"We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.... Beware when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets." --- James 3:2, Luke 6:26
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So over at Facebook I posted what 'Joe Schmoe' had written. Awesome thoughts! Words I agreed with totally.
Soon, someone left me a link stating, "Joe Schmoe is a false prophet."
I laughed aloud! Thought, "Honey, did you eat the whole batch of Rum Cookie Balls or something?" ツ
Seriously. Do you know how many online pages proclaim my dearly-loved Joyce Meyer is a false prophet? Do you believe they mean anything to me?
Ha! Twenty-five years ago--
I checked-out Joyce Meyer for myself.
I watched her show.
Sat there with the Holy Spirit beside me. Listened. Laughed. Learned.
Painted whole rooms while playing Joyce cassettes.
Took her with me on car trips, even, via recordings.
Oh, what the Holy Spirit taught me those early years!
And I thought for myself. Didn't listen to words about Joyce, but rather, listened to her.
I made up my own mind.
What if, instead, I'd let some goofball prophet-hater guide me elsewhere? Oh, what I would have missed! I'd be me still, but a limping sort of me. A wonky, weary, Spirit-not-led Debra. Yikes.
An interesting fact?
All of my favorite Bible teachers (and pundits) are on websites blasting them, labeling them as false.
All. Of. Them. So don't waste your time leaving me links to them.
People labeled as false prophets are not automatically a false prophet to God. Let's all get a clue, ok? Let's run past that weird quasi-Christian fear that whines, "Oh! If you hear something new, it'll lead you astray and the Holy Spirit is too weak to bring you back."
It's that waiting for a perfect man or woman who never makes a mistake that screws us up. The world did have that one-and-only perfect person--and they killed Him.
But not before He said, "If they hated me, they'll hate you. Count on it."
The ones we need to beware of today? Those with no online false prophet pages, only accolades.
Think about it.
"Folks is too ready to call other folks crazy." --from The Golden Road by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Oh, that we all would return to making up our own minds, thinking things through, being Holy-Spirit-led rather than following the loudest voices ...
Oooooo.... This video did my vintage-loving heart much good. Happy sigh.
"...those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." --- Romans 8:5, James 1:19,20
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"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15
Isn't it a relief to be able to think for yourself?! When we're young, sometimes we're swayed by the pressure to conform to others, but as we grow in the Lord, we learn to listen to the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteOh Debra, I so enjoyed tripping down memory lane watching the video of the 1960s. Loved it!! Happy 4th of July to you and Tom! God bless America!!!
Pam--yes! In Today's world we've got to be able to think for ourselves and listen to the Holy Spirit more than ever for wow, the lies are flying fast and thick. So happy you enjoyed the video! I do like my trips to the olden times. heh. Thanks for commenting! Blessings, Debra
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by to say "hi" and to let you know that I'm still here and reading even though I'm still behind (I'll get caught up one day … I hope! lol)
ReplyDeleteAs always, your posts are such an encouragement and I appreciate you more than I can say (as I'm sure ALL of your readers do!)
Have an awesome day!
Debi
Hey Debbie! I thought I'd answered your comment here already. Oh my... But I do want to thank you for your always-encouraging comments which I appreciate so much. I'm so glad my writing blesses you and that you read here so faithfully! Blessings, Debra
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