“These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.” (Obi-Wan Kenobi: Star Wars)
“There may also be some who are so weak in intellect and imagination . . . they believe they actually see all they imagine. This is highly dangerous”. (Teresa of Avila: Fourth Mansions: Chapter Three)
Some “believe they actually see all they imagine”. This is not mystical prayer. It is the weak-minded chasing random thoughts and adopting half-baked ideas. This manifests itself several ways:
- There are those who want to please God but live in confusion because they believe every passing thought comes from God (or Satan). Like a car stuck in snow, they spin and slide: a lot of energy expended, but no traction.
- There are those who lack spiritual maturity, yet “hear God” for others. They hold leaders hostage by saying they heard from God and that others should be obedient to their “visions”.
- There are church leaders who say and believe they’ve received messages from God when it’s only their imagination. This self-deception may begin with well-intentioned efforts to expand a ministry but ends in coercion and manipulation.
Don’t elevate the weak-minded to leadership. You’ll be cleaning up the mess for a long time.
Leave a Reply