The MOG (Man Of God) is well established within the church as the one who hears from God, the one who can discern God’s will for your life, the one who knows God’s timing.

This creates an extraordinary dependence on the MOG for church members regarding personal decisions; and when left unchecked, it spreads like cancer into every corner of a believer’s life. As previously discussed, fear is the tool of choice used to deter you from listening to what you perceive to be God’s will—or even your own personal ambitions.

If you have faced this, you will be familiar with these concepts:

  • You could be going out of God’s will for your life by proceeding

  • What will keep you grounded ‘in church’ if stepping aside from a church ministry?

  • You must wait on God’s timing, not just his will (used to over-rule your own discernment of God’s will)

  • You can’t do ____ as it would interfere with what God is trying to do in your life

  • Avoiding influences outside the church’s approved circle (this goes for Godly advice, and non-UPCI approved teachings), as their influence might ‘deceive you’

  • Suggesting anything contrary to ’established church order’ is a deception of Satan

This is blatant fear, shame, and coercion when examined outside of the MOGs influence. Remember this the next time a MOG belittles someone by preaching about their life decisions—implying that those choices have resulted in a curse or even a loss of salvation. This form of ‘preaching’ is a pure manipulation tactic designed to instill fear in your heart and mind. Given enough time hearing this message of fear; you will unknowingly internalize these shackles.

❗ Caution

Hearken back to the stories you’ve heard of how God will “remove your ability” to feel His presence in order to teach you a lesson.

  • God forgive this error! He will never leave nor forsake you; For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Furthermore, promoting a “search for confirmation” mindset within the congregation only leads to mysticism and speculation of signs for confirmation on God’s will. Instead of resting in the assurance of Christ’s love, we’re immaturely taught to constantly seek physical manifestations as proof.

The story of Gideon’s Fleece found in Judges 6 is often used as justification for asking God for signs today.

Judges 6:36-38

Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said. And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water.

Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.” And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.

What the MOG fails to remind us is of the fact that we have 2 tools that Gideon lacked: The complete written Word of God, and the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

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Paul confirms that all Scripture is breathed out by God and able to make the man of God complete, equipped for every good work. Therefore, why do we continue to seek signs despite God’s Word?

The second resource we have is, of course, the Holy Spirit dwelling within us—guiding, directing, and encouraging us.

Contrasted with believers in the Old Testament; whom only had portions of God’s Word and were guided by God’s providential hand often through miraculous signs, we now have the complete Bible along with His indwelling presence. The end result of never having personal assurance of God’s will is dangerous: it leads to blind compliance and faith in man, a reliance on signs and wonders—often tailored to fit personal desires—or even to abandoning Christ entirely when we fail to hear from Him.

Ask yourself: why would God, the Creator of the universe, ever rely on a man positioned between you and Himself to discern His will? And why would we even need a Holy Spirit when the MOG is supposedly capable of doing it all for us instead?

What’s the bible actually say about Gods will?

Matthew 12:38-39

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Matthew 16:1-4

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.

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Jesus says on two occasions in Matthew that “a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign”. Jesus knew signs will never satisfy those who are not genuinely seeking truth.

Mark 12:29-31

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

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Jesus summarizes the entirety of God’s preceptive will (his law) in these two commandments alone: Loving God & Loving Others

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

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If we are walking with God, his word is what is leading and guiding us through life

John 15:9-11

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

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If you keep Jesus’ commandments, you are guaranteed to abide in his love—a promise from Jesus himself. What is that commandment you may ask? v12: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

1 Peter 2:13-17

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

1 John 3:4

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

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Everyone who routinely practices sin also practices lawlessness. So of course, a believer of Christ should not be contrarian to ‘doing good’

Matthew 7:12

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

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Whatever you wish others do to you, do also to them. “THIS is the law & the prophets” - again, the whole will of God is summed up in this

1 Thessalonians 5:14-22

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Colossians 3:16-17

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

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By testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect

Thankfully Scripture gives us this “big secret” to being in God’s will. It’s quite simple: as a follower of Christ, make your decisions from a foundation of genuine love, and you will always be aligned with His will. Love is the greatest command—Jesus Himself proclaimed it clearly!

When you act out of love, God walks with you in every decision. He will never forsake or abandon you. Rest in the assurance of Christ’s love and freedom.

This post is part of the “Law To Grace” series, a multi-part exploration of how man-made authority and false doctrine has shaped our faith—and how God’s grace and truth can overcome these man-made shackles. Whether you’re reading in order or joining the conversation midway, each article provides insights to help you discern truth from deception and embrace the unconditional love of Christ.

This work represents my personal views and interpretations and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of any organization, including the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) or any other religious institution. The content is intended for discussion and personal reflection. Any references to organizations, doctrines, or teachings are made for informational and analytical purposes.