About 6 years ago, something in my life happened that caused
me to keep myself and my immediate family safe from my extended family. At the time, the fact that I had to make this
decision was actually tormenting. It’s
something that I had wanted and needed to do for years, but I wouldn’t because I
felt guilt about it. Even though I knew
that guilt was from the enemy, I still grappled with walking away. The enemy attacked me from different angles
telling me not only that I was a terrible person, but that I was a terrible
Christian. Well, going through that has
made me a much stronger person because I’m not a terrible person, nor am I a
terrible Christian…imperfect and saved by grace, but not terrible! I was a hurting person who was forced to set safe boundaries for
myself and my family...period!
And…although I don’t put myself in the same league as Abraham and
Joseph, the Lord used them as examples to show me how He separated them from
their families for a reason. Abraham’s family worshipped idols and
Joseph’s family had tremendous dysfunction, but later reunited them.
At that time, the Lord spoke to me through 3 different ministries…teaching, leading, encouraging, guiding and growing me. Overall, God has made me a much stronger person in my faith as well as in my mind. And, although I don’t listen to those ministries on a daily basis like I did, I do still listen to them, am grateful for them and still support one of them financially.
Well, lately, I have let one of my family members back into my life. I thought that everything would be ok. Oh how wrong I was! What I have found is that this person has found it their “calling” to let me know in their “subtle” ways that these ministries…that have helped me to be a better, stronger Christian…are all “false Christian teachers” and that I need to listen to the programs that they listen to so I can find out the truth.
I have to tell you that over the past month or so, I have done some research. And what I have found is that no matter what ministry I listen to, I have found a little something that doesn’t set well with me and perhaps it doesn’t line up completely with what the Bible says…not grossly…and I don’t believe on purpose either. But, who am I to point a finger and cry heresy? The way I see it, I’m no expert, but I know the voice of my God and I also know that none of us are perfect. I believe that we need to be very cautious about what we teach and that there are consequences to deliberate false teaching. But what I’m seeing within the body of Christ is people accusing others of heresy when they themselves teach against things that are clearly stated in the Bible. Maybe they should read the Bible on that particular subject… and not present something out of context and exploit what someone is teaching that is Biblical. No one person has the Bible figured out. I certainly do not profess to! No one person is so wise that they have the authority to condemn other Christian teachers publicly! Now, if these teachers were teaching that we should isolate ourselves and follow only one person(not Jesus)and then advised us to drink laced Kool-aid to take us to “heaven,” then we would have a problem. Or if they were twisting the scripture to mean something that it wasn’t meant to mean, this too, would be a problem. Gross wrong teaching should be addressed properly! This is definitely not the case! Just today I read this passage from Beth Moore’s Jesus: 90 days with the One and only. Day 48 ‘I remember a time when a critical letter from a seminary graduate shook my confidence. As I read the list of mistakes she was pointing out, I started thinking, “She’s right! What in the world do I think I’m doing? I have no formal theological education. I shouldn’t even be doing this!” But God reminded me during the following days that I was exactly right; I shouldn’t be doing this. This ministry is God’s. If my confidence is in myself, I’m in big trouble. God also assured me that I will always make mistakes, but they will serve as reminders to my readers never to think more highly of this teacher than they ought. Only One can be taken at His every word.’ This is such a true statement!! Yes, we are all human and we will make mistakes…none but Jesus is perfect!!
This is truly an example of how the enemy works. He is the accuser of the brethren. Just like this family member has done to me, the enemy will cause all sorts of trouble and then turn around and accuse us falsely to try to break us down and try to discredit us as well as others. This is what the enemy loves to do, and all too often, he uses Christians to do just that within the body of Christ. I have to tell you that some of the teachings I watched on the internet were shocking…from both the accusers and the accused. I approached it with much prayer. But what I did find is that on one side, when questions were raised and the person was reprimanded, they humbled themselves, corrected themselves and apologized. I did not find that on the other side…those making accusations and causing a ruckus.
I know that when I worship Jesus Christ through music that He accepts my worship. I don’t believe He disapproves of me because I’m not worshipping Him through hymns or music that is traditionally acceptable by certain denominations within the Body of Christ. Who sets the standards for worshipping with music anyway? The most wealthy in the church who threaten to leave if it’s not done their way? What if we were inAfrica
and all we had to worship with were our voices and sticks to keep a beat? Does God reject that form of worship because
it’s not the traditional hymn
performed in the traditional
way? I don’t believe He rejects any of
our worship as long as the great name of Jesus is being lifted up by folks
whose hearts are set on Jesus…whether it be in Africa or any other part of the
world who may have only limited means, in denominations that worship only with
hymns or non-denominational churches that worship with contemporary music. God created us to be unique! I believe He loves the different ways that
people worship Him. Why do we get so
hung up on the differences?! No one way is the perfect way! In fact, getting hung up on the different
styles of worship and causing a ruckus takes the focus off of God and puts it
onto ourselves. Are we truly worshipping
if we’re being judgmental of the style of music while we’re in the midst of
worship?
This scenario reminds me of places in the Bible where Jesus healed people and the Pharisees said that He was filled with Satan. I ask you; how is it that the enemy…Satan, Lucifer, the Devil…whatever you want to call him… would lead me to praise Jesus, learn from God’s word and continue on to help others in Jesus’ name? A house divided against itself will not stand. It is simply ridiculous!!
So, once again, because of all of this, I have had to make the difficult choice to protect myself. But, I know that the Lord knows of my love for this person and even though they have tried to cause problems for me, I know that the Lord loves this person as much as He loves me or anyone else for that matter. I don’t wish bad things for them, nor do I doubt their belief in Christ. But, I will protect myself and my family at all cost. I will protect my well being. I will not let the enemy bring me down…period! God has created me, like you, for a specific purpose and I will not let accusations stop me from fulfilling what God has created me to do…Lord willing.
With all of this said, I believe that we should all be very cautious about who we let into our “inner circle” of friends…or even family. Of course we should never be above or beyond correction! But, be sure of who is behind this correction. Is it a person who truly cares about you, or is it the enemy trying to get you off track from our mighty God? We are at the end of the end of days. The enemy is doing all that he can to tear the Body of Christ apart. Don’t fall for his tactics and surely don’t be one he uses for that purpose. Our Great Shepherd said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” John 10:27 Stay tuned into His voice…it’s His voice that truly matters!
If you like this, check out my other, shorter blog. I post there 2 times a week. http://actnowday2daydevo.blogspot.com/
At that time, the Lord spoke to me through 3 different ministries…teaching, leading, encouraging, guiding and growing me. Overall, God has made me a much stronger person in my faith as well as in my mind. And, although I don’t listen to those ministries on a daily basis like I did, I do still listen to them, am grateful for them and still support one of them financially.
Well, lately, I have let one of my family members back into my life. I thought that everything would be ok. Oh how wrong I was! What I have found is that this person has found it their “calling” to let me know in their “subtle” ways that these ministries…that have helped me to be a better, stronger Christian…are all “false Christian teachers” and that I need to listen to the programs that they listen to so I can find out the truth.
I have to tell you that over the past month or so, I have done some research. And what I have found is that no matter what ministry I listen to, I have found a little something that doesn’t set well with me and perhaps it doesn’t line up completely with what the Bible says…not grossly…and I don’t believe on purpose either. But, who am I to point a finger and cry heresy? The way I see it, I’m no expert, but I know the voice of my God and I also know that none of us are perfect. I believe that we need to be very cautious about what we teach and that there are consequences to deliberate false teaching. But what I’m seeing within the body of Christ is people accusing others of heresy when they themselves teach against things that are clearly stated in the Bible. Maybe they should read the Bible on that particular subject… and not present something out of context and exploit what someone is teaching that is Biblical. No one person has the Bible figured out. I certainly do not profess to! No one person is so wise that they have the authority to condemn other Christian teachers publicly! Now, if these teachers were teaching that we should isolate ourselves and follow only one person(not Jesus)and then advised us to drink laced Kool-aid to take us to “heaven,” then we would have a problem. Or if they were twisting the scripture to mean something that it wasn’t meant to mean, this too, would be a problem. Gross wrong teaching should be addressed properly! This is definitely not the case! Just today I read this passage from Beth Moore’s Jesus: 90 days with the One and only. Day 48 ‘I remember a time when a critical letter from a seminary graduate shook my confidence. As I read the list of mistakes she was pointing out, I started thinking, “She’s right! What in the world do I think I’m doing? I have no formal theological education. I shouldn’t even be doing this!” But God reminded me during the following days that I was exactly right; I shouldn’t be doing this. This ministry is God’s. If my confidence is in myself, I’m in big trouble. God also assured me that I will always make mistakes, but they will serve as reminders to my readers never to think more highly of this teacher than they ought. Only One can be taken at His every word.’ This is such a true statement!! Yes, we are all human and we will make mistakes…none but Jesus is perfect!!
This is truly an example of how the enemy works. He is the accuser of the brethren. Just like this family member has done to me, the enemy will cause all sorts of trouble and then turn around and accuse us falsely to try to break us down and try to discredit us as well as others. This is what the enemy loves to do, and all too often, he uses Christians to do just that within the body of Christ. I have to tell you that some of the teachings I watched on the internet were shocking…from both the accusers and the accused. I approached it with much prayer. But what I did find is that on one side, when questions were raised and the person was reprimanded, they humbled themselves, corrected themselves and apologized. I did not find that on the other side…those making accusations and causing a ruckus.
I know that when I worship Jesus Christ through music that He accepts my worship. I don’t believe He disapproves of me because I’m not worshipping Him through hymns or music that is traditionally acceptable by certain denominations within the Body of Christ. Who sets the standards for worshipping with music anyway? The most wealthy in the church who threaten to leave if it’s not done their way? What if we were in
This scenario reminds me of places in the Bible where Jesus healed people and the Pharisees said that He was filled with Satan. I ask you; how is it that the enemy…Satan, Lucifer, the Devil…whatever you want to call him… would lead me to praise Jesus, learn from God’s word and continue on to help others in Jesus’ name? A house divided against itself will not stand. It is simply ridiculous!!
So, once again, because of all of this, I have had to make the difficult choice to protect myself. But, I know that the Lord knows of my love for this person and even though they have tried to cause problems for me, I know that the Lord loves this person as much as He loves me or anyone else for that matter. I don’t wish bad things for them, nor do I doubt their belief in Christ. But, I will protect myself and my family at all cost. I will protect my well being. I will not let the enemy bring me down…period! God has created me, like you, for a specific purpose and I will not let accusations stop me from fulfilling what God has created me to do…Lord willing.
With all of this said, I believe that we should all be very cautious about who we let into our “inner circle” of friends…or even family. Of course we should never be above or beyond correction! But, be sure of who is behind this correction. Is it a person who truly cares about you, or is it the enemy trying to get you off track from our mighty God? We are at the end of the end of days. The enemy is doing all that he can to tear the Body of Christ apart. Don’t fall for his tactics and surely don’t be one he uses for that purpose. Our Great Shepherd said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” John 10:27 Stay tuned into His voice…it’s His voice that truly matters!
If you like this, check out my other, shorter blog. I post there 2 times a week. http://actnowday2daydevo.blogspot.com/
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