The basic question is simple:

Why is so much so-called christian product
so bad, boring, trite, brain-dead, and so on?

I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I believe I understand the basics problems. This so-called Christian stuff comes under several categories that believers need to be aware of. Let’s mention a few off the top of my head:

• Large companies covering their bases: Often these are so-called Christian companies who have left the realm of anointed leadership and have become an organization which no longer needs God to survive. They tend to start producing work for all areas of the church on the basis of statistical analysis and stereotypes. “Ain’t God awesome?” An excellent, life changing book on this is Watchman Nee’s “Love not the World”. Once a work becomes an organization we get things like Walmart’s marketing to Christians. Originally it was well intended, but now that Sam is gone — highly suspect.
• Ministries focused on survival: Much junk is generated in this category. Once we get our eye off the Lord — trying to figure out how to generate money instead of where the Lord is leading, we are lost in what Paul warned us about in Ephesians 4:17: “you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds” esv. Our minds always tend toward evil — it’s a constant battle. It is one that we are not equipped to fight unless we are focused on Jesus and where he is leading.
• Ministries forget their audience: Though this is a basic of marketing it is a truth we often ignore. This is why Durer’s praying hands have no power. We must know who the Lord has us ministering to and why. We must talk to them in their language. We must meet their need or lead them to the One who can.
• Evil: of course, the enemy is in this arena. One of his favorite tactics is the angel of light mask.

We could go on for a while, but that’s enough to  get started.

So how do we stay real?

Paul tells us clearly in Thessalonians 5:17… “pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” esv

To put this in real terms: we are constantly praying, about everything we do and maintaining vigilant awareness of what He is doing. The thanks naturally proceed from that as He is working constantly on our behalf.

We do what we do because that is who we are

If that is not true, you need to seriously seek the mind of the Lord for your life because you are out of His will doing something you are not called to do. Is that a gross overstatement? NO! It is a basic truth of the believers’ walk through daily life.

If you are doing something that you are not called to do you need to get that fixed right away.

Your fruit and maybe even your salvation depend on it.

Ask Him & then listen until you are sure that you have heard Him

The listening is the key. Not many believers spend much time listening to the Lord. He speaks to us constantly and we are so busy we are not listening.

He/she who has ears let him/her hear.