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El comezón de oír #2… Itching ears #2...

5/6/2017

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“...se amontonarán maestros conforme a sus propias concupiscencias,” (2Tim 4:3)

El dilema del alcohólico se exacerba con la presencia de facilitadores en su vida: personas que indirecta o directamente lo impulsan a seguir tomando. Lo mismo se puede decir de creyentes inquietos en busca de campos más verdes mientras deberían de humillarse y renovar su compromiso con la congregación donde Dios los puso.

Hay muchas voces que nos llaman. Pocas son sanas. Pocas juegan limpio.

Si escoger una iglesia depende de su pericia en la mercadotecnia y su modelo empresarial, ya estamos fuera. Hace mucho que optamos por no participar en ese juego. Somos más que plantel, estilo e imagen social.

Cuando persiste el comezón de oír, se presenta un efecto manada. Es vergonzosa la facilidad con que nos mueve el amigo o un familiar. "Si mamá está enojada con la iglesia, yo también.” “Si mi mejor amigo dice que su iglesia es la mejor, le creo.” “Si su pastor trae una sonrisa más bonita y más títulos tras sus apellidos, ese es el lugar para mí."

Cero consideración de cómo trabaja el Espíritu Santo… cero indignación dirigida a los que no juegan limpio… cero convicción de que si Dios nos colocó en un lugar en particular, ni familiar ni amigo nos saca de ahí.

El comportamiento importa en el reino de Dios. Ya es tiempo para definir una ética de trabajo:
  • No le invito a nadie a salir de su propia familia espiritual para unirse a la nuestra.
  • No hablo mal de su congregación a fin de que vengan a la mía.
  • No escucho a un no-miembro hablar mal de nosotros.
  • No le ofrezco dinero a nadie, especialmente a uno ya integrado en otra congregación, para que venga con nosotros.
  • No jalo ovejas de otros rebaños para empezar algo propio.

“Mas ahora Dios ha colocado los miembros cada uno de ellos en el cuerpo, como él quiso.” (1Cor 12:18)

Los que padecen del "síndrome de comezón de oír" generalmente son aquellos que nunca supieron sujetarse al rebaño en donde Dios los colocó.

Ora por ellos. Pero, ¡no les hagas caso!

“...they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,"  (2Tim 4:3)

An alcoholic's dilemma is exacerbated by the presence of facilitators in his life: people who indirectly or directly drive him to more drink. The same can be said for unsettled believers in search of greener pastures who should instead be humbling themselves and renewing their commitment to the church God placed them in.

There are many voices calling us. Few are healthy. Even fewer play fair.

If choosing a church depends on its marketing skills and business model, then we are left out. We opted out of that game a long time ago. We are more than buildings, style and social image.

When the itching ears persist, a herd effect sets in. It is appalling how easily we are swayed by a friend or a family member. "If mama is mad at the church, then I am too.” “If my best buddy says his church is better, then I believe him.” “If their pastor smiles nicer and has more degrees after his name, that's where I need to be."

No consideration of how the Holy Spirit works… no indignation towards those who don't play fair; no conviction that if God has us somewhere in particular, neither family nor friends can drag us away.

Behavior matters in the kingdom of God. It is time to define a proper work ethic:
  • I do not ask anyone to leave their spiritual family by inviting them to ours.
  • I do not talk badly about their congregation to get them into mine.
  • I do not listen to a non-member talking badly about us.
  • I do not offer money, especially to someone already part of another congregation, to come with us.
  • I do not pull sheep from other flocks to start something of my own.

"God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose."  (1 Cor 12:18)

People with "itching ear syndrome" are generally those who never learned to submit themselves to the flock where God set them.

Pray for them. But don’t be swayed by them!

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    Greg Smith

    Greg grew up in Menomonee Falls, WI. His ministry began in 1976: 5 years in Central America, 36 in Mexico. His passion is church planting and discipleship.
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    Greg enjoys being married to Carol Ahola-Smith. Both have been missionaries (Japan and Mexico); both watched their first spouses precede them in death.
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    Together, they have a heart for writing, mentoring and teaching.  They enjoy long walks and good coffee.

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