Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
Edify. This is one of those words that everyone knows what it means, but I think that most people treat it as if it means something else.
Edify. Essentially to build. An edifice is a building, and the modification into edify indicates the process of bringing a building to be. So "building."
Yet, in spiritual, emotional, psychological, etc., terms, what is "building"? It surely means to add to or improve the condition with a goal to a "correct" or "healthy" condition. But how do we gauge that?
By our feelings? We feel better. We are impressed. We have a sense of elation. We are joyous. We are euphoric.
But is this the true measure of "building" in the spiritual realm? Or is it a substitute? We accept a better feeling as the measure of something grounded and sober.
So what builds you? Euphoria or hardship? An unspeakable revelation or a solid revelation that you are not as righteous as you thought?
Just some examples.
I still assert that the Cessationist position is no better than the position that tongues and other miracles continue. But the "old school" version of the Pentecostal/charismatic gifts seems to place it way out of balance with respect to scripture. Just like Lee took "prophesying" and drove it way out of perspective.
And I know that last one still riles many of us who now despise the LRC. We really liked the kind of involvement that we got in our testimony times. But the pattern does not look like that. It looks like people gathering in mass to the Temple, then to other places where there were teachers to learn from.
No record of the listeners stepping up to speak out and "prophesy."
If we are just supposed to do our own "prophesying," then what is a teacher? Why are they mentioned in a positive sense? Not just in a negative sense. Paul didn't say to avoid teachers. He said to avoid certain kinds.
I agree that hearing from the body as a whole at times is a good thing. But insisting on it is not much better than insisting on tongues. Or piano and organ but no band, Or Band but no organ (unless it is a Hammond B-3). Or a single piece of unleavened, bleached flour bread broken immediately before the "table" v separate crackers (and layer in wine v grape juice; one cup v lots of little ones v dipping the bread in the "juice", and so on).
Personally, I cringe at the word "edifying" because it almost always ends out with a "feel good" aura around it rather than something that looks like either personal sanctification or the growing together of the members of the body.
And while I agree (even with my Dad a little) that it is probably not correct to pass the charismatic things off as relics of an ended time, too much of the visible evidence is that it is not about edifying, but about feeling good.
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Great points OBW! Next time I am around my charismatic friends, I am going to ask them what exactly it means to them when they say praying in tongues 'edifys' them.
You know what 'edifys' me? When I have passed a test or trial. Man, I rejoice!
Because I '
got it!" I have a great story..uh testimony for you guys.
A few years ago, I left my wallet at the check out stand of the grocery store I was at. I put all my groceries in the shopping cart and left my wallet on the counter. On my way home, I stopped to put gas in my car.
EEK!! No money..no wallet!
As I was racing back to the store...praying fervently no less, Phillipians 4:6-7 came to me. "Be anxious
for nothing.
So I told the Lord:
YOUR WORD says not to be anxious. So I am surrendering my anxiety to you. I have made my request with a heart filled with gratitude for receiving my supplication. I have asked You to place a hedge of protection around my wallet. I believe it will be there in tact. But if not, it is in Your Hands and I will not be mad at You. You will help me get through it all no matter what the outcome.
I was still anxious of course but I was Thanking the Lord all the way back to the store. And to Him be the Glory and Praise, it was there...everything in tact.
That was the first time in my entire life, I stood on Phillipians 4:6-7 even though we ALL know those scriptures by heart!
I learned a lesson!! Even though I was still scared and anxious, I was not focusing on my anxiety. I was focusing on the Word and by FAITH I was trying to obey. I think my efforts, yes MY EFFORTS pleased the LORD. I am still very, very human!!!
Try not to be anxious when in a scary situation! (speaking to all reading my post..not speaking directly to OBW.)
Shalom!
Carol G