Not Just A Phrase

“And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;” (Jos 24:16 AV)

This is a great statement to make and an even greater prayer to speak.  Let me explain.  We often say the phrase “God forbid” to mean we would hope whatever follows that phrase would not come to pass.  To us, it is a throw-off phrase.  It is wishful thinking.  It is the heart looking forward to a future free of what we fear might happen.  But this is not the biblical understanding of this phrase.  The phrase literally means, “may God forbid such and such a thing.”  On the face of it, we would agree.  May God forbid the saint from forsaking God and serving other Gods.  But forbidding here means more than declaring it is wrong and commanding the child of God not to do as such.  Webster's 1828 dictionary also defines ‘forbid’ as, “To oppose; to hinder; to obstruct.”  In other words, what the people of God are saying here is, “May God oppose, hinder, or obstruct” us from forsaking Him and serving other gods.  This is quite a statement.  In essence, the people of God are seeking God’s active hand to oppose, hinder, or obstruct their lack of faith or disobedience.  Putting it another way, they are seeking God to be proactive and keep them in every way from falling away and serving other gods.  The emotional nature of such a statement adds urgency and sincerity to the request.  So, the question we can ask is how much do we ask God to keep us from sin and what are we willing to endure that this comes to pass?

Many addiction programs have mentors whose job is to frustrate the designs of the addict making indulgence harder to accomplish.  Some programs have a residency opportunity where the addict checks into a hospital-like facility.  They receive medical treatment that helps deal with the cravings.  What some do is go far beyond the addiction at hand.  Knowing the addict’s personality is one of undisciplined consumption, any and all indulgences are controlled.  Most do not have cell phone or internet privileges until much later in the program.  They will replace substance abuse with the abuse of profane entertainment.  Their meals are planned and portioned.  Indulgence in food might replace the substance they are trying to conquer.  There are work details.  If the addict is busy, he has little time to think of his addiction.  To overcome sin, the patient must submit to someone who will control their lives until they learn self-control.  This is often inconvenient, challenging, or downright painful. These programs are voluntary.  The patient knows beforehand what to expect.  Yet, they have come to the point they know they cannot live as they should without intervention and help.  They willingly allow another to be over them for the sake of liberty from a greater evil.

When we use the phrase, “God Forbid”, do we really want God to forbid that which follows the phrase?  “God forbid that I should not be a soul-winner.”  Do we really want God to forcibly put us into a situation where we are required to give the gospel?  “God forbid that I should fall into such and such a sin.”  Do we really want God to make it near to impossible to fall if it means radically changing our lives for the duration?   “God forbid that I should fail as a spouse.”  Do we really want God to cause circumstances that force us to change into the loving and sacrificial spouse we are commanded to be?  All these things are good.  All these things should be desired!  The real question is: Are we willing to preface our prayers with the phrase, “God forbid”, seeking God’s active and challenging hand to bring about the changes desired?  To make the statement above was not casual.  It was a serious one. Perhaps more serious than they realized.  Are we willing to make the same statement?