Trap 4 Christians Fall Into: Playing "Holy Spirit Junior"

(This is the fourth in a series entitled: "8 Traps Christians Fall Into.")

TRAP 4 CHRISTIANS FALL INTO: PLAYING "HOLY SPIRIT JUNIOR"

"'And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin.'" (John 16:8a)

Part of the Holy Spirit's work on this planet ~ in people's lives ~ is to convict them of sin. It's in His job description to do this. And how many of you know the Spirit of God is the best at what He does!

And to the point of playing what I refer to as "Holy Spirit junior" ~ what I'm talking about when I say that is simply this. The believer (Christian) who takes over the convicting aspect of the Holy Spirit's work is doing just that ~ He's playing "Holy Spirit junior."

When you see something wrong in somebody else's life and you take it upon yourself to call them on the carpet for it ~ to "get in their face concerning it" ~ without God's direction ~ when you do this you're playing "Holy Spirit junior." You're doing His job.

CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO LOVE EACH OTHER

Christians aren't called to do the Spirit's job. Christians are called to love each other. They're called to forgive (Matthew 18:21-22) and pray for each other. (James 5:16) And certainly Christians are also called to confront each other at times. (Matthew 18:15-18). But I'd daresay that if that's all a particular believer does ~ if all he (or she) does is confront people on their sin, then he's (she's) likely doing most of it on his (her) own and not at God's urging.

The fact of the matter is the Holy Spirit simply doesn't need our help when it comes to this area ~ when it comes to making people the feel the godly sorrow that leads to repentance. (2 Corinthians 7:10) He really doesn't.

Let me give you a Biblical case in point.

THE EXAMPLE OF SIMON PETER

It was early in our Lord's ministry that He was out preaching and the people were crowding Him, as was typical. And because He was being crowded in upon, the Scripture says (in Luke 5:3) that Christ got into a boat.

Now this boat just happened to be Simon Peter's. And Jesus asked him to put out a little way from land so He could continue preaching. The Bible tells us what happened next...

[W]hen [Jesus] had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." (Luke 5:4)

Now the problem here was that Peter had been doing just that. He's been fishing the whole night before without any luck. But how many of you know that it's good to do what God says anyway ~ Amen? And this is exactly what Peter did. And in doing so ~ in obeying Jesus ~ you'll notice that v. 6 states...

[They therefore] enclosed a great quantity of fish; and their nets began to break. (Luke 5:6b)

So Peter and the fishermen with him enjoyed a great haul to the point that their boat began to sink, Luke 5:7 goes on to say, along with another boat they'd called over to help because there were so many fish.

HOW DOES PETER REALIZE HE WAS A SINFUL MAN?

But this isn't the part of the story I want to focus on with you. It's further down in the passage. It's Peter's response that I want you to notice. Luke 5:8 says...

But when Simon Peter saw that (when he saw the mighty catch and the boats sinking) ~ when ... Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man." (Luke 5:8)

Now how did Peter come to this conclusion? All he had seen was a miracle. And it wasn't like Jesus had pointed it out to him ~ his (Peter's) sins (at least directly ~ remember Peter had been in our Lord's presence when He was preaching). So how did Peter come to the conclusion that he was a sinner? Well, I'll tell you how I believe he did. It was because the Spirit of God convicted him. This is what made Peter realize he was a sinful man. It was the Holy Spirit at work on him that did it.

Again, God's Spirit is well able to deal with others when it comes to their sinfulness. Let us be careful to avoid the trap of thinking He needs us to help Him with it.

You might also be interested in:

• Trap 3 Christians Fall Into: Majoring on the Minors
• Trap 2 Christians Fall Into: Having a False View of Oneself

Are You Missing Something?

It was my first car. It wasn't running anymore. The reason? I'm embarrassed to say. But it's true. It really happened. I did it. It was stupid of me. I was so dumb! How could I do such a thing? Yeah, I'm putting off admitting my gaffe. But here goes. The reason my car wasn't running anymore (is that my wife calling me for dinner?) - it's because (gulp) I neglected putting oil in it.

In the parable of the Ten Virgins, Jesus spoke of missing oil, too. (Matthew 25:1-13) It could be that oil represented the Holy Spirit (and the lack of it the missing of His presence). It could be that oil represented a relationship with God (and the lack of it one that didn't exist).

The bottom line is people go through their entire life and they're missing something. And without it (the Holy Spirit, a relationship with God) everything they've lived for and everything they've ever done is to no avail, of no value, worthless.

It's like a car that isn't running anymore because of the neglect of the owner. Call a tow truck. To the junkyard it goes.

Are you missing something?

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• On a Dragon, a Boy, Sinners and Forgivenss
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Top 10 Signs Your Child Might Be the Son of God

So What About the "Santa" Hats?

I was a Catholic school boy in 4th grade. (I was a good boy, too, my mom always says.) That's when it happened. I heard my classmates talking about how Santa wasn't real. "No," I thought. "It couldn't be?" I was devastated. I didn't say a word until I got home. That's when my mom took me in my bedroom, shut the door and began to explain. I was sad. But I got over it.

And there are some (even Christians) who would condemn a parent for "lying" to their kids about Santa. These same people are okay with their own kids believing in a duck named "Donald" and a mouse named "Mickey." So when do they tell them they aren't for real?

And then there are those who condemn a believer for wearing a "Santa" hat to celebrate the Christmas season. First mistake: They assume they are "Santa" hats. Mine is a "holiday" hat AND it stands for something totally different.

(And this is from another post I wrote so I'm plagiarizing myself) Of course we're not replacing Christ with "Claus" by wearing a "Santa" hat. (We're not that stupid.)

Furthermore, we show Christianity as it should be: Not so stuck up and stale as it can sometimes become (for some).

Lastly, it offers an opportunity for us to share Jesus (the hats do). As I said a moment ago, mine stands for something totally different. The red stands for the blood of Jesus. (1 John 1:7) The white stands for His forgiveness that makes us white like snow. (Isaiah 1:18)

Get your hat on. ;D

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• 12 Things The Christmas Story Says About God
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The 99% (Occupy Jesus Street)

"'Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.'" (John 8:3-11)

We're confused. (Like the 99% crowd that was condemning the 1% woman in the above story.) We can't see straight. That's why Jesus came. Everything must be filtered through and weighed against the counsel of Scripture.

Christ's way of doing things is different than ours. (Isaiah 55:8-9) You see, we're always demanding our rights (especially in America). We're always wanting what's coming to us. (Oh, really?) We want justice! And we're gonna get it. Sometimes the church falls into the trap and backs our selfishness. (Matthew 24:24)

But Jesus never demanded His rights. Not once. He gave Himself over to God's plan and will. (Luke 22:42) If that meant He was to be taken advantage of, He gave Himself to it. (Matthew 5:39) That's hard for some "Christ followers" to get their minds around. (They're not really following Christ?)

To the degree that we die to self (Mark 8:34-35) will be to the same degree that we'll see clearly enough to deal with injustice. (Luke 23:34)

"'Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?'" (Matthew 7:3)

"'But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.'" (Romans 12:20)

"Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'" (Matthew 18:21-22)

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Holiday Season Heartache

"Tend ... the flock of God ... Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge." (1 Peter 5:2a, 3a; Amplified)

Can I just be honest with you? If you're a minister, preacher, on staff, even a volunteer at a church, the holiday / Christmas season can be (and is many times) a burden. It's true.

This is how it happens. You have outreaches planned, parades, free meals you're offering, etc., that you must and will be a part of. You've spent the last six months preparing for a holiday play ~ and in some churches with real animals to boot! (I don't know where the idea of competing with Hollywood crept in.) And all these other holiday season type things you're offering beyond what is already an overflow of regular commitments and expectations. (I've lived it.)

And if you daresay you can't participate / choose to do something else, you will be frowned upon and thought of as not very committed to Christ's cause. ("What's wrong with you?") If you don't think it takes place in the church, well....

And what happens is the holiday season, Christmas and Jesus at the center of it ~ it all becomes a blur for ministers and their families. It does! And you're really just trying to survive until you can have some alone time with your wife and kids (and personally). And you lose a piece of yourself. (Selah~pause to reflect)

Pastor's kids become bitter over it. Good, caring (and called) ministers eventually leave the ministry. (Many of them do.)

It simply ought not to be. It takes compassion (and courage) to change it.

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Disarmed

Having been "[deprived] of a weapon or weapons, the means of attack or defense." Disarmed. It's what happened to the Roman soldiers when they came to arrest Christ. (Do you remember?) "When Jesus said to them, I am He, they went backwards (drew back, lurched backward) and fell to the ground." (John 18:6; Amplified)

And there are other examples of "disarming" in the Bible. God disarmed Jacob in an all-night wrestling match. (Genesis 32:24) Moses disarmed Pharoah with the death of the firstborn plague. (Exodus 12:29-32) Stephen disarmed the wicked religious leaders with his testimony. (Acts 7:54) A blinding light disarmed Saul on the Damascus road. (Acts 9:3-4) And there are more.

What are you "armed" with? Common armaments: pride, shame, past hurt, superiority complex, "look at how spiritual I am" syndrome, how big or great your church is, lustful thoughts, pattern of / habitual sin, etc. Jesus would have us disarmed. Jesus would have us only armed with Him. "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." (Romans 13:14) (flickr picture by gwenael.piaser)

Is Your Fire Fading?

On a recent Sunday afternoon my eleven year old daughter asked my wife to come into her room. Once there (and alone) she put on the saddest face and said to her mother, "I think the message (in church) was about me. I think my fire is fading." (That's right. She's just eleven.)

The sermon was on fire. (That could be taken two ways?) It was based on two Scripture verses, Leviticus 6:13 and Matthew 3:11. The first is about the altar fire. Moses was to keep it burning continually. The second is about fire from heaven. Jesus was to give to everyone who believes the Holy Spirit ~ whose actions in our lives are similar to fire's. Fire consumes. Fire softens and melts (even the hardest heart). Fire also changes. This was the message my daughter heard. This was the message God used to draw her closer to Him ~ and to ignite. (Thank you, Pastor Craig, for preaching it.)

And even the most seasoned of Christians can become dull. (Is it you?) And their fire flickers and fades to glowing embers and eventually just smoke (and mirrors?). Puff. Do you need to get the fire back? It's pretty easy if you want to. Return to "first love." (Revelation 2:4) (flickr picture by bufivla)

On Tongues, Interpretation and Prophecy

There is a difference between tongues, the prayer language (1 Cor. 14:2, 4), and tongues, the spiritual gift (1 Cor. 14:5).

Addressing the misuse of tongues, the spiritual gift, in the church at Corinth, Paul was not forbidding its use (1 Cor. 14:39). Of course, tongues is to be interpreted if it is to be acceptable in the corporate gathering/church setting (1 Cor. 14:5, 13, 27). Tongues and interpretation is equal to prophecy (1 Cor. 14:5). One of Paul’s many points in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 is that whatever the spiritual gift is in operation, all should be done in order (1 Cor. 14:32-33, 40) and for the edification/building up of believers (1 Cor. 14:26).

His prescription is the same for tongues as it is for prophecy, “Let two or three speak in turn” (1 Cor. 14:17, 29). It’s because just as there can be a "tongues overload" (as it was the case in Corinth) so there can be a "prophecy overload." ("Pointed preaching" - as some non Pentecostals refer to prophecy - can get carried away, too?)

A person can just take in so much. Where is the line of diminishing return on teaching/exhortation (prophecy) and when/where do you cross the line? How much truth can be absorbed in one sitting and then successfully implemented/applied in a person’s life? I’m talking practically speaking.

And then there’s the whole subject of "technology overload" which I’ll save for another time. Suffice it to say for now, I believe there’s a point of diminishing return when it comes to the use of technology in the worship service as well.

When is a good thing too much of a good thing?

On Tongues, Interpretation and Prophecy

There is a difference between tongues, the prayer language (1 Cor. 14:2, 4), and tongues, the spiritual gift (1 Cor. 14:5). Addressing the misuse of tongues, the spiritual gift, in the church at Corinth, Paul was not forbidding its use (1 Cor. 14:39). Of course, tongues is to be interpreted if it is to be acceptable in the corporate gathering/church setting (1 Cor. 14:5, 13, 27). Tongues and interpretation is equal to prophecy (1 Cor. 14:5). One of Paul’s many points in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 is that whatever the spiritual gift is in operation, all should be done in order (1 Cor. 14:32-33, 40) and for the edification/building up of believers (1 Cor. 14:26). His prescription is the same for tongues as it is for prophecy, “Let two or three speak in turn” (1 Cor. 14:17, 29). It’s because just as there can be a "tongues overload" (as it was the case in Corinth) so there can be a "prophecy overload." (Pointed preaching can get carried away, too?) A person can just take in so much. Where is the line of diminishing return on teaching/exhortation (prophecy) and when/where do you cross the line? How much truth can be absorbed in one sitting and then successfully implemented/applied in a person’s life? I’m talking practically speaking. And then there’s the whole subject of "technology overload" which I’ll save for another time. Suffice it to say for now, I believe there’s a point of diminishing return when it comes to the use of technology in the worship service as well. When is a good thing too much of a good thing?

Hurting Over The Hurt

"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30;KJV)

I was having a conversation with my kids the other evening. And we were talking about how my son way back when he was five years old (he’s thirteen now) made his momma cry. I had no recollection of that event, but my oldest daughter, Kelly, did. She recalled that I said that Michael (my son) couldn’t watch his favorite TV show for 3 whole months – that’s how mad I was over him making his momma cry. I don’t remember what he did, but it must have been bad. The conversation would shift after that to my youngest daughter, Theresa, who we were reminded that she made her mom really sad once, too. This remembrance didn’t sit well with Theresa. As we continued, she would begin to become teary-eyed herself and then she started to cry. And she would say to me, “Dad, talking about sad things makes me sad,” in between sobs. Of course, I right away got down at her level on my knees and assured her that everything was okay and how that sad moment between her and her momma in the past was just that - in the past. Theresa would work her way back to being at ease. Later, I found myself reflecting on how Jesus said unless you become like a little child you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. And there’s just so much we can learn from children, my friends, about how we ought to conduct ourselves as followers of Jesus. Amen? ******* And how many times have we as adults - have we hurt our Lord – we do it; we really do! - and then because our love for Him is of the superficial type, we don’t hurt over the hurt. We don’t hurt over the hurt we've caused God. We don’t hurt like Theresa hurt over the hurt she caused her momma. ******* How have you hurt the Lord? What have you done or not done and it's brought Jesus grief? ****** We need to hurt over the hurt, my brothers and sisters, so we don’t hurt Him - Christ! – any more in whatever area it might be. It’s enough for us and will help us to stop sinning when we hurt over the hurt we cause the Savior of our soul.