The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb: Searching for Jesus’ Path of Power in a Church that Has Abandoned It

by Jamin Goggin

“Many evil powers are tempting the church today. Number one is the power of personality. I call that an evil power because many pastors depend on their own personality to attract people. It’s an evil power that pits personality against the force of the gospel in Jesus Christ alone.” Marva paused briefly, then continued, “A great temptation is the principality and power of Mammon. I call it Mammon, which was an ancient Hebrew name for the god of money and wealth. When you call it the god Mammon, you know it is a principality and power, and that it’s more than just money. It’s the love of money. It’s when we let money be a god in our lives. Whenever money pulls churches away from their God-given purposes, then it is functioning as Mammon. Too many churches rely on their money and their gadgetry. Too many people rely on their salaries to support them in the world, and they lose track of God’s providing for them. He provides home, food, and drink. I don’t mean drink as evil power; I mean, like water.” Marva giggled, clearly amused at how she could have been misunderstood.