The Prophets and the Truth

I received the following comment to the posting What if Todd Bentley, the AntiChrist, and the Pharisees Threw a Party (but no one came)

"Just remember...The bible is very clear when it comes to prophets. When a person calls themselves a prophet as he has the requirement of God is 100 percent accuracy or you are a false prophet...."

As I responded, I thought that this topic deserves a separate posting. I am no expert, but I want to share what God has been teaching me over time. I understand how the commenter feels, but I think it is also important to look at what the scripture actually says:

Deut 18 21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’— 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

This is a statement that if something spoken in the name of the Lord does not come to pass, it was not given by God. That person has spoken presumptuously. It is not necessarily a test to see if a person should be labeled a false prophet. For instance, when I think I hear from the Lord, I may share that with someone. Or, I may sing it as a song in a public setting. Now I do not think God ever misspeaks, but I am human and I can easily not hear correctly or give an interpretation colored by my own flesh. We are living in a different dispensation than when these scriptures were given. Mercy and righteousness kissed at the cross.

For example, we do not practice the preceding scripture 20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ , just as we do not practice the “eye-for-an-eye” retribution of the law and many other things. Although this scripture should make us consider how fearfully serious it is to speak in the name of the Lord, we must also remember we are now subject to a higher law of love - the true and everlasting interpretation of everything given in scripture as shown forth in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1 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;

In those previous times, the Holy Spirit came upon individuals for special purposes. Those of us now in Christ Jesus have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit with us always. We can commune and hear from God every day. Our whole lives should be “prophetic” and tested by the Word of God to discern where we are not hearing correctly. It can become confusing to us when the gifts begin to get more of our attention than the Giver of Life. Time and time again I have been turned back to the simplicity of the One thing necessary – that I abide in Christ and in His Word with Him.

The problem with using these scriptures from Deuteronomy as the only litmus test comes from not taking the whole council of scripture into account. If I use this as a litmus test, then any person who does prophesy accurately and work signs and wonders should be considered a true prophet of God. Of course, the Word of God expressly warns against this as well.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

So, the outward examination of power (prophesy), signs, or wonders, in of themselves is not how God protects us from deception. I think we miss this point pretty often! Instead, He gives discernment as we receive a love for the Truth from Him. It always comes down to focusing on Jesus and the Word of God. Love Him with everything within you!

As I’ve discussed previously, I love to see God’s Holy Spirit move and be manifested through His people. However, the warnings against those who would become false prophets and those who would receive them are very strong. We cannot fully receive the pouring out of God’s Spirit on all flesh unless we are willing to receive the whole council of God’s Word regarding these things in the last days, including warnings against deception. If you believe God that His Spirit will be poured out, you must also believe Him that there will be a great apostasy and much deception. Others hypothesize about the details and how it is being manifested even now. I personally feel it is enough to recognize the sign of the times and cry out to God to fill my heart with a love for and a focus on the truth. This is not to say God has not appointed certain men and women to proclaim both the outpouring of His Spirit and the warnings against deception in specific cases. However, I am of the opinion that many of these self-appointed watchman, while beginning with the right heart, fall into the same trap of the flesh they are speaking against. As for me, I tremble in fear at the awesome Majesty of the Lord and wonder “who am I that He would tell me anything”. I pray the Lord will teach us all the humility we need to run hard after Him, and truly hear His voice clearly. I am frail and easily drawn by my flesh in either direction without submitting everything I am to Christ.

I hope this has been helpful. I tend to get both sides angry at me, but my whole point is that there is ONE side. Focus on communion with Jesus Christ and His Word and God Himself will cause everything to fall into place. This comes to me as I write – “Do not fear little flock, for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” The kingdom is so much more and so different than we imagine in our limited conception. Oh how I love JESUS, because He first loved me.

What if Todd Bentley, the Antichrist, and the Pharisees Threw a Party? (but no one came)

I just started reading Tozer’s “The Pursuit of God”. It seems like I always read excerpts by Tozer and I love what he says, but I never get around to actually reading his books. I posted a quote by him the other day because it was so appealing to me at the time. I haven’t wanted to post anything myself because I have too much in mind – the words are far too analytical to describe what I really mean. So, if my casual ramblings at this hour profit anyone, know it must be God’s wonderful Spirit communicating things I never even intended to write about this morning.

At this point all I know is that I know nothing and God knows everything. I’m convinced this is a good thing since Jesus IS my wisdom and understanding, after all. This post applies generally to doctrine and specifically to the topic on revival I wrote about last time. I’ve noticed that people arguing (talking) about this whole thing in Lakeland with Todd Bentley seem to be quite far to one side or the other. There are exceptions, but in general they either say Bentley is the Antichrist or they say Christians who don’t appreciate him are missing God.

If you want to know what angle I’m coming from – Well, I believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit (as well as the accompanying gifts and fruit) is real and for every believer. I know God desires to talk to His children and use them to manifest the life of Jesus Christ in a powerful way. I also totally believe in supernatural healing and that God doesn’t care if you are an ex-IRS auditor wearing a bone in your nose when you pray for someone to be healed. Tattoos, body piercings, and even a criminal past are not (necessarily) disqualifications from ministry for a truly born-again believer in Jesus.

I am also passionate about His precious love letter, the bible. In it I see that God speaks very strongly about false prophets in the end times, of lying signs and wonders, and about not despising prophecy but testing it. If you are seriously going to tell me that you love God’s Word, then you had better TAKE seriously the warnings about the coming deception and falling away in the last times, as well as the need for a love for the truth. If these concepts don’t ring some bible bells, please check your local Concordance. The Holy Spirit is truly awesome and powerful. I want to listen carefully to everything He has told me about the generation I believe I am living in.

So, in my limited understanding of the truth, I feel pretty strongly that any person who is going to “thus saith the Lord” should be completely UNhostile to brothers and sisters wanting to be Bereans and examine things according to the Word of God. Prophetic people must grow up into the love of Christ as the Word of God commands and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit as they exercise their gifts. As Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 13, even the most awesome prophetic gift will pass away. Anything, no matter how spectacular, that is not done in love will have NO eternal impact because love is what will remain in the Kingdom of God.

Plus, for good measure I will throw in that saying the name of Jesus is very different than proclaiming it. “Jesus” CAN be just a word unless you talk about and offer revelation about the whole redemptive purpose of the Living Word. Ok, so that concludes my John the Baptist portion of this posting. But please continue preparing the way of the Lord until next time, alright?

Before I go on, I want to remind us that every believer is a child of God and the real question in this time is not how to convince the “other side” of the error of their ways. The real question is, how can we get the church as a whole to focus on the revelation of Jesus Christ and not arguments, manifestations, or feelings? One of these things is actually the name of the last book of the bible, remember? The Revelation of Jesus Christ (yep, not “Revelations”). Funny how God can sum everything up so concisely at times, isn’t it?

In the world of religious thought I am often sure in my spirit that the answer to difficult questions both embraces completely (while at the same time lying somewhere completely outside) what two diametricallly opposed viewpoints are certain is the absolute truth. Ha! Imagine that, God’s ways being above our ways. This is not to say in any way I don’t believe in absolute truth. I just think it is obvious that the deep spiritual truths we are learning from God in any moment are only expressed in a representative way by the limitations of our intellect and physical existence. If every child of God has the Spirit of God indwelling, then it should also be obvious that on the deepest spiritual level we are all in COMPLETE agreement regardless of our understanding or expression of doctrine. Obvious or not, we miss the truth of this basic agreement in a BIG way, which causes a great deal of unnecessary pain in relationships in the church.

This in no way invalidates the importance of correct doctrine. However, I don’t think we ask the right questions. We get so bogged down that we forget that Paul gave us a way out of the doctrinal maze by telling us that knowing Christ was the ONE thing that is needful. Think of it, Jesus told Martha the same thing about Mary.

But how gracious, wonderful and merciful the Father is to enlighten our spirits about the truth of who Jesus is through such means as bible study, spoken prayer, and exhortation of one another. The method and the means are beside the point, but still required! What an interesting mystery and exciting hint at our entire dependence on Him to receive anything at all. I recently read two books by very different authors – Watchman Nee and Andrew Murray. I am always thrilled to have my faith strengthened when I observe how Christians in different cultures and times have found Jesus to be the same as they seek a deeper revelation of Him.

I happened to read the two books simultaneously and they began to express an idea in the same way. This is the simple truth I have often pondered – that we cannot receive blessings or things we request from God as some separate items apart from Christ Himself. Prayer for any virtue or need (patience or healing for example) will be much more effective if we realize He is not waving a magic wand over us, but instead opening us up to a deeper revelation and expression of the life of Christ. Now, this is far from latter rain dominion-ism, but it is the deep spiritual truth that can only be hinted at by the scripture:

Galations 2: 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

So, if you want to be effective in spiritual warfare, consider how Jesus did it. He walked around being Jesus. The light and the truth that shone from Him into the spiritual darkness of the world effectively conquered it. If we learn to wait more and more upon God in the course of our everyday life, we will more and more walk in the Spirit of the Holy One of Israel. Then, it will be His life shining light through us into a dark world. True humility is an awesome gift from God because it puts us in the proper position of total dependence on the One who has All Power to give. And the truly incredible thing is, God longs to give it to His children. However, we forget over and over again that the purpose of it all is to reveal more and more the person of Jesus Christ to a dark and dying world. Everything we need or desire is truly found in Jesus and we can receive nothing of value apart from Him.

I offer this as a “whatever is good” writing for my brothers and sisters who may be cruising the Internet reading all kinds of well-intentioned, but negative material on both sides of this discussion about the Apostolic/Prophetic Movement or the Lakeland Revival. I admit I’ve done my own share of browsing, asking God what it is that I should be learning. Though I have my own opinions about the specifics, I believe they are (mostly) beside the point at this time. My hope is that I’ve been able to point to Christ as the simple and only solution to our questions. Thanks for reading.

With love, in Christ,
Karen.

Spiritual Political "Correctness"?

"Many tender-minded Christians fear to sin against love by daring to inquire into anything that comes wearing the cloak of Christianity and breathing the name of Jesus. They dare not examine the credentials of the latest prophet to hit their town lest they be guilty of rejecting something which may be of God. They timidly remember how the Pharisees refused to accept Christ when He came, and they do not want to be caught in the same snare, so they either reserve judgment or shut their eyes and accept everything without question. This is supposed to indicate a high degree of spirituality. But in sober fact it indicates no such thing. It may indeed be evidence of the absence of the Holy Spirit. Gullibility is not synonymous with spirituality. Faith is not a mental habit leading its possessor to open his mouth and swallow everything that has about it the color of the supernatural. Faith keeps its heart open to whatever is of God, and rejects everything that is not of God, however wonderful it may be. Try the spirits is a command of the Holy Spirit to the Church. We may sin as certainly by approving the spurious as by rejecting the genuine. And the current habit of refusing to take sides is not the way to avoid the question. To appraise things with a heart of love and then to act on the results is an obligation resting upon every Christian in the world. And the more as we see the day approaching." — A. W. Tozer