Now we return to the second statement Hyatt makes, which he blames on the 1Corinthians verse. His disconnect though is in his separation of prophesy from the Word of God. As previously outlined they are in fact the same thing. As bizarre and wrong most false prophets are they still maintain that they are hearing from God. Eddie Hyatt and many today in churchianity confuse edification with agreement. If someone is sinning and we lean in to say they need to repent that is edifying beloved. Likewise it is not "encouraging" to allow someone we love to follow false teaching. That would be absurd. That we would love someone so not tell them they are driving off a cliff? If many in that congregation that night were actually not drawing closer to God and were instead relying upon their hearts, then that woman's prophecy was edifying and encouraging. The commentaries all agree, here is Matthew Henry:
Prophesying, that is, explaining Scripture, is compared with speaking with tongues. This drew attention, more than the plain interpretation of Scripture; it gratified pride more, but promoted the purposes of Christian charity less; it would not equally do good to the souls of men. What cannot be understood, never can edify. No advantage can be reaped from the most excellent discourses, if delivered in language such as the hearers cannot speak or understand. Every ability or possession is valuable in proportion to its usefulness. Even fervent, spiritual affection must be governed by the exercise of the understanding, else men will disgrace the truths they profess to promote. -- Matthew Henry Commentary
Prophesying is what? Explaining Scripture. As Henry explains the early church was just as enamored with themselves as the modern church. Tongues is a way to draw attention to yourself while prophesying, or explaining Scripture, does more for the souls of men even if it does less for our own personal gratification. Note the last line here from Matthew Henry because it beautifully summarizes what we are facing in the church today and that Eddie Hyatt is wrapped up in. fervent spiritual affection MUST be governed by the exercise of understanding (Biblical understanding) or else men will disgrace the truths they profess to promote. Wow.
Beloved, I was not there on the night in question but the story as conveyed leads me to believe that God tried to correct His people and their pastor told them to ignore Him. The ironies here are so thick as all of the Scripture he references disproves his point. He even references Thessalonians that explicitly says to not despise prophecy! Yet that is exactly what he did. Why? Because like Micaiah, the prophecy was not positive. Everyone was singing about their blessings and this lady had the temerity to come along and shout out the words of Jesus Christ Himself, quoting the prophet Isaiah. These words were directed at the religious leaders of His time who placed their religion over the commandments of God. What Eddie Hyatt does not see is that is exactly what he was doing that night by rebuking what very well may have been a legitimate prophecy simply because he did not like it. This speaks deeper however into the current culture today in the purpose driven NAR churches in this country. Disagree and you are blessedly subtracted and deemed a legalist. God is always love and roses and anything that sounds contrary is deemed harsh and not from God. It is dismissive of nearly the entire Bible. God was actually displeased with Israel for the majority of the Old Testament. Then His people rejected and crucified their God. Now He has the church and the church is routinely rejecting Him as well; in favor of their new god made in their own image. A god that never judges them. That always loves them but never enough to tell them when they are wrong. A god who affirms their bad decisions and turns His face from their sin. A god who wants them incredibly happy and rich. A god who just wants to draw close to them and make them feel all warm and fuzzy without all that legalism. You know, a god that does not exist.
Reverend Anthony Wade -- July 17, 2017
