Today’s sermon by Andrew Wommack deeply stirred me—not because it was emotional, but because it was truthful. Truth has a way of exposing lies we have unknowingly tolerated for years. One of the most damaging lies believers have absorbed is the habit of blaming God for things He never authored.
When trouble comes—especially among Christians—many instinctively say, “It must be the will of God.” Sickness, loss, tragedy, and destruction are often framed as divine tools for teaching or discipline. But that mindset is not faith; it is religious resignation. Scripture is clear and consistent that God is good, and only good flows from Him. Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of lights (James 1:17). Jesus Himself identified the true source of destruction when He said the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, while He came to give life—and life abundantly (John 10:10). God is not the author of destruction; the devil is. Religion subtly rewrites this truth and shifts responsibility onto God for what Scripture clearly attributes to the enemy. God, after all, is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).
If sickness were truly God’s will—to teach, humble, or refine—then we are forced to ask an uncomfortable but honest question. Why seek medicine? Why go to hospitals? Why undergo chemotherapy? Why pray for healing at all? Why not simply embrace sickness and suffering? The contradiction exposes the lie. Scripture consistently presents sickness as an enemy, not a blessing. Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). Isaiah prophesied that He bore our sicknesses and carried our pains (Isaiah 53:4–5), and Peter affirmed that by His stripes we were healed (1 Peter 2:24). Yet many believers still credit God for what Christ died to redeem.
Some argue that when Jesus spoke of abundant life, He meant spiritual abundance only. But Scripture never draws that boundary. Jesus healed bodies, restored minds, fed the hungry, and raised the dead. John prayed that believers would prosper in all things and be in health, just as their souls prosper (3 John 1:2). Proverbs declares that the blessing of the Lord makes rich and adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22). God is love (1 John 4:8), and love does no harm to a neighbor (Romans 13:10). Love does not destroy to teach, kill to discipline, or cripple to glorify itself. God Himself declared that His plans are to prosper and not to harm (Jeremiah 29:11), and that truth was never revoked.
God does not control human choices, because love requires freedom. Scripture makes this explicit: life and death are set before us, and we are commanded to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19). God does not manipulate circumstances or tempt people with evil (James 1:13), nor does He orchestrate death—death itself is called an enemy that will one day be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26). Much of human suffering is the result of wrong beliefs, wrong choices, and a fallen world, not divine intention. God Himself said His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). The devil deceives, but religion assists him by labeling his work as “God’s will.”
At the heart of this confusion lies the greatest lie of religion: legalism. Religion thrives on rules, condemnation, and endless performance. The Law was never God’s ultimate desire; it was a temporary tutor meant to lead people to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Through the Law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20), not freedom. It magnifies imperfection and convinces people that God is perpetually displeased. Jesus came to remove that burden. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13), and there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). He did not come to improve religion but to fulfill and end its hold, for Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness (Romans 10:4). Grace replaced the Law, love replaced fear—because perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18)—and relationship replaced performance. Salvation was never earned; it was given freely by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9).
This is why many reject Christianity but are drawn to Christ Himself. Mahatma Gandhi is often quoted as saying, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians.” Andrew Wommack personally met Gandhi’s grandchild and confirmed that Gandhi had read the Bible and was deeply drawn to Jesus, yet was rejected by a church because of race. Religion closed a door Christ had already opened. Scripture makes it clear that God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34) and that all are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). That is the tragedy religion continues to repeat.
Andrew Wommack himself faced what many Christians would call “the will of God” when his son was declared dead—five hours in the morgue. Most believers would have accepted it, grieved, and unknowingly surrendered to the enemy’s victory. Andrew did not. He believed Scripture, that the Lord is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9), and that Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). He prayed, rebuked death, and stood on the authority of the name of Jesus—the name before which every knee must bow (Philippians 2:9–10). His son is alive today, healthy and actively serving in the ministry. Such miracles still happen, but they are often hidden because they confront religious comfort zones. Yet Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
I was reminded of this again through a testimony from a seasoned nurse anesthetist who witnessed a man return to life after all medical intervention had stopped. No CPR, no medication, no effort—only a wife crying out to God in desperation. And life returned. Scripture says the prayer of faith will save the sick (James 5:15), and with God nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). Medicine could not explain it, and training could not claim credit. Still, many dismiss such moments because they trust medical reports or theological systems more than God’s Word. Yet Scripture reminds us plainly: let God be true, and every man a liar (Romans 3:4).
For clarity, Andrew Wommack is a Christian minister who has preached since 1969 and founded Andrew Wommack Ministries and Charis Bible College, which has trained thousands worldwide in grace-based teaching. His ministry emphasizes God’s unconditional love (Romans 5:8), freedom from legalism (Galatians 5:1), and faith rooted in relationship rather than fear (Romans 8:15). Whether one agrees with him or not, decades of ministry, consistency, and fruit cannot be dismissed lightly.
In the end, religion explains away power, but grace releases it. Scripture reminds us that the kingdom of God is not in word but in power (1 Corinthians 4:20). Religion teaches people to endure defeat, while grace teaches them to resist the devil—and Scripture promises that when resisted, he will flee (James 4:7). Religion asks, “Why did God do this to me?” Grace asks, “What does God say—and do I believe Him?” Jesus Himself said we would know the truth, and the truth would set us free (John 8:32).
The lies of religion are subtle, but they are deadly. Truth, however, always sets free..