“Tempered With Reverence and Godly Fear”

Wesley and the early Methodists were often accused of being “enthusiasts,” oe what we’d today call fanatics, and not without reason. In Wesley’s own journal and letters we read of people falling down or crying out as if they were having fits while he was preaching and of people claiming to have been divinely bestowed with special gifts or insights. 

In an attempt to refute allegations that he and the people called Methodists were enthusiasts, he wrote “The Nature of Enthusiasm,” arguing that neither extraordinary gifts nor fantastic visions were the measure of one’s faith, nor that they could in and of themselves reveal the will of God. Instead, he pointed to the usual ways in which God chooses to be made known: by scripture, experience, reason, and the ongoing assistance of the Holy Spirit. Wesley also cautioned against speaking too glibly of God’s will and urged his readers/listeners to guard their tongues as well as their actions, making sure that both were seasoned with the proper sense of respect and awe due to the most Holy God.  

Beware you do not fall into the second sort of enthusiasm -- fancying you have those gifts from God which you have not. Trust not in visions or dreams; in sudden impressions, or strong impulses of any kind. Remember, it is not by these you are to know what is the will of God on any particular occasion, but by applying the plain Scripture rule, with the help of experience and reason, and the ordinary assistance of the Spirit of God. Do not lightly take the name of God in your mouth; do not talk of the will of God on every trifling occasion: but let your words, as well as your actions, be all tempered with reverence and godly fear.

I can’t help thinking of this contentious election season and the endless bile and invective already being poured out from the mouths of political opponents and flowing from the keyboards of trolls and mischief-makers.  Even more disturbing is the willingness on the part of some high profile religious leaders to baptize hate speech and even engage in it themselves.  It’s a brutal day in which to attempt to follow Jesus instead of Caesar, and Wesley’s admonition against too lightly carrying the name of God in our mouths is timely. I wish I could say we’d heed it. Wouldn't it be great if Mr. Wesley's spiritual descendants would set the world a good example?

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.