Sensational Enticements

There are many things presented to us with the intention of distracting us from genuine and empowering truth. Paul’s speeches were not given with enticing words of wisdom through the perception of man. When Paul spoke, there were accompanying demonstrations powerfully wrought by the Holy Spirit. Things were changed, and the power of God shook the surroundings. Hearts were pricked and lives were changed; the enemy was defeated. 1 Corinthians 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. When the wisdom of God is proclaimed, there is life, action, and stirring in the hearts. People are drawn towards God because they are influenced and changed by His presence. Apostle Paul writes that our faith should not stand in the wisdom of man, but in God’s active power. Sensational words from a capable speaker can get people moving but hearts remain unchanged. Their astounding quips and quotes are often enticements that can make a person feel good for a day or two.

When God speaks, it is in a way that is often unusual to man. He speaks as though He has searched the hearts that will give ear. The wisdom of God is often spoken in a mystery filled with hidden wisdom 1 Corinthians 2:6 His word is not contemptible but original which God ordained before the world unto our glory. When man speaks his own wisdom, men say ‘wow!’. When God speaks from Heaven His express word we say, ‘woe is me!’. We are not necessarily struck down by it, but are changed by it through His expressed glory from Heaven. Paul teaches us that philosophy and vain deceit has a way of spoiling our faith in God and should be guarded against so that it does not rob our simple faith in Christ. Words of sensational enticement are designed for a quick bump in the mind, but the heart stays unchanged. Many will pay dearly for a bump of mental stamina, but have little to show for it because the power therein is but mere human echo.

When the Holy Spirit speaks, it is with demonstration and not replication. It is never enticing but is a wooing of hope in times of necessity and refuge to the hungry. When God speaks, it is not information but demonstration. It is an answer by way of propagation and enactment filled with strength that does not come from mere nature. When the Holy Spirit speaks, it is more impartation than words. It propagates a spiritual outcome in the life and heart of a man. When God speaks, it brings man’s questions to silence. When man speaks, it causes more questions. Man’s enticing words of self-wisdom will point you to the place of roving treasure. When God speaks, he fills your earthen vessel with wonderful treasure.

The Lord helps us to avoid being enticed by the impressiveness of man and to rather be drawn to the glory that is demonstrated from Heaven. He helps us to sit at the well of His word and not at the swell of man’s concepts. The power that God works within us is capable of things far superior to that which our own hands can form. He can change our surroundings and bring us His favor and blessing for His glory.  Let us never forget nor neglect the Lord in our conquest to fulfill our daily duties upon the Earth.

Lord, might we always rely on strength that is not visible but that which comes from faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit so that we are not tempted to draw honor to ourselves. Success is not ours but yours and we are in you through death and resurrection by the Holy Spirit.  Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth. You are our wealth and control the cattle on a thousand hills.

When a task is before us it is in the provision of God that we trust not the ways of man. There is a verse that I hold near to me always. Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established. This is how He directs my writings and messages and all decisions I make going forth. Hallelujah!

Do My Prophets No Harm

Psalm 105:15 Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.     

It seems that the church at large has not benefited much from the gift of the prophets in the last 60 years. There is, however, a multitude of pastors who have made mega-profits in today’s churches. When the true prophets are harmed, the church turns into a social club where sports become the excitement—replacing the Holy Spirit’s presence and the thirst after righteousness. A place filled with many programs for every class of persuasion where everyone can be at ease. The church has to be responsible for everyone now.

The home has lost its calling to raise and teach its children because we spend our spare time benefiting our own affections in activities that are self-extolling. We have designed our lives to be proactive for our self, and passive with God. It is easy to criticize God’s people, and yet we idolize corrupt sports figures without hesitation. We praise and admire the wicked and pass judgment on the holy. The wicked can easily be praised and the holy can be willfully debilitated with glee.

It is in the middle of this unreceptive environment called “church” that the true prophet calls people back to God. He speaks with his life first, and refuses to entangle himself with the activities that require no cross. He is on unfamiliar territory where Jesus is not the theme. His clumsy conversation offers no thrill to the popular trends of personal attainment among that which is highly esteemed among men. Why is he so out of touch with the stars of Hollywood and sports? Because he is in touch with the holiness of Heaven. The gift of a prophet is hidden in his burden.

I have met many people in my 30-plus years of ministry who have called themselves prophets; but I have never met a prophet of God who called himself a prophet. Many of these self-proclaimed prophets are not gifted from God but have a natural untamed ability to be reckless and bold with their own preferences. The modern church-world has accustomed themselves to calling a certain bold untamed personality a prophet. These are not prophets from God. The prophets of God do not fit this description at all. Being a true prophet of God is not based on a natural gift or weakness of character. It is based on a gift that comes from the Holy Spirit. New Testament prophets are not accusers or finger pointers. They point us to God with the anointing of conviction and wooing.

Let us be aware of prophets that seek to disrupt and to undo the workings of God in clever ways. The Bible is quite clear that these can even do miracles and that there are many of them. Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. These prophets are false and they have agendas like wolves. They create chaos; they tear up the sheep but are disguised in clothing that appears mild and humble. The clothing is fashioned in the disguise of burden-like substance. The word “ravening” means they are excessively rapacious to disrupt, destroy, and undo that which God has done or is doing. All we are asked to do with such is to be aware of them. They can become your enemy in a second!

Why are we not to harm the true prophets of God? Firstly, they operate and function under God’s authority. They are not roaming lions. They are subjected and balanced with wisdom that is alone from God. God will never let the Holy Spirit’s call and gift become unauthorized. The submission is why it carries so much power and authority. It is the order that God chose to operate all His gifts and callings under. Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. V.2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

If we harm the prophets of God, we harm the message they share concerning returning to faith and love toward God. A harmed prophet will no more have the message to bring back that which is lost. That sound of heaven that draws the church back to persistence is gone. When the prophet of God is harmed, the church will love the world. The love and fear of God will vanish quickly without the people even knowing until it has become a dreadful situation. It is easy to quote God’s prophets of the past and just as easy to destroy God’s prophets in our presence. The anointed we do not touch, the prophets we do not harm!

Matthew 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. V. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.