In Chapter 11 of Growing in the Prophetic, Mike Bickle talks about
how God offends the mind to reveal the heart. As a non-charaimatic
walking into charismatic people, I can relate. Mike mentioned that
the Holy Spirit doesn't seem to concerned with reputation and
sometimes intentionally offends people. One of the examples given was
the healing of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. Naaman didn't want to do what the
prophet asked, but eventually did after receiving advice, and was
healed. So long as what one ministering to me is asking me to do does
not violate scripture, I want to have the humility to at least give
it a shot. For example, my wife gave me a list of statements of who I
am in Christ, but I didn't want to say them out loud in the mirror
seven times, as she felt the Lord was prompting her to tell me.
However, I eventually swallowed my pride and the result was that the
oppression I felt lifted.
Mike also mentioned the issue of bizarre methods or unconventional
ministry styles, but mentioned stepping out in faith with those who
have an established positive track record. I would also like to
employ the same attitude. Having myself seen the strange way that God
has worked in the scriptures (2 Kings 6, Ezekiel 4), I want to make
sure I do not arrogantly reject what God might be saying through
others, because it did not come in the package I preferred.
I also greatly appreciated Mike's recommendation with how to handle
public corrections. I always wondered how to deal with this, but Mike
suggested letting the first fleshly word slide (unless clearly
unbiblical or destructive). If they continue, then privately talk
with them about saying less, then asking them not to speak in public,
then warning them that a public rebuke will come if they continue,
then public rebuke with public explanation that the offender was
privately warned. In this manner, the church is protected and
understands the process, so those who want to grow in prophetic
ministry are not discouraged.
Mike also explained that the Pharisees were actually the
conservative intellectuals that basically held the line of orthodoxy.
However, their problem was pride. They believed they were the only
ones with the truth, interpreting scripture through the lens of their
elders. They were also “content to be seen as orthodox without
hungering for the presence of God Himself” (Bickle, p121). I've
seen elements of this in myself, which God is working out. I want the
humility to recognize when I or my group gets thigns things wrong so
I can allow the Holy Spirit to be my teacher, instead of my spiritual
“tribe.” Secondly, I will always remember that God wants me to be
grounded in His written Word, but that Word was made flesh and wants
me to encounter the Emanuel, “God with us” reality here and now
in my experience, through the promised Holy Spirit.
