The meaning of the word forbid is “to refuse to allow.” What an action word! Only six letters and yet it has consequences. If I can forbid you to do something…. then… How extraordinary is my power! If I refuse to allow you to….then… But what happens if the very thing that I wish to accomplish is counterproductive because “I forbid.”
Take any situation and consider what the consequences might be if “I forbid.” By simply exercising the action of forbidding, I have exercised authority over the situation or person(s). On whose authority, did I take such action? Am I being governed by the Holy Spirit or is it a setup of the enemy of God?
In this blog, I considered the Scriptures of Matthew 19 and Matthew 22.
Jesus taught in Matthew 19:13-14 [Amplified version], “Then children were brought to Jesus so that He might place His hands on them [for a blessing] and pray; but the disciples reprimanded them. 14 But He said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
The verses in Chapter 19, identifies an example of forbidding that was counter-productive to what Jesus wanted – that is, the willingness of people to freely come and accept him as Christ.
As it was then, so it is in today’s society, man seek to make laws to govern. There are the laws of nature and there are spiritual laws that govern (God is a Spirit). But there are NO laws of nature that man can make that will rule above spiritual matters. And all of the commandments and writings of the Prophets rests on these two laws of God to govern the heart. Matthew 22: 37-40 says:
37 And Jesus replied to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ 40 The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”
What does it matter to me when it comes to forbidding as a servant leader?
Forbidding – A Personal Responsibility
When it comes to actions of forbidding, it is my prayer that my action(s) do not cause any person(s) to turn away from seeking the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. For God is Wisdom and Truth. I pray, “Open my eyes, Dear Lord, that I may know your law.”
If I truly trust God, then my actions must be to support the poor in spirit. This is His will; obedience that will please and honor God. My actions must be that of a refusal to allow Satan to use me as a deterrent to the Truth.
If I really trust God, then I know that God is able and willing to help any person who seeks Him. If I really trust God, then my actions will be LOVE.
If I really trust God, then my action(s) will be as a peacemaker not a peacebreaker. If I really trust God, then my actions will be guided by the Holy Spirit and not man’s inhuman ways. If I really trust God, then the choice is simple:
The “Holy Spirit will speak on my behalf. I will bring others to Him because of His leading me.”
Check out our upcoming episode “I Forbid at #GardeniasGardenPodcast”
Subscribe to Comment