The New Thing…

First of all can I say that this is not a post against new things of God. I have posted before about being led into new seasons and opportunities and I pray that I am always open and soft hearted to the Holy Spirit’s leading into the new. God’s ways are so much higher than ours and our Father God is sovereign over all.

I have noticed though this dangerous trend appearing of the constant pursuit of the “new things of God” and a strange and worrying inertia has developed towards spiritual disciplines such as prayer, bible study, discipleship and service whilst the “new spiritual thing” is being pursued.

There is a danger that we can start to become dissatisfied with how things are currently and start to chase the “new” things or “new” doctrines or “new” ways because they are exciting and appeal to our flesh and our senses. We can then be vulnerable to false doctrine and false teaching. It can become all about the spiritual experience we are having.

Some of the prophecies and descriptions of heavenly encounters/visitations with God that I have read recently are shocking in their complete contradiction to God’s Word but people are believing them and appear to hang off every word. Believers start to follow that “prophet” or “apostle” for the latest word and teaching which then starts to subtly dominate our thinking rather than Christ’s teachings in Scripture.

Some prominent Christian leaders are starting to challenge these false prophecies and teachings but have come under tremendous attacks for doing so. This isn’t right. We are as disciples of Christ Jesus all responsible to weigh and test such matters and to discern the false. We shouldn’t be surprised that there are false teachers and false prophets or wolves amongst the flock. It has always been so from the Old Testament times to now. Jesus warned us explicitly about them and so did the Apostles in their teachings. We need to heed those warnings.

This doesn’t mean we go on a witch hunt, reject everything out of hand, persecute or act out of suspicion and fear, but we have confidence in knowing the word of God and the comfort of the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth to guide us. We have fellow believers to talk our concerns over with. We have spiritual leaders who are responsible for us. Talk to them.

I have been invited to meetings in which you are encouraged to seek a “word” or “prophecy” from God which is just for you and a “manifest” or “power” encounter with the Holy Spirit. There has been no preaching of the Word but a “seeking” time. The meeting seemed more focussed on us/me getting what I wanted out of an encounter with God and “prophetic words” were 2 a penny. It would be easy to get swept along in such an atmosphere but it seemed to me that the spiritual gifts were being worshipped, and those operating in the them put on a pedestal as being such a “spiritual” person, rather than God being glorified as the giver of the gifts.

This way of doing things seemed all back to front to me. If we are serious in our pursuit of God’s ways and want instruction and direction for our lives then first and foremost we must read our bibles and pray. If we are seeking God then He will answer us. If it is something specific then we may receive a confirmatory word of knowledge or wisdom from another believer which will strengthen us or correct us if we are off course.

When there is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in a place people turn up in droves. I can understand that as it was the same in Jesus’ day, he drew very large crowds. There is a hunger in us for God and His manifest presence. However, Discernment is essential to ensure that we do not go off track and are sucked into “experiences” for experiences sake. The sensual can corrupt very easily. It is not easy for leaders in these situations and they need Godly wisdom.

There has been such a burden on my heart recently about how we as believers in the body of Christ understand, recognise and treat the Holy Spirit and the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. Holiness, respect, and the reverence and fear of the Lord is key. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus and brings conviction of sin. The Holy Spirit gives power to us to overcome temptation and to stand strong in our faith. The gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit are given for the benefit of others.

The Holy Spirit is not at our beck and call. The Holy Spirit’s presence is not commanded or summoned by us but is welcomed. Any spirit that is summoned or commanded by us is an unholy and false spirit.

There is a portion of Scripture in Jeremiah 6 which has been on my heart recently:

“Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. but they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Indeed their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot give heed. Behold, the word of the Lord is a reproach to them; They have no delight in it.”