"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Luke 24:45-47
Wolves in Costume: Joyce Meyer
Author:
Christopher J. E. Johnson
Published: May 21, 2015
Updated: Aug 3, 2018

I realize that a follower of Joyce Meyer may not be willing to read this article (let alone open it at all) because he/she firmly believes that Meyer good teacher, but the fact of the matter is that Meyer teaches direct heresies to the Gospel of Christ, and I will demonstrate in this teaching, from her own words, that she does not believe in the Christian God of the Bible. I simply ask Christians to approach this subject without anger towards me, and open the Scripture to gain understanding by comparing the Words of God with the words of Joyce Meyer.

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
-1 Corinthians 14:20

Though Joyce Meyer obviously claims to be a Christian preacher, she does not believe in the Jesus Christ of the Bible, but as a disclaimer, I am NOT saying anyone who listens to Meyer is unsaved. I am NOT saying that no one has been born-again saved at a Meyer event (although it is nearly impossible with her false doctrine). I am NOT saying everyone who works with Meyer is unsaved. This article is about Joyce Meyer specifically, so what I'm saying is that there is little to no evidence of Meyer's belief on the Christian God of the Bible, and a lot of evidence that Meyer believes in a false idol she calls "jesus."

The #1 problem Joyce Meyer fans will have with this is that they got roped in by her sob story about how she grew up. Granted, it is a horrible and sad story, but we should pray that the Lord Jesus Christ open our eyes to His Word, and not allow the feelings of our hearts to pull us into false doctrine.

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
-Proverbs 28:26

Before we begin I need to make a few notes:
  1. Joyce Meyer is part of the 501c3 Devil's church.
  2. She celebrates pagan witchcraft like Christmas and Easter.
  3. She quotes from new-age bible versions.
  4. She has almost always worn her hair short in defiance against the Lord Jesus Christ.
  5. She takes on the role of "pastor" and "elder" which are forbbiden for women in the New Testament.
  6. She preaches unbiblical teaching on tithing.
There are many more offenses than this, and we will cover some of them in this article, but I would ask the reader to please keep these in mind because, without anymore information, true born-again Christians ought to have already sanctified themselves away from Meyer. We ought not to be caught dead being involved with anything she does, and for born-again Christians who have listened to her for years and years, it ought to be extremely concerning why the Lord God has not brought you out of this woman's heresy.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
-2 Corinthians 6:15

"Believe that Jesus did what the Bible says. Believe He is indeed the Son of God, born of a virgin. He took man's sin on Himself. He became our sacrifice and died on the cross. He did not stay dead. He was in the grave three days."
-Joyce Meyer, The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make: A Complete and Thorough Understanding of What It Means to be Born Again, FaithWords, 2008, ISBN: 9780446548977

That sure sounds good doesn't it? But if we keep reading through her book, we'll start to notice some heretical teachings.
"When Jesus hung on the cross, He took our sin upon Himself. God cannot stay in the presence of sin. As Jesus took our sin, He was separated from the presence of the Father."
-Joyce Meyer, The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make: A Complete and Thorough Understanding of What It Means to be Born Again, FaithWords, 2008, ISBN: 9780446548977

For Christ to be separated from God is nonsensical from a Biblical perspective because God and Christ are one and the same.

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.
-John 10:29-30

The Bible tells us all things were created by Christ:

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
-Colossians 1:16

And that the Lord God, the beginning and end, is the Lord Jesus Christ:

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last... I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
-Revelation 22:12-16

(Joyce Meyer preaching on audio.)
MEYER: "He [Jesus] could have helped himself up until the point where he said, 'I commend my spirit into your hands.' At that point, he couldn't do nothing for himself anymore. He had become sin! He was no longer the Son of God! He was sin!"

Christ is God the Father; the two are one, and that has NEVER changed. There was never a point where He was not God because He is the same throughout all time and eternity:

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.
-Hebrews 13:8-9

If Christ was separated from the Father, he's no longer God, and is therefore no longer worthy of being the perfect Lamb because He could not pay the penalty for all men. Joyce Meyer believes in a "christ" that is not of the Bible. Meyer may believe that Christ died on a cross, but she does NOT believe that Christ's shed blood on that cross was the payment for sin.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
-Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
-Colossians 1:14

The following quote was published in Meyer's 1993 printing of The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make. Although this was removed from her 2008 version (likely due to the pressure she was getting from real born-again Christians), Meyer has never publically repented of this teaching:
"He was in the grave three days. During that time he entered hell, where you and I deserve to go (legally) because of our sin. He paid the price there."
-Joyce Meyer, The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make, 1993 printing, p. 35

Meyer just stated that Christ paid for our sins in hell, not with His shed blood on the cross. This is a clear denial of the Lord Jesus Christ's payment for our sin.

After Meyer started seeing the true born again Christians point out her heresy (which would potentially damage her profits), changed her wording in the 2008 printing to say that Christ paid for our sins on the cross, but also that He went to hell in our place, which is Meyer's attempting to stretch out the heresy she's teaching:
"Jesus paid for our sins on the cross and went to hell in our place."
-Joyce Meyer, The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make: A Complete and Thorough Understanding of What It Means to be Born Again, FaithWords, 2008, ISBN: 9780446548977

(Joyce Meyer preaching on audio.)
MEYER: "The devil thought he had him. The devil thought he'd won. Aww--they were having the biggest party that's ever been had. They had my Jesus on the floor, and they were standing on his back jumping up and down laughing. And he had become sin. Don't you think that God was pacing, wanting to put a stop to what was going on?! All the host of hell were up on him! Up on him. Up! On! Him! The angels are in agony, all the creation is groaning. All the host of hell was upon him. Up on him! They got on him! They got him down in the floor and got on him! And they were laughing! And mocking! AH HA HA HA! You trusted god and look where you ended up! You thought he'd save you and get you off that cross! He didn't! HA HA HA!"

Before we continue, we need to state this fact: Joyce Meyer doesn't understand Scripture, she edits the Gospel however she pleases, and she just makes things up from her imagination as she goes along. The question that concerns me: Why are so many people following this woman when she doesn't understand basic milk-of-the-Word concepts that new Christians learn early after being saved? People follow this woman because many of them are false converts being led by a false convert.
(Read "False Converts & Eternal Security" here at creationliberty.com for the answer to that question.)

Christ did not go to hell to be tormented by devils, but Meyer believes that because she believes Christ was no longer God for three days.

The Devil Is Not In Hell... Yet

In Joyce Meyer's 1996 edition of her book, The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make, states that Christ was tormented by devils in hell:
"Whatever it took means that Jesus had to go to hell, suffer and be tormented by demons in our place."
(See also Russell Sharrock, The Trinity of God, Lulu.com, 2013, p. 26, ISBN: 9781105653124)

It's important to note her belief that devils are already in hell having a great time tormenting all the wicked people who rejected being born-again, because this has not happened yet. The time of the lake of fire is coming, and the fallen angels and wicked will be thrown into it eventually, but this is an event that comes later.

At this present time, there are fallen angels that are bound in chains in darkness in hell:

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
-2 Peter 2:4

These devils are bound in chains, not running around torturing everyone.

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
-Jude 1:6

This is who Christ went to when he was preaching to the "spirits in prison:"

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
-1 Peter 3:18-19

The current hell are spirits and devils bound in chains, which means Christ did not go down there to be tormented by spirits; He went there to preach to them. The reason Meyer has been teaching for decades (mostly on her charismatic, positivity, and prosperity false doctrine) and she still doesn't understand basic Scripture concepts is because she is a false convert.
(Read "False Converts & Eternal Security" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Meyer believes in a current hell like the mainstream media portrays, but Satan and his minions are not in hell right now. They are roaming the earth.

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
-Revelation 12:9

Satan is currently roaming the earth, and he cannot war against men and God while being trapped in hell; he's not omni-present like God. And after the Lord Jesus Christ comes back, then Satan will be cast into hell and the lake of fire:

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
-Revelation 20:10

Satan will be in hell and the lake of fire eventually, but he's not there yet. However, Joyce Meyer can't see this because she blinded to the Word of God.

If you continue reading her 2008 printing, you'll see that she just moved a few things around:
"Jesus was taking your sins and those of everyone else upon Him as He felt this absense of His Father's presence... He committed His Spirit to the Father and died. So they put Him--that is, His body--in a grave, and His spirit went to hell because that is where we deserved to go."
-Joyce Meyer, The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make: A Complete and Thorough Understanding of What It Means to be Born Again, FaithWords, 2008, ISBN: 9780446548977

If you were paying careful attention, even though she said Christ paid our sins on the cross, she lied because Joyce Meyer still believes that Christ's sins were taken to hell and paid there. That's why she was so careful in her rewording of her new edition. Think about it for a moment: If our sin was paid for on the cross, then what need would there be to tortured by devils in hell? Putting aside that Joyce restated that God and Christ are not the same, she says "His spirit went to hell BECAUSE that is where we deserved to go," which means she still believes that Christ did not pay our sins with His shed blood on the cross, but rather, He had to do it in hell, and the reason she added in the line about the cross was because so many true Christians have come forward over the years and branded her a heretic for her false doctrine, so she deceives the masses by adding in a sentence she doesn't really believe.

Again, the Bible specifically tells us that it was through the blood of the cross that we are reconciled to Christ:

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
-Colossians 1:20-22

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
-1 Peter 2:24

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
-Colossians 2:13-15

Meyer is taking away the work that Christ did in the flesh on the cross for the payment of our sin, and is trying to put it somewhere else. Blood is the only remission for sin; the spirit suffering in hell won't do it, otherwise, we could suffer in hell for a time (like the Catholic false doctrine of purgatory; works instead of grace) until we paid off our debt.

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
-Hebrews 9:22

Some who listen to Meyer may complain at what I'm writing here, defending her by saying that she teaches that Christ's blood was the sacrifice and payment for sins. I'm aware of this; I've seen her write it in her book. However, what most people don't know she teaches is this:


(Joyce Meyer preaching on audio.)
MEYER: "Do you know something? The minute that blood sacrifice was accepted, Jesus was the first human being that was ever born again... it happened when he was in hell."

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
-1 Peter 1:18-19

If Jesus Christ needed to be born-again, then He was a sinner, and that means he could not be the pure and perfect Lamb sacrifice, which also means we are all still dead in our sin. Meyer's teaching is a direct denial of Christ's sacrifice for the payment of sins, heresy to the doctrine of the New Testament, and we were warned these people would come:

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
-2 Peter 2:1-2

Many will speak evil of me for daring to tell the truth about Joyce Meyer, and they do so because they have been indoctrinated into following Meyer's feel-good pagan god that she has named "jesus." I say to them, you are welcome to be angry with me all you like, but as we continue, we'll see that Meyer is a primary example of the wolves Peter warns us about, and he continues to describe them in the next verse:

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
-2 Peter 2:1-3

According to the Word of God (in whom we trust), Joyce Meyer's soul motivation is covetousness. Christ taught very plainly a simple doctrine about the difference between those who follow Him, and those who live rich lives:

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?... Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
-Matthew 19:16-24

Joyce Meyer Ministries give people the impression that they are extremely charitable and humble doers of good works:
"To date, we have donated more than $13.2 million to disaster relief efforts worldwide. Efforts have included providing basic necessities, rebuilding homes destroyed by tornadoes and earthquakes, and partnering with local organizations to bring immediate relief."
-Joyce Meyer Ministries Inc, "Outreaches at a Glance," retrieved Apr 10, 2015, [joycemeyer.org/HandOfHope/WhatWeAreDoing/default.aspx]

However, let's compare that to the prices of just two of Meyer's five homes:
"The homes where two of televanagelist Joyce Meyer's grown children have been living free of charge are up for sale: the price for both together -- $2.55 million. The homes are two of the five homes that Joyce Meyer Ministries bought for Meyer and her four married children and their families. The two for sale are situated on either side of the house where Joyce Meyer and her husband, Dave, live. The Meyer family members have been living in the homes, but the ministry pays the bills -- property taxes, utilities and landscaping and renovations made to family members' personal preferences. The ministry also pays the salaries of Meyer, her husband, the four children and their four spouses, who all work for the ministry. Joyce Meyer, her husband, and their four children all serve on the board of directors that makes financial decisions for the ministry."
-Carolyn Tuft, "Joyce Meyer Ministry is Selling Posh Homes Critic Suggests IRS Pressure May Have Prompted Move," St Louis Post-Dispatch, Apr 18, 2005, retrieved Apr 10, 2015, [business.highbeam.com/435553/article-1G1-131645774/joyce-meyer-ministry-selling-posh-homes-critic-suggests]


(Information provided by the St Louis Dispatch;
Also note that most of these family members are also on their board of directors, which means they are in charge of apportioning where money is spent, while being on the payroll at the same time.)

These expenses also don't include things like security; because you have to keep those undesirable people in need off of your clean and polished lawn, both at her home and headquarters. This also doesn't include her vacation homes, or her $10 million private corporate jet:
"NIGHTLINE: So you don't think it looks unseemly for a person preaching the word of God to have a private jet?
MEYER: Why would it be OK for a business executive but not OK for someone like me?...
NIGHTLINE: Because, I think people think, OK, Jesus' example of sackcloth-and-ashes, where he lives in the simplest way, gives up his sandals, and they want to know--
MEYER: I went through all that. I did every bit of that. I gave up everything, I -- you know.
NIGHTLINE: So if Jesus were here, he'd have a corporate jet?
MEYER: He might today, they weren't available then, so."

-C. McFadden & M. Marsh, "How Joyce Meyer Built a Worldwide Following," ABC News, Apr 13, 2010, retrieved May 14, 2015, [abcnews.go.com/Nightline/joyce-meyer-transparent-evangelist/story?id=10355887&page=3]

Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
-Luke 10:3-4

And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
-Matthew 8:20

When Christ went out to teach, he didn't even have a place to sleep, but Joyce Meyer requires multi-million dollar equipment to do the same. When Meyer asks why it's okay for a business executive to have all these lavish things, but not for a preacher of the Gospel of Christ (which she claims to be), what she's really asking is: "Why is it okay for the world to do, but not for someone professing to be a Christian?"

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
-1 John 2:15-16

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
-James 1:9-11

The St. Louis Dispatch continues in their report to talk about how much money Meyer's ministry was profiting in 2003:
"And today, her TV shows, regional conferences and fund raising from her Web site bring an average $8 million a month to her ministry. Of that, the ministry says it spends about 10 percent — $880,000 a month — on charitable works around the globe."
-C. Tuft & B. Smith, "Full Story: From Fenton to Fortune in the Name of God," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Nov 15, 2003, retrieved May 14, 2015, [web.archive.org/web/20071011071211/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/
special/joycemeyer.nsf/story/C5099399D2FCC5FA86256DDF00661C5F?OpenDocument]


In our Cure for Cancer article, we went over the many charities in America that are deceiving people by spending little to nothing on the actual cause they claim to be supporting, and here, we have Joyce Meyer doing exactly the same thing. Out of $100 million a year in profits, she only spends about 10% on actual charitable work, which leaves us a very important question: What's she doing with the rest?

The purpose of me going over this is not because I care what she's doing with the rest of it, nor where she's living, nor how much money she makes. I couldn't care less. The reason I'm point this out is because I'm demonstrating that Meyer is a liar and deceiver, a wolf that teaches things she ought not for the sake of money:

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's [money's] sake.
-Titus 1:10-11

Meyer's ministry website states:
"At Joyce Meyer Ministries, we want you to be confident your gifts are being used in the best way possible."
-Donation Page, "Where Does the Money Go?" Joyce Meyer Ministries Inc, retrieved May 14, 2015, [joycemeyer.org/Secure/Donation.aspx]

Let's take a look at some of the best ways Joyce is spending that money:
"Meyer is fond of nice things and is willing to spend for them. From an $11,000 French clock in the ministry’s Fenton headquarters to a $105,000 Crownline boat docked behind her vacation home at Lake of the Ozarks, it’s clear her tastes run more to Perrier than to tap water... The ministry’s headquarters is a three-story jewel of red brick and emerald-color glass that, from the outside, has the look and feel of a luxury resort hotel. Built two years ago for $20 million, the building and grounds are postcard perfect, from manicured flower beds and walkways to a five-story lighted cross."
-C. Tuft & B. Smith, "Full Story: From Fenton to Fortune in the Name of God," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Nov 15, 2003, retrieved May 14, 2015, [web.archive.org/web/20071011071211/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/
special/joycemeyer.nsf/story/C5099399D2FCC5FA86256DDF00661C5F?OpenDocument]



(Joyce Meyer teaching on tithing in front of thousands of people.)
"Here's a good example; this is just one of the things that I do -- just 'cause I want to be that kind of person who just always takes it up to the next level. Let's just say your paycheck is--or let's say you get an amount of money: $274.10. So your tithe will be $27.41. Well, if it were me, I wouldn't write my check out for $27.41, I'd kick it up to 30 bucks. Just to show the Devil that I was going to be the kind of person who would go the extra mile... Sometimes people today say, well, ya know, tithing is old testament law, it's not in the new testament, but ya know, I believe God gave me a good answer for that, he said, well, if they can tithe under the law, then what do you think you ought to do by grace. So I don't want to hear none of that stuff... just somebody trying to get out of giving. Well, these preachers, they just take your money and live these fancy lives, you don't know what they do--that is just an excuse too... yes, there will people who will misuse your money--there are bad doctors, but that doesn't keep you from going when you get sick."
(Read "Is Tithe a Christian Requirement?" here at creationliberty.com for more details about why modern-day tithe is unbiblical.)

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
-Matthew 23:14

I will compliment her on one thing she said that was true: these preachers DO take your money and live these fancy lives by misusing your money, but Joyce doesn't want to hear it because, after all, that's exactly what she does. Folks, there's nothing wrong with making a living preaching and teaching, but Joyce Meyer isn't just "making a living," she does FAR more than providing her basic needs, but if you point out to Meyer all her wicked covetous spending, she'll just say you're making an excuse not to give her more money.

This news report goes on to talk about Meyer's $20 million headquarters:
"About 510 people work there... The only sign of a church inside is a chapel, but the public is kept out. Only employees worship there. The building is decorated with religious paintings and sculptures, and quality furniture. Much of it, Meyer says, she selected herself. A Jefferson County assessor’s list offers a glimpse into the value of many of the items: a $19,000 pair of Dresden vases, six French crystal vases bought for $18,500, an $8,000 Dresden porcelain depicting the Nativity, two $5,800 curio cabinets, a $5,700 porcelain of the Crucifixion, a pair of German porcelain vases bought for $5,200. The decor includes a $30,000 malachite round table, a $23,000 marble-topped antique commode [i.e. chest of drawers, not a toilet], a $14,000 custom office bookcase, a $7,000 Stations of the Cross in Dresden porcelain, a $6,300 eagle sculpture on a pedestal, another eagle made of silver bought for $5,000, and numerous paintings purchased for $1,000 to $4,000 each. Inside Meyer’s private office suite sits a conference table and 18 chairs bought for $49,000. The woodwork in the offices of Meyer and her husband cost the ministry $44,000. In all, assessor’s records of the ministry’s personal property show that nearly $5.7 million worth of furniture, artwork, glassware, and the latest equipment and machinery fill the 158,000-square-foot building. As of this summer, the ministry also owned a fleet of vehicles with an estimated value of $440,000. The Jefferson County assessor has been trying to get the complex and its contents added to the tax rolls but has failed."
-C. Tuft & B. Smith, "Full Story: From Fenton to Fortune in the Name of God," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Nov 15, 2003, retrieved May 14, 2015, [web.archive.org/web/20071011071211/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/
special/joycemeyer.nsf/story/C5099399D2FCC5FA86256DDF00661C5F?OpenDocument]


For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
-Romans 14:17

After quoting Romans 14:17 (from her corrupt new-age version), Meyer tells her audience:
"That verse says the kingdom of God is not food or drink. I like to say that God is not about stuff."
-Joyce Meyer, "Find the Love, Peace and Joy You're Longing For," Joyce Meyer Ministries Inc, retrieved May 19, 2015, [joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=find_the_love_peace_and_joy_youre_longing_for]

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God... Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
-Mark 10:17-22


And the county failed to get her corporation on the tax roll because, after all, they're a 501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT ministry, remember? If they don't earn a profit, then they can't be taxed.
(Read "501c3: The Devil's Church" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
-1 Timothy 6:10

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
-1 Peter 5:2-3

Although I will not get into the "prosperity" and "word faith" movements in this article (it's an in-depth teaching we'll do later because it's sorcery and witchcraft), Meyer is a "name-it-and-claim-it" teacher. She believes that blessings and faith are equivalent to possession and increase in riches.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
-Revelation 3:17

And once you understand the full extent of Meyer's teaching, you'll begin to understand why she feels that she should be treated like royalty; she believes she's a god.

(Joyce Meyer teaches that we are gods.)
"You know, I was listening to a set of tapes by one man and he explained it like this and I think this kind of gets the point across, he said: You know, why do people have such a fit about God calling his creation, his man, not his whole creation, but his man, little gods? If he's God, what's he going to call them but the god-kind? I mean if you as a human being have a baby you call it a human kind. If cattle has another cattle, they call it cattle kind. So I mean, what's God supposed to call us? Doesn't the Bible say we're created in his image?"
-Joyce Meyer, "Authority and Opposition," Joyce Meyer Ministries Inc, Audio Tape #1236

We have an article ("Does the Bible Say 'Ye Are Gods'?") in which we demonstrate in the Scripture how the term "god" was used to reference to judges and magistrates, not to men literally being a god. Joyce Meyer might be too nervous to directly say it, but after reading/hearing her statement, it's obvious that she believes she is a god, and teaches her followers that they are gods with god-like power.

It's also interesting to note that Meyer never mentions the name of the "set of tapes by one man." I've been told the teaching she was listening to was from Creflo Dollar, the man who said that those members who don't tithe to his church should be rounded up and executed, and has had his own daughter file police reports against him for physical abuse.
(Read "Is Tithing a Christian Requirement?" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Not only does she believe she is a god, but she also believes she is without sin.

(Joyce Meyer preaching on audio.)
MEYER: "I am not poor! I am not miserable! And I am not a sinner--that is a lie from the pit of hell! That is what I were, and if I still was, then Jesus died in vain! I'm going to tell you something folks, I didn't stop sinning until I finally got it through my thick head I wasn't a sinner anymore. And the religious world thinks that's heresy, and they want to hang me for it. But the bible says that I'm righteous, and I can't be righteous and be a sinner at the same time."

I don't want to hang Meyer; I want to dispel her lies by using the Word of God:

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
-1 John 1:8-10

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
-Romans 7:23-25

The reason Joyce Meyer doesn't under stand how she can be righteous and a sinner is because she doesn't have a love of the truth that she might be saved. Since she doesn't have a love of the truth, she will not have her eyes opened to the Word of God.

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
-2 Thessalonians 2:10-11

If any Christian brethren read this and don't have an understanding of sin as a Christian, and what happens to us when we sin, please read our article "Do Christians Sin?" here at creationliberty.com to learn more.

Meyer also teaches the false "love yourself" message:
"I want to ask you a question: Do you love yourself? Take a minute to think about it. It’s an important question because your answer will determine how much love you are able to give to others. You see, if you don’t love yourself in a healthy, balanced way, then you won’t be able to spread the love of God to those around you because you can’t give away something you don’t have to begin with."
-Joyce Meyer, "Find the Love, Peace and Joy You're Longing For," Joyce Meyer Ministries Inc, retrieved May 19, 2015, [joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=find_the_love_peace_and_joy_youre_longing_for]

Meyer wants her listeners to uplift their spirits, to think highly of themselves, and be wealthy, but the Lord God says he looks to the opposite:

For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
-Isaiah 66:2

This "love yourself" teaching is an incredibly common new-age message that the world just loves hearing out of the mouths of cult leaders around the world, from Joyce Meyer to Oprah, but the Bible never teaches us that we need to love ourselves more. In fact, the Word of God teaches the exact opposite, that it is those wicked and dead in their sin who will be lovers of their own selves, and we ought to turn away from them:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
-2 Timothy 3:1-5

Meyer doesn't teach people to focus on the commandments of Jesus Christ as she tells them to "listen to the spirit," which to her, is going by your feelings, and not by the Word of God.
(Read "False Doctrine: Learn to Love Yourself" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

If ye love me, keep my commandments.
-John 14:15

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
-John 14:21

In another teaching she gives on her "Enjoying Everyday Life" show, she quotes out of Gal 6 from her corrupt AMP. First, here are the verses from the King James:

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
-Galatians 6:7-8

This life everlasting is eternal life in the Spirit. However, let's look at what Joyce Meyer says about it:
"That says something to me because it doesn't just mean that I can finally have a great life when I go to heaven; that I can have a good life right here."
-Joyce Meyer, quoted in "Joyce Meyer Blatantly And Deliberately Adding to Gods Word," retrieved May 20, 2015, [youtube.com/watch?v=pp8XI7WhzoU]

Most of what Meyer teaches points to people having a wonderful earthly life, which is, again, why she's so highly esteemed among men; she teaches the exact polar opposite of what the Lord Jesus Christ teaches us. She's all about seeking after the things of this life, and the people who listen to her understand that, as you can see clearly if you look at her video advertisements for her women's conferences called "Love Life," there are a bunch of ladies gathered around, and all at the same time, they yell: "We love life! Woooo!"
(See Joyce Meyer Ministries, Love Life Women's Conference 2015, retrieved May 21, 2015, [http://bcove.me/vr3hffb8])

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
-John 12:25

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
-Matthew 10:38-39

I'm just going through a number of examples at this point and showing the hypocritical and confusing things Meyer teaches that are contrary to the doctrines of Scripture. In her book, Battlefied of the Mind, Meyer references to Proverbs 3:

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
-Proverbs 3:5

"I once asked the Lord why so many people are confused and He said to me, 'Tell them to stop trying to figure everything out, and they will stop being confused.' I have found it to be absolutely true. Reasoning and confusion go together."
-Joyce Meyer, Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind, FaithWords, 2008, ISBN: 9780446540421

I'm sure her false new-age god (devil spirit) did tell her that. However, my Lord Jesus Christ, the Christian God of the Bible said:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
-Isaiah 1:18

This is more evidence that the "god" Meyer serves is not the Christian God of the Bible. Meyer is teaching people not to learn about the Word of God if it gets difficult, and not to try and apply their hearts to know what the Word of God actually says.

I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
-Ecclesiastes 7:25

This is another way Joyce Meyer has created a guru status for herself, creating followers that will not muse (think) about what they're reading and hearing.

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
-Psalm 143:5

The Lord Jesus Christ worked the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, and that reasoning is what lead some Jews to believe on Christ.

Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead... Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
-John 12:9-11

With use of reason we exercise discernment, but you won't get discernment from Joyce Meyer's worldly teachings:

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
-Hebrews 5:14

Joyce Meyer's older audio recordings are very difficult to find (largely due to the fact that she doesn't want people to know what she has taught), but the following quotation I have been told comes from a tape called "Like a Mighty Wind" that she recorded many years ago. After some Christians began to expose her false doctrine, Meyer said:
"It amazes me, and not only does it amaze me, it aggravates me. These people who think they've got a ministry of exposing what's wrong with everybody else...Why is it that people think that it's their call to go around and find out what's wrong with everybody else and print it? Do you know when people would try to stop Jesus, finally some very wise man said, 'Why don't you just leave us alone?' If it's of God, you're not gonna stop it. And if it's not God, it won't last too long anyway.' Hallelujah! I mean, that's just the way I feel about it."

I'm sure Joyce does feel that way because she doesn't want anyone exposing her as a heretic. It's called "marking" heretics and apostates.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
-Romans 16:17-18

Paul exposed a man who was working evil and teaching false doctrine:

Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
-2 Timothy 4:14-15

When people are teaching doctrine that is contrary to the doctrine we have learned in the Bible, we should mark them and avoid them, warning other Christians to beware of them. However, Joyce Meyer is against this because it puts a cramp in the profits that serve her own belly; she's a hireling.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
-John 10:12-13

Meyer doesn't want anyone revealing her wickedness and sin, even though that's what the Lord God has always taught His people to do:

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
-Isaiah 58:1

It gets worse when we combine her teachings together. In one place, she speaks evil of those who would expose her heresy, and then in another place, tells people not to use their reason, so now let's read what Peter said:

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
-2 Peter 2:1-3

It's as if the Lord Jesus Christ, through Peter his apostle, is speaking directly to us in this time. That's because He is.

But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray... These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
-2 Peter 2:12-17

As it is with most mainstream heretics, Joyce Meyer's salvation testimony is hard to find, and when I found it, it was buried in a story that puts people in a very emotional state. Again, I exhort Christians to exercise discernment and caution when listening to her story because it will deceive your heart:

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
-Proverbs 28:26

It is horrible that Meyer was raped by her own father hundreds of times growing up, but that doesn't automatically mean she's saved, and it certainly doesn't mean she worships the Christian God of the Bible. I sat through her hour-long video, and she only referenced to one verse of Scripture, which she paraphrased, and this is quite common from what I've seen in Meyer's teachings; she doesn't quote Scripture near as much as she tells little amusing anecdotes or just says what she claims her false god told her.

"I was born again when I was nine years old. I actually sneakily went to church with some relatives when we were visiting them down in southeast Missouri, and my dad always went out to get drunk anyway, and they were having some kind of Saturday night revival service, and how in the world I knew I needed to be saved is beyond me. My parents sent me to a Lutheran Sunday school with some neighbors a few times when I was a kid, and I just heard enough to have some awareness of God... but the night that I planned to go to church, and I planned to go to get saved; that was my purpose, and I took two of my cousins with me and I said we're all going to go to church tonight and we're all going to get saved. So I guess I had a little evangelist in me even back then. And the pastor didn't have an altar call that night and I was so disappointed, but I guess I had some guts even then. I took my two cousins by the hand and went up to the front and looked at him, tears streaming down my face, and I said, 'Can you save me?' And I remember he prayed the prayer of salvation; he felt so bad that he hadn't had an altar call. He prayed the prayer of salvation with us, and I mean I definitely know that at that moment that my sins were washed away."
-Joyce Meyer, "Joyce Meyer's Testimony: One Life," retrieved May 20, 2015, [youtu.be/2zKtQhHkN1U?t=45m36s]

Did you notice anything missing from her testimony? Where is the Lord Jesus Christ? Christ's shed blood? God's Law? Guilt? Repentance? Nothing in her testimony even came close to testifying the truth of the Bible when the Lord God teaches us how we are saved.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
-Galatians 3:24

Meyer suffered a very abusive childhood, so when she came to what she believed to be "god," she wanted a god that would give her lots of things she never had. Her story is not one of "I am a sinner saved from my wicked lusts," it's a story of, "I was a good child that never did any serious wrong," which does NOT show the law being the schoolmaster to bring her to Christ because she never repented in humility before the Lord God; she has always believed (as I quoted her earlier) in that "good seed" inside of herself.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
-Romans 3:10-13

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
-James 4:6

Notice specifically that Meyer says, "how in the world I knew I needed to be saved is beyond me," and she said that because in her mind, there was no reason for it. And according to what I quoted from Meyer earlier, trying to reason it out would just cause confusion, so don't bother. As a child, when she went to the preacher and asked him to save her, it was likely to have someone save her from the miserable conditions she was living in, not in repentance for Christ to save her from the wrath to come.
(Read "Is Repentance Necessary?" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

At the end of the video, during her "prayer of salvation" is the only time she mentioned the name of Christ. That's right, throughout the entirety of her testimony, Christ was nowhere to be found.

"If you're really sincere, you really want this complete restoration and healing in your life, then I want you to agree with me in prayer today, and I believe it's going to start a brand new journey in your life, and I might add, some of you watching probably have never received Christ as your savior. And so for those who have never invited Christ into your life, I'd like to first pray a short, but powerful, prayer of salvation which basically means I'm going to pray a prayer, you're going to pray after me, and you're going to be inviting Jesus to come into your life."
-Joyce Meyer, "Joyce Meyer's Testimony: One Life," retrieved May 20, 2015, [youtu.be/2zKtQhHkN1U?t=56m29s]

First of all, never did anyone in the New Testament have people pray a prayer after them to accept Christ. Inviting Jesus Christ doesn't make Him your Lord and Savior. Meyer leads people into the false new-age message that you can just invite Jesus, and you go to heaven, but this is a lie from the pit of hell because the Lord God must first give us repentance to acknowledge the truth.

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
-2 Corinthians 7:10

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
-2 Timothy 2:25

Continuing with Meyer's deceptive prayer:
"Father God I love you. Jesus I believe in you. I need you Jesus. I believe you died on the cross for me. I know that I'm a sinner. I'm sorry for my sins. And I ask you to forgive me. You paid for my sins. Jesus I receive you now into my life. And I give myself to you right now; I surrender. I release my life to you. Take me just the way I am. And now you work with me and make me what you want me to be."
-Joyce Meyer, "Joyce Meyer's Testimony: One Life," retrieved May 20, 2015, [youtu.be/2zKtQhHkN1U?t=56m29s]

Now what is it that Christ wants us to be? According to Joyce Meyer, it's someone who has lots of material things, lots of money, plastic surgery, private jets, multimillion-dollar offices, and lots of fame. Meyer has an incredible gift of vagueness, in which she says words like "sin" and "flesh," but never defines what she means by those things, leaving you to fill in the blanks on your own.

If ye love me, keep my commandments.
-John 14:15

These people aren't told they have to have repentance (godly sorrow) because they're not told any commandments they haven't kept for which they need to have godly sorrow for breaking them. Nor are they told that there is a wrath to come from which they need to be saved.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
-2 Timothy 3:12

This is never preached by Meyer, and for one very good reason: Do you see Joyce Meyer suffering persecution? Of course not; she continues to teach the world to abandon Christ's doctrine and love their lives, which makes her highly esteemed among men.

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
-Luke 16:15

Can someone claim to love God and not be saved? Yes. Can someone claim to need and believe in Jesus and not be saved? Yes. Can someone receive Jesus and not be saved? Yes. Can someone release their life to Christ and not be saved? Yes.
(Read "Is Repentance Necessary?" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
-Matthew 7:21-23

Joyce Meyer has spent her life dedicating herself to a false idol she calls "jesus," and making excuses for her works of iniquity. Christ is going to speak these words to Meyer unless she gets saved, which is as unlikely as a camel passing through the eye of a needle.

In her "sinner's prayer," why do these people need to be saved? What is Christ saving them from? The more you listen to Joyce Meyer, the more you'll see the answer she presents in her teachings is that her "god" is saving people from the "sin" of negative thinking that will lead them to an unenjoyable life, and that false doctrine is leading millions to hell.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
-Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and increasing that wisdom increases our grief and sorrow.

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
-Ecclesiastes 1:18

And true happiness in this life is suffering the affliction and persecution that comes with testifying the truth of the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
-James 5:10-11

affliction (n): the cause of continued pain of body or mind, as sickness, losses, calamity, adversity, persecution
(See 'affliction', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved May 21, 2015 [webstersdictionary1828.com])

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
-2 Timothy 4:5

With 501c3 corporate contracts, defiance against the Word of God in attire, covetousness and materialism, swapping out bible versions to get it to say something she wants, many false doctrines, etc -- how much does Joyce Meyer have to do before we begin to question whose side she's really on?

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
-2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Satan himself does not appear to be a demon with horns; he appears to be kind, gentle, inviting, and angelic, so it's not surprising that the ministers of Satan's lies would appear to be kind, gentle, inviting, and angelic. Don't be deceived by a facelift.