T. D. Jakes Explains Racial Issues in a Way I've Never Heard Them

Mark Virkler's picture

For many of us, it is time to listen to a Spirit-led leader in the black community express his thoughts about the racial tension that has erupted around us. We need to hear what the concerns are so we can be active participants in promoting a solution. It is impossible for us to be part of the solution if we have not first listened.

He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him. (Prov. 18:13 NASB)

Well known minister, Bishop T.D. Jakes, is the founder and senior pastor of the 30,000-member Potter's House Church in Dallas, Texas.

In this one-on-one interview with Carl Lentz, pastor of Hillsong NYC church, T.D. Jakes is being asked his thoughts concerning the racial tension present in America today. His response is loving, kind, provocative, authoritative and spiritually enlightened. There is no blame-casting, no anger and no trite answers. He opens our eyes to the black man’s perspective and experience. He offers suggestions for how we can be effectively involved in bringing healing to the issues before us.

The interview, which is available here, is about 75 minutes long, so find a time you can settle down and prayerfully listen. I suggest you have paper at your side to jot down ideas which speak powerfully to you, so you can go back and journal about them and hear what God would say to you.

A few points which spoke to me

Jesus tells a story of the man who was robbed and beaten and left by the roadside to die. Three people come by: a Levite, a priest and the good Samaritan. The leaders in the church (Levite and priest) ignored the man in need and did not reach out a helping hand. The Samaritan (from a culturally different group) stopped and helped (Lk. 10:25-37). So as a Christian or a leader in the church, what am I to do when I see someone suffering? Be one of those who pass by and say, "This is none of my concern," or be the one who stops and says, "I am here to help the one who is hurting"?

Another point I considered was the issue of “white privilege.” T. D. Jakes says that when he walks into his church, he has “pastoral privilege.” I fully understand that as I have experienced it as a pastor and as a seminar speaker. His discussion helped me see the privilege I have had during my lifetime, which has provided me with an easier path than many blacks have had. Again, just an opening of my eyes to the situation.

Bishop Jakes discusses that what is a “crime” (drug use) in certain zip codes is a “sickness” (drug addiction) in others. He also admits that most police are upright and good citizens, but still when his son was in an automobile accident, he feared that when the police arrived his son would be hurt by them. That has never been a fear I have had when I have been stopped by the police.

So once you have listened to this interview, I suggest you journal and say, “Lord, what would You speak to me concerning the issues discussed?” I believe the ONLY answer that will work is that which is birthed in revelation from the Holy Spirit. Our government can throw billions of dollars into public assistance, and still not eradicate poverty. It is living and walking by the Spirit that heals one’s life, marriage, family and finances.

I believe the best answer to the racial tension we are experiencing is a spiritual revival where people are brought into intimacy with Jesus and He speaks into their lives, guiding them day by day.

Race in America Series

  1. Understanding and Responding to Racial Tension
  2. Should I Just Hunker Down, Pray, and Try to Avoid All the Turmoil Engulfing the USA?
  3. "All Sheep Matter!"
  4. T. D. Jakes Explains Racial Issues in a Way I've Never Heard Them
  5. A Lieutenant Discusses Racial Discrimination Within the NYPD
  6. Perception, Presumption & the Pain of Not Belonging
  7. What Can I Do To Help Heal Racial Tension?
  8. It's Time for Blacks and Whites to Talk About Race Issues

Related Resources: 

How to Hear God's Voice!   
Add new comment

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 1 - 10 of 479

Pages

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 305 Pages | Retail: $16.99

Have you ever wished you could just sit down and have a long talk with the Lord? Wouldn't it be wonderful to move beyond having a theology that states that God loves you to actually hearing Him whisper words of love into your heart? When you're worried or confused, wouldn't you love to see the situation from His perspective and hear how He wants you to respond?


Price: $14.95

Dialogue with God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 296 Pages

This top seller for 30 years from Bridge Logos provides a narrative, right-brain presentation of the principles of how to hear God's voice. Especially enjoyable for personal use, it makes a great gift for introducing a loved one to the voice of God. This book teaches the four keys to hearing God's voice in readable style, and also devotes two entire chapters to moving samples of people's journaling (i.e. their two-way dialogue with God).

Price: $17.95
Hear God's Voice Guaranteed Package

Hear God's Voice Guaranteed Package

9 Books | 10 CDs | 10 DVDs | Save Over 20%

Have you ever wished you could just sit down and have a long talk with the Lord? Wouldn't it be wonderful to move beyond having a theology that states that God loves you to actually hearing Him whisper words of love into your heart? When you're worried or confused, wouldn't you love to see the situation from His perspective and hear how He wants you to respond? When things don't seem to be going your way and your prayers aren't answered the way you had hoped, wouldn't it be great to hear Him tell you where He is in the midst of it, and what He is working out in your life? Are you ever just a little bit jealous of others who say with such confidence, "The Lord said...."?

Price: $175.00

How to Hear God's Voice

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 317 Pages

We recommend that you order the newest revision of this book titled 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice. It includes 95% of the content of How to Hear God's Voice but is reorganized so it fits perfectly with the 10 DVDs on this subject by Mark Virkler. In addition, it gets you started using the four keys earlier in the book and gives you more journaling samples and exercises. Since we have removed the large margins, it is a smaller and less expensive book.

Price: $24.95

Prayers That Heal the Heart - Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 320 Pages

Prayer counseling that breaks every yoke! Everything you need to experience deep healing of your soul and spirit.

Did you know that you don’t need to be continually plagued by negative thoughts, feelings, pictures or memories?

It is not part of the "human condition" to feel the constant nagging of doubt, insecurity, or anger. No matter what sin you are trying to overcome, what lie you think you’ll always believe, or what traumas your heart has suffered in the past, you will receive total freedom and restoration by praying these prayers in faith. 

Price: $19.95

Twelve Weeks to Spiritual Mastery - Group Coaching

A group coaching experience with Mark Virkler

Because I could not find a Spirit-anointed teacher/coach, I spent ten extremely frustrating years seeking to hear God’s voice!!! Suggestions offered did not help me, things like: “You just know that you know. It is a still small voice. He speaks from your heart.” No one could give me the answer I needed which was: Hearing God’s voice is as simple as quieting yourself down, fixing your eyes on Jesus, recognizing His voice as spontaneous, flowing thoughts and writing down His flow as it is coming. Test what you have written after the flow is done, NOT while it is occurring.

Price: $1,200.00

Counseled by God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 146 Pages

Have you ever been defeated by negative emotions such as anger, fear, guilt, inferiority, condemnation or depression? Have you tried to fight them off unsuccessfully? Is there an answer that is deeper than simply trying to mentally reason yourself out of these emotions? Is there a way that Jesus can speak a word of life into the depths of your emotional despair and bring healing on a deep level? Is there a form of Christian counseling that begins and ends with the movement of Christ within your heart, rather than simply with the words of man?

Price: $10.95
Hear God Through Your Dreams Workbook Cover

Hear God Through Your Dreams Workbook

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 92 Pages

A newer book has been released that accompanies this workbook: Click here for Hearing God Through Your Dreams by Charity Kayembe and Mark Virkler (featured on Sid Roth's "It's Supernatural", with almost a million views just on YouTube).


Do you often wake up feeling there was a significant message in your dream, but you’re just not sure what it is? Like Daniel and Joseph, do you long to be able to help others understand their own dreams and win them to Christ as you explain His night messages to them? Wouldn't it be nice if you could receive mid-course corrections from the Lord while you sleep? Do you wish you could be receiving divine inspiration, creative solutions to problems, and direction from the Lord during that third of your life that you’re “just” sleeping?

Price: $11.95

Hearing God Through Your Dreams

by Mark Virkler and Charity Virkler Kayembe | 292 Pages

Learn How to Hear God’s Voice, Even When You Are Sleeping

It is always fun to be on the winning team. Well look what God has done with Charity's new dreams teaching. It has taken off like a rocket with a live TV interview on Cornerstone Network and her Sid Roth interview which has almost a million views on YouTube!

Price: $16.99

Everyday Angels

by Charity Virkler Kayembe and Joe Brock 289 Pages

You can partner with Heaven’s angelic hosts!

Do you have guardian angels? Does God want you to know them? Find out what Scripture reveals and how YOU can interact with the company of Heaven!

The supernatural realm permeates our natural world! Therefore, experiencing angels should be an everyday occurrence–we simply need to open our spiritual eyes to their reality and role in our lives.

Price: $16.99

Pages