Sometimes words aren't needed.....
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Keep It Simple....cuz it is.
A friend loaned me a book recently. It's the newest 'thing' right now, receiving a lot of press and praise. You know what I mean. A new book, ministry, thought ((insert the new thing here)) hits the atmosphere and suddenly a lot of oohing, aahing and "how did we make it this long without this?" follows.
Please don't misunderstand me. I know God gives light to His children to lead, guide and help them along the way. But I also know that some of these 'new things' aren't really from God. And some of the revelations, caution and direction are from the Father, they're just not book length or ministry-sized.
My friend's book was underwhelming. What the author spread across more than a hundred pages could've very easily been contained on one, perhaps two. As a discerning believer, I can sense when the Spirit isn't at work. As a writer, I know when empty words are in use. The author of my friend's book used nearly 40,000 of them to say what could and should have been said in less than a thousand.
That's bad enough, but the real issue is what those unneeded words contained: legalism and judging that directly contradicts the author's stated purpose: instruction on enjoying a vital relationship with God.
I won't mention the book title. It could be that the author, having received a sure word from God, allowed zeal to then guide the way, instead of the Holy Spirit. Fear, pride or a host of negative emotions could be the culprit. I know that the Spirit will lead back to the correct road, if allowed. I've seen this in both my writing and in my life.
So my admonition here is to the reader, not the writer. Be wary when the next 'new thing' shows up. Examine the spirit. Does this new thing come in the name of the Most High or by the will, talent and skill of man? Is it judgmental, belittling or cloaked in a 'I'm more spiritual than you therefore follow me' manner or is it powerful yet peaceful, pointing you to the Father with a 'you can do this!' spirit?
God doesn't leak out new revelation every six months or so. And this 'new level','deeper revelation' and 'fresh anointing' may be meaningless religious buzzwords and satanic devices designed to keep one outwardly focused instead of inwardly improving. Could it be that instead of desiring the new, the missing, the unchartered, we should do what we already know to do?
Could it be that simple?
I am the Lord. I change not.Malachi 3:6
What has been will be again,
what has been done will de done again
There is nothing new under the sun.
Is there anything of which it may be said
"See, this is new"?
It has already been here before us
Ecc. 1: 9-10
Please don't misunderstand me. I know God gives light to His children to lead, guide and help them along the way. But I also know that some of these 'new things' aren't really from God. And some of the revelations, caution and direction are from the Father, they're just not book length or ministry-sized.
My friend's book was underwhelming. What the author spread across more than a hundred pages could've very easily been contained on one, perhaps two. As a discerning believer, I can sense when the Spirit isn't at work. As a writer, I know when empty words are in use. The author of my friend's book used nearly 40,000 of them to say what could and should have been said in less than a thousand.
That's bad enough, but the real issue is what those unneeded words contained: legalism and judging that directly contradicts the author's stated purpose: instruction on enjoying a vital relationship with God.
I won't mention the book title. It could be that the author, having received a sure word from God, allowed zeal to then guide the way, instead of the Holy Spirit. Fear, pride or a host of negative emotions could be the culprit. I know that the Spirit will lead back to the correct road, if allowed. I've seen this in both my writing and in my life.
So my admonition here is to the reader, not the writer. Be wary when the next 'new thing' shows up. Examine the spirit. Does this new thing come in the name of the Most High or by the will, talent and skill of man? Is it judgmental, belittling or cloaked in a 'I'm more spiritual than you therefore follow me' manner or is it powerful yet peaceful, pointing you to the Father with a 'you can do this!' spirit?
God doesn't leak out new revelation every six months or so. And this 'new level','deeper revelation' and 'fresh anointing' may be meaningless religious buzzwords and satanic devices designed to keep one outwardly focused instead of inwardly improving. Could it be that instead of desiring the new, the missing, the unchartered, we should do what we already know to do?
Could it be that simple?
I am the Lord. I change not.
What has been will be again,
what has been done will de done again
There is nothing new under the sun.
Is there anything of which it may be said
"See, this is new"?
It has already been here before us
Ecc. 1: 9-10
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