Bible Question:
Prepared To Cry... and Willing? I think often the Holy Spirit will move across a congregation, and He will want to do a cleansing on a man or woman; but we oftentimes are so insecure and 'to' people conscience... that we will not allow ourselves to cry. I don't think I have ever heard a Pastor talk about this. To prepare people to cry. We can shout, we can clap, we can dance... but cry? Prepare them to cry. A pastor might say, I want you to breakdown right where you are... without restraint. Don't listen to the thought that says, "you can get alone with God later... cry at home. You'll never do it!" And for those who are around you... for whom it is not there time to cry, will you be extra sensitive to not shame or embarrass your sister or brother? Why not bow your head and pray for them when you sense that this is about to happen? We cannot predict when the Spirit will move on us... and stay heavily on us... but when He does, be ready! Everybody get into your positions. Let's learn it together... keep it at the forefront of our minds. We know how to celebrate, but do we know how to give ourselves completely away to the Spirit? I think this message needs to be one of the keys to any healthy congregation. To return to the days of D.L. Moody who often cried because the Spirit would move so heavily upon him. To ignore it... is to rob the assembly. All of Christendom can benefit from a tearful cleansing... and Pastors need to help get the congregation conditioned to accept it. I've never heard it, nor often repeated. Return to tears and be cleansed... not ashamed. Bobby Conner... |
Bible Answer: Hi, Bobby Conner! Jesus wept for humanity... He knew how small-minded we are and how little faith we possess! Though it is true that social culture, in one way or another, inculcates the philosophy that equates tears to weakness... it is also true that Christians are quick to embrace "strength" rather than weakness... We cannot be taught to become receptive to the Holy Spirit... crying on cue would be much as jumping, shouting, dropping, speaking in tounges, prophesying on cue... What must be taught is to break down the walls we build... those walls that keep us from listening to the Holy Spirit... those walls that keep us from recognizing our transgressions... those walls that keep us from asking God's forgiveness... those walls that keep us on "this" side of other Christians... those walls that we erect to gratify our egos... We need to learn to humble ourselves to God... as you have noted no one cries tears of remorse and pain... we are too caught up with being "saved!" ...as you said, "be cleanse... not ashamed" for if we are ashamed of Christ, He will no doubtfully be ashamed of us when we finally meet with the Father! God Bless! Angel |