New Lenses

I have been wearing glasses since I was about 16 years old. Every time I get a new prescription (which is sometimes very long in between) I am shocked to see how much more clear my vision has become. Not only are the new lenses not scratched, but they provide clarity on everything else I am looking at. What is interesting is that when it comes to seeing the truths of God’s Word and walking in them, many in the Church are still looking at them through old lenses. This of course causes a somewhat twisted version of their expression.

For instance, the mentality that everyone can (and should) prophesy is an amazing, transformational building tool for the Kingdom. However, not understanding that “the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets” leaves many people jumping up in a church meeting and screaming at the top of their lungs. Usually, this is done without any time taken to receive the interpretation, and time is almost never given to receive an application (strategy) for implementation. So, what we’re often times left with is a general word about blessing that we don’t really don’t know what to do with.

Prophecy is really a phenomenal tool the Lord has given us to build each other up. However, it is not something that is outside the Lord, but is rather a function of the Holy Spirit to help us see Jesus for who He truly is. When we see Jesus we see ourselves. He is the firstborn among many brothers. When God gives us His thoughts about people they should always point back to Jesus. Prophecy is the Holy Spirit highlighting something about Jesus that is true of others. When we see Him we will be like him. We become what we behold. It is so important to know each other after the spirit, and not after the flesh. If we know people after the flesh we’ll get hung up on their hang-ups. If after the spirit, we will see Jesus and be encouraged by what the Lord is doing in them.