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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Ezekiel 33:7
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from Me.”
Notice please, it was not a self-appointment.
Ezekiel didn’t announce that he had decided that he would be the watchman over Israel. He was God-appointed. It wasn’t a popular role either.
“When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die’, and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die from his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself” (v 8). (See also James 5:19-20.)
The role of the Old Testament prophet was largely to call the people or nation to repentance – right down to the day of John the Baptist. “Turn from your wickedness and repent.” The Good News of today is basically the same message. We may ‘package it’ slightly differently but repentance MUST precede salvation. (See also Acts 2:38 & 3:19.) So we could almost say that the Old Testament prophet has become the New Testament preacher/evangelist.
The ‘prophet’ of the New Testament, as appointed by Jesus, would appear to have a slightly different role. “To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:12). “But everyone who prophesies speaks to ‘men’ for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3). Prophecy, therefore, within the Church is not to pull down but to build up.
Unfortunately, some people have been confused and seem to think that the gift of prophecy produces the ‘gifts’ of criticism and condemnation. They also seem to think they are God’s policemen. That is the Holy Spirit’s role. Yes, we need to speak the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15). Yes, we need to stand up for righteousness – But we should be like Jesus. He wasn’t abrasive or intense. He was natural and gracious; although meek not weak.
Yes, we need to discern error and where the Lord reveals something which needs to be exposed, follow through on it (see Matthew 18:15-17). But let’s never forget – God is more interested in people than penalty. Every conviction the Holy Spirit brings is always to bring healing, wholeness and release. Jesus never condemns (see John 3:17) and doesn’t expect us to either. We need to remember to first remove “the plank out of (our) own eye” so that we will be able to “see clearly (enough) to remove the speck (in our) brother’s eye” (see Matthew 7:5).
Yes, we will have to bring the message in love – or we will be held accountable. But before you bring a message, always ask yourself – “Will it build up, encourage, set the person/people free, bring release and stimulate praise, thanks and worship to God or might it bring discouragement, guilt, bondage or condemnation?” If the latter, don’t give it. If the former, do so.
But remember, once we have given the message – that’s it. The outcome is not up to us.
We are merely messengers, not enforcers.
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