I read a book a few years ago by R. Loren Sandford. The book is called, Understanding Prophetic People. Sanford taught me so much and answered so many questions. A few weeks ago my friend and I were texting and the conversation leaned towards spiritual gifts. I ended up pulling my book off of the shelf and gleaning from the highlights from my first read. In chapter 1, Sanford writes about the loneliness and isolation of the prophetic person. Take a moment and read the highlighted portion in the picture we have added to this blog.
Ever since I was in elementary school I would ask questions internally about God. I would listen to people teach the scriptures and still I had internal questions floating around in my head. I secretly wondered if anyone else was having the same internal dialogue as me. As I matured in my understanding of the scripture nothing changed. I still had questions that needed to be answered. I wanted to know the "how" and "why" of what was being preached or taught. Some things that were coming across the pulpit did not make any sense to me but I never questioned the one teaching. Why? Fear. Fear of being called rebellious, unteachable, Jezebel or self righteous.
After I read that small paragraph in the book I was liberated! Liberated to ask questions. Liberated to NOT say amen just because someone preaching was telling me to say amen and turn to my neighbor, or holler for my blessing. I was liberated to admit that I do not enjoy every preachers teaching. I was liberated to not shout and jump just because everyone else was doing so. I was liberated to not get caught up in the zeal of the music being played. Read Romans 10:2.
Dear sister girl, Proverbs 20:5 says, "The real motives come from deep within a person—as from deep waters but a discerning person is able to draw them up and expose them." If you have questions about the scripture, study to find the answers. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you into all truth. When you are taught something that does not feel right in your spirit, write it down and go find out the truth. Read Acts 17:10-12.
"The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear." Underline that in your Bible, the reference is 2 Timothy 4:3.
Shalom Aleichem