Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
When Praising Jesus Hinders His Work

When Praising Jesus Hinders His Work

We all know that people who reject Christ, who refuse the working of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, will be opposed to God and His kingdom of love. We understand, and even expect, that those who reject truth, reject love, reject righteousness will work against God and His kingdom of love.

We also understand that there are those who claim to be on God’s team but who are not – people who claim to be Christian but have not been reborn, those who have accepted a false view of God and, despite their claim to be on Jesus’ side, actually work against Him. Jesus described these sad, lost souls to His disciples:

Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:21–23 NIV84).

Yes – we know that those who have rejected Jesus and those who have not been reborn are working against God’s kingdom. But what many may not realize is that it is possible for those who are saved, who have accepted Jesus, who have their hearts filled with love for God, and who are motivated to share Him with others, to, in the very act of sharing their love for God, work against Him and hinder what Jesus is trying to accomplish.

God designed us to experience powerful feelings, but in God’s design, our feelings are to be governed by our good judgment. We are to choose what we understand is right and healthy, in harmony with God’s will, design, and purposes, regardless of how we feel in the moment. Our feelings are not to overrule our judgment – what we know is right. When we allow our feelings to take charge, we are at great risk of acting outside God’s will. And the danger of our feelings leading us to work against God arises not only from such emotions as anger, hurt, resentment, or lust, but it can also arise from feelings of joy, love, and the desire to praise and uplift Jesus.

We find an example of this recorded in the book of Mark:

Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places (1:43–45 NIV84).

This man had a saving encounter with Jesus. He was not just healed of a skin disease, but he was also saved from sin. Leprosy was viewed as a curse from God and punishment for sin. To be a leper in Christ’s day was to be a sinner outside of God’s grace, corrupt beyond salvation, rejected and accursed by God and shunned and cast out by society. In healing the leper, Jesus not only cured the physical malady, but He also transformed the heart of the leper, who responded with love and devotion to Christ.

But Jesus gave him specific instructions to keep quiet about his healing, to go to the priests and offer the proper sacrifices and get their verdict that he was cured so he could be restored to his family and community. Jesus understood the prejudices of the religious leaders and didn’t want this man to be denied restoration to the community because of their biases.

But it wasn’t only for this man’s benefit that Jesus told him to be silent about his healing; it was for Jesus’ larger mission to the people that the man’s silence was necessary. Yet the new follower of Christ, filled with love, joy, and happiness, his heart overflowing with a desire to uplift Christ, allowed his feelings to overrule what he knew Jesus had instructed him to do – and he ended up interfering with Jesus’ mission. Instead of doing what Christ had directed him to do, he followed his feelings and put obstacles in the way of Christ’s larger purpose.

One Bible commentary describes it this way:

Jesus charged the man not to make known the work that had been wrought, but straightway to present himself with an offering at the temple. Such an offering could not be accepted until the priests had made examination and pronounced the man wholly free from the disease. However unwilling they might be to perform this service, they could not evade an examination and decision of the case.

The words of Scripture show with what urgency Christ enjoined upon the man the necessity of silence and prompt action. … Had the priests known the facts concerning the healing of the leper, their hatred of Christ might have led them to render a dishonest sentence. Jesus desired the man to present himself at the temple before any rumors concerning the miracle had reached them. Thus an impartial decision could be secured, and the restored leper would be permitted to unite once more with his family and friends.

There were other objects which Christ had in view in enjoining silence on the man. The Saviour knew that His enemies were ever seeking to limit His work, and to turn the people from Him. He knew that if the healing of the leper were noised abroad, other sufferers from this terrible disease would crowd about Him, and the cry would be raised that the people would be contaminated by contact with them. Many of the lepers would not so use the gift of health as to make it a blessing to themselves or to others. And by drawing the lepers about Him, He would give occasion for the charge that He was breaking down the restrictions of the ritual law. Thus His work in preaching the gospel would be hindered.

The event justified Christ’s warning. A multitude of people had witnessed the healing of the leper, and they were eager to learn of the priests’ decision. When the man returned to his friends, there was great excitement. Notwithstanding the caution of Jesus, the man made no further effort to conceal the fact of his cure. It would indeed have been impossible to conceal it, but the leper published the matter abroad. Conceiving that it was only the modesty of Jesus which laid this restriction upon him, he went about proclaiming the power of this Great Healer. He did not understand that every such manifestation made the priests and elders more determined to destroy Jesus. The restored man felt that the boon of health was very precious. He rejoiced in the vigor of manhood, and in his restoration to his family and society, and felt it impossible to refrain from giving glory to the Physician who had made him whole. But his act in blazing abroad the matter resulted in hindering the Saviour’s work. It caused the people to flock to Him in such multitudes that He was forced for a time to cease His labors (The Desire of Ages, p. 264, emphasis mine).

The great error of this healed man was that he allowed his own feelings of love, joy, devotion, and affection to overrule what he understood Christ wanted him to do. He failed to actually follow where Jesus was leading. His feelings led him to draw false conclusions about why Jesus told him to keep silent. He didn’t have the same understanding or perspective of reality as Christ did and, therefore, he made false conclusions based upon His love and godly desire to uplift Jesus.

This healed man was not Jesus’ enemy. The man was not motivated by selfishness. The man was not a rejector of Jesus or seeking to harm God’s cause. His love and desire to uplift Jesus were good and righteous desires and emotions – nothing wrong with feeling the way he did. But because he allowed his emotions of love and appreciation for Christ to control him, he didn’t follow what Jesus had specifically and clearly instructed him to do; thus, his actions were not the actions of love and loyalty, and he ultimately hindered the work of God.

Is there a lesson for us today in this story? Could we be at risk of allowing powerful feelings of various kinds to lead us to take actions that we believe are uplifting God, or promoting God’s cause, but are in opposition to some direction, instruction, guidance, principle, or method of God that He has revealed to us in His Word?

I empathize greatly with the healed leper. I think I would have had a very hard time keeping quiet had I been in his shoes. But then I think of Jesus’ invitation to become His friend:

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you (John 15:14, 15 NIV84, emphasis mine).

This is my goal! Having accepted Jesus’ invitation of friendship, I want to keep growing in godliness, to mature beyond being a mere newborn child of God who is saved by grace and to develop into a real understanding friend of Jesus who knows His methods, principles, and design laws for life; a friend who comprehends what He is seeking to accomplish so that, regardless of my feelings, I will consistently do as He has instructed. I not only want to feel love for Jesus, I want to love Him as one of His trusted and loyal friends – to love Him with my actions, which means doing as He has instructed.

If you haven’t already done so, will you join me and accept Jesus’ invitation to be His understanding friend? Will you seek to keep growing in godliness, to mature beyond the joy of a newborn babe saved by grace into an understanding friend of Jesus, one who knows His methods, principles, and design laws for life, a person who comprehends what God is seeking to accomplish and regardless of feelings, choose to do as Jesus directs?


Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.