Ladling out heartache *
"Because with lies you have made the heart of the
righteous sad, whom I have not made sad…I will save My people out of
your hand." So speaks God to false prophets and fortune-tellers in
Ezekiel 13:22-23 (NKJV).
There's enough trouble in life that comes uncalled for
without preachers and teachers ladling out heartache in the name of the
Lord.
Pulpits and lecterns are dangerous places! Those that
fill them face greater judgement (compare James 3:1). These are places
of such power. There are earthquakes and tornados and hurricanes and
tsunamis and massive volcanic eruptions and then there are words!
Sensitive people, already under great pressure, melt under the words
that pour from mouths breathing fire in the name of the Lord. Another
sermon to preach or class to teach, fling something together, don't
think too much about who's going to hear it and don't spend a lot of
time worrying how well it reflects the overarching purpose of God—just
pour it out and let them be dismayed who are dismayed! That's "faithful
preaching"!
Don't trouble yourself that the verses you quote and ram
home are addressed to apostates and the impenitent and that your
hearers may well be devoted but very sensitive disciples of the Lord. If
your lesson scares them witless, that's their problem; yours is only to
get an introduction, three points and a conclusion, with loads of
verses thrown in!
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