You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘ABD News’ tag.
Captivated by Christ
- A Celebratory Dinner and a Sobering Suicide February 22, 2012Some have said that suicide is the ultimate selfish act. I know from my own studies and ministry that those who take their own lives really don’t want to die. They just don’t want to live anymore and death is the lesser of the 2 painful and hopeless realities. So they look outward and turn inward and don’t find enough reasons to keep on living. Could anythin […]Linden Wolfe
- From Duty to Delight February 20, 2012Jesus was sent for us to delight in (Luke 1:14). So God is basically saying to His children, “Delight in Me.” As I intently focus on all that God is and all that He is to me, I find delight. I stop looking at my faith as a burden. I stop thinking about myself. As I gaze, ponder, magnify, adore, and extol the Lord’s infinite worth, I am filled with delight fo […]Linden Wolfe
- From MEGADETH to MEGALife? February 19, 2012Although I don’t really know anything about MEGADEATH’s music or lyrics (not my genre), I’m prone to believe it wasn’t totally family friendly. Nonetheless, I’m convinced that even the worst of sinners (that would include me and the Apostle Paul) can come know new, exciting existence in Christ. After all, those who have embraced Jesus know that it’s not abou […]Linden Wolfe
- Application to date my daughter February 18, 2012Reblogged from A cord of 3 strands: Funny and, for many, will hit close to home. You know, I’d never even get an interview to date this guy’s daughter!Linden Wolfe
- Languages: Scattered and United for God’s Glory February 16, 2012The Bible is a narrative and must be read and studied that way. The stories of the Old Testament are not isolated but are critical components in Scripture’s redemptive drama. The account of Babel is but one example of how God, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, moved these prophets and writers to share things which, on the surface, seem somewhat tri […]Linden Wolfe
- Godly Conviction versus Toxic Guilt February 14, 2012I’m constantly amazed at the number of professing believers mired in a pit of toxic guilt. Rather than accepting the Spirit’s leading with joy, they become despondent and defeated, wallowing in past mistakes and the sins which cause them to experience little motivation to serve the kingdom. We must understand that while the Holy Spirit does convict us of sin […]Linden Wolfe
- Prominent Charismatic Pastor Coronated as “King” February 12, 2012Unfortunately, the ignorance of the numerous professing followers of Christ has kept some from seeing what a travesty this is. Way too many have been led to believe a false gospel, taught by false teachers, and have had their faith shipwrecked in the process.Linden Wolfe
- “I’m an alchoholic!” February 10, 2012Then … BAM!!! He slammed the podium with his fist and screamed a curse. “What are you laughing at?” he demanded, “I’m an alcoholic!” Immediately the laughter ceased. The room became utterly still; the silence deafened. As the young man returned to his seat without further comment, his point was clear: Why do people laugh at tragedy and shameful topics? Why d […]Linden Wolfe
- Bible-thumping Banned on Bourbon Street February 8, 2012Bourbon Street is similar to observing a hedonistic car crash – even the purest of heart have difficulties keeping their gaze from the titillating and ostentatious sinfulness and drunken revelry. And the air reeks of the musty, evil odor of voodoo shops, “adult” venues, and alcohol induced vomit.Linden Wolfe
- Do You Know that You Know? February 6, 2012I am praying for Perry. I pray that Perry knows that he knows that Jesus is His and Jesus has him – now and forever. And I pray that one day I will see him in Heaven and we can talk about how wonderful Jesus is…and that bumpy flight between Nashville and Dallas. The one, I hope, where he began his pilgrimage from doubt to assurance.Linden Wolfe
Can’t Sue the Holy Spirit? Sue the Church!
January 29, 2012 in Captivated's Comments on Christian News | Tags: ABD News, buiding others up, charismatic, court, file a claim, forgiveness, grace, grieving the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, lawsuit, slain in the spirit, slander, suing church, suing God, suing the Holy Spirit | 5 comments
Evangelical Churches Catch Suits From ‘Spirit’ Falls – ABC News
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:29-32).
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry (my first impulse is to cry) at this ABC News story. It seems as if charismatic churches are the target of numerous law suits alleging they are negligent when parishioners, while being “slain in the Spirit,” uncontrollably fall during their fits of ecstasy and injure themselves or other attendees.
I know we live in a ridiculously litigious society and decry the stereotypical “ambulance chasing lawyer,” but this is outrageous. Taking a clue, I guess, from the Nebraska State Senator who sued “God” and lost (see State Sen. Ernie Chambers Sues God – Omaha News Story – KETV Omaha), these folks have decided that suing the 3rd person of the Trinity would be considered frivolous by the court system. So they take legal action against churches that practice these types of services, during which they are presumably injured.
Which takes me to our focal passage. Now I’m in no way saying that these claimants are literally “grieving the Spirit” anymore than I’m saying that the defendants aren’t. I’m thinking about the broader context of Paul’s warning to the church at Ephesus. Grieving the Spirit is serious; it’s an affront to God. But the context here has much to do with our attitudes, words, and actions toward others. The Apostle talks about building others up in grace and putting away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander. He tells us to be kind to others and to be forgivers. Doing, or not doing, these things can grieve the Spirit of God as well.
So the lesson to us? Though we may be disgusted by those would charge the church with negligence because they couldn’t litigate the Holy Spirit, we must be careful that we aren’t offending God in a different way. How do we treat others? How do we talk to and about them? Are we divisive; ones who harbor grudges? Our answers may indicate if we are potentially grieving the Spirit just as much as those who choose such senseless and despicable legal actions. Maybe the charge God would bring against us is that we grieve Him in our relationships with others, whether we file a suit against them or not.
Think about it!
Share this: