Discipline, conviction, correction and the prophetic

Because our sense of justice is so strong, and our thoughts that “somebody needs to do something about those people,” have strong emotional components attached to them, it is important to discuss the place of discipline, conviction and correction in the prophetic ministry. The Scripture makes it very clear that in the church we are to purge out the old leaven (1 Corinthians 5:7), that we are not to associate with brothers or sisters who are in deep sin (1 Corinthians 6:17). And was not Jesus in what I have called Old Testament prophetic mode, when he called the Pharisees a brood of vipers, and was not His act in overthrowing the tables of the money changers a prophetic act (Matthew 21:12).

I think the first thing to say, is that because there was no sin in Him, all that Jesus did must have been done in humility and love. We saw yesterday, that “Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy” (James 2:13). Now clearly Jesus needed no mercy, but we do, so we need to be very careful! I am still trying to work out the what and the how of what it means to be salt and light in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (Matthew 5:13; Philippians 2:15). The second thing to say, is that Apostolic teaching makes it clear that we do not deal with those who are outside the church in the same way that we deal with those who are inside. Indeed if we were not to associate with any who are in deep sin, we would need to go out of the world (1 Corinthians 5:10).

The third point is that New Testament prophetic is for the church (1 Corinthians 14:22; Ephesians 4:11,12). Paul does however talk about the response of prophecy to unbelievers who come into the church. We read “The secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God” (1 Corinthians 14:25). Now there may well be conviction (verse 24), but this does not come directly from the words of the prophecy, since such words are for “building up, strengthening and encouragement (verse 3). Any conviction then must come from the Holy Spirit (John 16:8). After all this is His job not ours!

Father, what I am seeing here, is that while discipline and correction are a necessary part of church life, these things are not to be done in the context of the prophetic. From my own experience, discipline is more easily received when it’s done in a relationship of love, respect and tenderness. On the other hand the most significant prophetic words I have received, have came from those who don’t know me from Adam (though they do know me from Eve!). I want to thank You Father for the depth of Your Word, and that Your greatest desire is that we be built up and comforted. Thank You that You are the God of all comfort and I thank and praise You again this morning Lord in Jesus Name Amen