For What It's Worth ...

I heard that both services that I missed at NewHeart today were awesome, with some "fireworks" present at the 10:30 celebration. If you didn't catch it, I guess there was a person who was being a bit disruptive and had to be dealt with, which we do LOVINGLY, but FIRMLY.

If you were there and DIDN'T notice it ... GOOD! We'll see how the Lord orders this week in dealing with that situation. That aside, it doesn't surprise me that as we draw closer to Jesus together during this season of "Turning Challenges Into Miracles", that the enemy of your soul and mine would try to throw our focus off of Jesus.

Occasionally we have to (ANY Church has to) deal with someone who becomes disruptive "in Jesus' Name". In other words, they are great-hearted and good people, but can have and hold an attitude or opinion that what is happening in the service should not be happening the way it is.

So, they will try to "correct" what is happening in a disruptive way, all the time claiming they are speaking on behalf of the Holy Spirit, as though no one else leading the service is sensitive to what God is saying at the time. When you speak with them about it, they will often claim that they can't help it, as though God has taken them over in a way that is uncontrollable to them, which is actually unscriptural. They will also often claim that they are untouchable because they are "functioning in or with the anointing of the Holy Spirit."

The Apostle Paul wrote that, "The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." (1 Corinthians 14:32-33, NIV) When someone is given a word of knowledge or wisdom, or a prophecy to be shared with the whole Church, they are never subjected to an "uncontrollable unction".

It ought always be shared with the authority and permission of the church leadership, whoever that may be at the time. On a day like today when I am not present as the Pastor, there is always someone else who is in charge. Today, that was Pastor John, and I think he did a great job handling the circumstance, along with some other wise and discerning leaders.

More than anything, when this does occur, it's a sign of the person's immaturity and lack of biblical understanding of the function of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Two of the signs I look for as a test of whether or not someone has an authentic word from the Lord are humility and peace. When there is a lack of one or both of those qualities present in what someone shares, you will likely find someone functioning more in the flesh than in the Spirit.

James wrote, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:13-18, NIV)

Didn't mean to turn that into a sermon, but just thought I'd toss that out there for affirmation and encouragement. At NewHeart, we fully accept, believe in, and desire to see more of the function of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and endeavor to do so in right order and Godliness, so that the whole body is built up and strengthened.

Food for thought ...