Blindly Follow Leaders? Really?

A quick look at Psalm 105:15 seems to defend preachers who ask their followers to blindly follow them.  Anyone who asks questions or who disagrees with those in authority, even when their concerns are expressed in love and respect, is branded as being rebellious.  

What is this verse REALLY saying?"

I too have wondered about the psalmist’s intention. I think it's time to place it into its proper context, and then to confront any misapplications.  The psalmist writes, "Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm" (NIV).

While I appreciate those around me who pray for, love and support me, I'm always mindful of the fact that I also need accountability.  No one is right all the time.  Preachers are not infallible; however, the Scriptures require that those who labor in the gospel be treated with respect.

Admittedly, God uses imperfect vessels to deliver His perfect message!  To be sure, the Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 5:17 that "the elders (pastors) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching."  The writer to the Hebrews tells us to "obey your leaders and submit to their authority.  They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.  Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you" (13:17).  Individuals who cruelly dissect messages, who publicly ridicule, and who speak openly against the faults of those who guard their soul, open themselves up to God’s dissatisfaction. 

With this being said, I personally find it difficult to receive correction, criticism and/or rebuke from those who do not support my calling and ministry with their prayers, friendship, and respectful attitudes.  It is equally difficult to submit to leaders who seldom come around, or who never invest themselves in my life.  However, these verses need to be put into balance.

I don't believe anyone should be manipulated, maligned, or mistreated in the house of God.  It should be a safe haven.  Pastors should not lord over their people and the "sheep" should honor the position of pastor, each submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord.  The Apostle Peter makes this clear: "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who will also share in the glory to be revealed.  Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" (1 Peter 5:1-4). 

It's both wonderful and sobering to know that true pastors one day are going to receive a crown of glory!

Unfortunately and sadly, some misguided pastors and church leaders who maintain unreasonable control and who micro-manage their people sometimes quote Psalm 105:15 to support their delinquency.  This is tragic.  

Conversely, there are "Alexander the Coppersmiths" (2 Timothy 4:14) in every church at some point.  I know, because I've pastored some of them!  You may recall that Alexander the coppersmith was the "metalworker [who] did the Apostle Paul much harm."  He was an evil man who followed Paul and continually undermined his ministry.  However, such people are very rare.  Thank God!  Surely you would agree that blatantly evil people should be dealt with decisively and harshly.  Souls are at stake!  This scenario represents the extreme side of things. 

I keep diverting...Psalm 105:15 is nestled in a brief account of Israel's wanderings.  God had promised the children of Israel, the descendants of Abraham, the land of Canaan "as the portion they would inherit" (verse 11).  When kings and nations tried to oppress God's people, He intervened.  His people never suffered destruction, even when famine destroyed the land.  God always raised up a leader, a protector, a guardian of His covenant.  In this case, He chose Joseph (verses 17-19).

The "anointed ones" in verse 15 refer to the people of Israel--God's covenant people.  The "prophets" refer to God's spokesmen who revealed God's Word and ways for each successive generation.  Psalm 105:15 balances God's loving concern for those who lead with those who are led.  By the way, this same passage is found in 1 Chronicles 16:19-22.  In today's economy of grace, we who are indwelled by the Spirit are all "anointed."

As far as I can tell, the psalmist understood the priesthood of all believers--those who are indwelled by the Holy Spirit--and reminded them that God is their covenant maker and covenant protector.  None of us--preachers included--should use this verse to justify wrong attitudes and actions in the house of God.  The Christian life is best lived out in mutual love and respect for others.  None of us should try to control, manipulate, judge, or wrongly use our influence, and when challenged use this verse to justify our actions.

You see, we do the Word, God, others and ourselves a gross injustice when we pull Bible verses out of context to support our misguided attitudes.  Pulling rabbits out of a hat may be okay at the circus, but pulling verses out of context and at random always gets us into trouble.

Yes, honor the men and women of God who teach and preach.  And pray that they "live a life worthy of the calling [they] have received" (Ephesians 4:1).  Remember, however, that verse 2 balances out the whole thing:  "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

The Bible is not to be used as a club when we need support and justification for misguided actions.  It is a double-edged sword that exposes the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

More Than Cursing

What does it mean to take the Lord’s Name in vain?  Have you given this thought?  Let me suggest several ways:

The most obvious way one takes His precious Name in vain is by using it through cursing. When folks use the Name of God and Jesus Christ to express ungodly emotional outbursts, how this must grieve His heart.  God's last name is not "Damn," and Jesus Christ is so holy and precious; so when people use His Name in such an appalling manner, they curse the only Name that can save them!

A second way God's Name is used vainly is when people use His Name, but do not direct their thoughts and exclamations to His Person.  Let me explain.  Often we hear people say, "Oh my God!"  It's all too easy to get caught up in this misguided phrase.  Throughout the Psalms David and others continually use this phrase, but only when they address God Himself.  When employed in this manner, God receives praise, reverence and glory.  For example, In Psalm 63:1 we read, "Oh my God, You are my God, I shall seek You earnestly."  David is directing His thoughts to his God.

However, when we haphazardly use the phrase, "Oh my God" to voice our displeasure or surprise, our focus is not on God.  We take the awesomeness of His Name and misdirect it. We apply it irreverently.  When I was growing up, we were discouraged from saying, "Gosh, Gee, or heck," for these expressions were thought to be substitutes for God, Jesus and hell. Regardless of the validity of such thinking, it behooves us as believers to guard the use of questionable nouns!  So, if you use the phrase, "Oh my God," make sure it's Him to whom you are speaking.

There's a third way we use God's Name in vain.  It's perhaps more subtle than the first two. It disguises itself nicely under the cloak of spirituality!  When we use His Name without permission, we use it in vain.  How many times have believers said, "God told me," or "God spoke to me" to manipulate or control a situation?  Still, others use His Name to get what they want.  Saints, only use His Name when you get permission from the Throne.  Don't misquote the Lord!  Don't use His Name to support your selfish ambitions or to feed your self-centered desires.  Don't use His Name meaninglessly!

In recent years the phrase, “prophetic word” has filled the ranks of I think well-meaning believers; but never have I witnessed such abuse.  Many times people give “pathetic words!”  I don’t have time to elaborate in this blog, but supposed personal revelations that many times do not come into alignment with God’s Word have brought confusion and even false teaching, all the while using God’s Name to misdirect people.  God forbid that we use His precious Name to bring hurt into peoples’ lives.

Finally, we take the Lord's Name in vain when we worship Him with our mouth, but do not honor Him with our hearts.  The Old Testament prophets repeatedly directed this indictment toward Israel.  Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13 when He said, "The people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from Me; but in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men" (Matthew 15:8-9)

The Lord is looking for heartfelt, true worshipers.  He wants us to put our hearts where our mouths are and vice versa.  Determine in your heart to sincerely honor the Lord's Name, both in conduct and word.  His Name is earth's most precious.  One songwriter said, "He's the hope of earth and joy of heaven."  Don't you love His Name?

No Couch Potatoes Allowed!

Have you ever met a lazy person?  Some years ago, a   woman said to me, “I think my son has a “spirit of laziness.”

Personally, I do not subscribe to the "spirit (demon) behind every bush" theology.  Many times we attach the word "spirit" to something, when in reality the problem is an attitude, a fleshly issue or a negative stronghold in our lives.

The Bible does indeed identify at least several "spirits."  Let me name a few:

Spirit of heaviness (depression)--Isaiah 61:3

Spirit of holiness--Romans 1:4

Spirit of bondage--Romans 8:15

Spirit of slumber (the result of hardened hearts)--Romans 11:8

Spirit of meekness--1 Corinthians 4:21

Spirit of faith--2 Corinthians 4:13

Spirit of wisdom--Ephesians 1:17

Spirit of fear--2 Timothy 1:7

Spirit of truth and the Spirit of error--1 John 4:6

Used in these contexts, the word "spirit" refers to an outside spiritual influence that attaches itself to the soul of a person--his mind, will and emotions.  These can be either positive or negative.  They are spiritual influences that "hold on" and which become strongholds.  

A stronghold by definition is a system of thinking, attitudes, beliefs and expectations that develop over a period of time.  To summarize, a "spirit" involves an external force, while a stronghold builds from within a person.  One does, however, feed into the other.  Both attach themselves to the soul of a person.  Remember, the Christian life is played out on the battlefield of the mind. (FYI…there are of course, positive strongholds, too).

Take a few minutes to read Proverbs 6:1-15.  The preacher talks about the lazy person, or the sluggard.  Let me single out verses 3-5.  "Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, go humble yourself, and importune your neighbor.  Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids; deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter's hand and like a bird from the hand of the fowler."

What is he saying?  Notice three very important phrases here: "deliver yourself," "humble yourself," and again "deliver yourself."  In other words, take responsibility for your actions and habits.  Years ago Chuck Swindoll wrote, "Sow a thought, reap an attitude.  Sow an attitude, reap a habit.  Sow a habit, reap a character.  Sow a character, reap a destiny."  We are responsible not for the thoughts that knock on our mind gate, but for what we do with those thoughts.

Laziness is a choice.  People choose to become lazy.  Some spirit named "LAZY" does not attach itself to anyone.  Lazy people, through their own volition, make a choice to be lazy.  They need to be renewed in the "spirit of (their) mind" (Romans 12:2).  In other words, they need to re-train their mind to be productive and to develop a strong work ethic.

Let's go back to Proverbs 6.  Verses 9-11 say, "How long will you lie down, O sluggard?  When will you arise from your sleep?  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest--Your poverty will come in like a vagabond and your need like an armed man."

Laziness is a personal choice, not a spirit.  The Apostle Paul was rather hard on laziness when he told the believers in Thessalonica, "...if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.  For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all..." (2 Thessalonians 3:10-11).  In this case, laziness was not a spirit, but an attitude.  Freeloaders have been around a long time!

Lazy people need to re-think their position, change their attitude, make a character adjustment and get up from the couch!  In closing, sometimes it takes harsh circumstances to get through to some people.  Ask the prodigal son, who after spending his inheritance, found out that corn husks and pig pens are everything they're cracked up to be!

Perhaps lazy people need to be served a summons to become productive – an ultimatum, if you please.  The preacher gave the sluggard an ultimatum in Proverbs 6.  Remember, laziness is not a spirit; it’s a choice that may lead to an unproductive lifestyle.  God forbid! 

God's Will for Your Life?

I remember wondering that very question when I was a teenager.  It seemed to me that finding God's will was such a mysterious, hard-to-understand issue--almost a shot in the dark!  

David says in Psalm 48:8, "I delight to do Your will, O my God..."  Another often-quoted verse pertaining to the will of God is Romans 12:2, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

A lot of Christians talk about the perfect and permissible will of God, using this verse as a support.  However, I don't have time or space to elaborate on this teaching.  Another verse that comes to mind is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification..."  Paul specifically mentions sanctification as it relates to possessing our "vessel (body) in sanctification and honor."

From these passages and more, we discover that God does have a plan and purpose for our lives.  We also learn that above all, His will is that we allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify our lives--in these cases, our minds and bodies.

This subject cannot be adequately treated in this venue, but allow me to offer two principles that I have always operated by when it came to the specific will of God in my life:

1.  First, I believe the will of God is tied in to the gifts and desires God places within each one of us.  

In Psalm 37:4, David says to "Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart."  God does not want us to simply exist.  He desires that we walk in "fullness of joy."  He will not require you to go through life unfulfilled.  He has placed within you special gifts and talents to use for His glory.

What do you like to do?  What incites passion in your life?  What motivates you toward excellence?  What do you often think about?  What desires and assignments has God placed within your spiritual DNA?

God will sponsor what He initiates!

Ask Him to fine-tune your desires.  Remember, "Your steps are ordered" (Psalm 37:23).  God is not an Indian giver.  What He deposits inside you, He wishes to use!  But please, try to avoid a "hocus-pocus, waving the magic wand" mentality when it comes to knowing the will of God for your life.  Don't make it so mystical or super-spiritual.  However, don't be surprised either if God uses another believer to confirm what He's already placed within your heart!

2.  Second, I believe the will of God is always accompanied by perfect peace.  

"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3). When making important decisions in life, I refuse to move ahead until I experience God's perfect peace regarding the matter at hand.

When my son Zach began driving, he and I went car shopping.  He found a car that he could both afford and one he really liked.  He talked to the dealer and made arrangements to sign the necessary papers the following day.  However, as the day wore on, he became more and more unsettled.  Neither did I have peace about the car.  When I shared my concerns with Zach, he proceeded to share his hesitations with me.  Later, circumstances proved us right, and we were both so glad we did not follow through with the purchase.  The peace of God saved the day (or in our case, a lack of peace).

The will of God is such a vast subject to discuss; however, I've touched upon two very critical principles, which I feel strongly factor into this subject.  I hope this abbreviated discussion helps you walk in God’s continued will.