Biblical Principles

Is TPM Based Upon Biblical Principles?

You will not find the word "Theophostic" in the Bible since it was created to describe the process.  However, the Greek New Testament words Theos (God) and Phos (light) are in the Bible and are the basis for the name Theophostic. Theophostic Prayer Ministry is built upon many biblical concepts and principles. 

 

 Below are a few passages upon which this form of ministry rests and operates.  These verses are not intended to proof-text TPM or to "find TPM in the Scriptures", but rather present various principles of God's Word and how TPM relates to these principles.  It is fully understood and acknowledged that all Scripture must be interpreted in its proper context and first be understood by its literal meaning. 

 

It is also understood that though Scripture has only one true contextual interpretation, it may have many applications that can be drawn from the principles thereof.  For example, the writer of the Old Testament declares that one should not muzzel the oxen as it thrashes out the wheat (Deut. 25:4).  The literal meaning of this passage is simple, "let the oxen eat while he works."  In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul applies this passage to the subject of financial compensationfor the church leadership. (1Cor. 9:9-12).  In the same way, TPM draws from the principles of God's Word and seeks to make valid applications of these principles.  These statements are not interpretations of these passages, but only how TPM is being applied based upon the principles of the Scripture.

 

• TPM encourages the person to seek God and assumes that He will be faithful in all He has said He will do.  (If )…"you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul."  Deuteronomy 4:29 

• TPM assumes that the Lord will accompany the person to his deepest places of pain if he is willing to go there. "He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light."  Job 12:22         

• TPM assumes that if we search for God and cry out to Him in our distresses that He will hear our heart's cry. "Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped."  Psalm 28:6-7

• TPM seeks to be governed by the faithfulness of God's Word.  "For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does." Psalm 33:4  

• TPM assumes that the Lord of Light will give direction to the ministry process as we submit to Him.  "Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me." Psalm 43:3a

• TPM assumes that harbored sin will hinder the ministry process.  "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." Psalm 66:18

• TPM assumes that God is able to do great things beyond what we can accomplish on our own. "You are the God who performs miracles." Psalm 77:14

• TPM assumes that the Lord can be found in the darkest places of our minds. "Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  Even the darkness will not be dark to you….for darkness is as light to you." Psalm 139:7,12

• TPM assumes that if the person is willing to go to his or her places of pain that the Lord will participate and direct his or her path. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."  Prov. 3:5-6 

• TPM assumes that God will grant wisdom and sound judgment to those who will seek Him. "Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power…those who seek me find me." Proverbs 8:14,17

• TPM assumes that the Word of God is without error and totally reliable. "Every word of God is flawless." Proverbs 30:5a

• TPM assumes that God will answer us when we call out to Him. "This is what the Lord says, "In the time of my favor, I will answer you." Isaiah 49:8a 

• TPM assumes that God will not disappoint those who seek Him and come to Him with exposed hearts and minds.  "Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed."  Isaiah 49:23b                

• TPM assumes that God is trustworthy and will do all He says He will do. "Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God." Isaiah 50:10                  

• TPM assumes that human reason and knowledge falls short of God's thinking. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

• TPM assumes that darkness is the absence of light/truth.  "We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.  Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes." Isaiah 59:9b-10a  

• TPM assumes that freedom follows coming clean before a holy God. "For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us.  Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God…uttering lies our hearts have conceived."  Isaiah 59:12-13             

• TPM assumes that the Lord will search the heart and mind of those willing to be exposed of deception and sin. "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind…Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise."  "O Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind…" Jeremiah 17:10, 14, 20:12a           

• TPM assumes that no pain is too deep that it cannot be exposed and no thought so deceptive that the Lord cannot expel it with truth. "Am I only a God nearby, declares the Lord, and not a God far away?  Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the Lord.  "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord. Jeremiah 23:23-24

• TPM assumes that no person is so emotionally wounded that the Lord cannot restore him. "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.  I am the Lord, the God of all mankind.  Is anything too hard for me?"  Jeremiah 32:17, 27

• TPM assumes that the Lord knows our deepest places and is willing to go with us where ever we are willing to explore. "He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with him."  Daniel 2:22

• TPM assumes that if we are willing to break the hardened ground, that which we have hidden and buried, He is willing to shower us with good things.  "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.  But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception."  Hosea 10:12:13a           

• TPM assumes that God is light and in Him is the truth that we need to walk in victory. "Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light…He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness."  Micah 7:8b-9b              

• TPM assumes that God is willing to make us clean if we are willing to come to him with transparency and honesty.  "Lord, if you are willing you can make me clean."…"I am willing, he said .  "Be clean."  Matthew 8:2-3a             

• TPM assumes that sometimes when lies are brought into the light and sins are exposed that there may be separation before there is reconciliation. "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."  Matthew 10:34             

• TPM assumes that much struggle in the Christian life is the result of people trying to find peace through labor as opposed to rest in the finished work of Christ.  "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30         

•  TPM assumes that unless the Lord sets us free we will never know true freedom. "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26             

• TPM assumes that no matter how dark the places of pain we may have to go the Lord will be there.  "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. "Matthew 28:20b            

•  TPM views the facilitator of ministry like one of the friends who carried the paralytic to Jesus.  They were needed in the process but they could not work the miracle. "Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them.  Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, thy made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."  Mark 2:3-5                   

• TPM assumes that as life happens around us we will be exposed of what we experientially believe.  The disciples in the boat with Jesus during the storm were exposed by their fearfulness revealing the lies they believed.  "A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.  The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"  He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!"  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:37-40               

• TPM assumes that if we seek the Lord in faith that He will respond with healing. "A large crowd followed and pressed around him.  And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years…she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.
  "Mark 5:24b-28              

• TPM assumes that if we choose to move in the direction of God He will meet us there. "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."  "'If you can believe'?" said Jesus.  "Everything is possible for him who believes. "Mark 9:22b-23              

• TPM assumes that God is a respecter of our will.  He acts based upon what we choose. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him.  The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."  "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you. Mark 10:51-52a 

• TPM assumes that the moment that a person comes into the knowledge of the truth all darkness that was present in that place has to leave.  "In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:4-5    

•  TPM assumes that God is willing to offer mercy and grace even to those who do not know Him.  Then Jesus said to him, "Get up!  Pick up your mat and walk."  At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked…The man who was healed had no idea who it was (that healed him). John 5:8-13a 

• TPM assumes that freedom follows knowing the truth."Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
  John 8:32, 36                

• TPM assumes that Satan is a planter of lies.  He has only one intent and that is to destroy.  However, he is limited to the belief of the person and powerless in the face of truth.  "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44b                    

• TPM makes Christ central to all that happens in ministry. "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14:6a                    

• TPM assumes that the Holy Spirit is the communicator between man and God. 

• TPM assumes that the written Word is the primary vehicle through which the Holy Spirit communicates. "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth."  John 14:16-17a   "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth."  John 16:13a   

• TPM assumes that  the prayer that Jesus prayed for our sanctification is ongoing and present and is being fulfilled in part in a TPM session. "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."
  John 17:17                     

• TPM assumes that every man is responsible for the lies that he holds and freedom is a choice he must make by moving in the direction of God. "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie." Romans 1:25a              

• TPM acknowledges the ongoing struggle each person must wage in his flesh and the lies he harbors in his mind, but also recognizes that the Lord of truth has released us and there is no condemnation for those in Christ. "For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work in my members.  What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my flesh a slave to the law of sin.  Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.  Romans 7:22-8:2  

• TPM realizes that peace follows truth. "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…" Romans 8:6

• TPM acknowledges that evidence of genuine mind renewal is the presence of transformation. "…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

• TPM understands that lies are expelled with truth from the Lord and not by reason or logic. "He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness…" 1 Corinthians 4:5b 

• TPM assumes that when the Lord is acknowledged and His truth embraced freedom will follow. "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17

• TPM assumes that Satan uses deception to blind the eyes of people, but also assumes that it is turning to the Lord of truth that releases them and not battling a defeated foe. "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ… but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." 2 Corinthians 4:4, 3:16

• TPM assumes that each person is responsible to own what is in their minds and be willing to hold this up to the Lord for His truth perspective.  "…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5         

• TPM assumes that God desires we always walk in freedom and never in deception.  "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Galatians 5:1a               

• TPM assumes that as we come into the truth our spiritual eyes will be opened to know and understand the deeper things of God.  "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:17-19a        

•  TPM assumes that God desires that we not just know about Him but that we will come to KNOW Him experientially to the fullest measure.  "And I pray that you…may have power…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory…for ever and ever!"  Ephesians 3:17b-21       

• TPM assumes that anger is usually rooted in the truth of what happened to us, (Ex. I am angry because what he did was unjust) but if not resolved the devil will take the opportunity to implant a lie to keep in place. (Example: My anger keeps me from getting hurt again.)  "In your anger do not sin":  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
  Ephesians 4:26             

• TPM assumes that the armor of God is an analogy of the finished work of Christ in which the believer is call to stand.  In this standing position we are called to resist the devils schemes and not the devil himself. "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."  Ephesians 6:11-18            

• TPM assumes that anxiety, worry, fear etc. are rooted in lie-based thinking.  However, as we come into the knowledge of His truth we can also know the peace that goes beyond comprehension.  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your  minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 

• TPM assumes that power for living the Christian life and moving into freedom is accomplished though Christ living in us.  "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13            

• TPM assumes that living the Christian life is accomplished in the same way that it began; faith in Christ. "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."  Col. 2:6-7  

•  TPM acknowledges that the Word of God is the standard by which all that occurs in a ministry session is judged.  If anything occurs that is inconsistent with the Scriptures then it is invalid. "For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12-13          

• TPM acknowledges that God is the Truth. "…it is impossible for God to lie…"
  Hebrews 6:18b              

• TPM recognizes that wounds left unattended will fester and affect many. "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Hebrews 12:15

•  TPM recognizes that trials are designed to refine our faith/belief.  When our faith is refined the outcome is endurance (the ability to hold still as God does His deeper work) which will result in maturity in Christ. "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."     James 1:2-4             

• TPM assumes that God is very willing to reveal His truth and wisdom when we are rightly positioned to receive.  "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…"James 1:5-6a                

• TPM assumes that when the Word is richly implanted in our heart we are in a better position to cast off the sins that defile us. "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." James 1:21                   

• TPM assumes that God has called us to walk in the truth.  "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter  2:9                  

• TPM assumes that Satan roams about looking for someone in a distressful situation so that he can provide a deceptive short-sided solution to the emotional stress that may be experienced.  (This passage was written to a church in a time of suffering.)  "Be self controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8  

• TPM assumes where there is darkness there is deception.  "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5b                   

• TPM assumes that sin is always the outcome of choice.  We sin because we choose to.  If we say that we do not sin we are liars.  However since much of the sinful choices we make are often vain attempts in pain managing behavior, receiving truth that dispels our lie-based pain can place us in a position where we are in less need for medication.  "If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:6-10  

•  TPM assumes that fear and other similar emotions are rooted in lies.  The truth of God's love for us can drive all this out.  "There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment." 1 John 4:18a                 

•  TPM assumes that any truth that a person may receive in a ministry session is communicated by the Holy Spirit. "…the Spirit is the truth." 1 John 5:6b

• TPM facilitators have the continual joy of watching people come out of the pain they have carried all their lives and entering into the peace of Christ that comes from walking in His truth.  "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 4