This seems to be the question that the leadership team from IHOPKC faces. While I disagree with Mike Bickle staying silent or the leadership around him silencing him. I believe they are attempting to do the right thing as they see it. In the last article, we talked about how we have adopted worldly methods of handling allegations brought against someone. I think our wisdom in such matters must come from the Word of God to come to the correct conclusions.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. I heard a well-known charismatic leader say that restoration is not even considered concerning this issue. This leader wants an investigation without a motive of restoration. If the motive behind any investigation is not restoration, you have convicted him already, and there is no need for an investigation. To restore in this verse means to complete or perfect. The spirit of humility is commanded for someone in the restoration ministry. It is not a spirit of humility to seek destruction before restoration. If anyone is to be restored, we must answer what restoration looks like. Many would say that we are restoring people to God, and while that is true, one cannot be restored entirely to God without being restored to everything they are in God.
It is never a good time to lose a warrior. We find ourselves as a people, nation, and world in deep warfare that can only penetrated and defeated through the prayers of God’s people. Ironically, Mike Bickle founded the House of Prayer in Kansas City. We should not be surprised that Satan has targeted him and that ministry for destruction. We need seasoned warriors for today’s unique battles. We have never faced darkness like we are now.
John 15 gives us the most beautiful picture of restoration you will ever see. It’s the story of the vine and the branches. It talks about a branch that has fallen on the ground. Restoration is seen in that we are to pick the fallen branch up and wash it clean with the water of the Word. After the branch has been cleansed from the dirt of being on the ground, we are to place that branch back into the place that it fell from. Correction must come to every side of this situation. Correction is only found in the Word, not in philosophical ideas about the Word. Once everyone in this situation has been cleansed with the Word of God, everyone must be restored to where they fell from.
Mike Bickle must preach. Mike Bickle must pray. Mike Bickle must continue to answer the same call of God that has defined his life. The same thing would be true for those who have brought accusations. They, as well, must be restored. We cannot afford to lose soldiers during the most significant warfare ever. This is not the time for a sabbatical, a time apart, or a vacation. This is a time for war. All hands on deck. The trumpet of war is blasting loudly. It’s time to answer the call not yield to a trap laid by the enemy to sideline those who do him the most damage.
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