In the last article we saw the need for a balanced perspective when judging.
For that, we need the light and discernment of the Spirit, His wisdom and revelation in a situation apart from what we hear and see. We need His heart; His word applied in situations under His Spirit’s guidance. It is more than information gathering!
Even if we research everything thoroughly, we still need HIM. HIS MIND AND HEART before coming to conclusions! Understanding comes from waiting on Him and from Him shining His light! Or else we will end up conveying only people’s perspectives or our own perceived perspectives and conclusions missing Him and what He wants to do through those situations. Here in is wisdom. Are my conclusions based on wanting to see redemption, healing and restoration in everyone involved?
We also need to know the difference between Him brining things to the light and the enemy dredging up things of the past.
In today’s culture, bringing out people’s mistakes through social media (much needed today) is becoming a norm. However, it is happening without oversight or accountability (like the many movements within the charismatic movement which didn’t have proper oversight). Even though currently, God is using several of these exposures to accomplish His purposes, if left the way they are currently, they can become dangerously harmful in the hands of men and women with their own selfish interests at heart. It will be used by the enemy to sow even greater discord, confusion and division within the body.
Humility and vulnerability because of it are important foundations any judgement should be based on. If not, we will judge excessively and not be able to see when we error! Today people are quick to judge others’ motives and are calling them FALSE, some even pronouncing their final judgement. Do you not know that only God searches the hearts and intents of men? Are you sure you have the SPIRIT when calling a person false or when discrediting their ministry? Do you not know that the same measure you judge others, you will be judged on?
Now having said all of that, one cannot deny the elephant in the room! The charismatic movement needs a drastic course change!
In regards to the prophetic movement, several respected figures who were an integral part of it earlier no longer believe in its prophetic history today. These are men from within the movement not without. Not only that, but they also have serious concerns over the character and the giftings of those who were involved in the start of this movement.
Also, looking at the current fruit of the movement there are not many things to highlight on or be proud of, because of the serious errors that are obvious even to the simple!
Now the question in people’s heart who genuinely love and have been part of the movement is; when a movement’s inception has had serious flaws and so also its eventual fruit, can the whole thing still be or have been authentic?
In scripture:
God raised the greatest king of Israel, a man after His own heart in David when kingship wasn’t His will at all. The concept of having a king was birthed in the flesh but still He used the foundations that one of the kings, David laid and a few other kings later preserved for JESUS the king of kings to come!
Now, if one may say; God redeemed it and so the eventual fruit was good. It was the opposite, the kings in the end were so bad that Israel lost its kings and kingdom. The ending was far worse than the beginning. However, God used the foundations laid and preserved by the righteous kings in between to establish His kingdom eventually and eternally.
Solomon’s birth and his ending (from what we know) was totally contrary to God’s will. Can we erase Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and song of songs because of that? Neither can we discredit or disavow the temple he built for God and the many other things he did for Him.
In regards to the prophetic ministry, in addition to its many positive contributions ( in the earlier article), it has also been instrumental in the restoration of both the prophetic and apostolic ministries within the body of Christ in our times, While there have always been those who have functioned in the prophetic and there have been prophets over the years, this current movement has brought in a greater and much complete understanding of the prophetic office and gifts, helping His body (to look )to walk in the prophetic and apostolic authority as a whole.
So, to discredit it entirely as people are so quick to do so currently is not a wise thing!
Having said all of that, serious concerns remain. With great fear and trembling, I say this; this may very well be the generation mentioned in Matthew 7:21 to 23. As things have come to the light, we know that several have been living sinful lifestyles, practicing deceit in ministry, not just a momentary lapse of judgement or a season of missing the mark.
How can one represent the Spirit of truth with lies and deceit? It’s a great insult to the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of prophecy! Have can one be still held as a shepherd or leader in God’s house if he has been abusing God’s own children. Don’t we know God has reserved a portion for such men and women along with the unbelievers??
If we have given credence to such people, we need to repent in dust and ashes. It seems we have drifted so far from His Spirit losing all discernment! We haven’t realized these things greatly vex Him. Or do we really know His Spirit? For He will not walk alongside anyone for long in this pathway, where liars and abusers are allowed to represent Him. Do not be deceived, brethren!
I can assuredly say this; He is really grieved over the sin we have allowed to grow as yeast defiling many! He burns with zeal for the purity of His bride.
This is a season He is allowing His bride to see the tares which have been growing alongside. YOU WILL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUIT! He will execute His wrath and vengeance in the end. He withholds judgment now, out of mercy and love for the wheat, not the tares. For many of us are so intertwined with them that if God uproots the deceivers, we will also be greatly damaged and therefore He waits patiently.
Come out from amongst them my people! These are times of separation! If you are not seeing genuine repentance in any person or ministry with a sinful lifestyle or practices, it is time to disassociate from them. Or else we will be swept away with their deceptions or at the least experience great loss in the coming times.
Having written these current thoughts (on grieving the Spirit) under divine inspiration, I see God’s endless love and mercy in bringing these things to light on this side of eternity giving everyone a chance to repent! Regardless of how great the sin may have been and how long it may have been there is still room for forgiveness, if we turn to Him in humility and genuine repentance. He is merciful, gracious and faithful to forgive us of all our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. These acts of exposures are the depths of God’s mercy revealed to all of us that we are not judged along with the world one day!
The abuse of His body and His bride is great! Many have been exploited, misled, raped, abused and deceived for the personal gain and selfish interests of a few! Great is the pain of those who have been abused! Arise O Lord! In mercy execute judgement! How long O Lord? Bring healing to your bride!
Behold she arises from the dust and ashes in all glory and splendor as of the Son of God Himself! This world once again sees the power of God displayed through His body not just a select few. The victims in the body who are wounded and struggling, are finding their voice today seeking healing and redemption for themselves. Soon the victors in His body will trumpet the voice of the Lord to the world, bringing healing and redemption to the multitudes! Amen! MARANATHA!
(TO BE CONTINUED)
