Heard someone criticize another minister recently and it bothered me. We live in a time when people think it okay to criticize ministers and ministries. When Jesus tells us to not be criticle of others why is it that we think it okay to criticize ministers just because we don’t agree with them or like the way they do things? I’m not talking about major doctrinal issues or things that are in definite conflict with the word of God.
The disciples came to Jesus once regarding someone who was casting out demons in His name, asking what they should do since that person wasn’t a part of them. Jesus didn’t say anything about whether or not this person was sent of God, or if he was even right with God. Jesus didn’t even say anything about the way the person did or did not do what he was doing, or even if he was operating in the flesh or by the Spirit of God. Jesus’ response was very simple and to the point, a response that we should embrace much more often.
Jesus simply said, “Forbid him not”. Jesus continued to say that no one who performs miracles in His name can soon after turn around and oppose Him, and that whoever is not against Him is on His side. Wow. Jesus did not justify or legitimize the person, but He wasn’t going to stop someone from promoting His name to others. How many times are we quick to stop, destroy, or even slander those who are promoting Christ and the Gospel simply because we don’t agree with their take on things or the way they do or don’t do things? I believe we should do some self re-evaluating and see if we’ve helped and aided the cause of Christ and the Gospel, or if there’s been times that by our conversation or conduct we have in some way hurt Christ and the furtherance of the Gospel to save the lost, heal the hurting, and bring deliverance to the bound.
For more on this topic follow the link to read the full article posted on our website; https://rshophar.com/forbidthemnot.html
John Johansson
I totally agree, and just as this starts, I too was involved in a conversation of others who were critical. It bothered me also. Thank you for this.
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True We Should All Walk In The Light That God Has Given Us,But Jesus Did Say the Following About Ministries Or Prophets Notice The 180 Degrees Between The Two Positions ——————————————————————————– Luke 6:22-26 King James Version (KJV) 22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 24But… Read more »
Thank you, Melinda. It’s always good to hear how these touch others.
Thank you, Billy. How we respond to the treatment or response of some towards us is an entirely different situation that would require several blogs to address. To respond as Christ would have us isn’t always as easy as it sounds, but it is an important part of the Christian walk. I was merely wanting to remind us how we should keep a check on our own attitudes and behaviour towards others, using the example Jesus gave us as a guide.