Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
What is Forbid?
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…I am taking authority over it? Well…How extraordinary is my power! If I refuse to allow you to do something….then… But what happens if the very thing that I wish to accomplish is counterproductive because “I forbid?”
Be Careful
Take any situation and consider what the consequences could be if “You forbid.” By simply exercising the action of forbidding, you have authority over the situation or person(s). On whose authority, did you take such action? Will you adjust and allow the Holy Spirit to govern? Will you allow the Holy Spirit to help you make the choices for today?
Consider the Scriptures
Consider the Scriptures of Matthew 19 and Matthew 22. Then children were brought to Jesus. They wanted Him to place His hands on them for a blessing and pray. The disciples reprimanded them. 14 But He said, “Leave the children alone. Do not forbid them from coming to Me. The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
The verses in Chapter 19 identify an example of forbidding that was counter-productive to what Jesus wanted. Jesus desired the willingness of people to freely come and accept him as Christ.
Laws of Nature Forbid
As it was then, so it is in today’s society, humans 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. All of the commandments rely on these two laws of God. The writings of the Prophets also rest on these laws to govern the heart.
Matthew 22: 37-40 says: And Jesus replied to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart. Love the Lord with all your soul. Love the Lord with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it. ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ This means to unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others. The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”
Forbidding – A Personal Responsibility
What does it matter to me when it comes to forbidding as a servant leader? When it comes to actions of forbidding, I desire to think on those things that will please the Father. Therefore, I choose to pray that my actions align with His will in my life. I pray that my actions do not cause anyone to turn away from the Father. How will you pray to seek the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel? For God is Wisdom and Truth. I pray “Open my eyes, Dear Lord, that I know your law. I trust you God, thus:
- my actions will show mercy. This is His will; obedience 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.
- 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.
- my action(s) will be as a peacemaker not a peacebreaker; 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.”
What is your prayer today?
Check out our episode “I Forbid at #GardeniasGardenPodcast” or other blog posts like this one: