Thank you brother Chris for pointing this out to me recently. One of the favourite misapplications of Scripture used by the faith over discernment camp, is Proverbs 23 verse 7.
But first a question. Is the practice of cherry picking a portion of Scripture from a narrative in which it is only a part, ethically honest? For it is surely not acedemically so. Is it even complimentary to the cause of those who believe there is still more stuff to get their 'holy hands' on (for 'the kingdom' of course) and more dreams to pursue in order to lift them ever onward and upward until they finally get to sit where they really believe they belong? Of course they'd never tell a soul... right? Well some are folks, and they're teaching others it's ok.
Let's look at that passage in context as see what that verse is really saying...
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words. (Proverbs 23:1-8 KJV)
The one who is 'thinking in his heart' in this verse is not someone who needs to believe for a bigger anything. This is not talking about dreams or visions or faith. This is a warning for the wayward traveller to be on the lookout for WOLVES and their tempting delights. It is the ruler, who according to verse 7 does not have the best interests of his prey at heart seeking to seduce the wayward traveller. The ruler is a seducer, a deceiver and as HE thinks in HIS heart so HE is. And his heart is in his tempting delicacies. His god is indeed his belly - his insatiable carnal desires. He betrays himself by his seductions, and the fruit of his mouth reveals his heart. He is his father's son.
Sermons (for want of a better word) from ear tickling, dream weaving, vision obsessed, purpose driven, socialist facilitators have the spiritual nutrition of a cardboard sandwich. More importantly their mouths are open graves.
What is at the heart of the dream weaving prosperity movement?
Sin.
Sin.
The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life.
Just as their father. John 8:44
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