Winston, how is it a man can live an obedient life if he doesn't know what sin is? He needs to preach about sin so that his followers can live an obedient life. His assumption is that everyone knows the laws of God, and I assure you, unless they've read it or been taught it, they do not know it. Therefore he is already deficient in his work as pastor, because he isn't teaching his flock not to sin. He's just puffing them up with sweet sounding words.Winston wrote:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Osteen
Osteen says that he chooses to focus more on the goodness of God and on living an obedient life rather than on sin.[22] He says that he tries to teach Biblical principles in a simple way, emphasizing the power of love and a positive attitude.[23] When asked why he does not focus more on sin, the devil and hell in detail, Osteen stated in an interview with CBN News:
"When I grew up, the devil was a reason why I had a headache or the devil was the reason I got mad today. We always blamed the devil. I think today when I say the enemy, I like to make it broader. Sometimes the enemy can be our own thoughts. We've trained ourselves the wrong way. Or the enemy can be our own lack of discipline. Some people preach about hell like you're already going there, and to me the Gospel means 'Good News.' I'd rather say God is a God of mercy. So I think the people already know what they're doing wrong, and I certainly believe in hell. But to me, when I see thousands of people before me, it just doesn't come out of me to say, 'You guys are terrible, and you're going to hell.' I'd rather say that God is a God of mercy. You've got to live an obedient life, but for every mistake you’ve made, there's mercy there, and I believe we can do better."[11]
Also, this is basically a non-answer. It is distraction. A person shouldn't be accusing the devil of causing him a headache. The Bible says that even angels don't make railing accusations against the devil. So it is foolishness to blame Satan for a headache.
But what does that have to do about teaching the law? Nothing. It is a non-answer.
Basically he says he isn't teaching that God is going to make you rich, but then he later goes on to say, but God wants His children to prosper and that money is a part of prospering. This man is almost as double-minded as Winston. He says he isn't teaching the prosperity gospel, and in the next sentence he openly admits it. He is also saying that God rewarded him with money through the sale of his books, like he is living proof of God's prosperity.Prosperity gospel criticism
Osteen's sermons and writings are sometimes criticized for promoting prosperity theology, or the prosperity gospel, a belief that material gain is a reward for pious Christians.
When asked if he is a prosperity teacher, Osteen responded that if prosperity means God wants people to be blessed and healthy and have good relationships, then he considers himself a prosperity teacher, but if it is about money, he does not. He has specifically stated that he never preaches about money because of the reputation of televangelists.[11]
"I get grouped into the prosperity gospel and I never think it's fair, but it's just what it is. I think prosperity, and I've said it 1,000 times, it's being healthy, it's having great children, it's having peace of mind. Money is part of it; and yes, I believe God wants us to excel ... to be blessed so we can be a bigger blessing to others. I feel very rewarded. I wrote a book and sold millions of copies; and Victoria and I were able to help more people than we ever dreamed of. But when I hear the term prosperity gospel, I think people are sometimes saying, 'well, he's just asking for money'."[45]