Welcome to another Thursday UNFILTERED blog post, the only blog that wants to remind you that it isn’t what you DON’T KNOW that gets you into trouble. It’s what YOU KNOW for sure THAT JUST ISN’T SO. (A greatly adjusted version of Mark Twain’s quote.)
About once or twice a year, a subscriber who I don’t personally know—let’s call them “Random Internet Person #4,721″—will slide into my inbox with the digital equivalent of showing up at my house uninvited.
“Why doesn’t Frankie V. write about [insert incredibly specific topic that interests them] in his Thursday articles?”
Ah yes, clearly what my writing career has been missing all along is some person’s suggestion to explore the philosophical implications of cryptocurrency in underwater basket weaving communities.
All jesting aside, such folks want me to write about stuff that keeps them up late at night.
It’s usually political drama spicier than a church potluck, or what the current US president is or isn’t doing right, or what other ministers I don’t know are doing right (bless their hearts) or failing at (prayers needed), or the latest conspiracy theory that everyone’s jumping on faster than a toddler who just heard the ice cream truck, or whatever theological mountain they’re currently willing to die on.
There are two chapters in my book 48 Laws of Spiritual Power that are pertinent. One is called “Don’t Go Beyond Your Gift,” the other is called “Do Not Be a People Pleaser.”
(Incidentally, Tyndale wanted me to let you know that for the rest of May, they’ve dropped the price of this book – 48 Laws of Spiritual Power – to only $3.99 in all digital format — Kindle, Nook, eBook, etc.)
Anyway, those two chapters — along with the rest of the book — have come out of my experience. Including my mistakes.
Explanation: When I started my blog in 2008 and then the “Christ is All” podcast in 2009, I made a resolute decision to write about the things that I have expertise in. In other words, I resolved to “stay in my lane.”
I’ve learned that if I move outside my lane, I lose God’s anointing. And that neither pleases the Lord nor helps His people.
My work is focused on a small number of specific themes. And I’m laser focused on those themes to the point of ignoring most everything else.
You can sample those themes by viewing the 1,000+ articles on the blog.
I don’t pay attention to social media feeds (they are time vampires and often a viper pit). I’m narrowly focused on the deeper journey and the Insurgence (= the restoration of the gospel of the kingdom).
And right now, my attention is on equipping God’s people on what I call “New Testament 3.0,” a subject I’ve written and spoken on more than once recently.
It, of course, is related to the new book – which is a major contribution to the deeper journey and the Insurgence, as well as New Testament 3.0.
If someone is interested in the 6.5 million other topics that religious people talk about, there are millions of other blogs, websites, and podcasts to choose from that give air play to those other issues.
I don’t get paid for writing these articles or churning out podcast episodes (and I don’t personally profit from book sales), so if my work makes your eyelids heavier than a pound of melatonin, that’s fine. It’s not for everyone.
My goal in these articles, the books (20 currently), and the podcasts are to please my Lord, to be faithful to His calling on my life, and equip those who are hungry and thirsty for more of HIM.
In this respect, I stand with Paul:
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ … 1 Corinthians 2:2
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings … Philippians 2:10
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ … Ephesians 3:8
That’s the end of my short rant. You’re now free to return to your regularly scheduled existential crisis. Oh wait, before you do, I’ll end this piece by quoting an excerpt from the chapter 36, “Do Not Go Beyond Your Gift,” in 48 Laws of Spiritual Power.
I hope this wisdom serves you well in your own journey. And I encourage you to stay in your lane – whatever that lane may be. Until next Thursday.
Excerpt from 48 Laws of Spiritual Power
I’ve watched people with gifts of healing who tried to teach. And it was a disaster.
I’ve watched teachers try to function in the prophetic gift. And it fell to the ground.
I’ve watched shepherds try to carry out the apostolic ministry. And it was an epic fail.
In each case, the individuals tried to box out of their weight class, and the results weren’t pretty.
Point: Stay within your calling, and don’t go beyond your gifting.
An Unhealthy Obsession
Ever since I started following the Lord, I’ve watched Christians fret over identifying their spiritual gifts, an obsession similar to how people geek out over personality tests.
- “What’s your Enneagram number?”
- “I’m an ISFJ on Myers-Briggs; what are you?”
- “What’s your DiSC personality type?”
- “What did you score on the StrengthsFinder?”
A few authors have even created similar tests to determine a person’s spiritual gifts.
But here’s the unvarnished truth: You don’t have to name your gift or even identify it to follow this crucial principle. In fact, you don’t even have to “find” your gift; you “summon” it by functioning.
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6, NKJV
The first time I picked up a baseball and threw it, the function felt natural to me. I didn’t have to “find” or “identity” my gift of pitching beforehand. I simply did what came naturally: throw the ball, and later pitch in Little League and then high school.
In a similar way, I taught and preached long before I ever gave a single thought to my gifts. Eventually, others who watched me function made comments about my gifting.
The body of Christ knows what gifts you have, especially those believers who know you best and see you function.
You don’t need a test created by a mortal to find out.
Building on Another Man’s Foundation
A related word: Never seek to build on another man’s foundation (Romans 15:20). Paul refused to go beyond his spiritual charge. He also never reached into another person’s work (see 2 Corinthians 10:12-18).
Although this is a big subject, I’ll say just a few practical words about it here.
If someone invites you to speak to a fellowship that he or she founded, go ahead and accept the invitation if you have the Lord’s leading. But be careful not to cause confusion or division while there.
Apollos and Peter made this mistake when they visited Corinth. They didn’t “build well” on Paul’s foundation. Consequently, division ensued (see 1 Corinthians 1–3).
How does one build well when invited to speak to a fellowship he or she didn’t found? I’ll share my own practice.
Whenever I’ve been asked to speak to a church that someone else raised up, I’ve gone out of my way to not cause confusion.
- Sometimes I begin with, “If I say anything that contradicts what [name of the person who planted the church] has taught you, then I’m wrong. And let there be no confusion.”
- I’ve also been careful not to give any practical direction unless specifically asked. If I feel I should offer some direction, I’ll ask permission first.
When I get invited to build on another person’s work, my role is simply to strengthen and encourage what’s already been built, and nothing more.
Dividing a body of believers is a serious sin in the eyes of God. It’s far worse than being doctrinally wrong. Even if you are theologically right, if you cause division in a group of believers, you’re wrong.
The point of all of this is to stay in your own lane. And refuse to play someone else’s instrument.
Therein you will find God’s power and blessing.
Answering an Important Question