YOU SAY WHAT?!
IMAGINE with me that a person stands up in the congregation of a church and loudly makes a statement, ending it with or implying, “This is what God says!”
Are they demonstrating themselves to be a prophet or a prophetess? Are the demonstrating they have the Spiritual gift of “Tongues” or “Prophecy”?
It is a strange or risky thing, is it not, that someone using words which are not from the established Word of God, The Bible, would presume to speak for God? Saying or implying that God had given them some special words or special revelation? They may be good and encouraging words. They may have even been the thoughts or images this person would think relating to God or what they think God might say.
BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT THEY SAID they were saying – They were saying it is a WORD FROM GOD – BUT, IT IS NOT THE WORD OF GOD!
It is indeed presumptive to instruct the Assembly in extra-scriptural sayings.
It is one thing to repeat or to closely paraphrase the Word of God to a congregation, proclaiming “THUS SAYS THE LORD”, but it is quite another to imagine a saying or a clever word and deliver it as BEING A WORD FROM GOD.
WORDS OF CAUTION
1 Corinthians 14:20 , says, “Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. Verse 21. In the Law it is written, “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord. Verse 22. So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. Verse 23. Therefore, if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?
Matthew 5:18, says, “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Verse 19. “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Revelation22:18, says, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”
GOOD INSTRUCTION
2 Timothy 3:14 , instructs, “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 4:1 , says, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: Verse 2. preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
Amen, Amen.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young