The Greatest All Time Christian Defense “Touch Not My Anointed”
Now, don’t get me wrong. Everyone has problems. That’s the main reason one goes to church and is built up from the word, fellowship, prayer, and worship. Still, it seems that we run from problems in the church and push them under the rug just hoping that God will let it all slide until it begins to rear its ugly dysfunctional head and is shamefully blasted on media outlets everywhere.
We (Christians) tend to take salvation for granted and forgo responsibility and personal accountability thinking and believing that being forgiven of sin through salvation means not having to be held accountable for our actions.
No matter who you are, at some point in this life you will have to deal with the consequences of your actions in some form or fashion (Galations 6:7-8, Job 4:8).
Now for most Christians, this is a very touchy subject baring a very thin line between mercy and conviction. Therefore, I understand that some may agree with me and others may not. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything”.
To further explain my position, the title of this post is in reference to a Bible verse in the Old Testament in 1 Chronicles 16:22 which states, “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.” I strongly believe that there is a misconception behind this verse that needs to be clarified. It is one that I think is commonly taken out of context and used out of place to defend those within the church, particularly leaders, who have recklessly exhibited unlawful or immoral behaviors. Just to offer some explanation on this particular Bible verse, it was a message from God which was a warning to the kings not to touch the Israelites as they traveled from place to place. It was a message sent out to grant safe passage to God’s people through the wilderness of unknown territories. It was not a message intended to grant clemency to anyone who knowingly violated God’s law nor was this message intended to cover up indiscretions. This message did not relieve God’s people of their wrongdoings, responsibilities or personal accountability. To misinterpret it with the purpose of doing so is a desecration of the original intent of the message.
With that said, it is not my intention to step on toes. Yet as I write my posts, my intention IS indeed to inspire people and to make them think! I aim to be as positive as possible while also sending the message that we do in fact have more control over our lives than we sometimes choose to believe. Knowing that requires one to be responsible in his or her choices. We cannot in good conscience twist God’s word in order to feel better about the consequences that we undoubtedly face as a result of unethical and immoral decisions. We must ALL deal with our problems head on and we have to be real with ourselves in the process. That requires more than religious rhetoric. That requires work and accountability (James 2:14)!
Furthermore, we should not use that verse to excuse ourselves or our leaders in the church of wrongdoings while we point fingers at the world!
So excuse me if it offends, but that is total BS and the world knows it!
They see the church as hypocrites for it and it only pushes them further away. They see the church as hypocrites, not because they have problems like all NORMAL human beings do but because of the way that they choose to handle those problems all the while proclaiming the name of Jesus.
I have often asked myself the question, “If I had grown up believing in and practicing any other religion and felt led to make a change, would I honestly look at the body of Christ and see the message of Jesus being personified? Would I truly see the spirit of God in them? Would I see love? Would I want to be a part of it?”
Or…
Would I only see Christians defend and excuse their own unlawful and immoral behaviors while they condemn and point the finger at others?
While it is true that Christianity is made up of imperfect people and there is more to this faith than what is on the surface (1 Corinthians 2:14), the truth still remains that what nonbelievers mainly see IS the surface. As Christians we must begin to hold ourselves accountable in the body if we are ever to show ourselves approved to those outside of it.
This isn’t meant to be a reprimand so much as it is meant to be a reminder that when we do fall, (and we will) we must seek to genuinely and sincerely desire to get ourselves back on track again and get help for our problems and also take responsibility for them. If you’re suffering from abuse, addictions, financial problems, or mental or physical health issues, there is help out there that can aid your faith and prayer. No matter who you are or what your position is, don’t allow yourself to become so desperate as a result of your problems that you choose to do something you shouldn’t. To add, do not let anyone tell you that prayer is always enough. It works and it is one solution but it isn’t the ONLY solution. That is also a widely held misconception. God freely gives wisdom and guidance and provides resources through the help of gifted people (both believing and nonbelieving). There is never any reason that we should feel the need to misinterpret the word to accommodate our own agendas.
Let’s alter our defenses and cover ourselves with the RIGHT armor (Ephesians 6:13-18).
A. L. Hearn