Know God For Yourself; Be Free From Bondage
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; - Ephesians 4:14
This has been a lingering thought in my mind for so long, but I have not really been able to put it in words the best way I would, but I got inspired to write after I saw this tweet.
The essence of the gospel of Christ (Christianity) is to preach the love of God to mankind; the love that brings salvation. It is this gesture that gives us freedom from the bondage of fear (Romans 8:15) and exempts us from condemnation (Romans 8:1).
If therefore we identify with the saviour, why do people still get themselves ensnared by religious leaders who capture them with ideologies that put fear in their followers, rather than the truth, which sets free? Each man is a prophet of his own life. Each person should therefore know the truth, or else he will be led into heretic teachings and doctrines.
1
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;- Hebrews 1:1-2
As a new testament believer, you must know God personally, not reaching Him through someone else in the name of pastor, prophet or whatever title. Spiritual leaders are meant to guide you to develop a close relationship with God, not to act as an intermediary. Christ has done that and perfected it once and for all.