The ideas became clear as I continued my recent study of the book of Jeremiah. This passage was particularly insightful.
For each time I speak, I cry aloud; I proclaim violence and destruction, because for me the word of the Lord has resulted in reproach and derision all day long. But if I say, "I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name," then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it. (Jeremiah 20:8-9)
Do you feel that fire? Do you know what it's like to carry the word of God burning within, so hot that it has to come out? But what happens when you speak it? What happens when you, motivated by love for those around you, warn them of the destruction to come? What is their reaction to a word that is unpleasant, that doesn't fit in with the popular doctrines of the day?
Reproach? Derision? And does the worst of the venom come from the church? If so, don't be dismayed or discouraged. The same thing happened to Jesus and His disciples. Wherever they went to spread the gospel, they were opposed by the religious leaders of the day. The hypocrites didn't want to hear the truth.
Telling an unpopular truth will bring you injury--in reputation, in cultural standing, and possibly even in personal safety. But if you are an Oracle of Fire, you won't be able to stay silent. God has called you to speak, and you will suffer for being obedient to His call.
But you cannot let that stop you. You have to speak up. The truth burns like a fire within you. You cannot endure seeing truth and righteousness maligned by the very people who are supposed to uphold it. Falsehood that leads people astray ignites a fire in your belly that cannot be extinguished. You feel like you're being eaten up inside.
For me, the fire burns hottest when the people who are called by the name of Jesus are blaspheming Him daily, pretending He can't see their sin, and even teaching people that rebelling against a holy God is normal behavior that certainly happens every day in word, thought, and deed. This is a lie that is leading countless souls into Hell.
We have to rescue these souls. We have to tell the truth, no matter what personal consequences we suffer. The fire burning within will never let us rest until we shout the truth from every rooftop in all of creation.
If you are an Oracle of Fire, you feel this passion, but you must be ready to count the cost.
Here is a passage from The Bones of Makaidos, one Oracle teaching a new Oracle what it's all about.
Speak the truth. Live the truth. Be the truth. Never let the faithless ones change any of those three principles. Remember that you are an Oracle of Fire, as is every faithful follower of our Lord. For all true disciples possess the pure silver, purged of all dross, and the fire of God’s love burns within, an everlasting flame that others, even those who give lip-service to the truth, will never comprehend until you are able to pass along that fire from heart to heart.
Are you an Oracle of Fire? Let me know about your experiences.
I wanna know who the new oracle is!
ReplyDeleteAnd your post is good too.
Wow. There's a lot there to think about. I've always felt that I should tell the truth no matter how much it hurts, and I understand that there is a cost to that. But I am convicted of the fact that I don't do it often enough.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the good reminder.
I understand what you are saying, but the application is more difficult. One must speak the truth, yes, but in what WAY does one speak the truth? In other words, is there a way of speaking to someone that might push them further away from the truth? I believe there is.
ReplyDeleteYou asked for our stories, so: case in point
I recently graduated from the University. Academia is a place where many people believe in moral relativity, subjective truth, and other such nonsense as that. They think "tolerance" when they really tolerate nothing that would stop them from doing whatever they want. I used to fight this vigorously, and probably still would if I were to have a class with professors and studentes that believed such again, but...
None of it did any good. I just made people angry and, I believe, pushed them away. They thought I was judgemental and hateful. But I was firm. As time went on, I learned that shouting my beliefs was not necessarily the way to get people to see my point of view, but somehow I could not stop saying what I knew to be true. I still haven't got down the best way to help people see the Truth, but I'm learning.
My advice is this: Speak the truth, always, but do not push people away. If the truth itself pushes someone away, that is one thing, because the truth is something that may push people away... Jesus Himself said in Luke 12:49-53
"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! 51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
But you can't go up to someone and have the WAY you speak to them push them away, you know? The tone you take, the words you say, and even the motive behind your speaking the truth can change whether or not the truth is accepted by those you speak to. Love must always be the motive. And as I once had a friend tell me, you can't love them just to convert them. You must love them whether or not they ever believe. Of course, you want them to believe, but you must love them as God loves them, unconditionally (or as close to as humanly possible.)
Cassie, great points. I agree that we must take care how we present the truth. Sometimes we whisper, sometimes we shout, sometimes we merely ask questions, and sometimes we withdraw when we find that our pearls are being trampled.
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me of what Paul said. He explained how he tried to identify with as many groups as possible, while keeping to his own principles, in order that they may accept his message.
ReplyDelete"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."
The same approach doesn't work with everyone, but there is more than one approach.
- Jason
Yes, I agree with Cassie as I have had similar experiences.
ReplyDeleteI want people to know the truth, but I'm not always sure how to go about it and most of the time end up giving the wrong impression.
Maybe for kids its wise to live examples until we're mature enough to know what would be the best way to lead people to the truth? What do you think Mr. Davis?
Anonymous, it is more difficult for young people to know how to shine the light verbally, especially to older folks who might resent their youthfulness. "Ha! You whippersnapper! You're too young to understand!"
ReplyDeleteIf you walk in holiness, shining the light with your example, you will go far. The older folks might even ask you what makes you the way you are. Then you are free to open the door to conversation.
It is often best to begin with questions, probe your conversational partner, show your love for him or her by showing compassion for his or her situation. Love is the breaker of barriers and the builder of bridges.
Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI love your books and its very obvious that God has given you a talent to reach people through your writing! I can't wait for TBoM to come out!
A new oracle?!! Who?!! I need to read TBoM! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI know this is an old post Mr. Davis but I was reading through the blog anyway.
ReplyDeleteAs you know I have finally become a true Oracle of Fire and I have already begun to suffer for it. I'm getting more...."reckless" in sharing...reckless here meaning that I am forgetting the personal cost of telling the truth.
Thank you for guiding me to truth...the fire is burning bright :D