Fraudulent Praise, Part III: The Loss of Control

Fraudulent Praise, Part III: The Loss of Control

In this third and final installment of my Fraudulent Praise series, I want to (briefly) look at the issue of "Control" and how many offer their "praise" in a kind of "out-of-body" experience!
I'm sure you've seen it - a display of "praise" that is shocking in many cases. I've been a devoted/Bible Believing Follower of Jesus Christ since 1988, and 3 times, I've seen a person hurt themselves (to the point bleeding and needing stitches) from uncontrolled "praise" dancing! I've also seen more female body parts than you can believe!

Why is it that the "praise & worship" experience in the church is so emotion-driven? Why is it, by in large, such a FARCE (as said by Jesus Himself)? How is it that praise TO GOD can result in such bodily harm and personal embarrassment?
I personally believe one major part of this answer is housed with the freshly desire to "be seen", appear deeply spiritual and to attain some selfish place in God that is delusional at best!
In Matthew 6, Jesus spoke very clear and direct to the issue of "being seen" by men! Four times, regarding Righteousness, Giving, Prayer and Fasting, Jesus instructed NOT to do these "to be seen" by other people!

1). “...Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven...Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward...."
** Matthew 6:1-2

2). “...And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward...."
** Matthew 6:5

3). "...And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward...."
** Matthew 6:16

4). "...But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you...."
** Matthew 6:17-18

Being seen, appearing "holy" or having spiritual depth, has been the "code of carnality" and "spiritual ineptness" since the beginning of time. What we should also know about this "code" (and what I strongly believe) is when there is a presence of carnality and spiritual ineptness, there is an even greater problem: The Loss of Control.

The Bible says,

"...A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls...."
** Proverbs 25:28 ESV

Is the experience of Praise one that completely assumes control of your mind, body and spirit? Does our Praise efforts jeopardized our physical safety depending on how "appointed" the experience or the atmosphere? Can it be possible that such super-natural control over us in moments of Praise also causes us to hurt ourselves physically?

The Apostle Paul said in 1st Corinthians 6, "our bodies is the Temple of The Holy Spirit" and further said, "we should Glorify God in our bodies."

"...Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?... You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body...."
** 1st Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

Does it make sense that The Holy Spirit would (during an episode of Praise) hurt His Temple and/or cause us to NOT be able to bring Glory to God in our bodies because of a severely wounded head, broken bones or similar from a "praise experience"?!?

Is this the view and experience of God that I'm supposed to have as a Christian?!? Do I lose control when I Praise God?!? Am I to Praise God with some form of intensity that takes me out of myself in some way?

My friends, the answer to this is a resounding NO! Not only is this gross error, but it has no Scriptural basis whatsoever and is a disgraceful portrayal of Who God is and how He relates to His People!

Sure, the Praise (and Worship) experience is a powerful one, but that is because of a powerful relationship already existing, where God Calls us into His Presence by His Love and Grace!

"...I have loved you, My People, with an everlasting love. [Therefore] With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself...."
** Jeremiah 31:3 NLT

When I survey the Scriptures for myself, I find it hard to see The God that many claim to know in most of our churches!

I see the god (small "g") whose praise assumes control of his subjects and causes them to hurt themselves physically. I also see this "god" demanding these episodes as a sort of "payment" or spiritual currency in order to gain his attention! Is this the God of The Bible?

What we should see, however, is The God whose Love is so Great, that He Gave it all people, regardless of how they loved or hated Him!

"...But God commendeth His Love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us...."
** Romans 5:8

"...But God, who is rich in mercy, for His Great Love wherewith He Loved us... Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved... And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus...."
** Ephesians 2:4-6

Now lets be CLEAR about the issue I am arguing here! I am NOT against Praise, NOR am I against Praise rendered through/with human emotion. Of course The Lord relates to the WHOLE of Mankind, which INCLUDES the emotional part of us.

When we read about the life of King David, in 2nd Samuel, we read CLEARLY that he was a Man of Praise...

"...And David danced before the Lord WITH ALL HIS MIGHT; and David was girded with a linen ephod... So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord WITH SHOUTING, and with the sound of the trumpet...."
** 2nd Samuel 6:14-15

My issue, unlike what we see in the life of King David, is directed at "personal control" along with heartless, powerless and man-made (or man-directed) episodes where praise becomes nothing more than an appearance of "holiness."

As I have contended in my previous two segments of this 3-part series, Praise, in its authentic form, is a PERSONAL rendering to God alone, for HIM alone and as a result of a personal relationship with HIM alone!

It [Praise] is NOT merely an exercise or formula to provoke the Movements of God on our own behalf. In fact, its the Movements of God as revealed to us through a Personal and Intimate RELATIONSHIP that HE has with us that will cause us to Praise Him.... Its the AWE of KNOWING God that provokes Praise within us, that we render to God... Causing us to RENDER OUR LIVES IN SERVICE (not simply "lip service"), and that by FAITH!

This is why The Apostle Paul says (in 2nd Peter)...

"...By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.... And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires... In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement [ or ADD TO ] YOUR FAITH with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge... and knowledge WITH SELF-CONTROL, and SELF-CONTROL with patient endurance, and patient endurance with Godliness... and Godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone... The more you grow like this, the more PRODUCTIVE and USEFUL YOU WILL BE in YOUR KNOWLEDGE of our Lord Jesus Christ... But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins... So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen... Do these things, and you will never fall away....."
** 2nd Peter 1:3-11 NLT

Jesus is interested in our HEARTS more than He is our Lips (see Part ! or Matthew 6:1-34).

Finally (yeah, I know... Finally), it is not only ERROR to see/hear people NOT being able to control themselves when engaged in an episode of praise, but it is also FRAUDULENT! Frankly, we ONLY see this kind of praise INSIDE of the church walls and typically when the music is playing (and THAT says even more to me personally... I won't get into it though). I just find it interesting how "music" plays a major role in Fraudulent Praise & Worship!

The Biblical account of The Three Hebrew Boys (shadrach meshach and abednego in Daniel 3) is a PRIME example!

I am thankful to know that NO MAN, church group or the like can make any claims on my efforts of Praise nor on the level of my Christian experience! My relationship with The Lord is personal, and my Praise is rendered personally. Yes, it may be (and frankly should ALSO be) in The Congregation of The Righteous, but is called for by God alone, as a result of my Relationship with HIM alone, rendered for HIM alone and UNDER COMPLETE EMOTIONAL CONTROL!

Much Love,
#KeepWINNING!
Roc

Twitter: @Amazing_Impact
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Blog; Roc.Power.Blogspot.com
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Fraudulent Praise, Part II: Perpetuating Sensationalism

Fraudulent Praise, 

Part II:

Perpetuating Sensationalism
 

First, I encourage you to read Part 1 of this series prior to reading this second installment. It sets the foundation for my discussion in this lesson! Fraudulent Praise... Admittedly, a controversial view and assertion to say the least, but bold and challenging nonetheless!

 

"...These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me... Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God...."

** Matthew 15:8-9 NLT
 

Verse 9 really stands out to me:

 

"...Their worship is a FARCE (i.e., fake, fabricated, mockery and a charade)...."

 

Fake worship!?!? WOW! Why should I allow myself to get caught up in "lip service", much less become "impressed" by it in any setting and call it "having church" or some form of "praise party"?!?

 

I believe it's spiritually irresponsible for ANY Christian to engulf themselves in ANY atmosphere where mere NOISE is the premium! This kind of atmosphere creates a “religious peer-pressure” that influences weak-minded people to automatically agree with whatever the atmosphere is calling for or demanding.

 

During the reign of King Jehoshaphat, he was sitting on his throne with the King of Israel when the many [false] prophets were standing before them, prophesying that Ramoth Gilead would be given into their hands if they attacked them… Zedekiah then made iron horns at this time, and one of their “messengers” came to find Micaiah and said,

 

“…Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably….”

 

I LOVE what Micaiah said in reply,

 

“…But Micaiah said, As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what my God says….”

2^nd Chronicles 18:9-12

This was a CLEAR example of “religious peer-pressure” where Micaiah chose to speak for God, instead of siding with the thoughts and views of others around him. In many of our churches, however, the norm and atmosphere is so strong that many surrender to the pressure in order that they might “fit in” or be accepted.

 

It takes courage to NOT choose to perpetuate “religious fraud” and an atmosphere of FAKE worship! You must know and be comfortable with WHO YOU ARE in Christ! In these settings, we typically find people seeking God to do something for them – even demanding it! My friends, God does NOT serve us, WE SERVE HIM!

 

“…We are HIS Workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has before ordained that WE should walk in them….”

Ephesians 2:10
 

Therefore, as Paul said in Romans 12,

 

“…I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world [including the world in church], but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will….”

Romans 12:1-3
 

Now let me clear about Authentic Praise; It’s a crucial part of the Christian experience and vital for spiritual development, that is, when appropriated through Authentic Christ Encounters!

 

The Psalmist, David, said in Psalm 34:1;

 

"...I will bless The Lord at all times; HIS PRAISE shall continually be IN MY MOUTH...."

 

And again in Psalm 100:4;

 

"...Enter into His Gates with thanksgiving and into His Courts with PRAISE, be thankful unto Him and bless His Name...."

 

The Apostle Paul also instructed in, Hebrews 13:15;
 

"...Let us offer the sacrifice of PRAISE to God continually, that is, THE FRUIT OF OUR LIPS giving thanks to his name...."

 

While this is clear, many of us encounter our own "Sensationalism" and call it "Christ" in the midst of a deeply emotional episode! Jesus spoke to a clear disconnect in the place where the Authenticity of Praise flows to God: That Place is The HEART!!!

 

When we sing praise, it should be done as Paul suggested in Ephesians 5,

 

“…Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody IN YOUR HEART to The Lord… Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ….”

Ephesians 5:19-20

 

It’s a HEART THING, not mere lip service! Don’t perpetuate the sensationalism of Fraudulent Praise! Ensure that your seasons of praise are rendered outside of emotionalism, and speak ONLY of what flows from your life as a result of a TRUE Christ Encounter?!?

Keep WINNING!!!

Roc

@Amazing_Impact (Twitter)

www.Facebook.com/amazingimpactowner (Facebook)
www.AmazingImpact.org (Web Site)

Fraudulent Praise, Part I: Revealing The Truth!

If there is one thing about "church" and "Christiandom" that I absolutely don't like, it's the "grudgingly vocal obligation" (or hyped up) congregational praise! I personally find it disturbing that much of the Christian Community lead many to believe some GROSS untruths about the reality of Praise!

Frankly, many of us largely confuse "Giving Thanks", "Praise" and "Worship" altogether! I plan to talk more about this in a future blog post, but for now....

1) Giving Thanks... is our offering to God of acknowledgment as Sole Supplier of ALL THINGS great and small.

2) Praise... is the offering to God for the acknowledgment of **WHO HE IS** beyond and regardless of what He has Supplied!

3) Worship... is the offering of YOUR LIFE in FULL surrender to God as a sacrificial acknowledgment that He is The ALL SUPREME and PREEMINENT LORD OF ALL!
Many people THINK they are Praising God because they are voicing loud utterances of the word "Hallelujah" (which is incorrectly taught as "the highest praise") or "Bless Your Name" and the like, but TRUE PRAISE comes from SEEING God for yourself and having a DIRECT encounter with WHO HE IS!!!

For example, while I GIVE THANKS to God for my finances/job/material possession, I PRAISE HIM because I have come to KNOW HIM intimately as The God of MY Provision (Jehovah-Jireh).

I may have heard others testify of knowing God in this way, but NOW I SEE HIM CLEARLY in MY OWN life! Therefore (and because I have been impacted by knowing God in this way).... I SURRENDER my life and ALL that I possess to The God of Provision [Worship] and allow Him to use me/my possessions in whatever ways that pleases Him!

Many attempt to Praise One Whom they have NOT (yet) intimately encountered, and thus don't KNOW Him! Their "praise" is nothing more than mere words!
They do well in obeying the "hype man/woman" (or praise leader) in the church, but know nothing about obeying God! Thus, their "praise" is a FALSE WITNESS of their relationship (or lack thereof) with God!

Jesus said, "...These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men..."
** Matthew 15:8-9

He (Jesus) later said, "...It's not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, ** FALSE WITNESS **, blasphemies...."
** Matthew 15:11, 19

My friends, if we view the Giving of Thanks and the Offering of Praise in the same light as we do the giving of our money (during offering time... that many teach as a part of praise and Worship), then we should also view it in light of what Scripture teaches about our Giving...

"...So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, **NOT GRUDGINGLY** or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver...."
** II Corinthians 9:7

Its a real shame that many church leaders have led (and are continuing to lead) many to believe that The Presence of God lives within a bunch of empty noise! There is NO WAY for a Praise Leader to know who has or who have not encountered God intimately! Its a PERSONAL experience and NOT a corporate experience!

Now don't get me twisted!!! We should Praise together! We should Give Thanks together in the Sanctuary, but NOT because someone speaking into a microphone has commanded it! My Praise comes from MY OWN experience, NOT anyone else's!!!

"...Rejoice in the Lord , O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright...." ** Psalms 33:1 KJV

#KeepWINNING!!!
Roc

The FLESH: The War Within!!!

The Flesh

A Brief Biblical Study by Rodney “Roc” Foreman

 

“…For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members….”
Romans 7:22-23

I’m sure most will agree that the Christian experience, though filled with glorious bliss and spiritual triumph, is a consistent war – a battle for victorious living! One of the most deceiving ideas about the Christian faith is that, human struggle and moral frailties are lessoned upon one’s complete baptism into the Body of Jesus Christ. Oh but the contrary is all too familiar and true: There is a great fight to engage – a great battle to undertake – a great war to be won within the life of the Christian. This war is the essence of Christian toil and the underlying factor within the experiences of human affliction.

If the committed Christian will triumph over the ills of living, live the victorious life and encounter the promises of God, there is but one enemy that will prove to be more challenging to the Christian journey than the Devil himself: The Flesh!

Before I enter the “meat” of this lesson, I would like to first establish one crucially important truth to serve as the “backbone” of this lesson, which is, ALL Christian warfare will (both) begin and end in the MIND! There will be no fight if the mind does not engage it. We will lose automatically! There will be no war if the mind does not operate correctly, thereby relinquishing immediate victory! It is in the mind, where the daily Christian battle MUST be encountered - where the victory must be won! If this were a longer study, I would attempt to prove this fact with Biblical evidence. I will safely assume, however, that we will arrive at this particular place of agreement with regard to my assertion. One verse that comes to mind immediately is…

“…Those who live according to The Flesh se their minds on the things of The Flesh,  but those who live according to The Spirit, the things of The Spirit… To be carnally (or Fleshly) minded is death, but to be Spiritually Minded is Life and Peace… Because The Carnal (or Fleshly) mind is enmity against God; for it is NOT subject to The Law of God, not indeed can be… So then, those who are in The Flesh CANNOT please God….” Romans 8:5-8

 

 

Our headline/parent text (at the beginning of our lesson) shows us very clearly that although a delight for God exists, there is a war going on in the mind that could cause me to become captured by sin – thereby being a prisoner of sin! Many of us (as Christians), as a result of a poor engagement to fight in this war, have become “prisoners of war.” I am prayerful that this lesson will help you to be released from this captivity, and live the life of liberty in Jesus Christ.

“…The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound…” Isaiah 61:1

 

 

As we move on in this study, it is very important to note that ALL but two specific (un-related) accounts in the New Testament, the Greek word translated “Flesh” is the word, “Sarx” (like pronouncing the word “sharks” but without the “h”). Sarx has a very complex meaning by typology, metaphoric imagery, literal implications and also in more exhaustive understandings.

SARX, in essence, is the body in its complete opposition to the Soul and Spirit – the symbol and representation of all that is humanly external and natural. It is the human existence in all its frailties and physical passions. This word is a root word that is derived from a multi-threaded series of revealing words that will help gain a practical understanding of this lesson.

·        The first of these word-threads, is the word “SAROO”, which is (also from its derivative meaning) to brush or sweep.

·        The second word-thread of this root is the word, SURO, which is to drag or draw.

·        The third word in this thread is the word, HAIREOMAI (ha-heer-om-a-hee), which is to take for oneself, prefer or choose.

·        The fourth of these is the word, AIRO (ah-ee-ro), which is to lift up, to raise, carry, keep in suspense or make to doubt

Ok, now let us connect these words to practical applications that will help us understand….

When we understand “The Flesh”, it is important to capture all that this word entails from its derivatives. Perhaps a good metaphorical understanding would cause us to see the reasons our Flesh (Sarx) is in complete opposition to God. The image of “brushing” or “sweeping” oppositionally (Saroo) could suggest we’re removing what benefits our lives from in front of us. Simply put, our flesh is prone to reject truth, wisdom, sound instruction and clarity! It is also clear in scripture that The Flesh is “drawn” away (Suro) in temptation and lust (James 1:14). Metaphorically, we often “drag” (or hinder) ourselves when operating in the fleshly nature, and is always self-seeking, self-choosing, self-serving and self-preferred (Haireomai). Furthermore, The Flesh is proud, pompous, dangerous and without the ability to believe (Airo).

Isn’t this interesting to see? Our Flesh, if empowered to assume control, brushes away and rejects ALL that is good, always seeks to draw away from good in order to yield to temptation and lust, is ALWAYS self-serving and self-preferred and NEVER maintains any kind of ability to believe God. In fact, The Flesh is ALWAYS against God! ALWAYS! WOW!

The issues, then, becomes WHO or WHAT will assume control if The Flesh doesn’t? My friends, THIS is the WAR! THIS is the BATTLE: Control!!!

“…This I say then, Walk in The Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of The Flesh. For The Flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against The Flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would….” Galatians 5:16-17

 

 

Time doesn’t permit me to speak to the issue of “Control”, and that being “Spiritual Control”, because there can be no other form of control except that which The Spirit of God assumes COMPLETE POWER – where Jesus Christ assumes Lordship, Preeminence and is seated on The Throne of our hearts and lives altogether!

“…Do not let sin REIGN in your mortal body, that you should OBEY it in its lusts….” Romans 6:12

 

 

My Brothers and Sisters, WHOEVER (and whatever) is “Reigning” is King, Lord and Master… The Boss! He/She or IT has FULL CONTROL and calls ALL “the shots” in your life! He/She or It ALWAYS gets what they desire and wants, WHENEVER they desire it and whenever they want it! The Flesh, at all times, will ALWAYS seek to please itself and NOT God… NOT EVER!

“…For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit….” Romans 5:8

 

 

It is crucial for us to understand that The Flesh, at its best state, has absolutely NOTHING to offer us for the life application and success of healthy living, and any attempts to challemge this Truth will prove failing everytime!

"…Therefore bretheren, we are debtors – NOT to The Flesh to live according to The Flesh… For if you live according to The Flesh you will die, but if by The Spirit you put to death the deeds of The Body, you will LIVE….” Romans 8:12-13

 

 

Finally, it is VITAL for us to maintain the necessary diligence to defeat The Flesh each waking day of our lives! There is a GREAT war going on, and our lives and eternity are hanging in the balance. This war is NOT one that we can lessen our aggressiveness and resolve to WIN, but enhance the intensity of the fight by relinquishing our lives and Will to THE ONE who can NEVER be defeated: The Lord of Hosts… The King of Glory!

“…Who is this King of Glory? The Lord Strong and Mighty; The Lord Mighty in Battle… Lift up your heads, O You gates, Even lift them up you everlasting doors and The King of Glory shall come in… Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Host, HE is The King of Glory….” Pslams 24:8-10

 

 

Keep WINNING!!!

Roc