Simon Says - God Says

For season after season people flocked to watch American Idol. Probably the most popular judge was Simon, mainly because he was brutally honest. That man didn’t care what the contestants or public thought of him; he would “tell it like it is” from his professional point of view, even if it hurt feelings. Truly, over the years he’s softened a bit, based on public pressure and opinion.

Ever play the game “Simon Says”? The game tests how well the players listen. The leader must preface every action with the words, “Simon says…touch your nose.” However, when the game gets going more quickly the leader may say, “touch your toes” and if you do, you’re out of the game. Why? Because “Simon didn’t say”.

For a spiritual application of this, think about how we start out doing what “God says”, but when life gets busy and fast-paced we might compulsively do something without the preface of “God says”. As Satan said to Eve in the Garden of Eden, “Did God say…” he then twisted the words of God to confuse her, the Bible tells us that God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor 14:33). Notice that when Satan tried to tempt Jesus by using God’s Word, Jesus responded with, “It is written…” 100% of the time. In order to wield the sword of the Spirit we have to not only read the Word, but study to understand its meaning. Meditate on it and listen for God’s direction.

So where am I going with this? I’m just writing as the Spirit leads, for Jesus said in John 3:8 “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

One thing I really admire about the father of my children is that he doesn’t flinch to “tell it like it is”. When the kids were growing up he would say, “I don’t care if you hate me.” I knew he loved them enough to sacrifice himself for their good. I almost called this hub, “I Love You Enough”. Likewise, we as Christians should not flinch when it comes to speaking the truth in love. If our children are worth it, the salvation of the lost is worth it! Unlike Simon, we shouldn’t “soften” so much by public pressure or opinion that we compromise the truth or, worse yet, be silent.

I have a whole hub called Hated on Account of My Name that addresses the different types of love and how to balance love with the weapon of hatred formed against us (Is 54:17). Jesus said in Luke 6:22-23 "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven." Whenever I suffer hate, I think of the love of Jesus, so great that He bore that hate right to the cross.

Have you ever attempted to witness the truth of God’s Word to someone who claims to know Him, yet his/her foundational beliefs are in error? Truly, we are to help others when led by the Holy Spirit to “see” the error of their ways so the root of it does not grow deeper and/or affect others. James 5:20 tells us, “he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

When witnessing to another it’s best to identify his/her level of spiritual maturity. Think of teen-agers, for instance. A Dad can lecture until he’s “blue in the face”, yet his teen-ager’s attitude might be, “You don’t know anything, Dad. I know everything.” The teen will, more often than not, act impulsively and even irresponsibly because he conveniently forgets, “Dad says…” While he heard what Dad said, he chose not to listen.

Now, what I’ve observed about teens is that those with the most controlling parents end up quite rebellious (for a time). Parenting is an art, just like witnessing. For instance, if someone comes out of a controlling, religious cult the victim not only hates control, but will be blinded to the possibility that he/she has become controlling. It’s very hard to trust someone else’s direction without triggering that fear. This becomes the stumbling block when it comes to submitting to the Holy Spirit.

Likewise, anger can explode from them, beyond what we would consider “normal”. This is rooted in built-up and unhealed emotions from the past. We truly can’t take it personally. God definitely uses anger for the good, for He created it. I think of the story of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. She wisely made him furious to expose the truth of his heart and mind, which he otherwise kept to himself.

Just as a father plants words of wisdom into his children, the Word of the Lord is our Father's "Seed" planted in us (Luke 8). As bond-servants, we then sow the Seed to the field (the world). Depending on the “condition of the soil” that Seed may or may not take root. Some ground is so hard it requires a great deal of tilling. It’s a comfort to ponder 1 Cor 3:7 “So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth” and Isaiah 55:11 “[My Word] will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Praise God! Think of how a teen-ager, once matured, actually remembers and values the words of his father.

See, saving faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17). Unfortunately, the first thing that generally happens to the hearer is conviction (guilt) by the Holy Spirit. This might be why so many won’t step foot in a church or avoid talking to believers at all costs. Conviction may trigger anger or hostility in them. Why is this a good thing? Because the "Seed" is penetrating!! Thus begins the inward struggle with the Spirit of God ~ hopefully, bringing repentance unto salvation.

Once saved, believers continue to struggle with the Holy Spirit. We not only wrestle to overcome the sin of the flesh, but to yield to the Spirit when He tries to expand our understanding from carnal to spiritual. I think of how Jacob wrestled with God (Gen 32:24-28). At first, Jacob was too strong, so "the man" dislocated his hip to weaken him enough to wrestle all night. Jacob didn't give up, and for this he is said to have prevailed! The interesting thing is, Jacob wouldn't let "the man" go until he blessed Jacob!  That’s when Jacob was renamed Israel!! Rev 2:17 prophesies each believer will receive a new name, too! “…I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.”

Lord, keep us humble and broken before You that we may listen, learn, and mature in our walk with You, being transformed from glory to glory into Your image (2 Cor 3:18).  We thank you for the ones you put in our paths and we pray that You give us a heart of compassion, yet the boldness to wield the Sword when “God says”.  It’s a MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.  You loved us enough to die for us; may we love others enough to FIGHT FOR THEM, even in the face of hatred.  The truth can hurt initially, but it also heals and sets us free (Ps 107:20; John 8:36).  Spiritual warfare wounds, yet he who seeks the Lord receives the healing balm of Gilead (Jer 8:22).  It’s worth it ~ so worth it.  Lead us to Your cross, dear Lord.  Amen.