Lee Grady: The Holy Spirit is Not For Sale
The reason that a lot of these abuses and cultic tendencies exist and go unchecked is, in part, due to a lack of biblical literacy. Many people in Spirit-filled churches do not have the biblical knowledge and thus the spiritual discernment to identify what is proper and what is not. They are swayed by the personality or the alleged anointing of an individual. This is a sad commentary on the condition of some churches and individuals.
Grady does not just point out problems; he offers advice as to how the church can get back on track. His counsel includes: not deifying human beings and not elevating anointing over character, he also encourages us to dismiss the sensational, to teach and practice discernment, and to enforcing accountability (pages 63-67). He also says that we should beware of leaders who do not feed their sheep, whose message seems money-centered, and those who use the Lord’s name lightly, that is, use God’s name to raise money for themselves (pages 160-165). He says that we should follow leaders who fear God, who tell the truth, and who hate dishonest gain (104-106).
The Holy Spirit is Not For Sale is not light reading; it is thought-provoking and in some ways disturbing. This book may be especially helpful to a new believer who is trying to be open to the Spirit but who also wants to be discerning. It is certainly an appeal for the church, in particular the Spirit-filled church, to return to scriptural principles. This book is a timely word, a challenge, a wake up call for the church to embrace the purity and power that God intends.
Reviewed by John P. Lathrop
Editor’s note: J. Lee Grady announced in February 2010 that he had stepped down as editor of Charisma to enter public ministry. He continues to write for Strang Communications, of which Charisma is the flagship publication. charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/26289-the-lord-will-make-a-rehoboth-for-you
Category: Fall 2010, Pneuma Review, Spirit
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