Can God only act if man permits it?
Question:
Hello Mr. Hamilton,
I came across a theory by the late Myles Munroe, and that is the idea that God needs our permission to act on Earth and gets this permission by way of our prayers. His premise for this theory is this: All spirits need a dirt body to act upon the Earth. Since God is spirit, it's "illegal" for Him to act upon the Earth without a human agent. His argument is outlined more clearly in this article.
While I read the article, I didn't see any scriptures to debunk Munroe's argument. Monroe's argument is interesting because it would have major implications about God and man, but makes me uneasy because I sense there are some things majorly false about it but am not sure how to challenge it with scripture.
Another doctrine floating about is a doctrine that states: Because of the fall, man lost dominion of the Earth to Satan. Is this true? Can you point me in the direction of scriptures that either support, refute, or clarify this doctrine?
Could you help me, please?
Thank you
Answer:
You are approaching this backward. When someone presents a new idea, it is up to that person to prove that their idea is correct. Just because you can imagine something, that doesn't mean it exists. Suppose someone claimed that there are six-feet tall pink bunny rabbits. People don't have to prove that such rabbits don't exist. The person making the claim has to show evidence.
So where is the evidence that there is a rule that God can only work through human agents? I don't know of a verse that states this. Nor is there a verse that says spirits need a physical body to act upon the earth.
Just stop and think for a moment. How did God create the world if He can't act on it? God is the potter, we are the clay. The clay doesn't tell the potter what to do (Isaiah 29:15-16). "Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker -- An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'?" (Isaiah 45:9).
This false teaching claims that God "has no hands" to work in this world. It also claims that God needs a man's permission to operate in this world. Man is never in control of God.
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became his counselor? Or who has first given to him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:33-36).
In regards to mankind's dominion, Genesis 1:28 is basically repeated in Genesis 9:1-7. If men no longer rule the earth because of sin, then why does it continue almost 2,000 years later? If men lost it due to sin, why is a totally corrupt being now supposedly in charge? Keep in mind too, that God gives authority (Romans 13:1), it cannot be taken.
Stick to studying the Bible. You don't need the false philosophies of men.
Response:
Thank you so much for taking the time to address my questions.
