When God Tells You Something, Do It, Don’t Just Tweet It
Last night I tweeted…
“Most of the time,when God tells U something,He’s probably looking 4 simple obedience as opposed 2 tweeting or blogging abt it.”
Yes God wants us to share so that we may help.
But I’m finding more and more on this world wide web that we are trying to turn every still small voice from God into our Large Loud Voice from us.
And I’m talking to myself here too.
This is just an encouragement to US all that when God speaks…Listen…Do…Listen…
And try and speak just a little bit less.
And yes…I do feel like God spoke to me to tell you all this…I’m not saying to not share…but your time with God should probably be just that most of the time…YOUR TIME WITH GOD…
I was reminded last night in a reply back to me that in the Screwtape letters, a suggested way for Wormwood to divert his ‘patient’ is 2 get him 2 write a book about what he’s learned.
The great thing is to prevent his doing anything. As long as he does not convert it into action, it does not matter how much he thinks about this new repentance. Let the little brute wallow in it. Let him, if he has any bent that way, write a book about it; that is often an excellent way of sterilizing the seeds which the Enemy plants in a human soul. Let him do anything but act. No amount of piety in his imagination and affections will harm us if we can keep it out of his will. As one of the humans has said, active habits are strengthened by repetition but passive ones are weakened. The more often he feels without acting, the less he will be able ever to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel,
Your affectionate uncle
SCREWTAPE
I am assuming that probably most of the time…the still small voice of God in your spirit is meant for just one person…
You…
and just one action…
Do…
That’s all…
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
There is irony in the fact that you tweeted this and that CS Lewis wrote that sentiment in a book.
Much irony. But alas. The point should be made eh?
Absolutely. Irony isn’t always a bad thing.
I think as worship leaders (or leaders in general) it’s sometimes extremely difficult to often separate what God is speaking to us for our congregations (and not to us specifically) and what He is speaking to us (and not our congregation). I think our first instinct is “God spoke to me. It must be for everyone.”
Saddutweet.
Absolutely true! We can spend so much time stirring things up just to stir.
I’m so sick of sitting on my backside when there are things that God has called me to address in my own life. I have been sensing this discontent building in me more lately.
Time to do.
Thanks Los.
Thanks Los, I needed that!
I think that His still small voice is also used to speak to our hearts and share with others. And as a leader you know this.
The problem lies with people not knowing when God is speaking to their spirit for themselves and when He’s speaking to their spirit to share with others. And even when those paths my overlap.
Not that all leaders get those right either.
yup. That’s the point…
I think HE speaks to us A LOT more about what we should keep to ourselves
I struggle with when I don’t share enough of what God is speaking to my spirit. When have I shared the things He wants and when I have been “tight lipped” too much.
So how do you know when you’ve shared what you’re supposed to and when you haven’t. And even when it’s spoken to only you and not share with others’ hearts?
Gary…I’m no seminary trained theologian…but go with me for a sec…
Great question by the way…
I just want us all to wrestle with it.
Hoping that every decision we make is not made for the masses but for relationship with Him.
I think the fact that you are wrestling is your answer.
I think we should wrestle more and spit less.
For so many…their blogs become a place to be satisfied by affirmation on what should only be affirmation from God… Not men.
Man. That was confusing. Hopefully you got it.
And this brother . . is why I don’t blog. LOL
Superb insight as always – and I must put my hand up to confess myself.
Sometimes though, and I know this sounds a bit defensive , I find that I’ll blog these things to a) act as a reminder b) act as permission for others to hold me to it and c) because sometimes, rarely, what has hit me can impact others (this is a very rare scenario – a and b are my normal two reasons)
Mike. Those are ALL completely valid reasons.
I guess I’m talking about sometimes I read someones blog and they are using these times as teaching moments when it honestly has little to do with teaching and more to do with what God is telling them to do.
We have all felt it and feel it.
The Holy Spirit prompts and moves.
Dont stop sharing…
Just be prayerful about it!
WORD!
And this answers the question I just asked ya. LOL
Los,
I’m gonna somewhat agree/somewhat disagree with this post. I get the point you’re trying to make but I’m not sure it applies to all people.
For instance, I’m a communicator. I have been called to speak the truth of the Gospel into people. One avenue I get to do that is through social networking.
Through my 600 followers and 1600 friends on facebook, I have an opportunity to share Jesus on a platform of over 2,000 people. Why would I not capitalize on that opportunity to share what the Lord is putting on my heart?
Also, I think as long as that stuff is not ALL that you are posting, what’s the harm? I also post what I do, random thoughts, quotes and ideas.
Just something to think about.
What do you think?
Yo. Good thought.
I just think that God is speaking to us A LOT and wanting us to act in obedience as opposed to letting the world know we are acting in obedience?
Get it?
I mean sure…
We should tell the world the Good News.
YES!
But if we are not wrestling with what should and should not be told then I think we should.
There are some things that I KNOW GOD wants me to keep between me and Him… And I’m seeing more and more people share things for affirmations as opposed to seeking affirmation for Him alone.
Yes.
BUT, I still think when we share with people what God is up to in our hearts it allows us to be vulnerable AND allows those that follow us to keep us accountable.
Don’t you do that on your blog?
BTW, you’re the man. I miss seeing you around at Oak Leaf.
I do do that on my blog.
But I don’t share what I feel like God is asking me not to. And that is A LOT.
In this world of web where 1000′s are now watching us…
I think this is a VERY important concept to struggle with.
I just RT this and then immediately deleted it LOL Good point though.
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Think about the number of times Jesus did miracles and told the receiver to tell no one of it because it would create trouble for Him before His time. Look at Joseph. I’m convinced that God wouldve still fulfilled his dream but his road would have been VERY different had he kept his mouth shut.
Thanks for posting
Great thoughts here, Los. I’m only speculating here but I’ll bet it’s harder on guys like you who have thousands of followers and people hanging on your every post/tweet/word.
makes me think about conversations with my wife. I’m not about to tweet out every intimate conversation i have with her. It’s for me & her. I think my intimate conversations with God deserve even more. i’m all about sharing (when sharing is appropriate) but i think as the world gets louder & we find ourselves less & less in stillness & quiet, we need to fight to protect what we can to be still, and act quietly and humbly in obedience. There’s a time & place to tweet and not tweet.
Sometimes talking about it has a way of taming the passion we have for it and decreasing the likelihood for action. It’s like leaving the door of the steam room open (analogy borrowed from Nouwen).
To obey is definitely better!
Great post, Los. I just finished “The Vertical Self” by Mark Sayers, and this post fits right in to one of the main themes of that book. I get the feeling, God is trying to get a message to me, but now I can’talk about it…
If what you tweet/blog/post causes other people to act as well then it’s a great thing. I know I’ve done positive things as a result of words others have written on the web (including this blog).
Maybe it shouldn’t be “don’t tweet it” but “practise what you tweet”. That way you act on what God’s told you and you can encourage others to do the same.
good word.
This thought came to mind recently when I was in a meeting where many young people were feeling led to share their encouragements and “words” from the stage. The worship during the meeting was explosive and the presence of God was very present. In that atmosphere God SHOULD be talking to us (or we should be listening) but I think we often mistake his word to us as his word to all. Why wouldn’t we share things with just each other – us and God? Always wanting to spread your personal conversations with God to the rest of the world is a little like spiritual kiss and tell! : )
The whole Bible is a private conversation between God and man shared openly .
and thanks for taking caps lock off!!!
yeah – I’m not talking about sharing Scripture with one another. I’m talking about sharing every word you feel God has spoken to you personally, outside of the actual pages of the Bible. Conversations.
What about the idea that when you tweet something out it causes you to put your name behind it and commit to it.
I think one thing that struck me as I read this is sometimes God is still stirring things in you.
The natural reaction is to get excited and to share it.
But what if God is wanting you to wait and be patient and let it stir more then five minutes.
As soon as we tweet that we are going to do this or this we are called into a commitment to follow through. Sometimes those commitments cannot be kept.
what would we do without twitter and FB? my question is can we live God out loud in real life as opposed to FB and Twitter. it’s easy to hide behind a keyboard.
Hypocrite.
hahaha.
i love to think out loud. enough said.
Los,
Love the over-arching theme of this post calling us to action instead of just talking. But I think the “Will of God” stuff is really misunderstood Biblically. I think the question that one poster mentioned about knowing whether or not it’s God speaking, is an unimportant question. I think we just assume that God speaks to us in some “feeling oriented impressions” without, really looking to the Bible to see if there is an argument theologically for that being the case. A really great resource that helped me understand this was a book called “Decision Making and the Will of God.” I highly encourage everyone to check it out and give it a chance, it comes at the topic looking first to the Bible. You can even read excerpts here: http://www.gfriesen.net/sections/willofgod_principles.php
Don’t mean to hijack, just think this is a really important topic.
Dan
Meant to say “isn’t an unimportant question.”
God, this needs to be said. Thank you for saying it through Los.
Seriously. Thank you.
Tweeting is a tool, not a life.
I agree as well. I appreciate the reminder to think before I tweet. As a side note, I was discussing social networking tools with our lead pastor the other day and we were sharing how amazing these things can be for ministry but at the same time, if we aren’t careful, we can become more “connected” than ever before in history and be more isolated than ever before at the same time.
The unwritten comment that follows me to every blog I visit, the hidden me between the lines… and it’s not for the easily offended: (which is all of us)
I am a hypocrite. It may be subtle or unintentional but I am. You are… we all are if just for moments here and there.
I am a confused believer in Jesus, doubtful and insincere more than I am able to admit… because I am also insecure and fearful of the judgement of others so I am unable to be fully “real” or authentic.
I am terrified of not being in the spot light and being cool and current, trendy and hashtagged. I am trying harder at winning my own popularity contest then I am to honor my wife.
I parade around reading people’s blogs and books and the news and magazines and sometimes… the Bible… but only when others are watching…
…and because of all this I think I am authorized to pass judgement on others.
I think I can watch a 3 minute video of a guy from Canada doing a poetry slam on being a Christian… and somehow think I know his LIFE story and stereotype and pigeon hold him into all my presuppositions. I condemn him the way Jesus did and use Jesus as my example… before pausing long enough to remember I am not GOD in the flesh. And I am not a judge.
But i am.
I feel I am empowered, probably by what I claim to be the Holy Spirit or maybe based on some kind of “conviction”, to comment on “said blog” regarding “said blogger’s” desire to encourage us to spend more time in God’s word for our own sakes and not just for the applause of the web world.
And then judge him, his motives and most likely… blog, twitter gossip about him. Because I can do that.
I am jealous, envious and bitter.
I am you.
Fighting about tooth picks and ignoring planks…
Looking in a mirror and pointing fingers…
Self absorbed and blindly selfish…
the scorched portion of a pot that is commenting on the kettle’s blog…
My tongue is out of control… piercing through both sides of my mouth…
Because I run my mouth and slander my neighbor and then Kiss my God with that mouth…
while at the same time flipping over in my starbucks chair about the curse word I read on a blog or heard about from someone who should just know better!
And even though I say boldly that Jesus died for me
And because of that I am forgiven and free
I’m now able to live for eternity, fully alive with the one who created me…
Even though I say all that, my life and my actions and the unseen places of my heart and the THOUGHTS ONLY GOD CAN SEE are telling you and the rest of the world…
…to fuck off.
…go to hell.
…just die.
Because you see….
If the images in my mind had a blog all their own it would be violent, hateful, arrogant, pornographic & sex intoxicated…
…with other peoples husbands or wives, the waiter, my neighbor… or the worship leader.
The blog that the walls of my life would write would be real and authentic. Those images and actions would be honest.
and the comments… well…
I’m sure the comments would be the same.
because remember… you are a hypocrite.
I am a hypocrite.
And even though I’ve read every book and blog…
heard every podcast…
watched every sermon…
attended every conference…
bought the new worship cd…
never skipped church a day in my life…
sponsored a child in Africa…
virgin till married…
never smoked or drank…
never cussed… not even in my mind…
never looked on anyone with a dirty thought…
said no to drugs…
and stopped the violence…
Though I have lived this life as perfectly as one person ever could, with Mother Teresa and Billy Graham as my guide…
With every letter I type…
I am a hypocrite…
…and Jesus is my only hope.
reading these comments, i’m thinking we can’t let the pendulum swing too far the other way. especially in the pursuit of authentic living.
when we hear from God, we should first do it, then tweet it. we can all benefit from those doing the will of God who are willing to be authentic about it and share their lives with others.
most of why i twitter/blog is to find those who are ahead of me “doing” who are willing to impart to others like myself, not yet that far along in the journey, and to be a member of that community for those i’ve journey’ed farther than.
Carlos. You just wrecked me.
Today is my 1 year mark of employment two states away from the person, the church, the community, the life I was trying to run from. It’s been a blessed year, in spite of the 200 miles-a-day communting. I came in and told my boss how much I sincerely appreciate all he’s done for me, and was about to launch into the “But… out of respect for you, you should know I’m looking to move back…”
But before I could get it out, he hit me with the, “I could lose anyone else in this office and be alright, but not if you left.”
Stalled.
Then I came here, and lookit what you wrote.
Time to stop typing this, and pray, and man up.
Thanks, tho.
I was just so touched by your loving heart and wanted this opportunity to say it. I wish you everything in life that comes with Blessings and love.
All the best. Francine
all of you will see my message now,IF you never listen what god tells to do. You will be condemm and thrown in the lake of hell, Also if you wont listen what god is saying something to you you`l be the one thrown in that never ending lake of hell.
those of you will see what my message is all about! if you never listen to god what he is trying to tell or speaks to you> you will be thrown in the lake of hell, OR if you never accept you will be thrown in hell.