Yesterday I participated in a webinar. It was about a product I don’t totally understand. But the guy was interesting and I hung in there. What they taught on had little to do with technology and more to do with marketing and promotion. That and webinars give me a few moments to do other things, like review email, answer questions and get caught up. People participated around the world.

At the beginning of the webinar, a number floated in the air. It was “there”. We were told to pay attention as if the answer would be in the seminar.  At the end they said they were going to have a contest. That number became more intense as I lost interest in the teaching. As they closed they asked everyone to place a number between 1 and 100 in the question box. A few moments later they announced I had won the prize. A sizable prize. A Go Pro camera. (You know…the one that dogs, eagles and crazy adventure people have strapped on to film their next escapade.)

I totally understand prophecy is not about “guessing” or seeing a number. I honestly felt a twinge of guilt. I thought about the sons of Sceva. I do not purposefully put myself in situations that may suggest the wrongful use of the gift. I simply accepted the win and moved on.

I have written about “charismatic” or white witchcraft. The wrongful use of authority, gifting or standing to manipulate, change or guide someone’s life choices.

Maturity in Christ, comes to understand the power we wield through our words, actions and deeds. That just because we can, ought we? People often come to us in emotional states. They do not need to be manipulated or maneuvered. They need to be loved and made aware of God’s goodness and His grace.

Because of my past I avoid a lot of things. As a child I was hooked on magic and all the great magicians. I devoured books on the subject. I noticed that at some point all the greats “crossed” a line where they began to move with a desire for the “hidden power”. I participated all the “parlor games”. I owned “games” like Kreskin’s ESP. I played with pendulums, cards and boards. I wanted to see how I stacked up. My interest at some point became an obsession and at some point I became a captive. Over those next years I met with thousands of witches, mediums, fortunetellers and psychics. How many thousands were misdirected by our “interests”?

That was some 25 years ago, I left that world. It has taken years of change. Even as I walk down an aisle in a store and I see the flash of someone, to come around the corner and actually see that person can be disconcerting.

Have I failed? Been wrong? Hurt? Three incidents stand out over my years as a Christian.

Many years ago I was prophesying in a large room full of people. People gathered around. Later I found I had revealed something about someone I ought not to. I “shrugged” it off but I felt badly. My intent was never to hurt. A gift ought never hurt.

In another instance I was asked to participate in an exercise that made me feel like I was in an ESP group. I felt angry and upset and purposefully answered wrong. It caused me to feel manipulated and changed my outlook. A gift ought never manipulate or be self serving.

Shortly after I left the world of darkness I was talking to another believer in his store and he was bemoaning the lack of traffic. A woman had walked in and was wandering about. She had left and I said, “I can get her back”. I closed my eyes. A moment later a very bewildered woman came back in the store and spent money. This mature believer looked at me and said “don’t ever do that again”. A gift ought never control.

As a believer we ought to let God “direct” our steps. How much more so with the use of our gifting? Like any gift or grace, prophecy ought to be used to expand the kingdom. To promote grace and love. Not to manipulate or to mold.

I do not feel bad about my win yesterday. I am, however reminded of how close our worlds are to distraction and darkness.

In this season with God, I concentrate more on “raising” up rather than moving or proving myself. On some levels, yesterday was simply a personal encouragement that though I have purposefully taken myself out of the action, God still speaks to me. (I often will write things down and put them in an envelope with a date. That usually has to do with a baby, a job or a relationship. I ask the person to “open” on such a date. Maybe that camera means Go Pro-phesy!)

Last night I listened to a young lady who told me she spent her personal gift card on her children “because that is what parents do”. I thought, how refreshing to see that happening in the body of Christ. Men and women who have taken a “back” seat to allow a generation to come forth.

One of the greatest things we can do is allow God to move through us. In this “magical” season of Christmas hearts are open. I ask for the goodness of God to be revealed and released in mighty ways. That God’s purpose would be seen in tangible and exciting ways.