Introduction
Voices from the Pulpit encourage us to read the Bible and, they should. They encourage us to pray the Word where appropriate and, we should. They show us how to apply God’s Word to our lives and, they should do this also. Then something very subtle happens that is difficult to notice. God’s Words become our words. We often make claims to biblical principles as we read them then they suddenly become our words. This had its beginning in churches during the Jesus movements and Charismatic movements in the sixties. Now don’t misunderstand me. These were great revivals that brought me and my wife to Salvation. It also produced many great Biblical scholars like Judson Cornwall, Derek Prince, Bob Mumford, and many more. However, the change I am speaking of was very subtle at first. But, soon we had Word teachers that fostered a “Name it and claim it” Theology. There is some truth to this teaching however, we tend to stretch this truth making it more than it is meant to be. Today this teaching has dissipated somewhat and, has been replaced with a false theology that, unaware by the Pulpit and congregation alike, we are “little gods”.
Vicariousness
Here is a statement from Oswald Chambers that I want to break down for understanding.
“If we get stuck in this mindset, we no longer identify ourselves with God’s interest in others (Many say this is not happening however, their actions speak for themselves.) We fall in love with our ideas and constantly put them forward, becoming sullen and sulky if we don’t get our way. Soon, prayer for others has become nothing more than the glorification of our natural sympathies. We have to realize that Jesus’s identification with sin, and our identification with Him, requires a radical alteration of all our sympathies. Vicarious intercession means that we deliberately substitute our natural sympathy with others for God’s interest in them.”
“Stuck in This Mindset”
Oswald Chambers speaks of being “spiritually stubborn sympathizing in something in ourselves or others”. We continuously make assumptions thinking we understand what is spoken from the Pulpit but, we do not understand as it was meant to be understood by God Himself. What we now do is done because we have become stubborn sticking to our old ways. Soon it becomes tradition (Click here). We resist change becoming too comfortable in our thinking.
“We fall in love with our ideas and constantly put them forward”
We pray for people who are ill and claim the Scriptures “By His stripes we are healed”, by His stripes we were healed”, etc. “I have authority to pray for you: or “You have authority…”, “The Bible says so, Jesus gave it to me/us”. “We sit in heavenly places with Him.” “Jesus overcame the devil therefore we…” And much more. These words are true but where is our interest? Do we just feel sorry for people and want to see them healed or do we identify with Jesus in their suffering? We all feel sorry for people and the things they are going through and we pray accordingly. This is what OC means when he says,
“Soon, prayer for others has become nothing more than the glorification of our natural sympathies”.
Beware when you hear an emphasis on “I” and “We”. It can be said that in all circumstances of trials and adversity, God is working in us. Whether that is the person who is being prayed for or the one who is doing the praying. When we pray we must ask, “What is God doing in us or them”, before we start making claims to God’s Word. When we hear from God, only then can we pray effectively.
Vicarious Intercession
This involves a “radical change” from what our feelings, sympathy, and desires are to what God desires. Our sympathy, feelings, and desires for ourselves or others mean nothing and, get us nowhere. What are God’s feelings, and desires for others and ourselves? We need empathy with God, not our subject. That is the key. Stop claiming Scriptures making them our own. The Word of God is God’s Word and, is God. These scriptures I speak of will work in us “as the Spirit wills”. That is to say, they will work to fulfill God’s desires, not ours. We must stop acting like we are “little gods” and claim we can do all things. It just doesn’t work that way. We are driven away from the nature of Christ and, are driven to His works. As some say, “we look to His hands rather than His face” becoming “Little gods” using scripture to make demands on God that we strongly say He must fulfill. This is a wrong attitude.
Misguided Teachings
1. Jesus conquered Satan and put him under His feet.
Then I have seen churches stomp on the ground as though we are stomping on Satan meaning Satan is under my feet. They go on to say that Satan is a toothless lion and no longer has power. We forget that it is Jesus who conquered Satan, not us. Satan will kill you. Satan is not dead or impotent, he is supernaturally powerful, alive and well, and still rules over the earth. Just claiming scriptures as though they are ours will not defeat Satan. We must first be “in Christ”, understanding His Word and, doing what He requires of us when He wants it done and, become what He wants us to become. This is the anointing that will break the yoke. We are not “little gods” trying to do what He did just because we read it in the Bible. His Word is always true but, our posture is often wanting.
“Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. (Kill)” (1 Peter 5:8)
This passage in the Bible was written after Jesus died, descended into hell, set the captives free, and, became seated at the right hand of God the Father. Satan is not dead. Jesus overcame him not us. It claims we need to be very alert and, diligent. The Scriptures do not say he is a toothless lion. You can not stomp on him (I hate that song). As evil as he is you must respect his position. This respect does not mean that you endorse his position. He will kill you as he has many. Be very careful of what you do and say.
2. “We can call things that are not as though they were”
“I have made you the father of many nations.” He is our example and father, for in God’s presence he believed that God can raise the dead and call into being things that don’t even exist yet.” (Romans 4:18) TPT
This scripture does not say we can call things that are not as though they were. It does reference that God called things into being that were not as He did at creation. This Scripture is often quoted by misguided Christians who presume their authority. It refers specifically to Abraham’s faithfulness concerning Isaac. If Isaac had died Abraham had faith that God would bring him back to life. Some interpret that to mean that we can speak out “I am healed”, when you are not. When we do this it becomes a straight-out lie.
We must approach God in prayer through faith which is based entirely upon what He did on the Cross.
Feeling Sorry
I often feel sorry and have empathy for other people but this sorrow and empathy should not be the basis of my prayers. (For a better understanding read the book by Paul Billheimer on this topic click here) Our empathy must be directed toward what God is doing. Feel Him. Acknowledge what God is thinking. Feel how God wants us to proceed. Any emphasis on “poor so-n-so” or, “I feel so sorry for …”. is often misplaced. God is doing something with “so-in-so” and, do not interfere. Pray, but pray God’s will.
It has also been said that “we know God’s will, just read the Bible” and, don’t pray “If it be Thy will” when you know His will. Again this is a misinterpretation and misunderstanding of Scripture. There is no problem with praying “… if it be Thy will” as many of us have been taught. Some continue to say, “It is not God’s will that anyone be sick” Therefore don’t pray for healing and end it by saying “If it be Thy will”. It is not God’s will that anyone be lost for eternity either but many will. Didn’t Jesus teach us how to pray?
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6: 9-13) KJV
Other Scriptures say,
“All these (gifts of healing etc.) are empowered by the same Spirit, who apportions (assigns) to each one individually as He wills.” (I Corinthians 12:11) ESV
“We are apt to think that everything that happens to us is to be turned into useful teaching; it is to be turned into something better than teaching, viz. into character. We shall find that the spheres God brings us into are not meant to teach us something but to make us something.” (Oswald Chambers)
God is making us into someone. He uses illness, adversity, and misfortune as teachers. We must relinquish everything to Him. Even our sorrows.
Conclusion
This teaching sounds very hard and, bitter. I can say that I often become angry at what I hear people say and do. I repent for this. I need to let God do his thing in me and support Him in prayer, preaching, and teaching. I also need more discipline and teaching. There will never be an end to this for anyone. I am taught through error and misfortune. This is difficult. It is a part of what God is doing in you and me. It is a part of what God is making you and me into. We must relinquish all and, become more of a servant and stop acting like a “little god”.
Enough said
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16 ESV)
