Luk 7:30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

Please notice that the Pharisees and lawyers were not baptized by John. Why? John was in the lineage for the high priesthood, being son of Zacharias, however, John was not in the temple wearing the fancy priestly garb, and doing the normal priestly duties in the temple. Instead, he was in the wilderness, dressed in camel hair and a leather belt. John did not fit the normal mode. Also, he was telling them that they needed to be baptized. There was nothing in the law concerning baptism for the Israelites, but baptism was only for the foreigners that wanted to become Jewish. The fact that John was teaching baptism was an insult to the Pharisees, being undoctinal.

Basically, Jesus is saying here that the people of that generation had a critical spirit, finding opposite faults in John and Jesus. Consider the following scriptures, where John called the Pharisees and Sadducees "vipers" in Matthew, and called the multitudes "vipers" in Luke:Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Luk 3:7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

What? Notice that John called them "vipers". If this had happened in America, what would we think of John? Would we have been baptized by him? I would say probably not. How much more in that he was baptizing, which was something new that was not in the law? These things were considered insulting, and baptizing Israelites was contrary to the law. The following scriptures confirm that John was questioned on the baptizing issue:Joh 1:19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

Joh 1:20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

Joh 1:21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

Joh 1:22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

Joh 1:24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

Joh 1:25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

Joh 1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

Joh 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

Joh 1:28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Joh 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

This critical spirit had to be delt with even in the twelve disciples: Mar 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

When the Samaritans did not receive Jesus because He was en route to Jerusalem, James and John wanted to call down fire on them. John was supposed to be the disciple of love.Luk 9:52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

Luk 9:53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

When we speak evil of a brother, especially a Holy Spirit filled brother, we are in a wrong spirit. This can sometimes be a spirit of jealosy, which is linked to the spirit of murder. We may not actually kill the man, but we may be operating in a similar spirit when we speak against others. Notice below that the devil is referred to as "the accuser of our brethren": Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Notice that Michael the archangel does not even directly rebuke the devil: Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Jud 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

Jud 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Let’s delve into the above scripture a little deeper and talk of Cain, Balaam and Korah:

Gen 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Cain was guilty of not recognizing the blood sacrifice. Cain and Abel both worshiped God, but Cain did it his own way. How does this relate to Christians today?

The story of Balaam starts at Numbers, chapters 22 through 24. The text tells us that Balaam had his eye on money. Balaam could have been the first major gentile prophet. Words are important. God sent an angel to kill him, rather than to have him speak against the children of Israel. Balaam seemed to repent, but his heart was not right. Later in the text, (Num. 31:16, 2 Pet. 2:15 and Rev. 2:14), we find out that Balaam later taught the Midianite women to seduce Israel into sin. Modern day Christians sometimes walk a little bit toward this line. Let me give examples:

There are evangelists that will only go to a meeting if they are guaranteed a certain amount of money. Jesus said that whoever shall be greatest among you shall be servant of all, however, many pastors seem to get this turned around, beating the congregation into giving all their tithes, and being careful to maintain their own position of authority. Ministry can become a circle of raising money for more ministry, to raise money for more ministry. Others prostitute their gifts, wether it be of music or whatever, and turn the foyer into a store with books and CD’s and the like. Likewise, the money changers in the temple probably rationalized and said, "But we are providing a service! They need to buy doves to sacrifice, and to change their money!" Although the Bible tells us that the workman is worthy of his wages, the danger comes when they speak against others that might get in ‘their territory’. Also, there is a danger when they water down the word so as not to offend, in order to maintain their income. Many preachers will cater to the people, rather than let the Holy Spirit move, looking at the offering plate, trying to merely keep the numbers up. Some preachers will avoid letting others minister, out of concern for their job, in that somebody else could do it better and take their position. Where would these brothers be if not for the manifold grace and patience of God and the blood of Jesus to cover their iniquities? Unfortunately, however, the anointing is hindered, and the Holy Spirit cannot work freely.

10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Joab was the commander of David’s army, although he was not listed as one of the thirty mighty men, no, not in 2 Sam 23 or in 1 Chron 11. His younger brother Asahel was listed, as well as Joab’s armourbearer, as well as Uriah the Hittite. What kept Joab from being written down as one of the thirty? This ties in with Cain, Balaam, and Korah, in that being jealous for position, money and authority, he slew two men more righteous than him, (Abner the son of Ner and Amasa). Joab also disobeyed the King’s orders. Likewise, many Christians today speak ‘raca’ and are in danger of hellfire, murdering with their tongue, when somebody else seems to be more gifted than they are, (or, conversely, not at far along as they are). Quoting Fred Bishop, "If he don’t love Jesus as much as me he needs to get saved. If he love Jesus more than me, he’s a fanatic." LOL

Words are important. Ellymus the Sorcerer did not ask to be blind for a season, neither did Ananias and Saphira ask to die, or the kids that taunted Elisha, or the two captains with their 50's when Elijah called down fire, etc.. etc.

If you want a serious anointing, you must learn to control your tongue. Words can hurt, and even kill. Consider what Paul wrote:

2Co 13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

Space does not permit to speak of ‘Uzziah’ or ‘Joseph’s brothers’, or many other examples. Briefly, King Saul was one that was jealous for position and authority. He was more concerned about what the people thought about him, and wanted Samual to honor him before the people. Likewise, some are more worried about pleasing the pastors or the people so that they make sure that they can come back to minister again.

First of all: the people from Jesus’ home town were the same ones that were offended. They knew Him before He was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. They failed to recognize the anointing, and more importantly, the Deity in Him, and were offended. Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Notice the word "unbelief". They did not recognize Jesus as the Christ. This in itself is not so bad if they are open to the truth. However, notice verse 57 says, "And they were offended in him."

Consider Honduras, where you can walk into any crowded mall and often hear Christian music playing on the public speakers. In America this might be considered ‘politically incorrect’. Even many of the most dangerous gang members in Honduras will not rob a man of God or a missionary, and, the only way you can leave the gang is if you truly become a Christian.

Please notice that Jesus did few miracles for the Pharisees. Jesus healed all. Jesus healed all the multitudes. Jesus healed all that asked sincerely. Jesus even healed some that did not ask. Jesus even healed some that did not even know who He was. However, He did not do a miracle for the Pharisees just to prove that He was who He said He was. The Pharisees questioned His authority. The Pharisees were offended at Him. The Pharisees plotted to kill Him. Jesus did not do any miracles for the Pharisees, (except the ones that happened to be present when he worked miracles for those that really asked in faith).

Unfortunately, when a Christian falls into the ‘accuser of the brethren’ spirit, and calls his brother ‘raca’, it is possible that he may fall away, or it may inhibit growth in God. The man may continue to operate in the anointing that the Lord gave him, but future growth is impeded, or at least diminished somewhat. I hope I never fall into this category.

Notice how King Saul treats young David, and vice a versa. The anointing is to be respected. The anointing is the Holy Spirit.

The Pharisees and the people in Jesus’s home town area represent two different people groups that were both offended. However, the Pharisees went a step further to plot to kill Jesus. Notice that Jesus did no miracles for the Pharisees, but there were some miracles done among the people of His home town. I believe that America falls in the latter category, in that miracles do happen, but not like other countries.

Often pastors will cater to the ones that are offended at the anointing, and I think that this is often a mistake. Other pastors could care less about miracles, or soverign works of the Holy Spirit. Everybody in one church can get healed, but the church down the road does not care. Some pastors are too busy looking for devils. The Bible plainly tells us how to test the spirits, (1 John 2:22, 4:2 & 5:1).

Let’s look briefly at some of the different ones that were offended at or disrespected Jesus, or God, or the man of God, and let’s see what happened to them in the New Testament:

The Pharisees and Jews: Some got saved, but the gospel went out to the gentiles and the eyes of the Jews were spiritually blinded (Ro 11:25).

King Herod: Killed James with the sword and jailed Peter. He was ate up with worms and died, not giving God glory (Acts 12).

Annanias and Saphira: They were not even saved, and were using the church to sell their land. How do I know this? The book of Acts describes who people were, or what background they were from. If a person is a disciple or a believer, the book of Acts will tell you in some fashion or form. Usually, the book of Acts tells you up front, ‘there was a disciple named . . . .’ However Annanias and Saphira were not named as any such disciples, believers, Christians or whatever. They died (Acts 5).

Elymus the sorcerer: Withstood the faith and tried to keep the Deputy from getting saved. He was struck with blindness for a season (Acts 13:5-11).

Lets go to the Old Testament:

We already discussed Cain, Balaam, Korah, Joab and Miriam and Aaron.

The first two captains with their fifties were burned up with fire. The third captain humbled himself before Elijah, the man of God (2 Ki 1:14).

Two bears came out of the woods to maul the kids that taunted Elisha, the man of God (2 Ki 2:23-24).

The man that was trampled in the gate disrespected Isaisas, the man of God, and the word that he spoke (2 Ki 7:19-20).

The children of Israel murmured and complained, failed to believe God’s word, and had to wander in the desert for 40 years (Numbers 14).

Judgement on the men of Anathoth that sought Jeremiah’s life (Jer 11:22)

Ahab, Jezebel, and kings and false prophets who withstood the word of God spoken through the prophets either came to early deaths or had sicknesses immediately come upon them.

This list could go on and on. I know that we are under grace and have a mediator that we did not have in the Old Testament and in the days of Job. However there is a different attitude of honor and respect for God and the man of God that is often not found in the USA.

There is a critical attitude that many Christian Americans today have toward others that can be summed up like this with a quote from our beloved Fred Bishop of NGL: "If he don’t love God as much as me, he needs to get saved. If he loves God more than me he’s a fanatic." Haw! LOL.  You must realize, that I myself am guilty also.  In judging others of having a pharisitical or critical spirit, I myself have fallen into the same condemnation, for Romans 2:1 says that those that judge others are guilty of the same things.  In doing this, I myself am guilty of unbelief, attempting to disqualify those in America of being worthy to receive healings and miracles, and I myself am failing to recognize the power in the blood of Jesus to cover our sins and iniquities, falling into the error of Cain.  God help us all.

John Bevere has written a book on this subject entitled "Honor’s Reward", and I highly recommend it to anybody who wants to see this basic principle more clearly. John brings out many wonderful points about people that received their miracles, such as the Syrophonecian woman (Mark 7:26) who was called a dog but yet humbled herself before Jesus, or Hannah who was accused of being drunk by Eli, (1 Sam 1)but yet she maintained her spirit of humility. Had these examples happened in America, these women would probably have been offended, and gone away speaking bad about the man of God, missing out on their miracles. In America, they might have said, "What kind of prophet is he, calling me a drunk, (or a dog). He’s no man of God."

How does Jesus feel about people who are in bondage to sickness or disease? One answer is found in Luke:

Jesus healed for many reasons, one being his compassion for the people.

Is there people in your church that need healing? Let God move. I’m not scared to come and pray. I guarantee that there will be instant healings.