Why does this teaching matter?
Based on Ezekiel 13, Wilkerson coined the term 'pillow prophets' to describe modern false teachers who provide comfort instead of confrontation. He wrote: 'Like the pillow prophets of Israel, their one supreme desire is to promote luxurious lifestyles and make people comfortable in their pursuit of the good life. They are not speaking for God. All they are doing is passing out pillows — one for every elbow of every follower.' He explained why the crowds flock to them: 'No wonder the crowds flock to sit under their message — it's painless. There is not the call of Christ to deny self and take up a cross.' He contrasted this with the marks of a true prophet: 'A true man of God is consumed with a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has been so overwhelmed, so mastered by that glorious vision, he can speak of nothing else. He preaches the whole counsel of God — as it relates to Christ.' Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Steven Furtick — these are modern pillow prophets. Their messages are painless, comfortable, and never confront sin.
What did David Wilkerson teach?
"The pillow prophets are still with us! They talk about the Word of God, about prophecy, and they salt their soothing messages with a lot of Scripture. But there is a falseness in what they preach. They are not preaching the Cross or holiness and separation. They make no demands on their followers."
Speaker: David Wilkerson
Source: David Wilkerson, 'Pillow Prophets' — from the book 'Set the Trumpet to Thy Mouth' (1985) and Times Square Church Pulpit Series. Full text: https://www.worldchallenge.org/pillow-prophets
What does Scripture confirm?
Ezekiel 13:18-20
"Thus says the Lord GOD: 'Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their sleeves and make veils for the heads of people of every height to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of My people, and keep yourselves alive?'"
— NKJV
God pronounces WOE on prophets who 'sew pillows for all elbows' — who make it comfortable for people to live in sin! They 'ensnare souls' with their pleasing messages. Ezekiel describes exactly what prosperity preachers do: they give every listener a pillow to lean on, a promise of prosperity, an assurance that all is well — while in reality leading them toward destruction.
Jeremiah 23:16-17
"Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the LORD. They continually say to those who despise Me, "The LORD has said, 'You shall have peace'"; and to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, "No evil shall come upon you."'"
— NKJV
False prophets say to sinners: 'You shall have peace!' and 'No calamity shall come upon you!' This is exactly Joel Osteen's message: 'God has great plans for you! Your best days are ahead!' — regardless of whether the person lives in open sin. A true prophet confronts: 'Repent!' A pillow prophet comforts: 'Everything will be fine!' Wilkerson was a true prophet.
Luke 9:23
"Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'"
— NKJV
Jesus demands three things of his followers: DENY yourself, TAKE UP YOUR CROSS, and FOLLOW him. Pillow prophets preach the opposite: affirm yourself, enjoy your life, and follow your dreams. Wilkerson pointed out that a true prophet preaches the whole counsel of God — including the cross with its death to all lusts and worldly pleasures.