Are You Guilty . . . of Passive Murder?

Eze 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

Eze 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Eze 3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Eze 3:20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Eze 3:21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

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Passive Murder – Are you guilty?

Consider the following hypothetical scenario:

A lifeguard with 25 years of training sits on his post at a local swimming pool. He is hot, sweaty and uncomfortable in the summer sun, and finally decides to get a cold lemonade from a nearby vendor’s stand. During his break, he purchases a large glass of cold lemonade and returns to his post. Soon after, he spots a young boy screaming and struggling in the water. He knows the boy is drowning, but decides that he will not save him because he has not had an opportunity to finish drinking his lemonade. With his mind made up, he takes a complete 13 minutes to drink the lemonade, and an additional 2 minutes to chew on the remnants of ice and lemon at the bottom of the glass. Needless to say, the little boy dies.

In court, the lifeguard cannot argue that he did not know how to save the boy. With 25 years as a lifeguard, it was his responsibility to act on the boy’s behalf. Fear is not a possible defense either, as he assumed the responsibility to save life by becoming and remaining a lifeguard for over 20 years. In essence, the lifeguard has no defense. He is responsible for the life of the boy that drowned. He should be punished. Some may say he deserves life in prison. Some would even favor the death penalty in this situation.

I heard a similar scenario during an episode of “The Way of the Master (www.wayofthemaster.com). In that evangelism training series, the scenario centered around a fire fighter who allowed a family to die in a fire so that he could sit in the truck and listen to a new CD player. In both stories, the issue is the same. Both individuals had responsibility for a life, and neglected that responsibility. Both individuals were NEGLIGENT, resulting in death. Both individuals are GUILTY and responsible for the deaths of others, because they failed to save lives for which they were accountable.

In many ways, these scenarios introduce a philosophical argument of “passive murder.” If a person “allows” someone to die when they are fully capable of saving them and have the RESPONSIBILITY to do so, they are essentially guilty of murder. I wonder how many Christians are guilty of murder...

As believers, we know that Satan cannot do anything God does not allow him to do. Well, just as God will not force a man to follow him, the enemy also lacks the power to force loyalty out of a man or woman. Essentially, Satan can tempt us into spiritual death, but he cannot kill us without our consent. This means that Christians are responsible for the eternal damnation of sinners – not the devil!

My God! What a responsibility. Men and women of God, we are just like the fireman and the lifeguard. We know how to present the Gospel of life to those who are dying in their sin. If we neglect to do so, we are guilty of their outcomes. Just think of how many souls we have allowed to drown or burn.

The Word of God is very clear – we must preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). If we fail, God will count of guilty of their transgressions. Nevertheless, when we share the Gospel, it is counted unto us as a reward when an individual gives their life to Christ. Should they reject Him, we are guiltless as long as we have warned them, according to the Word of God.

People of God, let’s search ourselves. Why are we really in ministry? Is it to make a name for ourselves? Is it “get rich quick scheme?” Do we carry titles just to make ourselves feel good? I challenge us all today to search ourselves and our hearts. How many souls have you brought to Christ? How often do you proclaim the Gospel to those who are lost? When you witness to others, do you preach your church and ministry, or are you presenting Jesus? How many souls printed on your spiritual record? Do the losses outweigh the victories?

Praise God! God has laid it on my heart to share the Gospel with at least 3 people per day, whether they are in church or not. Before anyone knows my name or my ministry, they need to know Jesus. AMEN.

Go Deeper...Beyond the Surface

My God! This prophetic Word came through my good friend in Australia, who just swims in the prophetic gift. It was a conviction and a blessing for me. Many times I find myself desiring to grown closer to God, yet I don't find the time after work, church, family and ministry to pray, fast, and read the Word. Well, there is no other way, so sacrifice is necessary on my part. God has been dealing with me about this over the last few weeks, so this word was so "on time" for me. I pray that it will bless someone on this site as well. I am pasting the words (with her permission) exactly as she recorded them. As it applies, please take heed to the Word of the LORD...

Go Beyond The Surface
7th April, 2005
The Word of the Lord, Given through Lanna Perry
Sydney Australia

Many of you are crying out to Me for the jewels you have been desiring, the revelations and the intimacy you have been desiring, yet you will not make the sacrifice to go beyond the surface.

Why do you want to remain just scratching the surface of knowing Me and My heart?

Do you think it is My heart for each of you to scratch the surface of Me? Surely not!

There is a depth to Me that is not known by many. There is a depth to My heart and Kingdom that few see. Few see, because few choose to go forward, and go below the surface.

I have called each of you to dig. Dig deep. As you dig deep it means that you must continue to die to yourself, and continue to see the state of your heart, but as you do, you fall more and more into My arms, knowing you cannot do anything alone. The revelation that you need Me, becomes so much more engrained in each of your hearts.

Many of you are starting to dig deep and what are you finding? JEWELS!

The jewels are hidden. The jewels of My heart and Kingdom are hidden. Hidden from the natural eye, but deep in Me. You, My children, My bride, will not see the jewels on the surface.

The jewels are deep. The jewels are found when you get your hands dirty in knowing Me. The jewels are found as you take steps away from all that has entangled you, all that has hurt you, and all that is worrying you, and take steps towards Me.Jewels are found as you take your eyes off your circumstances and onto Me. Jewels are found as you radically abandon your desires and plans and follow mine. Give all to Me. That is when you find jewels. When you do not rely on emotions, but on My Word wholeheartedly.

There is no instability in My kingdom, but if you remain at the surface, you are relying more on yourself, and your emotions, and not sacrificing for Me, and you become unstable. Thrown around by the wind and the waves.

As you dig deeper in Me church, you find jewels, and your roots are strengthened and watered.Stop feeding your flesh. Stop wasting your time, effort and money in feeding what will not last, what is unstable, and start investing your time, money and effort more into Me, and My Kingdom, then My Bride, you WILL see the jewels you desire.

Many of you know Me, and are still discontent, why? Because you are sitting on the surface, scratching the surface and not digging deeper into Me. Paying the price to go deep.

Wake Up, My Bride. Have you not realised what I am saying? What I continue to say over and over? Do not remain scratching the surface. Die to yourself, and come deeper.Many of you are making judgments on Me, that I am not good, that I am not providing that which you are continually calling out for. I always provide on time, but you must press in. I will not always come to you with what you desire on a silver platter. You must HUNGER and THIRST for that which you are desperate for. For if you are not hungry and thirsty for what you desire from Me, then you are not desperate. If My Bride, you are truly desperate for the jewels of knowing Me, and My heart, and the plans I have for My Kingdom, then press in.Go below the surface.

Stop spending all your lives on the surface, but do what I am telling you to do, to come deep. Then you will find the jewels you’ve always been desiring, and I promise you My Bride, once you have a taste of what is below the surface, you will NEVER go back. EVER.

Stop Chewing

This word of prophecy is being posted with permission from a dear friend of mine with a powerful prophetic gift. This word from God agreed so much with my spirit that I had to post it hear. Take heed to the word of the LORD!


Stop Chewing
4th April 2005
Lanna Perry
Sydney Australia

My precious children, My precious possessions, My precious branches, heed the word I am to speak for My heart is grieved. My heart is grieved My children, because as each of you are connected to me the One and Only true Vine, yet many of you are doing things that I am not pleased with.

My precious branches, you know what I see? I see some of you chewing at other branches, chewing at others to try and disconnect them, being motivated by jealousy or deceit or by gossip and slander.

Have I not called My church to work together? Have I not called My precious jewels to work together for My Kingdom?Why do you compare? Why do you strive to be better than each other? Why have you allowed manipulation and control to come into My church? Why have you allowed these things to come in and pollute that which I am trying to purify.Look at your hearts My branches. Look at your hearts. Forgive those who have hurt you and bless those who curse you. Stop chewing at other branches. Stop chewing down others, to bring about disunity.Do you want to continue to chew and chew until others and continue to try and cut them off? Your words are cutting many down. Your words are cutting many people to the hearts My children. Listen to My words. I am speaking.LOVE! Did I not teach you through My word to love? So love one another.This is NOT how I have called My church to be. This is NOT my heart for the church. This is NOT what I want. This is NOT pleasing to me, it is displeasing, so repent. Unite, and love one another. Heap blessings on each other. Let go of grievances, let go, stop hindering My work, and allow Me to grow each of you and My church.Oh I long to shine through you My church, shine through you in love, complete love, but My love and light is hindered as you try to chew each other off.Show My love to each other. Allow Me to set you free from grievances and hurts. Stop chewing each other.How greatly do I love you? How greatly have I poured my love over you. I have spoken to each of you to love Me and love each other so LOVE.

Do not grieve My heart anymore. Repent. Repent of trying to chew others off from Me. Repent for your slander, bad words, gossip, hatred, unforgiveness and unclean hearts. Repent.I love each of you so much and I forgive you, but I the Lord your God will not tolerate some of My children allowing the enemy to use them to chew off other of My branches, My children.

I will not stand for it.My precious branches, My precious children, there are those of you who have been on the receiving end of this chewing. I want to say to you, continue to cleave to Me. Continue to cleave to Me the vine. Continue to allow Me to comfort you, and I will bring about justice for you.

I will bring about justice in your life, and I will prevail.

I hold each of you close to My hearts. I hold all of My children close.

My church, look at your hearts, let My Spirit clean you and cut off any strongholds of the enemy.

Stop chewing off other branches, stop causing disunity. UNITE.

LOVE. FORGIVE.

Stop chewing and start blessing.