Getting Out of Emotion and Using Discernment – The Marvin Sapp Response, and Prayer

"Praying Hands", Courtesy of WikiMedia

I've seen a few posts on FB this morning about the response of Marvin Sapp about a song called "Stay Prayed Up". I will admit that I'm not familiar with the song, or the writer/singer of the song. But I can say, that his response is a false statement.

Below, you will find the question of a lady, and Mr. Sapp’s response.  Later, I will break down his response – a lie, wrapped in a tiny bit of truth – as the word of God says “…a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” (Galations 5:9, 1 Corin 5:6).

Please read my only response to the song "Stay Prayed Up"

Mr Sapp, I was a big fan of yours however as a Christian I'm a bit confused about your motivation to record the record prayed up. I intentionally watched you on the HOA and was taken back by your conversation with Kandi at the studio. You continued to tell her not to try to explain herself, and that she didn't have to apologize etc. I'm just wondering is this the watered down version of the word you are teaching in your church? The bible says "my people perish because of a lack of knowledge." It also says "GOD would rather that we be hot or cold." Not trying to come off as judgmental but this is the type of thing that makes the church look no different than the world. So fed up with this new concept of stooping to the worlds standards to reach souls Jesus hung out in places with sinners to reach them but HE never comprised GIS standards nor GOD's word. Kandi is motivated by money just wondering what's your motivation?

Usually I don't respond to people about things like this however I must this time. The problem with many in the church is 1.) that we major in minors and 2.) ignorant (not well studied) of scripture. Lets deal with the first, This woman who was an ex R&B singer that sells sex toys and live with her man decided on a show that reaches 10 million viewers per showing (believers and unbelievers) to sing about,,,, Not sex toys, drugs or living with a man but PRAYER!!!!!! and the saints are upset. The lyric says, "I stay prayed up, that gets me by, that how I made it through my darkest time, see I'm a sinner and thats no lie, but thank God my prayers are heard because he knows I try" Wow!!!!! nothing elicit or comprising about the lyric.... So lets look at how Jesus dealt with the sinner..... From my study of scripture the only people he checked was the church (religious people of that day) however the sinner he consistently showed COMPASSION!!!!!!! Examples...... Woman caught in the ACT of adultery Also the Woman at the well....... Never exposed them publicly, dealt with them privately. We as believer major in minors...... So caught up in the messenger that we are missing the message "Staying Prayed UP". Now I close with this...Everyone that God used in scripture was flawed and or had struggles.... Let me call the roll..... Moses was a murderer, Rahab was a harlet (whore), David was a murder/adulter and still considered a man after Gods own heart, Peter was a cutting cusser however was in the inner circle of Jesus, Paul was a murderer and made many blaspheme against God however wrote 2/3 of the NT, He spoke through a Donkey and if we decide to be quite rocks will cry out... We say we are christians which means being Christ-like but question peoples motives that model his behavior....The bible speaks about witnessing and that you need to be wise to win souls and Paul says I became all things to all men that I might win some.... Compromise was never done here nor do I condone her life style or life choices and keeping 100 you don't know the off camera conversation we had. Again big picture 10 million people at 1 time were challenged to PRAY in difficult times WOW!!!! Thats Awesome and Ministy..... PS Didn't spell check because I'm late to a meeting.... Be Blessed

Now, before we begin, we must agree on a few biblical truths before we move forward:

1. We need discernment to understand God’s Word and laws (Psalm 119:125)
2. Only believers will understand God’s Word ( 1 Corinthians 2:14)
3. The Word of God is true, without error, and used for instruction and correction (2Tim 3:16-17)

If we can agree to this, then, let’s continue….

There are two things that need addressing here. The first is how much a Christian will idolize one person, so much so, that they ignore the discernment that God is giving them to see something that is dangerous to their souls.

Now, I will admit, this first part will be commentary, I will add supporting scripture where I can, but ultimately, I am just sharing my observations.

After Mr Sapp raised this statement, there were many that came to his side in his defense. I believe that is what caught my attention. My newsfeed was flooded with “Amens”, and the like, agreeing with what he said. Many of the “amens” were emotionally charged – as to say “he told them!” or “that’s right, y’all church folk, that’s why don’t nobody wanna be bothered with you!”. Some were “amens” because what he said sounded good on the surface. Those were the “amen” attitudes. But what does “amen” really mean?

Yes, we know the conventional meaning of “amen” – “so be it”. But why do we say it? Let’s look at scripture:

Rev 3:14 (KJV) 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saiththe Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;…..

When we agree with our “amens” we are saying that whatever we are agreeing to is as pure, faithful and as truthful as THE AMEN Himself! The Amen is Christ! So, we can’t just go around “amening” to anything. That is not a word to throw around lightly. The attitudes above did not reflect agreement in The Amen. What they reflected were bitterness and anger at someone who was bold enough to ask a question. Someone who was bold enough to hold someone accountable for the office they proclaim and the message that they are sending. Those “amens” were blatant disdain and goes completely contrary to the Word of God when it says:

1 John 4:1 “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.”

Matt 7:15-22 15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”

People of God, we must be careful in these times. She was not out of order, and Christians who hold other fellow laborers, whether they be famous or not, or pastors or not, accountable for their words and deeds, and want to do as the bible says, are not either. In fact, making sure we are not among wolves IS being obedient to Christ, and it is very wise in doing so. Many are led astray because they follow another voice blindly instead of listening and following Christ’s voice….always remember that.

John 10:4-5(KJV) 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. ***discernment and knowing the actual Word of God will keep you from following strange voices/doctrines.***

The second is the issue of prayer.

The more and more I read his statement, the more and more clear the subtle lie became. That one little subtleness is the leaven in the lump. And isn’t that exactly how the enemy works? Now, don’t get all emotional on me…I did NOT call Mr Sapp the devil – don’t let that spirit rise up and confuse you. See carefully what I said – the enemy works in subtleties. He is cunning – just ask Eve! He will twist something ever so slightly that you won’t even notice that the lie is in there – but it’s there. So let’s examine this and pull back the covers on this serpent. I would like to do this in 3 ways. I would like to examine the song, the message, and Mr. Sapp’s message.

I did go and research the young lady who sang the song, as well as the lyrics. And yes, they are “uplifting” – but what are they uplifting?

The first stanza – speaks of the loss of her husband, her grief and her trying to keep it together for her daughter.

In my research of her, I found that before she was married, she lived and had a daughter with her boyfriend.That was something that was new for me. I don’t watch the show, and don’t know anything about her – except for the things I found that she wrote, and other things I’ve found in my search. So, I was under the assumption that her daughter was with her deceased husband. Anyway, in this song, she admits to fornication. (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Revelation 21:8-9)

The chorus – A lyric that stands out and should catch a believer’s attention is this verse: Yeah I’m a sinner and that’s no lie. Thank God my prayers are heard cause He knows I try.

This lyric, the crux of the song, is contradictory to the Word of God. These are not His words, or His truth as He cannot lie or contradict Himself. (John 9:31, Psalm 66:18, James 5:16)

The second stanza – speaks of her trying to hold her home together, keep her kids happy. But it’s hard because she always feels judged, but she’s just trying to do the best she can.

But, trying and doing are two totally different things in the kingdom of God.  Jesus says, if you love me youwill keep my commandments (John 14:15,21) He also says only those who do the will of His Father will see heaven and be considered His brother or sister (Matt 7:21, 12:50). And willfully going from living with one man not her husband and having a child, to living now with another who is not her husband is not trying, as well as her other choices and lifestyles contradictory to God’s word is not trying.

So what message is this song sending? It’s sending the message, God, I know I’m messed up, I’m doing wrong. But, I’m just gonna pray and keep doing it because I think you hear me and you know I’m “trying”. Is that the life that God would want His elect, His royal priesthood, His Bride to have when He tells us to Repent and accept Christ as our Savior – the one who can restore us to where God wants us to be?

Now, for Mr Sapp’s message. As a man who has over 5,231 “friends” to this time at 10:33pm on 2/26/13 on one page and 4,955 on another at this same time, he must be careful with giving the truth of God’s word.

Let us lay down the enchantment of his voice, fame and status for a moment, and use God’s discernment – especially after what we have just gone through…

The accusation of “church folk” majoring in minors is both divisive and inflammatory. Admit it, when you read that, didn’t you have an “us vs them” mentality? But, aren’t we ALL brothers and sisters, one body in Christ? (Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 2:14,16 ,Colossians 3:15)

Second, as “church folk” majoring in minors is what we are supposed to do. Now, I’m not exactly sure what he meant by that statement. But, from the times that I have heard it used, it was to say that people are too nitpicky. But didn’t we just learn that we are suppose to be nitpicky? Aren’t we suppose (according to the Word) inspect the fruit and test the spirit? If we are not nitpicky, we will start to let (which as already happened even after several warnings in the bible) false teaching AND prophets enter into the body of Christ. I for one, dare not meet Christ and He ask why I didn’t test spirits and check fruit and I say “Well, Lord, I didn’t want to be majoring in minors”. Please believers, don’t let someone trick you into not checking actions and motives – either of those in “church” or out of church. Every spirit should be tested, and every fruit should be checked – even the pastor.

Third, he admits that he knows this woman is in sin. Yet, he mixes the “holy” (supposed “gospel” song) with the profane. Why? Why as a man of God who is blatantly telling us that those who question are ignorant of the Word of God, is himself ignorant of this very warning from God?

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 - 14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:

“I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father,  and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Last, he goes down the “roll call” of those who were sinners. But what he fails to say is – yes, each and every one of those people sinned. BUT, when they encountered God, when they encountered Christ – they were changed. God chose Moses, and Moses obeyed His call. God chose David, and David obeyed his call. The adultress encountered Christ and He commanded her “GO! And sin no more”. And she obeyed. He encountered the woman at the well, and she went back changed and witnessing about what the “Man at the well did” when He told her everything about herself. Those people were believers. And you must know, that God’s promises are for those who are believers. I highly suggest you read my last writing “Why I Am Not A SinnER” if you haven’t already – it will help greatly with this truth and understanding.

With Mr Sapp’s stamp of approval, he has now led those “over 10 million viewers” both unbelievers and believers a like (which I don’t believe or understand why believers/disciples of Christ would be watching things that HE tells us to guard ourselves against – but that’s just me) to believe that it’s ok to be in your sin – “Do what thou wilt” the mantra for the satanic believer – and say a prayer in tough times, God will hear you and you’ll be ok. That is a lie from the pit of hell. Going through all of the scriptures you should be able to see that. Satan is crafty. He is very good at what he does. He’s been doing it well over 2,000 years, and he has no need to change up his game, because it works.

WE HAVE TO KNOW THE WORD OF GOD!! It’s the only way that we will not be deceived. Eve didn’t know the Word of God – and she was “beguiled”. Jesus DID know (and IS) the Word of God – and put satan to shame on the mount.

Do you know what would have honored God? If Mr Sapp would have taken that time on camera to lead Kandi to God for salvation, that would have honored God. She by her own admission has no relationship with him. If Mr Sapp would have shared the gospel for 10 Million hurting souls to hear and seek the true living God, that would have honored God. That is what would have been awesome and ministry. Instead we are left with a song that will get people emotional, but not seek true salvation, and fade over time. Those few minutes on air was squandered for the benefit of selling a record (face it, that’s really what it was about. No one would have bought it otherwise). It has been said in their defense that maybe one person could have been saved. Well, I will tell you, unless the pure gospel was preached during that time – not one soul was led to Christ. The Holy Spirit is the one who draws – not a tv show, or a song. And if someone was “saved” I will bet you my $10 I made today that it is a false conversion. This scenario sends mixed messages to see someone who lives a contradictory lifestyle singing about a God she doesn’t know along with someone who is supposed to not be ignorant of the scripture (remember those who are not adopted into His family, don’t know Him because they can’t understand His word). And he, WE as believers should know this.

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

Please use discernment,

+Deidra Hall 
Board Certified Coach 

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For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Deut 20:4  Translation: We never lose!!