THE ISAIAH SYNDROME

There is something I call Isaiah syndrome. This syndrome is common to preachers and those who take the position of "I am called to correct errors" especially in the body of Christ. Isaiah syndrome is common to people with that mentality.

As a prophet, we were introduced to his ministry from chapter one and we read about how he prophesied and rebuked people between chapter one to five. Particularly in chapter five, he declared alot of woes on sinners.

Isaiah 5:11 *WOE unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them*

Isaiah 5:18 *WOE unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope*

Isaiah 5:20-22 *Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! [21] WOE unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! [22] WOE unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink*

Something dramatic after after chapter five. In chapter six, we were told that he had an encounter where he saw the holiness of God and through that encounter, he saw himself as he is: unclean and filthy.

The next thing he said was: *"...WOE IS ME! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts*"( Isaiah 6:5)

Wow! The same man who saw the faults of everyone and declared woes on them is now declaring 'woe' to himself. Why? He saw his uncleanness and filth when he encountered the holiness of God.

There are many men like Isaiah today. They find it easy to preach against what they feel is not right. They position themselves as doctrinal police. They seem not to have any other message except to pick faults in what others preach.

They hunt for the errors of others and make plenty noise about others but their own filth is stinking to the heavens. God has been drawing their attention to see themselves as they are but they are occupied about others than they are about themselves.

It is a dangerous thing to make your ministry about others. It is a bad thing to seek the fault of others and not check yourself. Do not get me wrong, the bible supports rebuke and correction(in love) but the same scripture says:

*"EXAMINE YOURSELVES, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates*"? (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV)

That scripture did not say "examine others". The focus of examination should be about ourselves first not others. A true believer seeks to know God and encounter Him in a way that will reveal who he is. Not about trying to know the state of others.

When we get to heaven, we will stand as individuals, stripped of our earthly titles. At that point, what matters is what you have done while in the body not about others. Why so bother about others that you leave your life unexamined?

Beware of Isaiah syndrome.

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