Quote:
Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord
Your opinions and thoughts are always welcome and appreciated, VS. I know that your heart is sincere, and that what you say and what you believe are one and the same. I would like to agree to disagree, as I see and understand your point of view, but I am coming from a different perspective. Even though it does seem that you have cast more severe judgment on me for not agreeing with you  But that is fine too, because when you open up discussion like this, it is not likely to find too many that all agree, so again, I do appreciate your involvement in this post.  |
Hi, Sis (and to all)
I hope it is realized that I have not and do not ever post out of animosity or because I have begrudged someone. I haven't done so in this post, or anywhere else.
Usually, when I disagree with something I read on here (not that is happens a lot; it usually comes in waves with peaks and valley's) I take a moment to consider what value is there in speaking up and putting my thoughts out there. As I've stated elsewhere, I usually don't see the need to go around being the Correction Police. I don't presume to be anyone's authority here.
But this post, to me, is and was different. The original post quoted the Lord in first person, as though He, through you, was the One who was actually speaking.
I am not against that, per se. But when someone does that, it is what the Bible calls "presuming to speak in the name of the Lord" (
Deuteronomy 18:20). Whether anyone else thinks so or not, speaking for the Lord in first person is an attempt, righteous or not, at prophesying. It may not feel like it, or take on what otherwise may be considered traditional prophecy, but it is.
If you look at the vast majority of the prophets in the Old Testament, they all speak in first person on behalf of the Lord. We are commanded, that if anyone ever does that, to judge it, to determine if such a thing would truly be said by God.
We do so by comparing the "thus saith the Lord" moment with the already revealed Word of God in Scripture. I believe I have done a better than average job (with MtD and n_david, too) showing how it appears that your original post and what Christ already and actually said about the wheat and tares just doesn't match. We're in obvious disagreement.
But it is good that you are praying about it. I am, too.
For me, and not really "for me", since it's a principle in the Bible, instituted by the Maker long before I ever came around, that any such "words" must be tested and verified against THE WORD. If and when such "words" don't appear to match up, something must be said; at the very least an admonishment, intended to suggest, with proving why, such a "word" is mistaken and how such a mistake is inherently dangerous. Not just for the speaker, but also for all who read.
Scripture is replete with examples of people being emboldened by the example set forth and first by others, both for the good, but also for the bad. A "if s/he can do it, why can't I?" attitude permeates the human race.
Therefore, great, and I must emphasize, GREAT care and carefulness must be implemented any time anyone "presumes to speak in the name of the Lord", i.e. on His behalf in first person.
It's not about judging or condemning. I don't judge you less saved, less righteous, less sanctified, or any such thing. But there is a grave error to be made when we eschew the fear of the Lord and decide it's not as important as it really should be, to speak on God's behalf.
I think any saint can agree, that if ever we develop a subjective attitude toward the Word of God while at the same time, we become objective about our not provable experiences in prayer, we are taking a terrible risk.
No one likes it when someone comes along and takes their words, twists them, changes their meaning, and thus, falsely represents you to others.
And yet, we do this to God and Christ all of the time, like it's no big deal.
It's a way bigger deal to do it to God or to Christ than ever it is when someone does it to us.
That's all that I really wanted to get across. It wasn't about disproving your wheat and tares idea, although I don't think it is accurate. The main point is me hoping that all who, going forward, read this post (and all who already have), take a second, and reconsider presuming to speak in the name of the Lord in first person.
To do so and be wrong is a terrible, terrifying mistake, as the Scriptures make abundantly plain.
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