Today's reading: Ezekiel 13-16
As for you, mortal, set you face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own imagination; prophesy against them. Ezekiel 13:17 NRSV
Interesting that God is not against women who prophesy; God is against women who prophesy out of the their own imaginations. In other words, it is not gender that God is against. God is upset when people make up things that God has not spoken to them or inspired them to say.
Of course, this follows God's discourse on the men who are doing similar things. The men who prophesy are also making things up and claiming: "Thus says the Lord!" God is against all those who speak falsely on God's behalf.
Whether we are men or women, you and I need to be careful that we aren't speaking on God's behalf. Just because we heard it on talk radio, feel strongly convinced or even had it from a good source (such as our pastor), does not mean that God said it. It is when we are full of the Holy Spirit or God calls us specifically to speak a word that we can claim it is from God. We need to carefully listen to our own hearts and test what we are thinking before saying it is from God.
God, thank you for Christian communities where we can share the messages and opinion on our hearts and minds. Thank you that together we can discern what is your will and your words before opening our mouths on your behalf. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
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