The Highway Forums General Discussion ExCharisma Wisdom Dealing with Charismatics

I am sure I am not the only one who doesn't always use wisdom when dealing with Charismatic’s; especially when the Charismatics happen to be family members.

One of my faults is responding when I already know that if I do so, it will not end well.
For example; while driving with a family member they started heaping praises on a book by none other than Benny Hinn. Yet, rather than remaining quiet and possibly just silently pray. I started telling the person why I would not read the book.
Well you guessed it, in not so subtle words I was called a liar and I was also guilty of "touching the Lord's anointing."

I was doing quite well until fairly recently when I was sent by a family a rather touching letter someone wrote to a child. The problem however, was that they signed the letter "God".
Instead of just chalking it up for who sent it. You guessed it I bit and told the person why it was wrong to sign the letter "God".
I got the response, how do I know God did not put it on his heart?
One of the things that bothers me about this, is these people know my stand on issues like this and yet from time to time still send me articles on these issues.

Lord give me wisdom when to speak up and when not to speak up.

Tom

It would seem to me, Tom, that you got exactly what you asked for... wisdom to know when to speak and that's exactly what you did.

If I understand you correctly, you are saying I was right to speak up and get my relatives mad at me.
If I keep it up, none of them are going to want anything to do with me.

Tom

1. You didn't get your relatives mad at you! They allowed themselves to get mad. And, it certainly wasn't your intention to provoke them, correct? Assuming this was true, there was no fault committed on your part.

2. I am NOT advocating that wisdom and prudence be abandoned. What I am saying is that there are times when one must speak up for the sake of honoring God's name and demonstrating your deep commitment to Him which is the fruit of your union with Christ and the influence of the indwelling Spirit. Yes, there are times when it is most wise to keep silent. It is always a judgment call when it comes to these types of things.

3. Would it be so terrible if your godless relatives didn't want anything to do with you? Would the world suddenly come to an end? May I suggest that your relatives future, unless God grants them mercy through His ordained MEANS, is one of a fiery hell and eternal torment. The things that you described only served to add burning coals to their heads.

4. The basis for the wisdom you seek is found in Christ's own words:

Perhaps it is more prudent to have God's favor than that of your relatives? What could they possibly do to make your life better compared to what God has done for you in Christ and the glory that awaits you IF that is your first love?