Listen To Me

You should keep asking each other, ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What is the LORD saying?’ But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the LORD.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. [Jeremiah 23.35-36]

This passage is as applicable today as it ever was!

How many are out there saying, "Thus sayeth the LORD..." that are really just using the phrase to 'secure the floor' so they can say what they want? Sometimes people use this phrase instead of just saying, "Listen to me!" It may not be that what they have to say is necessarily wrong, but it could be.

The point is, our walk with God should silently prophesy every day what the LORD is saying.

It is simply not enough to 'say,' "You are healed." At some point, the healing needs to manifest! Otherwise, we are no different than the ones scolded above. 

It is not enough to say, "It will (or will not) rain." At some point, the weather needs to change! 

It is not enough to say, "Mountain, be gone." At some point, the landscape needs to be altered!

Too often, we allow false words to go unchecked in the Body of Christ. At some point, the words must be fulfilled!

The real problem with making definitive statements (as humans) is that we are so easily impaired with pride. We are trained by the world to categorically reject any notion of humility. And yet, a relationship with God is nothing if it is not a lifetime of growth - which, in and of itself is an exercise of trial and error. But, pride never admits error.

I think back to Shadrach, Meshach and Obednego. they said, "God is able to deliver us..., but, even if He doesn't, we will not bow... [paraphrase]" you see, they were not proud in their statement about what God would do, but they were firm in their stance about what they would do. 

My point in this is that I am praying for specific healing for several people in my life. I am praying exactly what Jesus taught us all to pray (May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven). Now, I know there is no sickness in heaven. However, I also know that there is much on this earth that hinders our faith. So, if the person(s) I am praying for is not healed, it is not a God problem, it is a faith problem (and, as a faith problem, it is my problem). I must choose then, whether I will be proud and deny the real capacity within myself to fail, or be humble and keep praying obediently regardless of the outcome.

So, back to the scripture above... we must be very cautious about what we "claim" for God. Yes, there are times when God can speak through us. However, our attitude about it should never digress to the point that we become so arrogant to think we speak for God whether or not He told us to. Does that make sense?

For me recently, this has been an exercise of self-control in Sunday School or Men's Class settings. I usually have a LOT to comment on during the teaching (even though I am not the teacher). By purposefully keeping my opinions and comments to myself, I am learning that God gets his point across without my help. Should I say nothing? No - everyone should be engaged - but when one person is always making all the comments, others tend to keep quiet. And, when that happens, there is a great possibility that the fullest understanding of what is being taught will be missed.

"Oh, but I really think God speaks through me!" Yes, that may be true, but, according to the scripture above, we need to be asking each other, "What is God saying?"

Pride really is a problem we all need to focus on. I know I need to.

Father, thank You for what You are saying to me today.