God offends the mind to reveal the heart

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.