Note: I shorthand Todd Bentley to be TB and Lakeland to be L, and the two together are TB&L.
Given Fresh Fire Ministries’ announcements over the last few days regarding Todd and Shonnah Bentley’s separation and the subsequent announcement that Todd had developed an emotional bond with another woman that was inappropriate, a number of people are asking questions.
Perhaps the most common is, “How did all those leaders, pastors, and people who flocked to the revival lack discernment?”
My satirical response is, “Did YOU know it was going on?” (to which you’d reply, “no, but I knew SOMETHING was…”, and my further response would be, “Because millions and millions of Christians are poor, ignorant slobs who are dumber than a big bucket full of hair and who are incapable of hearing from the Lord and who should bow to your obviously superior connection to God” … except that the complainers generally have complained that many felt that Todd Bentley had a superior connection to God and I’m sure that said complainers don’t want THAT association. (not to mention that it’s rather ridiculous!)
The simple answer to “Why didn’t you know?” is, “He didn’t tell me.”
Contrary to popular opinion (mostly among non-prophetic folks), God does not tell His prophets everything. He doesn’t tell anyone everything. Paul argues in 1 Corinthians 13 that even if God DID tell us everything, but we lack love (KJV=”charity”), it’s all rather pointless.
My question is, “Where’s the love and charity for the Bentleys?”
Best ask God before you reply, “But we knew something was wrong from the beginning…”
Kathie Walters has a GREAT piece over on the Realms of Glory blog – talking about discernment and bitterness with regards to this whole situation. She even talks about Branham, Ron 
Someone else (when I remember who/were, I’ll edit) said that perhaps God has reasons for not telling people – because He’s wanting to teach the church about how to respond in love and humility to this situation.
A counterpart to the above question/response is this: The revival is/was never about Todd Bentley. TB is a man. But Jesus is Jesus, and that’s Who the revival is about.
A second counterpart to the above question/response is this: God used a flawed man. Find me one that’s not. [self included there!]
There’s no “excuse” for sin – but when it happens, what is the one who sinned supposed to do? Perhaps the critics and heresy hunters would be happy if TB doused himself with gasoline and lit himself on fire? One would hope not (but I wouldn’t doubt it!)… all TB has to do is go to God with it and get right, and take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again, and marvel at His grace and love (as the rest of us should, daily!)… and it sounds like he’s doing just that.
I do wonder what God thinks of all the curses that have been leveled at Todd and Shonnah. The Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. That’s not some magickal formula, but it is a practical spiritual principle. If it’s true that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks – and the mouth is speaking vile words against a Christian – what is in the heart? Jesus says that we’ll give an account for our words, you know! (NOTE: again, I’m not referring to people who disagree. I’m sure if I attended my local Baptist church I’d find a lot to disagree with, and I might say so – but I’m not going to call their doctrines demonic and denounce the pastor and warn people about them! *)
(I’m going to talk about me for a second, because to talk about Todd with my next statement would be speculative and that would be wrong to do. Could it be part of what happened? Yes. Is it? Time, and God, will tell.) I’ve been the recipient of loving, constructive criticism. It can be hard to take sometimes, but when God is in something, even when two people disagree, all grow more in Him. I’ve also been the recipient of hateful, spiteful, cursing, venomous words – most often from people claiming to be Christians. Some of it’s current, but most of it’s in the past from my involvement at EW. Hopefully I’ve learned some lessons from that time, that I can apply to now. 
But I can say that discouraging words do tend to do just that – discourage. When it seems that not only is every demon on the planet out to get you, but friends, neighbors, brothers, sisters, and complete strangers are out to get you also – it’s hard to maintain focus. It’s hard to escape the bitter soap opera (it just occurred to me, lots of the Psalms are about this very subject…).
I speak of the revival in the present tense, and will continue to do so. To the best of my knowledge, services are still going on at Ignited Church, but even if they were to cease, the impartation I received and revival I experienced still live in my heart. There is a holy passion for Jesus and a level of intimacy with Him that I have now that’s qualitatively and quantitatively DIFFERENT from what I had pre-revival (and I had no small measure before).
Someone (Anita or Alycin, I think) said that we should not take “pride” in our relationship with Christ. I think I’m going to have to write another post, about intimacy and relationship. To an extent I agree – if we start thinking that because we’re in tight with God, nothing bad can happen to us, and we can do no wrong, then things are likely to unravel. But we also must rest secure in Jesus and strive to grow in that relationship every minute of every day! I’ll say more in another post, maybe later today – we’ll see.
Again, I’ve written a much longer post than I intended to! I just get wordy in my old age and general sleepiness (it’s been an odd day – had to have Kayt to the RDU airport 90 minutes away, at 4:30 this morning for her flight to Florida. That means we got up at 2 and left here around 3. Came home, took a nap, but still zzzzzzzzzzz!! She just called a bit ago, arrived safely and is headed to Southeastern to get settled in! Thank You, Lord, for her safe travel!!)
* Clarification – since I’ve mentioned them before – There are two Baptist churches in our town that I DO warn people about – not because they’re Baptist, but because they routinely throw people out of church for not giving enough money and not dressing “appropriately” (One church asked Mother Louise not to ever come back, because she attended an evening service wearing a pantsuit). However, these two are exceptions to the rule and most of the other churches are quite nice.
Commentation