"Stupid Is As Stupid Does!"




In the words of Forrest Gump, "stupid is as stupid does."  Christians, just like non-Christians, can do some of the dumbest things.  The real public relations problem for the Lord is that often those dumb things are done with a follow up comment, "God told me to do it!"  The phrase, "God told me..." can be a defense mechanism for rebellious and/or immature people.  It isolates the person from correction, they think.  Evidently the Apostle Paul was dealing with just such issues in the church at Corinth.  In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul deals very specifically with the audible public gifts of speaking in tongues with interpretation and prophecy.  In our day as in their day these guidelines need to be followed.  Listen to Paul in the following verses.  I Cor. 14:23 "Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.25And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you."




Paul makes it very clear that when these gifts are in operation, it is important for the common good that there is an order and propriety to their function.  Later in this chapter Paul even says that when a person says, "God says", the other prophets who are present must judge it.  This would include preaching as well.  This propriety represents to us the character of a safe and orderly God.  His heart and requirement for accountability should not be seen as a domination so much as guidelines to liberation. It should work far beyond verbal gifts and even beyond the church gathering.  No one is to be above judging and correction if necessary. That would cover the spectrum from the pope to the pew.  While it is wonderfully true that we can all be used as redeemed vessels to speak on God's behalf, it is also true that we can all miss it!  Yes, we can and probably have all said and done "stupid things" in and around church circles. I know I have, many times.  There is even great freedom in knowing that!  We hold this treasure in earthen vessels so it is a part of the process of the function of the "earthen vessel church."  Insecurity doesn't like to be told that it is wrong.  Security and maturity are sisters that respond to correction with gratitude and grace.