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NASB | Matthew 16:6 And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 16:6 Jesus said to them, "Watch out and be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." |
Subject: Knocked out by holy spirit |
Bible Note: I'll offer some of my thoughts on this that I hope will bring clarity to my position regarding the concerns you raise. First of all, it is certainly NOT a sin to pray "thy will be done". It is actually sinful to pray from ANY other attitude, in all reality. Prayer should always be done from a heart of humility and confidence.. not demanding from God, but rather in an effort to agree with what God has said and see God's will come forth on earth as it is in heaven - a stark contrast to what you are saying. I have not seen any respected teacher of the so-called WOF ministry that says otherwise. I have seen people try to claim they do, but have not seen it. I am sure there are many variations of people that might be lumped under a WOF heading, but I don't take all variations to be valid or correct applications of what the more prominent (Kenneth Hagin, Sr. most distinctly comes to mind) WOF teachers have dispensed. I have never seen brother Hagin's teaching to include that it is sinful to pray "Thy will be done". If he has said that in no uncertain terms, I would be in complete disagreement with him, at this point of my understanding. I don't think we can ever directly refute Jesus's own examples and teachings and be doctrinally correct. In fact, that is why I believe so emphatically on the blessings and promises of the Bible. If He says it or promises it, then even if my experience APPEARS to say otherwise, he is right and my experience is wrong. I think the foundation of this whole argument is not who is in control, us or God. There is no question there. But rather.. what has God promised to us and what can we expect from Him. How sure is His word on the matter of healing. What must we do to build our faith so that IF it is the limiting factor in a given healing situation.. we can position ourselves to build it up and get rid of that obstacle. The truth that I have come to believe is that more often than not, lack of faith IS the reason that we don't see FAR more healing and provision in Christian's lives than we do. I don't believe that is due to lack of faith in God, but rather a limited understanding of just how much God has promised us in His word. "My people perish for lack of knowledge" is an appropriate commentary on precisely this situation. God's perfect will is demonstrated in heaven. We are to pray that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. How much sickness or lack of provision is there in heaven? How sure can we be that God WILL supply for our needs ( and not necessarily our SELFISH WANTS). How sure can we be that God is willing and able to heal us, if there be no GREATER PURPOSE for us to continue in afflication (and that is a big sticking point.. though I believe that far more often we use that as a crutch than a valid reality). WOF, as you are referring.. at its basic tenets not only leaves room for God, but is TOTALLY dependent upon the understanding of God's power, will, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. Far from leaving no room for God, true WOF teaching is impotent apart from Him. On the final matter of people being abused thru such teaching. True teaching of the power of the Word of God in Faith, will build up and offer hope. There is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. I see this same thing buffet people that have trouble getting free of addiction and other sins, that are genuine Christians, but are perishing for lack of knowledge of what Christ HAS (past tense) already accomplished for them. Neil T. Anderson does a magnificent job of illuminating that situation in his book, The Bondage Breaker. I see strong parallels there.. although I do not consider the inability to appropriate God's healing due to lack of faith as necessarily sinful. Faith in Jesus can be vital and full, and due to lack of understanding of God's PROVISIONS AND PROMISES, there be lack of faith for healing. So.. guilt coming upon a person due to lack of faith for healing is NOT from God or of any benefit to anyone. With a grateful and thankful heart, we can look expectantly to our Lord to deliver us from sickness and lack of provision.. not to demand anything from Him.. since why must one DEMAND what is already something purchased for us?? Think of the foolishness of that! If I, being an imperfect parent, will go out and buy something for my children.. I'm usually very EAGER to give it to them and see the smile upon their faces. Certainly they don't need to demand, but rather to simply recieve with thankful hearts that which they have asked for. Isn't that precisely what Jesus promised us in Matt 7:11? Confidence in God's promise is certainly different from demanding God to do things our way. Instead, we simply must align ourselves to His promises, and let His words fill our hearts and our mouths. And any teaching to the contrary, I would find disagreement with. |