|
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE
|
The example of Moses
Moses is considered as the greatest leader of Israel. He was a prophet, priest and king. Yet, he never once abused his authority in God. There is no church leader today who occupies these three offices. So, there is no point for ministers to use their offices to curse others for presumably fighting against them.
“Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman.”
Numbers 12:1 (New King James Version)
When Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses in Numbers 12:1, Moses didn’t curse them. Moses with all the authority that he had, he didn’t curse them for speaking against him. Rather, their actions attracted the anger of God and He intervened in the matter. As part of God’s judgement in this matter, Miriam became a leper, but Moses never cursed her. Instead, he became worried about the leprosy of Miriam and prayed for her healing.
The pulpit
There is everything wrong with a minister who pronounces curses on people whilst standing behind the pulpit. It is inappropriate for any Christian to curse another Christian over any issue, especially in church. Sincerely, I consider it an abuse of authority. As Christians, we must desist from this kind of attitude. We must use every opportunity behind the pulpit to speak on the person and redemptive work of Christ. Also, we must encourage others in their pursuit of God, bearing in mind that people come to church to listen to the Word of God and not the declaration of curses for whatever reasons. Messages that emanate from the pulpit must be intended for the welfare of the people.
The pulpit is a sacred object within the church. Therefore, ministers must deem it a privilege to stand behind it to minister to the spiritual needs of the people. We must be measured in our utterances behind the pulpit, remembering that “for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” 1Matthew 12:36, NKJV. Minsters must be conscious not to stray into the arena of using this sacred object as an avenue to settle their personal scores with others. Personal issues must not be addressed behind the pulpit.
The example of the Apostles
“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,”
Acts 6:1-5 (New King James Version)
When the widows in the early church complained that they were left out in the daily distribution, the apostles discerned the validity of the issue. The apostles instructed the appointment of seven people in the church who could take care of the situation. Interestingly, the apostles didn’t bother themselves with the selection of the people to be given this responsibility. Instead, they delegated the selection of the seven to the disciples, only providing them with the selection criteria. The disciples were to select people who were full of the Holy Spirit and had wisdom to deal with the problem. The members of the early church were spot on with their selection of the seven. The seven who were chosen ensured that the problem didn’t reoccur. Therefore, any minister of a church who thinks that all members are not smart enough must certainly revise his or her notes. The apostles simply understood that the widows were part of the church, and their concerns couldn’t be trivialized. The problem was treated with the urgency that it deserved.
Today, the narrative is different! People are treated as numbers and their legitimate concerns are neglected in the church. Members are not seen as people who also, together with the ministers, have interest in the church. Rather, members who raise legitimate concerns are seen as accusers of the church and curses are sometimes hurled at them. As Christians, we must understand that anyone who points to the problems of the church is likely to do it out of love and wants the problems resolved.
When Martin Luther wrote his ninety-five theses and nailed it on his door, was it because he hated the catholic church? Today, we celebrate and applaud Martin Luther for pointing to the errors of the church at that time and curse our church members for the same reason. What a paradox? Martin Luther was motivated by his love for the truth and to see the errors of the church corrected. Unfortunately, many Christians and church leaders cannot stand such people.
A donkey rebukes Balaam
“Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?” And he said, “No.” Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.”
Numbers 22:28-31 (New King James Version)
God opened the mouth of a donkey to speak to Balaam the prophet. Balaam failed to heed to the instruction of God to him when He said “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” 2Numbers 22:12, NKJV. The point is that when the prophet failed to listen to God, He spoke to the prophet through a donkey. Perhaps, that was the only way by which God could arrest the attention of the prophet. We must understand that God can go to any extent to secure our attention. What is interesting about this whole episode is that God spoke to a prophet through a donkey.
If God could use a donkey to speak to a prophet, He can also use a member of the church to speak to its leaders. When a member presents an issue, ministers are to take up the matter on merit. If there is any merit to it, then the issues should be addressed. However, if there is no merit, then explanation could be offered in a respectful way as to why it is so. Of course, members can go overboard, but ministers have the responsibility of managing their members and their expectations. This is because people can recognize when they are treated in a derogatory way or with respect.
It is hard to kick against the goads
“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
Acts 9:3-5 (New King James Version)
Paul had an encounter with the Lord Jesus on his way to Damascus. Jesus told Paul that “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” If only we have understood this statement, we will not be too bothered about what people say about us or the church. To kick against the goads is to kick against the Lord Jesus and His church. This will result in the destruction of the person doing it and is exactly what the Lord Jesus alluded to.
In other words, you press the self-destruct button when you come up against the church and its leadership without a just cause. It is because we have failed to understand this statement by our Lord Jesus that is why some have assumed the responsibility of fighting for the Lord Jesus and His church. It is indoctrination and overzealousness that motivates people to fight for the Lord Jesus and His church.
However, Christians must keep in mind that God hasn’t called anyone to fight for Him or His church. That is why Jesus said “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” 3Matthew 26:52-53, NKJV. As Christians, we are “to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” 4Jude 1:3, NKJV. Paul reiterated this point when he said, “fight the good fight of faith” 51Timothy 6:12, NKJV. That means, we must be ready to offer sound explanation as to why we believe what we believe.
Conclusion
As Christians, we must use every time we have to stand before God’s people to minister life transforming messages. There is no point in addressing personal issues or declaring curses on people behind the pulpit for any reason. It is best to remain silent when one doesn’t have anything meaningful to say on a particular issue than to speak curses. We must never be afraid of curses because it is written, “… a curse without cause shall not alight” 6Proverbs 26:2, NKJV. Rather, we must have the courage to stand for the truth. This is why Paul said that “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” 72 Corinthians 13:8, NKJV.
Let’s keep the fire burning until the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!
References
- 1Matthew 12:36, NKJV
- 2Numbers 22:12, NKJV
- 3Matthew 26:52-53, NKJV
- 4Jude 1:3, NKJV
- 51Timothy 6:12, NKJV
- 6Proverbs 26:2, NKJV
- 72 Corinthians 13:8, NKJV