark, Matthew and Luke quote Jesus’ strong warnings about causing “one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Matthew 18:6
.
Romans 17-23 tells us:

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.  Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.  It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.  But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Related Post

52 thoughts on “Who cares about Hillsong Pastor Carl Lentz slamming shots with Justin Bieber?

    1. No doubt what may have started off as good is in the sights of the Enemy and he will do all he can to spoil it, imagine how many young girls may look to the real Jesus if there pop star hero does like wise, no doubt many of them would fing Jesus God and Salvation, the Enemy is working very hard to stop this.

    2. Having been raised catholic and attending catholic schools, we we’re taught that it doesn’t matter how you live you are going to heaven anyway, these people must take lessons from Roman Catholicism! Boy they need Jesus!

  1. When I read things like this, I am not really angry anymore. I just feel such heaviness in my spirit and sadness for these people. They are so lost and don’t even know it.

  2. Carl Lentz is obviously a false teacher. Actually, Lentz is more like a CIA handler than a pastor. Bieber actually lived with Lentz for some time. And Bieber goes to Lentz to help make decisions. And then they end up doing shots together in a sleazy bar.

    Hillsong is obviously a false “church” that is intended to disgrace the truth of Jesus Christ.

    1. And what is it that you like about Lentz’s teaching? The part where everyone is saved in the end even if they hate Jesus now in this life? Do whatever you want as long as it makes you feel good? being born again is sooooooooooooo passe’?

      1. Thanks for not responding.
        The answer to my questions were found on your web site, in your own words, Gregg. Your “links page” is filled with ever heavy weight heretic of the “word/faith” lie.
        May God have mercy on your soul.

        1. You sound so angry and bitter. And entitled. No one is obligated to respond to you, especially not when you launch self righteous diatribes from behind the safety of the keyboard

      2. These types of ‘nominal Christians’ are the ones who have/will apostatize from the faith they claim to have in due time.

        Mat 13:20  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 
        Mat 13:21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 
        Mat 13:22  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 

        Speaking of tribulation, has anyone read this? – http://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-wont-be-punished-as-long-as-they-do-what-we-say-rolling-stone-reporter-responds-lgbt-193200/

        It appears the militant sodomites are now calling us ‘wicked’ and threatening ‘punishment’ if we don’t comply….

        1. Thanks Lyn for the link. I’ll tell you what really irks me, when Christians are labeled conservative or liberal! There’s no such thing! Believing in Holy Scripture makes you a “conservative” in the eyes of the world! Homosexual affirming “Christians” are seen as liberal and progressive! They’re not! They’re not Christian! Either you are or you’re not! That’s why scripture is the bedrock of theology, without it we would be tossed around from whim to whim! That’s why in today’s climate affixing any sort of political badge to the bride is wrong and bad!

          Just ranting this afternoon! Lol! Thanks for listening!

        2. Remember when we discussed the coming “forced participation” that would likely be pushed on believers? It seems to be getting a jump start.

    2. In John 6:66, Jesus’ doctrine was not palatable to the crowds he was teaching, so they “went back and walked no more with him.” Likewise today, if you profess the true doctrines of Christ, you will not have a large following. Strike 1 against Lentz.

      In Matthew 15:8, God says of Israel that they draw nigh unto Him with their mouth and honor Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. Likewise today, preachers profess Christ with their words, but their actions align with the world, proving the true devotion of their hearts. Strike 2 against Lentz.

      James 4:4 asks the question – do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? and, therefore, whoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Likewise today, celebrity pastors seek friendship and popularity through their associations with the “beloved” of mankind. Strike 3 against Lentz.

      Anyone who can have a conversation with Oprah Winfrey about “Jesus,” uniting with her ideas and think they are discussing the Jesus of the Bible doesn’t know his head from his tail, Carl Lentz. And let’s not leave out Joel Osteen here, with his adoration of and unity with Oprah. I once heard Oprah tell her audience that she was a Christian and if anyone wanted to become a Christian, she could help them do that. Not on your life!!!

      If words and actions are contradictory, that’s one sign you’ve got a false teacher not to be trusted. You can’t consume their words and disregard their worldly behavior.

  3. I think it’s deplorable. It’s important that everyone live up to what my standards of Holiness are.
    Anyone who isn’t as good as I surely doesn’t know God. Yes sometimes I do one or 2 little things wrong, I’m not perfect, but I’m still not as bad as these 2. It’s comforting to know that I am more holy than so many others. I can find the imperfections and failures in others because I am so wise.
    Why waste time with Bieber? Let him find Christ on his own.
    (I fear that this is how many of you really think by what I read in your comments)
    Why shine a light when you can curse the darkness?

  4. “(I fear that this is how many of you really think by what I read in your comments)”

    You’re presupposing. Lentz has been exposed to the light that is in scripture, yet his actions show he loves darkness more than light! Not only that but, he encourages others in questionable behavior, while claiming to be a pastor of Jesus’ sheep. Mr.Lentz needs to be evangelized like any other unsaved person, the serious condition that he’s in is hardening his heart toward Christ, there will come a time or it has come, that I do not know, when his heart will not repent.

  5. Carl Lentz said to Oprah (!!!) that a person can go to heaven without believing in Jesus. That’s a lie from the devil himself. Lentz isn’t a pastor. He’s an entertainer.

      1. Manny1962 … I’ve read many articles on here and your comments that follow (as well as others’), and you are spot on. James says that “friendship with the world is enmity with God”. Jesus says in Matthew 7 the way to tell a false teacher is by their fruit, and in Matthew 24 one of the surest signs of His soon return is the false teachers and deception. I’ve seen many things come out now exposing the worldliness of Hillsong – the fruit of that seems to speak for itself. There are still some good preachers out there who faithfully preach God’s Word on a weekly basis, yet a vast majority of people seem to run after the “celebrities” just because of their status in mans eyes. I know because that’s how I was as a baby believer. Having attended a conference last summer for the persecuted churches in other countries, I can tell you, however, that there is a HUGE difference between those churches and (as Chris Rosebrough likes to say) the American Evangelical Industrial Complex! I think of a pastor recounting a visit to house churches in India a few years back, and telling them about how church is typically done in America; they laughed at the foolishness of it. Comparatively speaking, it’s like the difference in Revelation between the church in Smyrna and Laodocia. The most unfortunate part is that the wolves, as well as multitudes of those deceived into following these wolves, will eventually be sent strong delusion by God … they will actually believe that the Laodocian way is the right way, and there will be nothing to turn their heads back to the actual truth, because they believed the lie rather than the truth found in God’s Word (2 Thessalonians). Dangerous times indeed, but our redemption truly does draw nigh!

          1. Amen Doug, Churchianity is a complex business comprised of celebrities, entertainment, info-tainment, and as Darrel would say: “christianese.” The last thing is a Holy God, sin, repentance, a new birth, a new life and holy scripture. This is part and parcel of Mystery Babylon, she’s here already. This will get worse folks, one day soon enough, the complete scripture will be abandoned.

        1. The vast majority of the “christian” world is running after “celebrity pastors” (wolves) who are leading them headlong onto the easy, acceptable, worldly broad road of destruction. They don’t hear the voice of the Shepherd, for the narrow road He leads His “little flock” on is rocky, rough and lonely. He will rescue every one of His sheep from the devouring wolves. Not one will be lost. And each sheep will gladly follow their Shepherd, for therein lies their rest, assurance and safety, despite the separation from the world. Christ is worth it all!

          1. Thank you for those words, Sheryl. It is a comfort to be reminded that it is Christ who sustains us through it all!

  6. People like Lentz are a dime a dozen, speaking lies in the name of Christ and bearing rancid fruit that only exposes their lies to those who have eyes to see. Any “pastor” who has as his co-pastor his own wife is a hireling and not a God-called pastor. It makes everything he says worthless, his preaching is meaningless, and his self generated “praise” [in word only] of God is a stench in His nostrils. Not a good beginning for someone who claims to love and serve the Lord Jesus. Does he teach that a man “must be born again”; that repentance from sins is an integral part of salvation that is real (2 Cor. 7:9-11)? Does he tell his audience what it means to be born again as the bible describes it or does he make promises to his new converts that are not contained in Scripture? No doubt the latter, including physical healing, financial prosperity, and the “whole nine” of aberrant garbage that hooks and keeps blind men into following him—see Hillsong’s web site. If a Lentz lover can find a link to prove otherwise then please provide it; your own testimony of how wonderful Lentz is will not be entertained. Further, does he ever mention the fact that one’s old sins are not just forgiven, but rendered powerless to control the man who has the Holy Spirit within him (Rom. 6:14)? Does he excuse a man for continuing in his old sins attributing it to human weakness, the ‘flesh’ or whatever is convenient for the hour? Do his disciples hate the sins of their former life or continue in them still finding pleasure in committing their favorite sin over and over (1 Cor. 6:9-11)? Is holiness part of his equation for the new disciple (Heb. 12:14)? Is personal cross bearing ever mentioned, including the fact that without it a person CANNOT be “My disciple” (Luke 14:26 & 27)?

    Lentz does not speak for God and will be judged accordingly (2 Peter 2:1-3). Peter continues his apt description of Lentz et al in 2 Peter 2:17-22. Jude speaks as well: Jude 3 & 4 as does the Lord Jesus Matt. 7:15-23. Note the common thread in all of these verses: “swift destruction”; “for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever”; “who long ago were marked out for this condemnation”; “I NEVER knew you.” Since the ploy of the wicked one to keep us from judging righteous judgment concerning “false brethren” has seen better days, his efforts are now seen as something like this: it’s ok to inspect the fruit, but you cannot draw any conclusions about a man’s fruit to say that he is not saved. Such nonsense (a lie) has had great success in too many believers. It’s time to recognize the deception and discard it. Knowing a person is a false disciple and not warning your brethren does what for the Body of Christ? Don’t be ‘sifted like wheat’ as Peter was for a time when he denied the Lord Jesus (Luke 22:31-34). There is no record, either biblically, or historically of any leader of a cult being saved. But there have been untold numbers of ‘cult members’ who have been delivered from the wicked one and his wicked minion. Many here, including me can testify to this. Why is that? Because the Lord is “…longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9. The “us” and “all” of this verse refers to the elect of God and NOT all of mankind as the universalist/free-willers wish that it did.

    Lentz is lost.

    As for Bieber, his fruit will speak. Will he continue in his former sins or will such become repugnant to him? The songs that he sings, the company he keeps, and the things that he excuses will speak louder than his mouth.

  7. Doug D, Manny1962, Darrel yes you nailed it correct

    The fad or trend that is going on is the businessman with money to start another business
    “a church business” plus the tax write-off make himself and his wife the pastors or hire a hip hireling and its a continuous revenue stream

    They know Christian music is the trend now
    Take and change the lyrics from “Baby” to “Jesus”

  8. So…what does it matter and who cares about Bieber and Lentz hitting back shots? First off the so-called pastor Carl Lentz is a false-preacher from Hillsong; and secondly he is supposedly Bieber’s mentor in the faith. The fact of the matter is, that them going to a tavern and drinking, and Bieber removing his jacket and white top standing half naked, knowing full well that this is going to be filmed and all the world is going to see it. The message being sent here by a supposed re-dedicated to Christ Bieber, and his heretic pastor to millions of impressionable young people [and older people also], is “it’s ok to enjoy yourself, drink a few beers, take your clothes off [while a supposed pastor is standing there laughing about it]., relax and show your body off to the young [even old] ladies to lust after. Hey it’s all cool, Jesus is ok with that, it’s fine we can still serve Him and carry on like we are. I’m ok…you’re ok, God won’t condemn us because he’s a loving God. Let me be blunt here, Lentz is a false preacher and an enemy of the Cross of Jesus and a hypocrite. Justin Bieber believes he can still have one foot in the world, the other in the Church. He also is an enemy of the Cross of Jesus.[ Php_3:18  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ] Where are their fruits of salvation! ” We shall know them by their fruits, ‘Mat_7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them’. Carl Lentz and Justin Bieber have rotten fruits, which has no place in the Church of Jesus Christ. And all you Bieber and Lentz worshippers and defenders are no better than them. They are a disgrace to the Body of Christ, and an embarresment as to being so-called candidates of salvation. They are leading millions down a slippery slope of damnation and to a fiery furnace, and should be ashamed of what they are doing!

    1. Amen William Cook – it is refreshing to see a Christian speak so boldly. The phony ‘Christians’ will call you unloving, judgmental, etc. Their ‘god’ is as you say, all love and nothing more.

      You rightly assess the fruit of Bieber and Lentz, and you call them out based on their rotten fruit. Praise God there is still a remnant who are NOT afraid to speak out against fake Christianity and its fake god.

    2. William Cook … very well spoken. Too many people today have this romantic notion of love, a Hollywood version if you will; that it’s unloving to question a professing Christian’s actions. The apostle Paul didn’t seem to have a problem with it, neither did John or Peter. In fact, the humility that Peter displayed when Paul called out his hypocrisy was amazing, and should be the example that we look to when being rightly corrected. I would ask people who shun righteous rebuke … if you saw a friend who was blind walking towards the edge of a cliff, wouldn’t you say something? It’s the same when it comes to a Christian brother … you warn them if they are in error or going astray. You do it in a gentle way, but you still warn. It’s the most unloving thing to just let them go and they wind up with a shipwrecked faith. Unfortunately, because of legalism professing Christians scream liberty for everything today. Yes there is liberty (and thank the Lord for it), but as Paul says “not liberty as an occasion for the flesh”. Paul says that he would give up his liberty if it will cause a brother to stumble … that is exactly that attitude that we all should have, most especially someone who is supposed to be a shepherd of the sheep (Lentz). But this is what happens when a “pastor” becomes a leader rather than a shepherd. Again, I would exhort people to examine persecuted believers (and there are plenty of them outside the west) and how they live their faith. There is a reason that those churches are not only growing, but showing amazing fruits of repentance. Check out Voice of the Martyrs website to see just a few stories of how people remain rooted in Christ despite family members being thrown in prison for no reason, or even facing death for their faith. Brother John from Syria told us of brothers in the faith that raced across borders on foot, while being shot at, just to be able to study the word of God under faithful men. These men, after studying for eight hours straight, were offered the opportunity to go out and see the sights of the city they had escaped to. Their response was this: we risked our lives to get here to study the Word of God … why would we want to go out and see those things? What a testimony!
      Brothers and Sisters in Christ … if you have never read about John Sung I would highly encourage it. He was a Chinese evangelist in the late 20s through the early 1940s. He definitely had his shortcomings and deficiencies, but his hunger for prayer and God’s Word were undeniable … and I believe that is the reason the Holy Spirit moved so powerfully in China during those times just years before Communism came to power. He was actually studying at a liberal seminary in New York when he was born again … shortly after he was institutionalized for six months because people thought he had gone crazy. During those six months he read the Bible 40 times!!!! And even after he returned to China he would normally read 11 chapters a day, praying after each one for the Lord to reveal sin in his life. Isn’t that the kind of humility that we should have? That, my friends, is the difference between John Sung and Carl Lentz, and the fruits thereof are evident. Smyrna/Philadelphia churches vs. Sardis/Laodocian churches. The fruit of one is the result of eternal life, and the other is the fruit of eternal death!

      1. Doug,

        What a blessing your comment is – please allow me to highlight a few things from your comment:

        “In fact, the humility that Peter displayed when Paul called out his hypocrisy was amazing, and should be the example that we look to when being rightly corrected.”
        “Brother John from Syria told us of brothers in the faith that raced across borders on foot, while being shot at, just to be able to study the word of God under faithful men. These men, after studying for eight hours straight, were offered the opportunity to go out and see the sights of the city they had escaped to. Their response was this: we risked our lives to get here to study the Word of God … why would we want to go out and see those things? What a testimony!”

        Another man of faith and constant prayer was George Mueller, I recommend reading his story at http://www.georgemuller.org/uploads/4/8/6/5/48652749/an_hour_with_george_muller.pdf

    3. Thank you William, be ready for a barrage from “Christian brethren” regarding your “unloving and judgemental” stance! For many the truth is a very hard pill to swallow! And as I always remind everyone, the first to turn on us for proclaiming His truth will be those that claim to follow Him! Bieber and Lentz are lost, they need Jesus.

      1. Manny … John 16:2-3 couldn’t be a more accurate description for those so called “christian brethren” you mentioned.

        1. Yes! John 16:1-16:3 is very, very fitting if the days dawning upon us!

          JOHN 16:1-16:3
          1I have told you these things so that you will not fall away. 2They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.…

          Sign of the times! Those with eyes to see and ears to hear will understand!

  9. “the first to turn on us for proclaiming His truth will be those that claim to follow Him!” How true Manny, this is happening all over the internet

    1. That, along with the other glaring signs, proves without a shadow of a doubt, if one doesn’t have eyes to see and ears to hear with, one will be caught unawares when the Antichrist is revealed! If they can’t see the lesser antichrists that have gone out into the whole world, how will they see The Antichrist when he comes performing signs and wonders? If they can’t discern false teaching from truth, how will they discern the False Prophet when he performs signs and wonders, actually making fire fall from the sky?

      1. Manny … there’s a reason Jesus made the comment that a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign. Spiritual adultery is the same as the harlotry mentioned of Israel in the OT, and the reason God calls Mystery: Babylon the Great – the mother of all harlots. They will be the ultimate and final fulfillment of spiritual harlotry. People that desire to see signs and wonders (i.e. Bethel Church or NAR-type) aren’t walking by faith … they are walking by sight. Isn’t it amazing how many super spiritual people there are in the church today who have heard directly from God? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say “God told me this” or “God told me that”. In Jeremiah and Ezekiel God condemned the false prophets who spoke things that God didn’t tell them. 2 Timothy 3:16-17!

  10. Doug we live in truly eye opening days! Prophecy is being fulfilled at breakneck speed, almost on a daily basis! The Great Apostasy, the Middle East, the Orient, Europe, Africa and Israel sorrounded by enemies from times long gone as foretold to happen! One has to be so blind not to see!!!

    1. Very good comments by all here. As Manny stated, things are happening at break neck speed. May the Lord keep His elect strong, He is faithful, and He will do it.

  11. One thing I notice is that the photos and report of the incident mentioned are from some months ago. We cannot comment on them as happening last week. Since that time, Bieber has cancelled his remaining concerts and we do not really know why. Not sure we can reliably know the reasons from celebrity news sites such as TMZ so we do need to be discerning. But maybe right now he is deep in bible study some place away from the constant prying and cameras.

    I do not care for Lentz or for Hillsong, it’s practices or theology. However I do rejoice that Lentz has been able to reach out to a sad lost boy like Justin Bieber when, although I would love to be able to share the gospel with such a person, I have no chance of getting near him.

    Most of us would have been decrying Simon Peter for how he denied our Lord Jesus with curses and lies on that dark crucifixion day. Many of the twelve have failings recorded of them but they were a work in progress and we are thankful for the rest of the story. I do hope we get to hear a good positive ‘rest of the story’ from Justin Bieber in days to come.

    1. Hi Susan,

      I hope today finds you well. My concern is with Mr. Bieber being “taught” by Lentz, what’s he going to teach him? And yes we don’t know what’s happened since then, but one thing is sure their bar hopping did occur while they both professed to follow Christ. Now is this canceling of the tour a p.r. damage control scenario? Did Bieber jettison Lentz and the world? The answers to these questions will prove the outcome. I would hope Mr. Bieber has been saved, rejected the Lentzes of the world and the false riches of the world. And yes we all fail, we all trip at times, but our foundation is The Rock of our salvation, if and when we trip we have assurance of forgiveness and progression in our walk with The Lord. If our foundation isn’t 100% on The Rock, there’s no getting up from tripping on sin! What foundation has Bieber put his trust in, only Bieber can say.

      1. Well said Manny. When we start thinking false teachers can be used by God to ‘save’ folks, we cross over to ecumenism. What’s stopping people like Susan from saying the Pope cannot be used by God to help the lost?!?

        My prayer is that God WILL save this young sinner, and protect him from false teachers and false Christians.

        1. Let me add this, “However I do rejoice that Lentz has been able to reach out to a sad lost boy like Justin Bieber ” = for starters, Justin is a man, not a ‘lost boy’. How can a wolf like Lentz speak truth when he is void of truth? Beiber stated he was ‘rededicating his life’, this lingo is nonsense. You MUST be born again- and that is a work of God the Spirit as He quickens the dead sinner, causing them to see their own vileness. Cancelling his tour is no indication he is saved, or that he has repented.

          The article clearly states Lentz denies Christ is the only way, yet some think he can share the ‘gospel’? That is beyond mind boggling.

          1. “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry—but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

            We have already considered the nature of “godly sorrow” and by what it is evidenced, namely—by a saving “repentance” or a forsaking of sin and turning unto God. It now remains for us to enquire wherein it differs from the “sorrow of the world.” This brings us to a vitally-important distinction, for all sorrow over sin is not a “godly” one, neither does it lead to evangelical repentance. Evangelical repentance we say, for there is sometimes a repentance or remorse—as was displayed in the tragic case of Judas—which does not terminate in “salvation.” Such is “the sorrow of the world,” that is, the sorrow of the unregenerate, of those who are strangers unto the Lord. So far from their sorrow leading to life, it ends in death.

            The sorrow of the world is the grief and sorrow of disappointed worldlings, of those who know not God but whose trust is in themselves or in some arm of flesh. They have relied for happiness from the world—and the world has sadly failed them. They have sought satisfaction from its broken cisterns—only to have their hopes dashed. The bitter springs from which their ambitions have proceeded, are pride and carnal self-seeking, and their motives and occasions for indulging the same, are as manifold as the deceitful lusts of the flesh. But frustrated plans and defeated expectations, sour and enrage them, and nature’s greenness is turned into the drought of unrepentant grief. So far from leading the soul to God—it fills with wrath and enmity against Him. Its miserable subjects seek consolation from the world, endeavoring to drive away serious reflections by drowning themselves in its pleasures.

            The sorrow of the world does not arise from just views of sin, nor does it proceed from any concern that God has been offended. It does not lead the soul to God in true penitence, nor turn to Him for consolation. The sorrow of the unregenerate is occasioned by temporal losses, which fill them with chagrin and dismay; by crimes which incur public disgrace for their perpetrators and their families; from the squandering of a goodly heritage which terminates in poverty and despair; from wandering from the path of chastity, and in consequence losing their good name among men; from intemperance and reckless living, which ends in ruined health and vain regrets for having played the fool. In all such cases there is no contrition of heart for having violated a righteous Law, offended a kind Creator—or been an occasion of stumbling to their fellows. It is only that they are incensed at the harvest which follows their evil sowing. They are often fretful because lack of money or health, prevents them from continuing such excesses.

            There are some worldly men who experience religious convictions, and they are grieved because they cannot obtain Heaven in their own way. This is seen in the case of the rich young ruler who came to Christ—but who, when he learned that denying of self was required of him, “went away sorrowful” (Matthew 19:22). There are those who have a sense of eternal realities—and yet are wedded to their lusts. They desire happiness hereafter—but they will not forsake their idols now, and so they are troubled. They cannot have Christ and the world—Christ for their consciences—and the world for their affections. They are unwilling to break away from the love of this world so that they might be saved in the world to come, and therefore are they grieved that they cannot have both. A pertinent case in point is that of Balaam.

            Such “sorrow” as we have referred to in the above paragraph, is but a superficial and transient emotion which has no lasting and spiritual effects. Alas, of its possessors it has to be said, “your goodness is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears” (Hosea 6:4). Their weeping eyes soon dry up, as we see in the cases of Esau and Ahab.

            Again—such sorrow is not occasioned by mourning over sin as sin—but over the retribution which it brings. A solemn example of this appears in the life of Pharaoh when the Divine judgments were upon his kingdom: “Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, Entreat the Lord, that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people” (Exo. 8:8). Note well it was not, “Entreat the Lord to remove my pride, my obstinacy, my hatred of His people; but only let the plague be stayed.” Contrast the prayer of David under similar circumstances: “take away the iniquity of Your servant” (2 Samuel 24:10)—not take away the pestilence from my land!

            “The sorrow of the world works death” because that is the appointed and inevitable fruit of the impenitent workings of an unregenerate will. It is a great mistake to suppose that the natural tendency of trial and trouble, loss and pain, is unto good. Not so—their trend is rather to excite rebellion against God. It is only when our sufferings are Divinely sanctified to us—that they are made to bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness.

            Just as surely as happiness is the attendant of holiness—so misery is the certain result of sin. When the worldling’s dream of earthly happiness has been dispelled by misfortune—he feeds only on the sour bread of self-reproach and unblessed woe. He often willfully accelerates the desire for relief, which he vainly hopes to find in death—which so far from ending his sorrow—only conducts him into the blackness of darkness forever!

            “The sorrow of the world works death”—temporal and eternal. “Death” is to be taken here in its widest latitude, including all the disastrous consequences of sin. The results of godly sorrow are beneficial, the effects of worldly sorrow are abortive and evil. They produce only ill health and distress, and are attended with no consolation or compensation. The sorrow of the world debilitates the body, disturbs peace, impairs the mind, and breaks the spirit. There is no contrite seeking unto God on the part of the suffering one—but only a fretting and murmuring against Him. The more miserable a man becomes—the harder his heart becomes: “Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores—but they refused to repent of what they had done!” (Revelation 16:10, 11). Worldly sorrow is the certain prelude to desperation, unless God prevents, as witness the horrible cases of Saul, and Ahithophel.

            How important it is, then, that we should seek grace to turn all our mourning unto a spiritual channel, that we may sorrow “after a godly manner”—with grief for having dishonored God with a dependence on His mercy, with a purpose to henceforth obey Him. Sorrow over sin, and exercise about our eternal interests, will avail us nothing—unless it works repentance, and even repentance may be counterfeited and so not be “unto salvation.” Unless sin is mourned over as the cause of all our suffering, and God be viewed as the righteous yet merciful Author of the same—grief under afflictions produces only increasing enmity unto despair. If after prayerfully pondering these articles, any of our readers are brought to grieve over the hardness of their hearts and are concerned because of of their lack of godly sorrow, that is sure proof they are not devoid of this spiritual grace.
            A.W. Pink

      2. Thanks Manny, I am reasonably well and have enjoyed a good day. I hope you have reason to rejoice in the Lord. Yes, I would have exactly the same concerns as you. And about those photos. But the fact is we just do not know what goes on in private between them. Or what influence any other believers are able to have on the young man. I do see Lentz with an open bible in some videos and know that God’s Word can speak on it’s own.

        Lentz reached out to Bieber when he was 14 years old, according to what we can read about the story. That makes him a ‘boy’ Lyn in my book. Not sure why you attacked that statement. Wow. And I just wrote “reached out”. There are no doubt all kinds of influences and evils tempting a young pop star like that.

        And for the record Lyn – “people like Susan” are 110% against any kind of ecumenicism. Why would you ask Manny that question about me?

        The Corinthian believers were in to all kinds of sinful things but when Paul wrote to them they had repented as he recorded in chapter 7. As good godly people come alongside any of us we have a choice to respond correctly and grow in grace. We can trust that will happen for Justin Bieber too.

        1. For the record, I never attacked anything, I corrected you calling Justin a boy. You never listed any certain age that you were referencing to.

          As for the ecumenism remark, it stemmed from this by you, ” However I do rejoice that Lentz has been able to reach out to a sad lost boy like Justin Bieber “. How is it a false teacher can reach out to a lost sinner when they themselves are lost? With that line of thinking, one can also claim the pope can reach the lost, or a Mormon. Did you read the article? Let me highlight a couple of things from it…

          “Is it the Jesus of his famous mentor and pastor, who denies that Jesus is the only way to a relationship with God? Or the one who smiles and nods at Hillsong’s carnal youth pastor, who posed as a Naked Cowboy to the squeals of attendees at a recent women’s conference? ” Did you catch that? Lentz denies Christ is the only way, yet you say you rejoice that he reached out to a lost boy. How is that possible? Please explain.

  12. ps. He has released a statement on his twitter account in the last few hours giving reasons for cancelling his shows. There seems to be a glimmer of hope within it.

    1. Again, there is a difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. Time will tell if this young man has been elected unto life.

  13. While I whole heatedly agree that Lentz and other pastors like him are leading followers down the wrong road and enabling an attitude where anything goes, I will say this…
    I came to Christ through a church of a similar pastor. Once I came to Christ, albeit with a skewed view, I began reading the word and realizing the problems with those teachings, and in turn became a much more mature believer. However, if I hadn’t came to know Christ I wouldn’t have had that chance to mature in my faith in the first place. I don’t know if this excuses pastors whose teachings are not perfect, but at the end of the day it got me to know Jesus 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *