Christian View 2022 #16

The 21st century Christian cannot live in a state of denial, deflection or delusion.

We cannot afford the luxury of lethargy, a

“que sera sera” mind-set that creates isolation and indifference.

Nor, can we empower those who market in powerless hype and hollow prophecies to define and determine the message and ministry of the Holy Spirit in our times.

The charismatic, apostolic, Pentecostal wing of the church in United States and Canada is in danger of being highjacked and shuffled into irrelevance and becoming irresponsible by putting words into the mouth of God that He has not spoken.

Believers must beware:

1. Contemporary conversations with God

When the Bible is closed (literally) and, what God has communicated this week is inserted in its place, on equal footing and force, we need to stop and ask: Really?

Are we so eager to hear from God that we accept the contemporary for the eternal? The words “and God says” “Thus says the Lord” are not used with impunity. The Christian in 2022 cannot substitute the sacred scriptures for the chatter and passing persuasion of prophets consumed by political preferences.

2. Dangerous Dreams from God

The Bible bestows verbal and visionary gifts to the Body of Christ… among them … dreams.

Joel’s prophecy quoted on the Day of Pentecost supports that stand.

Prophetic dreams are not to thrive in a vacuum - it is a dereliction of duty not to bring the scrutiny of Scripture on both the dreamers and dreams.

The conditions and consequences are the same whether tongues are being spoken, prophecies are being uttered or dreams are being dreamed.

The integrity, intentions and integration of the worship and witness of the Church is weakened; and, credibility is questioned when troops and groups try to impose the Holy Spirit to shape the dialogue and shake the dynamics of a political season.

3. Presumptuous Predictions about God

The Almighty moves in sacred silence and sovereign secrecy!

As 2022 gains momentum more and more the message will be massaged to fit a national narrative - prophetic position- a spiritual point of view.

The casualties will be:

A. Our Credibility - more deception

B. Our Community - more division

C. Our Commission - more distraction

The year that remains is crying out for a message of redemption, reconciliation and responsibly representing Christ, His character His Cross.

Randy Leavitt

Pastor