You might recognize these 'guys' and remember them from The Muppet Show years ago. These two characters, known as Waldorf and Statler, were the resident cynics on the show. While they were funny and entertaining - they were so because they constantly found fault and criticized everyone else on the show who was trying to do something worthwhile.I agree with my friend Tim Enloe in his post HERE concerning the critical nature that many have concerning revival (any revival), as in, too many Waldorf's and Statler's. As I stated below concerning this topic, I want to be very careful in how I judge and assess various revival's. I certainly don't want to be Nadab or Abihu and run with strange fire, however and equally as bad - I definitely don't want to be the Pharisee who knew the Word, spent time praying, and yet completely missed the boat because they lacked intimacy with God and had basically become our two Muppet friends above.
Sadly there seems to be far too many within the Body of Christ that secretly root for churches, minister's or even revival's to fail and feel vindicated somehow when they do, merely because in their limited faith and understanding of God they don't believe God could "use someone like that", or "do something in that manner". I'm not endorsing craziness whatsoever - on the other hand I'm not endorsing those of the Pharisaical persuasion either.
There are certainly things in most every revival that can cause us to raise our eyebrows - that doesn't mean that God is not at work and as pointed out in Tim's post - there's never been a perfect revival in history.
Hi Eric!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! (I followed your link to Tim's blog and commented there as well. Oh, and I invited him to join A/G Blogs. You may need to back up my invitation to him. LOL)
As I said on Tim's blog, I've been hearing about this for the past few weeks on the Net, and it's finally got my attention. I've been trying to find out more information about all the "hype" (aka slams/skeptics/nay sayers) I keep reading. Most publicity is negative concerning the Lakeland revival at the moment (as I'm sure you know.) I appreciate yours and Tim's perspective in how you both approach this matter in a Godly fashion!
Anyways, thanks for your timely posts, and keeping me updated!!
Blessings!
~Sharon~
Thanks Sharon - I'll invite Tim as well!
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that so many still don't "get" it. Many of us are not criticizing the evangelist. We are very concerned about the SPIRITS we are discerning in the Lakeland revivals. It's easy to cop out by shifting the focus onto Bently. Why don't we talk about the spirit there. Is it God? Or is it an occultic spirit masking itself as the Holy Spirit?
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, Charismatics (and sadly many Pentecostals too), while allowing most of the gifts in I Cor. 12:8-10, do not allow or encourage the true gift of discernment of spirits into their churches or meetings.
I wanted to let you know your blog (and link to this post) is mentioned in my blog today. :0)
ReplyDeleteDiane -
ReplyDeleteI'm very concerned about the spirits in the revival as well, and have been disappointed and bothered by some of the things I've heard come from Lakeland. I'm also equally concerned with the spirit in which some professing Christians deal with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Some of these "discernment" people who go into attack mode on everyone - who claim to be 'watchers on the wall' are often times massively lacking in discernment themselves.
Some of them don't even attend church and can't even manage their own personal lives - yet they have plenty of advice for everyone else.
I pray that every move of God be genuine and right, and if they aren't I pray that the leaders of the revival will repent of where they are wrong.
I think we all agree that we need more of God!
Blessings,
Eric