Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens
Date: December 25, 2015 04:21AM
The reference in 2 Corinthians 6:14 that states we should not be yoked together with unbelievers and is used to justify divorce when one spouse does not agree with the leadership of TLWF, is quite a stretch. To say that one spouse changes from Christ to Belial when they read their Bible and do what it says, instead of what their DR has ordered, is simply not true. Acts 17:11 says, “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” It might be nice if TLWF felt the same way. We’re actually not the enemy to point out conflicts with scripture. If the scripture carries no weight, you could look at the number of divorces and see the fruit.
Most of us have felt the rage if we questioned anything – it was about control, not about the truth or a real relationship. What is clear in scripture is what changedagain posted from 1 Corinthians 7:13-14. You don’t have to control someone to love them. We were not even given a clue about true oneness in the teachings of TLWF. We were taught how to be controlled and how to control others – something that was quite toxic. Only extending “love” when the other person does exactly what you want, the way you want it done is a dictatorship, not a relationship. “You and I will get along just fine as soon as you realize I am God” - although funny, is sick. The more we realize how perfect God is, we would be foolish to not want His input. However, that's a far cry from someone that wants to pretend they are God and trash your life.
God loved us while we were sinners, screwing everything up. He asks us to love others the way He loves us. I think the ability to love a spouse that remains in TLWF can be easy if God is the source of that love. The negative effects that divorce has on kids is often not considered as much as it should be - something that Paul and Malachi both mention. On the other hand, I think it would be quite difficult for the spouse still in TLWF to love a spouse that was fellowshipping with a group outside of TLWF because they can no longer be controlled. How can you possibly love someone who will not do what your leader wants? You can see why Jesus said to call no man leader - it messes stuff up. In hindsight, I know the way I was taught to relate in TLWF was very destructive to my first marriage. There was a lot I had to re-learn, both about marriage and God. Those of us that have experienced finding new life are a threat to the old and it is amazing how quickly ties are cut with TLWF relationships that were decades old. Even people in the world are happy for you to be in a healthier place – why must you be a Nephilim when you leave TLWF, even if it is for a deeper walk with God?