In this article, we delve into a controversial sermon by TD Jakes and his daughter, Sarah Jakes, comparing their teachings to biblical scripture. The sermon in question contains significant doctrinal errors, depicting scenes of calamity and urging self-affirmation in ways that diverge from biblical teachings.
TD Jakes describes a scenario of houses on fire, smoke everywhere, and amidst the chaos, he urges his audience to repeatedly declare, “I still want me.” This message, at its core, seems to promote self-centeredness, which contradicts the essence of Christian humility and reliance on God.
To illustrate the doctrinal errors, we compare this sermon to Psalms 3. In this scripture, David is in distress, fleeing from his son Absalom. Instead of asserting his own desires, David places his trust in God, crying out, “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head.” This starkly contrasts with the self-centered mantra promoted by Jakes.
Jakes’ claim that self-affirmation (“I still want me”) can make demons tremble and frustrate hell is unbiblical. According to scripture, it is faith in God and the power of Jesus’ name that hold authority over demonic forces, not human self-perception. James 2:19 states, “Even the demons believe—and shudder,” emphasizing belief in God, not self-affirmation.
Jakes also misinterprets 1 Samuel 30:8, where God grants David permission to pursue his enemies. Jakes twists this passage to suggest a blanket permission for individuals to chase personal dreams. This misinterpretation overlooks the specific context of David’s situation and falsely applies it to all believers.
Sarah Jakes also makes dubious claims of receiving direct communication from God, which she uses to justify her teachings. Her motivational speeches often lack biblical grounding, as seen in her misinterpretation of 1 Samuel 10. While she equates Saul’s anointing as king with achieving personal success, the historical context and subsequent downfall of Saul due to his disobedience are ignored.
Both TD Jakes and Sarah Jakes frequently practice speaking in tongues during sermons, contrary to biblical instructions. 1 Corinthians 14:27 emphasizes the need for interpretation and limits on speaking in tongues within the church, guidelines often disregarded by the Jakes’.
The teachings of TD Jakes and Sarah Jakes present serious doctrinal errors and distortions of scripture. It is crucial for Christians to discern and seek sound biblical teachings, focusing on God’s word rather than self-affirmation or motivational rhetoric. As always, we encourage prayer for clarity and discernment in evaluating these teachings.
