Spiritual McCarthyism: Are You Witch-Hunting Genuine Callings? (Video)

Spiritual McCarthyism: Are You Witch-Hunting Genuine Callings? The first chapter of Ephesians opens up with Paul addressing the saints and introducing himself as “Paul, an apostle…”

[Eph 1:1 KJV] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

You have to think about how those in the ancient world would have reacted to this. Paul was a rabid foe of the faith and in fact delivered many believers, perhaps some in Ephesus itself, to death! It would be like if Osama Bin Laden showed up at your church, or went online and launched a Christian ministry! How would you respond?

The Questionable Nature of Paul’s Apostleship

How is it that this man, who was a persecutor of the faithful, now audaciously identifies himself as an apostle on a par with the original twelve apostles personally called by Jesus? This is a very important point to make because, in fact, there was no one ministry or church authority that identified with or participated in the inauguration of Paul as an apostle. He was, in fact, self-appointed, on the basis of a visionary experience on the road to Damascus. Paul claimed that Jesus himself appeared to him on the Damascus road and called him to follow Him and build the kingdom. This was a problematic thing because the account of those traveling with Paul was confusing and ambiguous. They thought they saw a light, though others didn’t see a light; they thought they heard a voice saying something, but there was no agreement as to the specifics. The one thing they did know is that Paul had some sort of medical incident, perhaps a stroke, and falling to the ground rose up completely blinded and babbling about some visionary experience. Should we give him pulpit time or take him to the emergency room?

The Unlikely Rise of a Self-Proclaimed Apostle

For all the details of this questionable, incredulous, and very subjective experience that can be known, nonetheless Paul rose up and in due course became the significant influence on Christianity second only to Jesus himself. Fast forward to the current day. There are many people in the church who put the word “prophet” or “apostle” in front of their names and have their own ideas about what validates and constitutes their calling to such a degree that they not only accept it themselves but hope and expect others to accept them as well, that they might be regarded as that very thing (apostle, prophet, etc.).

The Debate Over Titles and Self-Identification

Many might pause right here and interject some high-minded suggestion that these are just “title-conscious” issues and that putting the word “prophet” or “apostle” after your name is just a sign of immaturity. Some people are more spiritual than God Himself, because throughout the scriptures, including the early church history, men and women identified themselves by the calling they perceived themselves to carry. Scripture doesn’t back up the insistence by many that titles should be marginalized if not dispensed with altogether. I find it humorous at the same time that some who take this tone put “pastor” in front of their names and, in fact, would correct someone addressing them casually rather than as “Pastor” so-and-so, etc.

The Precedent of Paul’s Self-Identified Calling

In due course, however, there will unfailingly be those who will scorn these men and women as “self-appointed.” Perhaps a better way to put it would be “self-identified.” Is that a problem? Many think so, but let’s remember that Paul also was self-identified, self-appointed based on a very subjective spiritual experience that no one could fully vet, even those who were present when it happened. The only thing that happened in Paul’s situation that was unequivocal was that he was blinded by the experience, and days later a disciple of Jesus came by the name of Ananias, and laying hands on Paul, his sight was restored. Doesn’t this make it unmistakably clear that Paul went through something very authentic and thereby his calling should be unimpeachable? However, let’s consider, did Paul fake his blindness? Did Ananias play along, making a big deal by laying hands on him and “healing” him in such a sensationalistic way?

Applying the Same Standard of Judgment

At this point, you might question whether a Christian writer could make these assertions, but bear with me. I am simply applying the same standards to Paul’s experience and calling that people apply every day to “so-called” prophets, apostles, etc., who self-identify based on their own allegedly conjured-up experiences and the resulting avalanche of vitriol, scorn, and criticism of others who feel absolutely justified in doing so, in fact seeing themselves as defenders of the faith exposing these “fakers,” when in fact, on the surface, Paul would have been no different had he come on the scene in the modern day. Paul also (if the same standards were applied) would have been rejected by these individuals who give themselves the right to be self-appointed judges of the validity of another man’s calling.

A Word of Caution Against Hasty Denunciation

What is the lesson to be learned here? Be careful who you denounce, criticize, and vilify for their testimony or understanding of their calling. You might be coming against the next apostle Paul. You might, as Gamaliel suggested in the book of Acts, find yourself fighting against God Himself. In Jeremiah 28, the prophet Jeremiah is resoundingly denouncing false prophets and leaders, yet breaks into his own diatribe with the following encouragement to those in the current climate at that time to be faithful to what they felt God was calling them to do:

[Jer 23:28 KJV] The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

Listen, you have to let the wheat and the chaff grow together. Otherwise, you lose the harvest. In

Matthew 13, Jesus tells a story about a mixed harvest of wheat and tares. At one point in His parable, the “servants” came and intended to go through the field of wheat, removing the tares by intense, painstaking labor. Let’s look at the whole parable:

[Mat 13:24-30 KJV] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy3 came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

The Danger of Premature Judgment

The tares represent those who are not genuine or authentic believers. They are portrayed as the children of the evil one, those who are not truly part of God’s kingdom, even though they may exist alongside believers. They are often seen as those who spread false teachings or cause division. Would you like to fill in the blank and add the name of the alleged false ministry that offends you the most? What are we going to do about this wretched condition of mixture and pretense among these “self-appointed” leaders? When Paul came on the scene after his so-called experience, the apostles wanted nothing to do with him. (Weren’t they discerning?) If you message one of these ministries that champions denouncing other ministries, they would definitely stand with the apostles in their hesitancy, in fact, outright rejection of Paul – and they would do so to their own hurt, and history would show just how wrong they were.

Embracing the Command to Let Them Grow

What do we do then? Jesus made it plain. Let the WHEAT and the TARES grow together. Wait a minute? Let them grow? Think about it. That would imply that these tares, who are inauthentic leaders and ministers, let them grow together, soaking up the nutrients of the soil, spreading their leaves to capture the rays of the sun and grow together with God’s precious wheat? That’s exactly what Jesus is stating. I question, and you should question, those who are pulling out these tares from among God’s wheat and prating loudly and self-righteously about how wrong these alleged false ministers are. Of course, the reply would be, “Well, we are supposed to judge!” or “We are just defending the sheep!” My question would be then, why are you acting in defiance of Jesus’ instructions not to do that? Rather, to let them grow together until the harvest. Why? Because Jesus states, the harvest will be damaged unless you give up senselessly pulling out the tares, pointing out ministries you are sure are false and to be rejecting. You may feel like you have authority to do so, but whence does authority come when it contravenes the instruction, verily the command of Christ, not to engage in such diatribes and vendettas – why? Because you are damaging the wheat of God. You are hindering the cause of Christ with your well-intentioned campaign against this ministry or that ministry.

The Danger of Affirming Scorn

Of course, those who do such things are not going to be convinced. They will answer back with a flood of justifications for their actions, but the fact of the matter is, when we lay the plumb line of God’s Word, verily the words of Jesus Himself, alongside their actions, they are in the wrong. They are damaging the cause of Christ. Why do they keep doing so? Because people affirm them! You read it on social media when someone posts against a leader, and the comments come, “Amen!” and “Yes! It’s time to expose these so-called prophets!” etc., etc. Listen, are you correctable? You may have never said one word against a ministry you didn’t care for, but are you affirming those who do? Psalm 1 warns us NOT TO SIT IN THE SEAT OF THE SCORNFUL. God doesn’t need any armchair quarterbacks. What about going out and obeying God to fulfill YOUR calling and leave the separation of the wheat and the chaff to God’s timing and purpose in dealing with such things?

Reflection and Review:

This passage from Matthew’s Gospel serves as a powerful reminder that the church will inevitably contain a mixture of genuine and inauthentic expressions of faith. Our role is not to become self-appointed judges, attempting to root out what we perceive as tares, as this can lead to division and the potential harm of true believers. Instead, we are called to trust in God’s ultimate judgment and to focus on nurturing the “wheat” within ourselves and our communities. This requires humility, love, and a commitment to our own calling within the kingdom.

A Five-Part Call to Action:

• Cultivate Humility: Recognize the limitations of your own judgment and avoid the posture of a scornful critic.
• Practice Patience: Trust in God’s timing for ultimate discernment and avoid premature condemnation.
• Focus on Your Calling: Direct your energy towards fulfilling the work God has specifically called you to do.
• Extend Love: Approach those you question with a spirit of love and prayer, rather than accusation.
• Examine Yourself: Regularly evaluate your own heart and actions against the standard of God’s Word.

Let’s pray together:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts humbled by the wisdom of Your Word. We thank You for the powerful imagery of the wheat and the tares, a reminder of the complexities within Your Kingdom on earth. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have been quick to judge, eager to separate what we perceive as true from false, potentially harming the very wheat You cherish.

Grant us a spirit of discernment rooted in love and patience, rather than hasty condemnation. Help us to recognize the limitations of our own understanding and to trust in Your perfect timing for final judgment. Empower us to focus on cultivating the good seed within our own lives and communities, diligently pursuing the unique calling You have placed upon each of us.

Lord, help us to resist the temptation to sit in the seat of the scornful, and instead, guide us to extend grace and prayer even towards those whose paths or ministries we question. May we be instruments of unity and growth, rather than division and destruction. Strengthen us to obey Your clear instruction to let the wheat and the tares grow together until the appointed harvest.

We pray for wisdom, understanding, and a deep reliance on Your Holy Spirit as we navigate the complexities of faith. May our lives reflect Your love and patience, bringing honor and glory to Your name. Amen.