the truth about Benny Hinn

[wittywriter]

Hello, I am taking on this topic because certain individuals have been promoting Benny Hinn on this site. I have found transcripts of his discussions and I am going to post the TRUTH about Hinn. This site is supposed to be 100% truth so I will work to preserve that.

All these transcripts can be seen at raptureready.com in the section called heresy hunters be gone....

Benny Hinn and Necromancy {talking to the dead}

"Now, I don't understand why the Lord allowed me to see that. I've not just seen angels; I'VE SEEN SAINTS. Can I tell you? This might even shock you a little more. The Lord gave me a vision of Kathryn Kuhlman sitting with a group of people... and every one of them seemed to be urging me to pray. Now I know this sounds crazy, but it's all right. I don't mind crazy because I liked what I saw... I was in prayer at least uh, least hours... AT LEAST FIFTY TO SEVENTY OF THEM SITTING IN A GROUP, AND THEY WERE SAYING TO ME, 'PRAY'! ASK GOD TO GIVE YOU A HEALING MINISTRY THAT WILL TOUCH THE WORLD! AND I SUDDENLY HEARD KATHRYNS VOICE CRYSTAL CLEAR. AND SHE IN HER BEAUTIFUL SMILE, SHE SAID 'ASK! WE'RE WATING FOR YOU TO ASK! WERE PRAYING WITH YOU TO ASK!' AND THE VISION DISAPPEARED. And suddenly I said, 'Lord!' and I asked. A week later the anointing hit my life. I believe the saints in Heaven urge us to pray. Urge us to do it!. [Excerpted from message presented at the Blaisdale Arena, Honolulu, HI, 2/28/97]

Nemocracy is communication with the dead and is absolutley forbdden by Holy Scripture. Moses stated, "There shall not be found among you {any one} that maketh his son or daughter to pass through fire, {or} that useth divination, {or} an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer" {Deut.18:10-11}

Isaiah added a clear warning that we are to seek our God by seeking His law and His testimony, and if we seek any other source or spirit it is because there is no light in us. "And when they shall say unto you. Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, {it is} because {there is} no light in them" {Is. 8:19-20}

Benny Hinn is a messiah

"I am a little messiah walking here on earth. {Praise-a-thon, praise the Lord, Nov.6,1990}

Dead Will Be Raised In Front Of TV

Benny Hinn: But here's what I see for TBN. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE RAISED FROM THE DEAD WATCHING THIS NETWORK. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE RAISED FROM THE DEAD WATCHING TBN. Programs- just plain programs- that haven't done much when it comes to supernatural manifestations- teaching programs. It's not going to be a Benny Hinn saying, "stretch your hands." It's going to be your average teaching program, your normal Chrstian program, thats blessing the church. There's going to be such power on these programs people will be raised from the dead world wide. I'm telling you, I see this in the Spirit. It's going to be so awesome-Jesus I give you praise for this- that people around the world- maybe not so much in America-PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WHO WILL LOSE LOVED ONES, WILL SAY TO UNDERTAKERS "NOT YET. I WANT TO TAKE MY DEAD LOVED ONES AND PLACE HIM IN FRONT OF THAT TV SET FOR 24 HOURS."

{Later in transcript...} I SEE ROWS OF CASKETS LINING UP IN FRONT OF THIS TV SET AND I SEE THEM BRINGING THEM CLOSER TO THE TV SET AND AS PEOPLE ARE COMING CLOSER I SEE ACTUALLY LOVED ONE PICKING UP THE HANDS OF THE DEAD AND LETTING THEN TOUCH THE SCREEN AND PEOPLE GETTING RAISED AS THEIR HANDS ARE TOUCHING THAT SCREEN. {Praise the Lord, Trinity Broadcasting Network, October 19, 1999}

There is more in this transcript that you can see at rapture ready.com I think this gets his blasphemy across.

Nine In The Godhead

Benny Hinn: Man, I feel revelation knowledge already coming on me here. Lift your hands. Someing new is going to happen here today. I felt it just as I walked down here. Holy Spirit, take over in the name of Jesus...God the Father, ladies and gentlemen, is a person; and he is a triune being by himself seperate from the Son and the Holy Ghost. Say, what did you say? Here it, hear it, hear it. See, God the Father is a person, God the Holy Ghost is a person. But each of them is a triune being by himself. If I can shock you-and maybe I should- THERE'S NINE OF THEM. Huh, what did you say? Let me explain: God the Father, ladies and gentlemen, is a person with His own personal spirit, with His own personal soul, and His own personal spirit body. You say, Huh, I never heard that. Well, you think that you're in this church to hear things you've heard for the last 50 years? You cant argue with the Word, can you? It's all in the Word. {Benny Hinn, Praise The Lord, October 3, 1990}

Jesus Is Going To Appear Physically at Benny's Meetings

"I believe, hear this, hear this- I believe that Jesus, Gods Son is about to appear physically in meetings and to beleivers around the world to wake us up. He appeared after His resurrection and He's about to appear before His second coming.
"You know, a prophetess sent me a word through my wife right here, and she said 'Tell your husband that Jesus is going to physically appear in his meetings.' I'm expecting to see - I'm telling you, I feel it's going to happen.

"I'm careful in how I'm saying it now, because I know that people in Kenya are listening. I know deep in my soul something supernatural is going to happen in Nairobi, Kenya. I feel that. I may very well come back- and you and Jan are coming Nairobi with me- But Paul we may very well come back with footage of Jesus on the platform.

Now hear this- I'm prophesying this: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is about to appear physically in some churches and some meetings and to many of His people, for one reason - to tell you He's about to show up" {TBN Praise-a-thon, April 2,2000}

{another time}

Benny: I got to tell you this quickly, just before we go. I had a word of prophesy from Ruth Heflin. You know who Ruth Heflin is? Ruth prophesied over me back in the 70's and everything she has said happened. She's just sent me word through my wife and said, the Lord spoke to her audibly and said that He is going to appear physically in one of our crusades in the next few months.

Steve Brock: My God! I'm ready for that!

Benny: Yeah. She - I'm telling you!- she said, the Lord spoke to her audibly and said "Tell Benny I'm going to appear physically on the platform in his meeting." {This Is Your Day, March 29, 2000}

Here is Matthew 24:23-27

"At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to decieve even the elect-if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, There he is, out in the desert, do not go out; or, 'Here he is in the inner rooms,' {or in Benny Hinns meetings} do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."


Now I feel I have provided enough of Benny's blasphemy. There are more transcripts of Benny cursing people in Gods name if they dared to question his ministry and another saying Jesus could have sinned, as well as many more. Go to heresy hunters be gone at raptureready.com.

I found an interview with a woman who was supposedly healed along with her son. They both had cancer. She came up on stage with her son. She had lung cancer. Hinn said that God asked him to give her a new lung. Then touching her and her son they were both healed. Her son died of cancer weeks later and she died months later. Her name was Belva Ventura. You can find an interview with her shortly before she died at www.rickross.com. I would also like to add that Hinn makes roughly 100 million dollars a year. On his crusades he stays in the most expensive hotels that are also frequented by celebrities like Micheal Jackson. He drives a Rolls Royce {I'm not sure of the spelling}. On his suit there is real gold. Hmmm, I wonder where he got the money for all that. He also owns one of the most expensive mansions in America. To see more on Hinns finances go to the 5th Estate website. Now if someone at talk Jesus tells you how wonderful Hinn is and that he is a man of God. Or that his ministry will not fail. {these are two things I have heard from individuals this week.} You know the truth, and where to find more truth. I pray that Talk Jesus will always remain 100% truth. This site is unique and I will fight to keep it's purity. God bless you, from Julie...WITTYWRITER!

 

[Bobinfaith]

Dear Wittywriter,

Excellent read! Thank you, Julie! NBC's Date Line is not known as a Christian TV broadcast and is not perfect by any means, however, their journalism reporting is done with the highest level of integrity.

When Mr. Hinn was requested an interview by Date Line, what a perfect opportunity to witness God's Truth on television! Mr. Hinn repeatedly did commit but did not get back to NBC.

When asked to comment on his healings and then the same individual dies, or the financials (and we are not talking about a comfortable ministry but a multimillion dollar crusade!) He could not be direct and danced around the truth. Anytime a ministry is asked to be accountable, we never answer in the dark but reveal Truth in the light. Benny Hinn claims to be a ministry and if it is backed by God, then speak direct! It is biblical.

Please read and meditate on Matthew 5:37 Jesus says, "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No', 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

And Matthew 10:26-28. Jesus says, "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both the soul and body in hell.

I don't need to research Mr. Hinn's history and credibility. God does not want His ministries to amass fortunes but to be good stewards and use the provisions to reach people with the gospel. What I saw that night was enough money and luxuries to fund the suffering worldwide.

Your servant in Christ Jesus.

 

[Chad]

In no way am I judging, but I am not fond of Hinn. I don't like the "show" in the ministry. Whereas, Billy Graham (BGEA) is so true and genuine, so sincere and actually Truthful without the glamour but with sacrifice for GOD's glory. That is a ministry I wholeheartedly trust hands down.

 

[foreverwjesus]

I sometimes feel like alot of the problem with these televised evangelist is just the people who watch them. I am not saying they are all good and right on the contrary, but this is why we have holy spirit to help us to discern and to help us to be able to detect the wolves from the true shepherds. Many people have a problem with these ministers on television for verious reasons. Main one I have heard is the prosperity they walk in . and some well from the simple fact they think they are money hunters. Well Godly wisdom will tell us all. walk in the spirit he will guide you. I listen to many of the evangelist and some i feel they are annointed and praise the Lord they are blessed financially. I see nothing wrong with prosperity. Now i will agree that some of Benny hinns ministry is theatrical but as far as his teachings i find no fault. I my self would not attend one of his meetings but yes i will listen to him on television and read his books. We all need to use caution when it comes to alllowing our spirits to recieve from different ministers. I ask my pastor about all the books and ministries I subject my self to just to see his openion on it then I pray over it and wait on holy spirit to direct me. God bless you all your sister in Christ forever

 

[Coconut]

Benny Hinn is a liar and a fraud, who is exploiting
people who are most vulnerable with his forked tongue,
and devils charm, all in the name of our God.

He has taught more false teaching and false prophecies than probably all the heretics in church history put together, and there is enough information on this for anyone who really loves God and his word of TRUTH to prove it.

Jeremiah 14:14 "And the lord said to me, the prophets prophesy lies in my name. 1 have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their own heart."

 

[Bobinfaith]

I am sure there are many who suffer from a physical tragedy and will turn to TV evanglists feeling that God is leading them to become healed. I also believe that many are drawn to Mr. Hinn and become disappointed because they could not instead accept God's condition and purpose.

But the key words to his crusade is being accountable, and good stewards of God's ministry earnings. This was not visible, not just that night on Date Line but his credibility throughout his ministry.

Reading books and following the views of leaders does not make it the end means of the Truth so yes, I agree we must seek further God's wisdom and discernment. This is expected of all believers.

 

[TheDrew]

the biggest thing that bugs me about him is all his toys.. i always figured a man of god would be more humble and give all he could out of his own pocket to help those in need.. sure we all like nice things.. but who here actually needs a pricy car or home to be happy and serve the lord?

 

[jessid9]

now this is where I stand. Like Chad said I dont want to judge. I believe he HAD the power of the Holy Spirit but abused it very much. I would never send him money in any meanse. I dont watch his shows. . I dont say that he is a false prophet or he isnt. The most that we can do is pray for Him and people in his " Ministry".\

thank you for that WittyWrite!! Love you sis!!

 

[jessid9]

In no way am I judging, but I am not fond of Hinn. I don't like the "show" in the ministry. Whereas, Billy Graham (BGEA) is so true and genuine, so sincere and actually Truthful without the glamour but with sacrifice for GOD's glory. That is a ministry I wholeheartedly trust hands down.

see we have to be careful. Some things that go around on the internet are not always true. in no way am I defending Benny Hinn. But I once came across a site about Billy Graham. saying the he himself said that he supports abortion. Now thats ridiculous. saying that no oe hates him so hes not a man of God. Now you must be very careful of the things that you hear. with technology now a days you never know. again... like I said. I am not defending Benny Hinn... but just mentioning that you must be careful. theres lots of lies and ridicule on here. about many people. Im not just mentioning this to you chad but to all of you.

 

[Coconut]

Yes Jessi we must be careful not to accept hearsay or writ as truth without proof.
And as Christians the Bible is the final authority, and all words and actions of men must be proof-read by the light of the Word. All conjecture, tradition, opinion, beliefs, and all matters pertaining to Christianity, must line up with the Word!
I neglected to say why I made such a strong statement, so I`ll remedy that now. I watched a Benny Hinn telecast, and his words "dig deep in your pockets if you want a healing from God" was enough to convince me of what this man is all about, without even getting into the rest of his show. When the Bible speaks of not judging it has NOTHING to do with false prophets and teachers. False because the words they speak do not agree with the Word! These we must judge (by the Book)
Benny Hinn has proved himself to be a false prophet over and over and over!


1Co 5:9 In my letter I said to you that you were not to keep company with those who go after the desires of the flesh;
But I had not in mind the sinners who are outside the church,...for it is not possible to keep away from such people without going out of the world completely:
But the sense of my letter was that if a brother had the name of being one who went after the desires of the flesh, or had the desire for other people's property, or was in the way of using violent language, or being the worse for drink, or took by force what was not his, you might not keep company with such a one, or take food with him.
For it is no business of mine to be judging those who are outside; but it is yours to be judging those who are among you;
As for those who are outside, God is their judge. So put away the evil man from among you.



Tit 1:9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught... For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers... Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

 

[Everglaze]

I'm very reluctant in trusting ANY of the television evangelism or evangelists. I mean, the Bible does say that the false prophets and antichrists ARE deceptive. I do not want to be deceived...therefore, everything must be tested and aligned with scipture. If it doesn't match, chances are better for you not to fall in.

 

[Chad]

Some awesome preachers / evangelists are people like Pastor Joel Osteen, Billy Graham, Gospel for Asia (although never seen them on TV).

 

[JustJan]

Chad,

I would caution you against listening to Osteen or any of the Word of Faith movement preachers. Some of the doctrine they teach is wrong and is at points even heretical.

One of the teachings that Word of Faither's teach is that Jesus descended into hell to be tormented by Satan as part of our atonement. There is no scripture to back up this teaching. Additionally, it is illogical. The wrath of God was placed on Jesus to pay for our sin. Nothing ever was or is due to Satan in payment for our sin. They also teach that in this process Jesus took on the nature of Satan. They do not explain how Jesus could take on the nature of a sinless creature and then become a perfectly holy God again.

Additionally they teach that we are mini Gods. We have the same creative power in our words that God used to create the universe. Our words are so powerful that we can overthrow the plans of our soveriegn God. Again there is no scripture that says this.

I would be happy to give you more information with cites if you are interested.

 

[Chad]

I've been watching Joel Osteen on TV for about a year and have never heard him preach anything against Scripture. Perhaps your talking about someone else but this guy's ministry has been around for a long time, fills stadiums in the good way (not a Benny Hinn method) and is all about Scripture. Joel Osteen is definitely a godly man.

 

[JustJan]

As I said, I would be happy to give you cites related to the doctrinal errors of Word of Faith. Osteen is a part of that movement. Let me know if you are interested in digging past what you hear on TV.

Word of Faith is a movement that says that the bible is about man and what God does to serve him. I believe that the bible is a book about God and how man should live in order to glorify Him.

 

[Mike]

JUSTJAN ... You seem to be lumping everybody together in one movement .
We all have to be balanced in what we watch and listen to you're right . Ask GOD to reveal the heart of Joel Osteen to you , and allow the HOLY SPIRIT to show you his heart as an individual servant of GOD . You seem to be judging him on what other people have written instead of what the spirit of GOD is showing you . As far as faith goes , it's impossible to please GOD without faith . I see Joel Osteen as a humble man , who teaches practical applications of GODS word in our everyday lives . He didn't even want to preach , because he felt unworthy and unqualified for the task . I encourage you to also humble yourself towards brother Osteen , and ask GOD to show you the truth about his integrity towards GOD and his people . BROTHER

 

[JustJan]

I am lumping them all together. All Word of Faith teachers teach from a base that include fundamental doctrinal errors.

I am not concerned with Joel Osteens heart. It is not my job to judge that. He seems like a very nice man. However, I can tell you that the doctrine from which he teaches is fundamentally flawed. We are commanded as Christians to test what we hear against scripture. Where a teacher contradicts scripture we are called to deal with the problem.

Again I am not judging Mr Osteen. I pray that he repents of teaching error and teaches the truth of God's word. We are commanded to preserve the truth.

 

[Bobinfaith]

I am lumping them all together. All Word of Faith teachers teach from a base that include fundamental doctrinal errors.

I am not concerned with Joel Osteens heart. It is not my job to judge that. He seems like a very nice man. However, I can tell you that the doctrine from which he teaches is fundamentally flawed. We are commanded as Christians to test what we hear against scripture. Where a teacher contradicts scripture we are called to deal with the problem.

Again I am not judging Mr Osteen. I pray that he repents of teaching error and teaches the truth of God's word. We are commanded to preserve the truth.

Dear JustJan,

Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed our fellowship in Live Chat and look forward to seeing you there again.

I also question the Word of Faith Movement but will caution all of us that before we hold any evangelist, or preacher of God accountable, we cannot just expose the bottom line and then offer later, if it needs to be dug up from the past, to back it up with "cites", I am assuming you mean sites, if we are interested, or literature of what they preach/claim versus what the scriptures say.

Please provide it here and now. It helps make your point alot clearer, JustJan, and understandable.

We must allow the spirit to lead us to pray for those in evangelism. All of us, no matter what our ministry, need to be on the right path of righteousness and if we are led astray, woe to us for we will also be held accountable to those we preach to.

Thank you, JustJan.

Your servant in Christ Jesus.

 

[JustJan]

Thanks for your kind words.

I didn't mean to put off putting cites (short for citations) here on this forum. Being new to the site I don't know if I can put actual links. Most of the information is a reference to sources not to other sites that discuss Joel Osteen.

Let's remember that lies are rarely served straight up. They are mostly mixed in with lots of truth. Adding truth to surround a lie doesn't take away from the fact that lies are being taught. Our obligation is to preserve the truth of the gospel above all else no matter what the cost. When we are tempted to let it slide because Mr Osteen is obviously a man of God (remember you are making a judgment about his heart) you are defying God's command to hold all teachers accountable. Let's not forget that many fine Christians have sacrificed their lives to preserve the truth so that we would have it today.

I have been to other Christian forums where debate over the scriptural validity of Word of Faith was highly restricted. That is why I have waited to post my proofs.

I trust that if I cross the line regarding posting here that my post will be edited. I promise you that I will not take such editing personally.

I will confine my remarks here specifically to Mr Osteen.

"You can cancel out God's plan by speaking negative words. God works by laws." (Joel Osteen, "Speaking Faith Filled Words," Tape # 223. Daystar Television, May 2, 2004)

"Start calling in victory. Start calling in divine health. Start calling in abundance. You can prophesize your future." (Joel Osteen, "Speaking Faith Filled Words," Tape # 223. Daystar Television, May 2, 2004)

"With our words we can predict our future. We can prophesize our future." (Joel Osteen, "Speaking Faith Filled Words," Tape # 223. Daystar Television, May 2, 2004)

​

There is no scripture that says that your words compell God to act outside His soveriegn will. Not one. God is always ultimately soveriegn. This teaching elevates fallen man over what the bible teaches.

"The Bible indicates that for three days, Jesus went into the very depths of hell. Right into the enemy's own territory. And He did battle with Satan face to face. Can you imagine what a show down that was? It was good vs. evil. Right vs. wrong. Holiness vs. filth. Here are the two most powerful forces in the universe have come together to do battle for the first time in history. But thank God. The Bible says, "Satan was no match for our Champion". This was no contest.
Jesus crushed Satan's head with His foot. He bruised his head. And He once and for all, forever defeated and dethroned and demoralized our enemy. One translation says, "He paralyzed him and rendered him powerless". But thank God. He didn't even stop there. He went over and ripped the keys of death and hell out of Satan's hands. And He grabbed Satan by the nap of his neck and He began to slowly drag him down through the corridors of Hell. All beat up and bruised because He wanted to make sure that every single demon saw very clearly that Jesus was indeed the undisputed Champion of all time! Amen?"

(Joel Osteen, Sermon, CS-002 - April 23, 2000, Sermon Is Posted At His Website, May 2004)

​

The payment for sin was NOT due Satan. God has never owed Satan any payment for anything. There are no scripture that say that Satan has ever had any power over Jesus. The atonement was payment to the only true judge of the universe and that is God Himself. The battle between Jesus and Satan was won at the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry. This error devalues the atoning work of Jesus Christ and ascribes power to Satan that is not taught in scripture

These are not secondary issues. The issue of God's soveriegnty and the nature of the atonement are fundamental to what we believe as Christians.

How does Joel look at the verses that call us to test what we hear against scripture?

"And if he is wrong lets leave it up to God. God didn't put us here to straighten eveybody up...If I go around criticizing him, I have a judgmental holier than thou attitude. All that is going to do is poison my own life and cause me problems. I know a couple ministries they spend all their time judging, criticizing, and pointing out faults of other ministries. They think their high calling in life is to be the doctrine police. And so they point out what all the ministries are doing wrong. One guy is on the radio, he talks about everybody, he talks about us sometimes. They're too this, they're too that...All he would have to do is take time to know our heart and he would never be critical again. But thats the mistake we make so often, we judge the surface. We don't get to know people and we make these premature, erroneous judgements. And even if someone is doing wrong, even if they are making mistakes, I'm convinced if we would take the time to look deeper and understand what they have been through and understand why they are the way they are we would not be so hard and critical. It would change our whole opinion of them."
(Joel Osteen, "Don't Have A Judgmental Attitude," Tape #229. Daystar June 27, 2004)

​

Joel is being just as judgemental here isn't he? God tells me that the Bereans were to be commended for testing everything against scripture. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 tells me to examine everything carefully.

Mind you I know the verses about not judging. Those verses speak to not judging the condition of someone's heart. That is ENTIRELY different that judging what someone teaches.

It was a blessing to meet you in the lobby the other day. I hope you find this information helpful.

 

[JustJan]

I agree that we have a choice to focus on good things or negative things. We have a choice to speak of good things or negative things. We should choose to speak of the good things without denying reality.

Word of Faith says that saying negative things causes them to happen because your faith is a force and your words have creative power. If you are sick do not confess it or take action to be restored to health, doing so would be a "negative confession." If you are struggling do not confess it for that will only give that force more power in your life.

This is the opposite of what God's word tells us to do. If we are sick or struggling God tells us to share that with our brothers and sisters so that they can lift us up, encourage us and pray for us. Spiritual isolation is not what God intended for us.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down toghether, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Galations repeats this theme in the New Testament 6:1 "Brothers, if someone is caught in sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently, But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted."

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all that more as you see the Day approaching" Hebrews 10:23-25.

If we are not honest with ourselves about our struggles how can we be honest with God or with each other. I think that we cheat ourselves from blessing each other and from being blessed by God when we walk around in denial because of this kind of teaching.