Don't marry that man
Christian prophecies ruining saints
Strong willed?
Join the club...
Yet.
The enemy can easily use our 'strong will' to outwit us by encouraging us to resist sound godly advice.
Especially,
When choosing a spouse.
Then our stubborn resistance to wise counsel can prove disastrous.
However,
The opposite is also true.
Gullibly accepting every 'prophetic word' spoken over you... and blindly acting out instructions to marry someone is honestly... nuts!
Why?
Some churches are to say the least, heavy handed.
Like one my wife and I were in once.
For example,
Once the leadership refused a brother 'permission' to go on a five week motorcycle tour through Europe with his happy new bride.
Cancelling their trip they deemed this...
'Putting GOD first' at the start of their marriage.
And because they'd dared to even think about 'being absent from the church for an extended period' they said this brother especially needed to...
"Seek GOD as to where your priorities lie."
They crushed him.
And his bride.
So sad.
The light in both of them went out.
They never went on that wonderful motorbike adventure.
Controlled. Squished. Silenced.
Distressing eh?
Thankfully the LORD graciously moved my wife and I on after we wised up to the heavy handed state of affairs there.
Yet that story...
Reminds me of another dear sister more recently.
Thankfully though...
She escaped the clutches of a 'Prophet of the LORD' lurking in her Church around the corner from us.
One evening I went out for a long walk…
And casually wandered along on a route I hardly ever take.
However,
At the end of one street I heard a voice...
"Hi Dave!
Don't normally see you down here?"
Hmmm...
"No. I don't come this way normally.
How are you sister?"
Then she told me...
"I am so confused. And really anxious... but I think it's because I'm being so stubborn to the LORD. I just feel dreadful."
ME: "What do you mean?"
"Someone important keeps asking me to marry him... and I said I will think about it. I feel terrible for stalling... but he keeps insisting I marry him because he's sure 'I'm the ONE.'
I'm scared I'll do the wrong thing and miss my only chance to get married if I don't accept his proposal."
I answered...
"Hold your horses sister! In fact... tell him to get lost!"
She replied...
"I can't do that. He's one of the elders in the Church. And he's one of the main 'prophets' we have. Everyone goes to him for 'counsel'.
And he says GOD has shown him I'm the one he is to marry.
He's got it from the LORD and I need to answer him... soon! So I probably… will."
I replied...
"Sister, that's NOT the Holy Spirit. This ‘prophecy’ about him marrying you is 100% wrong!"
I explained that her hesitation and dread about marrying the man, were in fact the 'STOP! Do not go ahead' sign the Holy Spirit was giving her... not to marry him.
Why?
Because it did not match up with God's word on guidance (Wisdom)...
"Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. "
Proverbs 3:17 ESV
So.
I asked if she had any peace at all about this prophetic filled 'marriage.'
She replied no.
And that she'd been deeply troubled for weeks. She was depressed too, not her normal, contented self.
I was certain the LORD didn't want her to marry him.
So told her...
She was being manipulated into marrying someone that...
She didn't actually love!
That was abusing his position in the church.
That was a false prophet (obviously!).
Thankfully…
She escaped.
And didn't marry him.
It was close though.
Thank you Jesus!
Instead may GOD Himself give her a man she loves, instead of a stumbling block sent from the enemy to muck her whole life up.
As I left to continue my walk, I commended some words to this sister which have saved me from all sorts of trouble (especially in Church circles)…
"Beware of people that make you feel guilty."
Derek Prince.
And don't let anyone bully you either dear overcomer.
The enemy would love to shut you down...
To shut you up. To silence you. To lure you into a wrong business venture.
To trip you up and cast you into a viper pit of a marriage.
Always,
To muzzle and stifle you and your gifts.
Don't let it happen.
It's your will. NOT ANYONE ELSES.
Jesus won't force you into anything.
Remember...
As for GOD, His way is perfect.
And Jesus is perfect...
He is the Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6)
And...
All His ways... are PEACE.
So never make a move without that deep SHALOM only He gives.
Have a great weekend.
Bless you.
Dave.
PS Trust Him.
May He alone guide and shield you forever...
"As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
2 Samuel 22:31
And…
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Yes Jesus is a wonderful counselor. May He counsel you in paths of peace, not man’s cunning trickery.
"Beware of people who make you feel guilty."
Derek Prince.
Derek Prince's teachings are such a blessing! That quote is gold. Thank you Dave, this post really encouraged me.