When the Applause Becomes Armor: Confronting the Spirit of Pragmatic Triumphalism

Success Doesn't Mean God is Pleased!

By Brent Madaris

Published: 07/14/2025

This article addresses specific patterns unfolding in conservative ministry circles today. While names are not mentioned, the actions, justifications, and consequences are well known to many. This is intentional. We are addressing principles, not personalities.

Introduction

The pulpit has become a platform. The shepherd has become a brand. And spiritual authority is now measured by metrics—how many, how much, how fast.

We are not just witnessing a shift in ministry practice—we are staring at the rise of a triumphalist theology, one that crowns productivity as proof of purity and baptizes success as evidence of blessing. This is nothing more than a new kind of Laodicean confidence—leaders boasting of spiritual fruit while ignoring spiritual fidelity.

Certain prominent individuals are advocating for this new trend, firmly aligning themselves with it due to the supposed success, recognition, and acclaim it generates. these men have been given (are being given) large opportunities on prominent platforms by either unsuspecting leaders or worse, complicit leaders. It’s becoming more common to dismiss criticism as ‘noise’ while celebrating platform invitations as proof of blessing.

This is not revival. This is performance-driven religion, and it must be exposed—not for the sake of controversy, but for the sake of the Church’s soul.

1. Pragmatism Is Not Power—It’s Powerless

The lie of pragmatism is simple: “If it works, it must be right.” But Scripture dismantles that logic.

Pragmatism builds crowds, not character. It may generate decisions, and yes—some may truly be saved, because God honors His gospel. But that does not validate the method. It is still a hollow engine—with heavenly stickers on the outside—but running on the fuel of performance and pressure, not obedience and holiness.

Pharaoh’s magicians could mimic miracles. False prophets in Deuteronomy 13 could produce signs. Jesus said:

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord… have we not prophesied… and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you.” (Matt. 7:22–23)

2. Success Can Be a Strong Delusion

When a preacher wraps himself in results—“1,500 teens came… 70 got saved… many surrendered”—he may be shielding himself from correction rather than celebrating true fruit.

This mirrors the warning of 2 Thessalonians 2:11:

“God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.”

When a man stops loving truth and starts loving results, he becomes uncorrectable. Scripture can’t touch him. Brothers can’t reach him. Fruit has become his fortress—and applause, his armor.

3. Culture Craves Performance—and the Church Is Following

Ours is a generation obsessed with optics and platforms. Influence is mistaken for authority. Results are mistaken for righteousness. If you’re dynamic and drawing a crowd, no one questions you.

But this is not how God judges.

“The Lord seeth not as man seeth… the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)

We have started exalting “reach” over reverence and “momentum” over meekness. This is how Laodicea became blind—and thought it was blessed.

4. When Results Replace Accountability, Preaching Becomes Unpreachable

When a man believes his platform proves his purity, he will no longer tolerate correction. He will say:

• “I’ll let the judgment seat sort it out.”

• “I answer only to God.”

• “I don’t have time for the noise.”

But these are not signs of deep spirituality—they’re signs of insulation.

Paul didn’t say, “Let God sort Peter out.”

He said, “I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.” (Gal. 2:11)

5. We Must Speak With Prophetic Fire, Not Platform Diplomacy

This is no time for vague disclaimers or brand protection. It is time to declare:

• That faithfulness matters more than fruitfulness.

• That obedience matters more than optics.

• That holiness matters more than hype.

We must re-sober a generation of preachers before they drown in applause. We must confront pragmatic triumphalism before it becomes the new standard of spirituality. Yes, it will be hard, but we must be faithful and do it!

Many of the most faithful men in Scripture—Jeremiah, Isaiah, Paul—would be deemed “unsuccessful” by today’s metrics. Why? Because their aim was truth, not traction.

Preacher, Step Out of the Echo Chamber

Preacher, you may be surrounded by affirmation. But popularity is not a proxy for God’s pleasure. And results are not the final word—the judgment seat is.

“The heart is deceitful above all things… who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9)

If you’ve changed course, admit it. If your public practice has contradicted your former convictions, don’t hide behind outcomes—repent. If you’ve silenced godly voices as “noise,” beware. You are not exempt from accountability.

The judgment seat will not measure numbers. It will test motive, message, and method.

And only what was done in trembling obedience will remain.

“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Cor. 4:1–2)