What Does God have to Say about Todd Bentley's Separation from his Wife?
Then today, Fresh Fire Ministries sent out an e-mail with the following news:
What does God have to say about the current situation with Todd Bentley?We wish to acknowledge...that since our last statement from the Fresh Fire Board of Directors, we have discovered new information revealing that Todd Bentley has entered into an unhealthy relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff. In light of this new information and in consultation with his leaders and advisors, Todd Bentley has agreed to step down from his position on the Board of Directors and to refrain from all public ministry for a season to receive counsel in his personal life.
Maybe that's a dangerous question, and I'm not going to pretend to speak on His behalf. But I have spent a lot of time in prayer, and the Lord keeps turning the table on the matter. Here's what I have learned from my times with God.
First, there is no doubt that He is grieved about Todd's current situation and the ripple effect that is shaking the faith of people all over this world. But I also sense that He is not taken by surprise, nor is this in any way "out of control." Todd wouldn't have come forward about this if the Holy Spirit was not convicting of sin and revealing that which is hidden.
The hypocrisy of Todd Bentley has indeed been revealed just as Jesus promised, but I believe Christ's work in the earth right now is far deeper than this. During my prayer times with the Lord, I have sensed that He is not in the least bit distracted by Todd Bentley. The eyes of the Lord are still going to and fro throughout the earth, seeking a heart that's completely His. He still sees the deepest parts of every one of us. He still notices our non-public issues on an equal playing field with public ones.Luke 12:1-3--...Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. (NIV)
He is a God of the secret things. He sees what is done in secret, hears what is said, and knows what is thought...and He repays openly. We tend to get distracted by public sin, but the Lord still looks on the condition of the hearts of all men and women around the globe.
In light of this, I sense that He would have us shift our attention for a moment.Hebrews 4:13--Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (NIV)
I can't tell you how grieved I am at the response of so many Christians to Todd Bentley's situation. As you know, I don't agree with much of Todd's theology, ministry methods, or spiritual encounters (even though I would consider myself a Charismatic). Nor do I stand by or support everything done by Fresh Fire Ministries. But that does not grant free license for personal attacks and exploitation of the situation.
On Wednesday, I posted an article about Todd's separation from his wife; and of the 93 people who read it that day, only 2 had a comment that I found suitable for publication. I received about 10 other comments that were outright mean, inappropriate, and un-Christ-like. Some were true in everything they said, but the tone was sarcastic, and the material was off-topic.
Then I took a trip over to Charisma Magazine's forum, and I found the same problem. There were so many so-called Christians spreading gossip, hatred, anger, and bitterness that were in no way called-for by J. Lee Grady or Charisma itself. It is sickening to see the Body of Christ demonstrating such a devotion to vomitous attacks that produce nothing but a failed picture of who Christ really is.
So I say to any of you who might be reading this, check your own hearts. Have you allowed the kingdom of darkness to get a foothold in your life through this failure of Todd Bentley? If so, then you are equally as guilty of the hypocrisy Jesus warned us about! Like the Pharisees, you've been good in your zeal for recognizing truth and taking action, but "you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness" (see Matt. 23:23).
It's time for us as Christians to grow up and get over our petty finger-pointing. We love when a leader falls because it makes us feel more important. We love pointing out false doctrine, heresies, and a lack of discernment because it makes us feel more important. It's time to get over our pride and seek the Lord for how He would have us respond.
Do not think for an instant that God is as distracted by Todd Bentley as we are. While we glare haughtily at Todd's sin, He still sees our own guilt glaring just as gaudily. The only way we will see good come out of this is if we first repent of our own sins of pride, judgments, and bitterness. This is not as much a defense of Todd Bentley as it is a warning to the Church. Are we so blind?
So what does God have to say about Todd Bentley's legal separation with his wife? I'm not exactly sure, but I believe I can rightly say that it is not nearly as harsh as what He has to say about our own illegal separation from the heart and mind of Christ.
May we all begin to grow in love and actually pray for Todd Bentley in this time of humiliation and purging.
God bless,
--Art--
Labels: carnal Christians, Charismatic Movement, discernment, fear of God, Lakeland Healing Revival, love, repentance, scandal, Todd Bentley
posted by Art Thomas | Saturday, August 16, 2008
6 Comments:
One of the ministers at church started teaching a series on communion with the Lord. He dealt with this very issue, that is, being distracted from the things that the Lord wants to specifically speak with us about. I'm not on this issue nearly as much as I have been. We were challenged to get before the Lord and see what He wants to talk with us about. I can say that Todd Bentley was not a place of intercession. I say this seriously. The Lord had me looking at things He spoke to me about before my Dad's brutal health battle began in 2004.
For me I think the reason this one touched me so much is the fact of understanding his testimony and actually seeing him before the corruption began in his life. Also sitting under a pastor that has become a prominent universalist is also in my mind. I totally understand how slow the process can be to deception. When I see situations like this it makes me even more watchful. The times that we spend with God can help root out things that can trip us up later. This makes me want to focus even more on my walk with the Lord. It can happen to anyone. The busier you are the easier it is to drop that time with the Lord. When your walk is not vibrant it is easy to slide into something one little deviation at a time. I tend to be a worker. That has died down somewhat understanding that I only need to do what He leads me to do. It has been amazing at how my life has become simpler. It was needed in order to focus more clearly on the Lord and His heart for me.
Jesus and the Holy Spirit as our guide into His heart are are only hope to walk this life out without crashes. May Todd begin to see clearly the path the Lord wants him to take. If he needs deliverance may those that truly love him and are sound reach him and train him up in the things of God. I'm not giving up on the man. I also know people that jumped on this bandwagon. The last congregation I was in bought this. The pastors went to the anointing services and determined to bring it back to Tulsa. They advertised on the radio. A good friend of mine is a member of Che Ahn's church in CA. He is one of the ministers that commissioned him. It is not theory to me. These are people that I know. I think this is why it gripped me like it did. I have not contacted my friend in CA. I'm not sure what to say to her. I feel really bad. Again the issue is not as much about Todd Bentley. As was clearly stated the Lord was probably dealing with him in private. I'm just as concerned about those of my friends that may not have had a clue and are dashed. The Lord can heal them also.
Thank you for not being all attack minded. Thank you for responding in honesty and humility. I guess that's all I wanted to say, just Thank you for not needing to have an answer or opinion but just encouraging us to focus on our own hearts and on Jesus :)
Hey Art,
I like what you say here for the most part. I like your challenge for us to “check our own hearts” and guard against hypocrisy in our own lives. We all desperately need Jesus and that never changes no matter how far along we are in this journey.
However I can understand people’s anger and their emotional responses. Many people, thousands??, were taken for a good bit of money as well as were severely misled primarily by this man and his team. That is sure to evoke some strong responses from people. Much of what was going on in Lakeland was built on people’s emotions and now we see the other side of that. I don’t think that it is necessarily a sign of immaturity (although I will admit that much of the time it is). Paul said some pretty heated things at times right? In Galatians 5 he says about the “circumcision group”…I wish they would go all the way and emasculate themselves! Pretty strong words coming from a guy that was part of that group only a few years earlier.
As painful as this whole situation is for people I give praise to our Father that this is coming to light and we can see it for what it is. I hope we can all learn the many lessons Father has for us in this. Can we learn that emotion does not necessarily equal the holy spirit? Can we learn that discernment is truly a gift of the spirit and that we would do well to use it?
The language of the last press release from freshfire does not lead me to believe that Todd is coming clean but rather they are uncovering and discovering the truth. My hope is for Todd to totally come clean and fall on the grace of Jesus and may mercy continue to triumph over justice.
Finally! Thank you, so much for taking the time to speak out on this issue. It has become quite challenging to even read the charisma site...there is no way that the vitriolic comments there are a sweet and pleasing smell before the Lord...I've got a feeling he may be holding his nose because of the stench!
The Bible clearly says that we will know them by their fruit...so if the fruit is rotten and vitriolic the spirit it is coming from is certainly not Holy.
May the Lord show us how to respond during this time and, where necessary, give us grace to put down our stones, walk away and repent of wearing the garb of the Pharisee.
I appreciate your mature disposition and appeal for Christians to behave as Christians. I marvel at the "Christian" ugliness and hate all over the web spewed in the name of "discernment."
I think the Golden Rule is still in effect as are the Lord's Words, "Inasmuch as you did it unto one of the least of these, My brethren, you did it unto Me."
Isn't it the devil's job to criticize and condemn? Does he need the assistance of "discerning" Christians to do his job?
Our Lord also said to love our enemies. So whether Todd is good or bad, what should we be hearing and saying? I went through close to ten sites looking for info about Todd's separation and this is the *first* "Christian" one that I found where the attitude matched the label.
Thanks Art.
Not only GOD will EXPOSE' others but our sinful self.HIS purpose is however..to cleanse and deliver us from anything that is..NOT HIM in us.At times it is very painful to accept specially those hidden sins that we lived in DENIALs & RATIONALIZATIONS for soo long.We have played these GAMES with GOD ,with others & with own selves.No matter how painful things seems to be as we MOVED FORWARD TO HONESTY then our Journey will ease up to moving forward with GOD.Sometimes we like to give up and always fell short of HIS Divine requirements.The good news we have the chance to GET OFF the repeated going around the mountains to LEARN A VALUABLE LESSONS in Life.Maturing Spiritually is a PROCESS we have to GET THROUGH.But as we stick to GOD'S STANDARDS OF LIVING the pain is lesser and opposite happens if OUR FREEWIL CHOICES do not line up with HIS.At this point the Lord Jesus is really with HIS people personally and wanting a Personal Relationship with each one of us.
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