(Read Part I: The Lying Pen of the Scribe)
Copyright 2018 Theresa Harvard Johnson
I teach that there are different types of Lying Pens.
Jeremiah 8:8 was specifically speaking to the deliberate manipulation of God’s word by scribes who should have known better… but the implications of that warning are clear: The lying pen is real… and as scribes we must be aware of how this affects HOW WE administrate our own gifts before the Lord. By revelatory insight, we are also challenged to see the deeper meaning of the lying pen.
The pen, in this passage, refers specifically to “writing and teaching lies”…
In my previous post on this topic, I challenged you to look at “spiritual maturity vs. spiritual immaturity.” In doing so, we can see that the spiritual mature person operates out of a seasoned place. A spiritually immature person will often walk out of a “ignorant and sometimes foolish place.” Because of lack of honor, authority, accountability, etc. in ministry in the 21st century, we see a WHOLE LOT OF BABES… and spiritually immature people posturing for ministry positions and contending to lead… when they are not ready. Rather, they need to continue their guided, discipleship process…
While 1 Timothy 3:6 refers to congregational leaders, it stands as a warning to the body overall that “immature believers” are not quite prepared for certain ministry releases. The scripture says: “He must NOT BE a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.”
The application here can apply to maturation in many areas of ministry — including the scribe. A person operating out of spiritual immaturity “can write in error” and mislead God people. When the things of God are filtered through young ears, it can get twisted up on the way out… seriously. ***The clearer, more mature and more healed THE FILTER (meaning the person), the more accurate the release.***
Point: Lying isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it comes in the form of “spiritual immaturity.” You see a lying pen is a FALSE pen. And believing you are spiritually mature and YOU ARE NOT is a form of living a lie. Scribal ministry coming from this place has been extremely common in my personal experience. (Again, these are my thoughts on the subject… as I look back at my own growth process and mentoring others. There’s more than one way to lie, and lying to ourselves is one of them…)
(Read Part III: The Lying Pen of the Scribe)
