There is abundant evidence that in many forms of modern thought— especially the so-called \”prosperity\” psychology, \”will-power building\” metaphysics and systems of \”high-pressure\” salesmanship—the black arts has merely passed through a metamorphosis, and although its name may be changed, its nature remains the same.

Success is the name of the game today, not only out there in the world, but inside the church as well. Humility is out and self esteem is in, even though we are urged in Scripture, \”Let each esteem others better than themselves\” (Philippians 2:3).

It used to be common knowledge that the recurring sin of the human race was pride. Now, however, we are being told that our problem is not that we think too highly of ourselves, but too lowly, that we all have a bad self-image, and that our greatest need is to build up our self-esteem.

Though Peter wrote, \”Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time\” (1 Peter 5:6), we are being urged to \”visualise\” ourselves into success. Paul\’s inspired declaration that Christ \”emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant… and humbled Himself by becoming obedient to.. . death on a cross\” (Philippians 2:7,8) is now in the context of today\’s success-oriented world, which is now redefined to mean: Jesus knew his worth, his success which fed his self-esteem. … He suffered the cross sanctify his self esteem. And he bore the cross to sanctify your self-esteem. And the cross will sanctify your ego trip.

Success and self-esteem have become so important in the church that they seem to overshadow everything else. Although Paul wrote that \”Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners\” (1 Timothy 1:15), and Christ Himself said that He came to call \”sinners to repentance\” (Luke 5:32),

Christian organisations are also in the success game, and most of them look to the techniques of big business for running their own affairs. If it works for Harvard and Oxford and the like Universities, why not for a Christian Pundits? If it works for Tesla and Amazon, why not for the Christian suckers?

This is no doubt true when it comes to certain things such as accounting and management, Manipulation is rampant in the business world and enters the church in the form of success/motivation and KPI techniques and the latest psycho-therapies christianised for the church.

Enough is enough – what has the world to do with Heaven?