Sunday, October 6, 2013

Who Do You Trust?

Those of you that read here often by now have come to know that I sometimes mention the message I heard at church and build from that here. Today is one of those days. Yesterday was one of the most powerful messages I have ever heard on the need for fleeing sexual immorality in the church. It was both thorough and at the same time, it offered encouragement. The pastor that delivered it was one of the most compassionate I know, so coming from him it was very believable that he actually cared. This gets to the point of today’s writing.

At the end of the message, many people were moved. People were offered opportunity to come forward for prayer at the end, as is the custom, while other people exit the auditorium. These people were seeking wholeness. These people wanted the comfort from the deliverance from whatever darkness had entered their lives in whatever way. But I also think they wanted one more thing. They wanted the comfort of talking with another human being, sharing and praying, all why knowing that they could trust that they would not be singled out in some way for what they shared, that what they shared would truly end up in the past and not a part of some leadership “discussion”. In speaking with different people from different churches on the subject of praying, one thing comes through. People want and need to be comforted. This comfort only truly comes with the trust factor previously mentioned.

At this point I would like to tell the readers that this trust bond, this lack of making church members a point of “discussion” amongst leaders and other members in the church, was readily available. Sadly, from my personal interactions with others I have to tell you, it is not. In case you are wondering what I am referring to here, and why the word “discussion” is in quotes, let me make that clear before I go on. Any time anyone talks more ABOUT someone in a less than positive way, than TO that person, that is what the bible calls gossip and the sowing of discord amongst the brethren. And And God hates that discord thing more than anything. (By the way, if you are a leader and you are doing this, you should know that God holds you to a higher standard. I suggest you get on your knees and repent, or resign.)

Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

I wish I could tell you that when you are moved at your church to reach out to others for this comfort that you will not face this mistrust. Sadly, I cannot. It exists where I go to church, and likely where you go to church as well. So, here is the comforting part. God still cares. He can and will meet your need for being made whole without anyone else. And we are all in this together, so those of us that experience this misuse of “discussions” (read “gossip”) also have to be forgiving of those that do it. We can feel the comfort of doing God’s work of forgiveness. We are all truly in this together, and God uses all of us to help knock off the rough edges on each other.

I get a sense that there is some that will read this and that there will be people on one side or the other or on both sides of this point. Remember this, God loves you. You can have freedom and comfort. I will be praying today and during the week for those that read this and are moved to prayer. Ask God for your freedom today.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the most high God, the true Master of comfort for Your people. God, please reach out to the people that read this and need the comfort of being made whole from darkness, no matter how it entered their lives. And please Father, help leaders and all of us to not “discuss” other people. Help us to reach out to those in love as Jesus (Yeshua) would have, seeing them as the same as us in Your eyes. Help us extend to them the mercy You have extended to us. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.