Is Joel Osteen a Man of God?

From time to time, I go on Youtube to listen to pastors and preachers speak. Admittedly, the people who do a lot of screaming and shouting are not my favourites, but I always go back to the ones who encourage me and boost my faith. Joel is one of those pastors. I admire him immensely and I believe he is a true man of God who not only stands up for his faith, but puts his faith into action and demonstrates to others how to shine the love of God out to the lost.

If you listen to what he has to say, you’ll discover that he started from nowhere. Although he grew up in a Christian home, the son of a pastor, he didn’t even feel qualified to preach. But, step by step, as he followed the Lord’s leading, he became a popular public speaker, drawing thousands to his church.

At this time, there are those who are viciously attacking Joel. It grieves me to see any brother in the faith being treated this way. In fact, it reminds me of how the Pharisees attacked Jesus.

They tried to trick Jesus, by asking him the most difficult question they could come up with. “Should we pay taxes or not?” They figured if Jesus said yes, the common people would be disappointed in him but if he said no, He would be breaking the law. Jesus, knowing their hearts, asked for a coin to be brought to him. Then he asked,

“Whose image and inscription are these?”

“Caesar’s.”

“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.”

Here it is verbatim. 

Matthew 22:16… Master, we know tht thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

In Joel’s case, his antagonists like to bring to him the question of the gays. They know that however he answers the question, he’s caught in a trap. He’s bound to offend either the Christians or the gays and their sympathizers.

I believe Joel answered the same way that Jesus would when the Pharisees brought a woman to him that was taken in adultery. (According to Jewish law, both adultery and homosexuality are worthy of death.) But, did Jesus pick up rocks and throw them at her? That’s really what was required to be done according to the law at that time, wasn't it?

He told the Pharisees, 

“Let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone.” 

Boy! Those stones must have become burning hot to the touch because those guys dropped them like they were snakes!

Can you imagine what they must have been thinking? (Jesus could hear their thoughts and, no doubt, he was amused.)

 They probably thought, “Oh my God, if anyone knew what I did last week, that woman would be throwing rocks at me!” Their consciences were hurting so bad that they all left. So, Jesus asked the woman,

“Where are your accusers? Didn’t anyone condemn you?”

“No man, my Lord.”

“Neither do I condemn thee. Go. And sin no more.”

In the Hebrew law, there are many such sins that are punishable by death. Bestiality, certain kinds of adultery, sacrificing your children to Moloch, homosexuality and even cursing your parent will get you killed.

Thank God all these sins were nailed to the cross so that we are allowed to partake of God’s mercy. In thankfulness for that, it is our godly and loving duty as followers of Christ to extend that mercy to others. We are not supposed to pick up stones and stone the sinners that come into our churches. We are supposed to welcome them with open arms into a loving and friendly atmosphere where God’s Love covers a multitude of sin.

Yet, there are some believers who continue to point the finger at Joel Osteen. I fear for them. What if they are poking their finger in God’s eye? What if Joel is God’s man? What if his preaching is Bible-based? What if it’s true that God is Love and that God wants us to love the lost?

Brothers and sisters, should you decide that Joel is an imposter who doesn't minister God's Word, please pray before you judge him. Take a look at his fruit. The Bible says that "by their fruits we shall know them".

The fruits of the spirit, according to Galatians 5:22, 23

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Does Joel have the fruits of the Spirit? (Keep in mind that the first fruit is love.)

I, for one, stand with Joel Osteen in these times of his testing and persecution and I hold him up in prayer as a faithful brother and fellow laborer of the Lord.

God bless you, Joel and continue to make you a blessing to many others! In Jesus' name!