Many have been found saying this very thing to themselves. Usually, they are at a crossroads, where they are trying to get an answer to prayer, or have received an answer to prayer, and want a 'sign' from God that what they heard was actually from HIM.
And most of the time, these people will heavily rely upon outward (supernatural) signs or 'prophecies' to back up what they have previously heard.
We all have been there, at that place where we heard from God, but thought we didn't. So we didn't walk out the word we heard, at least not until someone 'confirmed' what the Lord God said to us.
For some, it took the pastor preaching on what we heard in the next sermon, or a prophet called us up to the front of the church and the prophecy 'confirmed' what we already had heard from God.
Or what we THOUGHT was from God...
What IS confirmation, anyways?
I found two different definitions of confirmation. The first I was already aware of: confirmation is the act of confirming or verifying something. It is additional proof that something that was previously believed is, in fact, true. It authenticates a previously known truth or belief.
But did you know that a confirmation is also a rite of passage among the Catholic Church where a baptized person is given 'full membership' into the church? According to www.catholicism.com, the confirmation 1) unites one firmly to Christ; 2) increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit; 3) renders one's bond to the church more perfect; and 4) gives one special strength to become witnesses.
I had never heard of this ceremony within the Catholic Church. It is usually performed by a bishop, but sometimes bishops delegate authority to priests to conduct the confirmations within their respective dioceses.
Right away, I can tell you that this ceremony reeks of religiosity. It feeds the notion that one needs a mortal man-i.e. a priest-to stand between us and God...to speak for us. To pray for us. To 'sacrifice' for us, much like the Levitical priests did in the Old Testament. They take on the role of the Holy Ghost and demand loyalty and commitment NOT TO GOD, but to the local church.
I liken the rite of confirmation to these 'impartation' services held with pentecostal, non-denominational and word of faith churches and ministries that encourage people to come to the altar and get hands laid on them so they can receive 'an impartation,' healing, deliverance, revelation knowledge, and the works.
I believe ALL such ceremonies and tendencies to 'need confirmation' are totally unnecessary, and actually hinders one in their own growth in their relationship with God.
1) You don't need to 'pledge allegiance' to a church, a denomination, a man, a woman, a fellowship and the such to be deemed faithful TO GOD. God does NOT require such religious obligation from you. HE SIMPLY REQUIRES YOUR FAITH. WITHOUT FAITH, IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD (Hebrews 11:6).
2) You cannot be a member of the church. You ARE the church, if you are born again.
3) There is NO ceremony that magically bonds us closer to Christ Jesus. NONE. All ceremonies are man-made traditions that actually open you up to be tormented by demons. Most of these 'bishops'-in both the Catholic and Protestant realms-are doing nothing more than imparting demons into unknowing people who think they are getting closer to God by participating in them.
4) You do NOT get the Holy Ghost by natural means. ANY group that claims you can get it by means of participating in their 'rites' are lying to you. You will NOT be receiving the HOLY Ghost. You WILL be receiving 'another spirit.' (2 Corinthians 11:4-6)
The need for confirmation really speaks to the lack of faith in the one seeking confirmation. They lack faith that God will do just what He said He would do. It could be out of immaturity. It could be because they have not gone through enough-and watch God bring them out enough-to have developed a healthy, mature, unwavering faith and trust in God. It could be for a whole lot of reasons.
In 'To Curse The Root' by Pamela Sheppard, she further discusses people's need for confirmation:
"...By losing all confidence in our self esteem, we will gain His esteem. We will not be tossed to and fro by pride and vanity because He will cause us to be immovable, unshakable trees that are tooted and grounded in Him. His acts of consolation will serve as a confirmation that He can be trusted in every crisis, every temptation, every trial."
Please continue on to Part 2 to understand where this mindset of 'I Need Confirmation' first originated, and why it has survived the test of time...
No comments:
Post a Comment