I am seeing a dramatic problem across the Body of Christ, across the folks in the moving of the Spirit in this city and among my own team. I believe that there is no greater problem that needs attention to at this time. It is the problem of not being diligent in character while expecting the anointing. You need character to carry the anointing. If you don't, you will not continue to carry it, the ministry will be harmed, the gospel may be discredited, and it God will judge you more harshly because you have had access to the holy things.
Think of Saul. The text says that God sent an evil spirit upon him. We don't believe that God ever is the author of evil. On the contrary, this simply was the way of things, that Saul had access to the anointing, and did not continue behavior in the fear of the Lord. He was presumptuous, he lied, he did not obey what he was told. He was fearful; he was self-concerned, he was self-willed. He became miserable and died. In the end, he even was sitting with witches. This is the end of those who seek anointing without godly character – practical witchcraft.
I see people choosing the path of Saul all around me. Oh, never meaning anything but choosing the sweetness of God, they want only that and never the dictates of discipline and the outcome of character. They choose their convenience. Then they cover up their shortcomings, and flatter themselves that they are not really being deceptive. They do not keep their word. They ignore it. They presume to tell the anointed what to do, when they do not have that assignment, that experience, that training, and they persist after indication that they are off the mark. This is lack of fear of God. They do not seek teaching and are deaf to correction.
People have begun to move in the supernatural. Good. But where is it going? Have you seen a wilting? Have you seen an lack of increase? What do you think is the problem? Is it we need to pray more, maybe fast more, maybe cut ourselves? Maybe God has taken the day off? I don't think so.
Are you finding yourself tempted to focus on other people's sins? Gossip? Be distracted into being against something or someone? Have you heard of projection? Well known in psychology, projection is the tendency of people to identify in others the problem that is resident in themselves that they wish to deny. Liars think everyone is lying. Disrespectful people see everyone as disrespectful. Irresponsible people tend to think, identify, and --- really by surrounded by -- irresponsible people. And petty. And little. And fake. Is this what you want?
So what should you do? First off, go immediately to the Father and discuss your discomfort at reading this. Do this now. Ask Holy Spirit to judge you and root out your shortcomings. Ask for direction and wisdom on how to apologize. Do more than resolve to start being diligent to be honest, respectful, and industrious; make structures, idiot proof plans, channels for your time and behavior. Make plans and work the plan and the plan will work.
Stop making excuses. Stop saying, “well the Spirit is not moving now.” Stop saying, “well, they are blessed.” No, people whom you see as blessed are more hardworking and that is why they have results. People whom you see as blessed are more willing to take correction and teaching. People whom you see as blessed are those who are willing to take responsibility. This is true in the workplace. This is true in school. This is true in health. And for sure it is true in the life of the Body of Christ.
The truth is that there are no locks on the doors of heaven. The truth is that Hell can't keep you in unless you permit it. The truth is God is willing to let you get as close to Him as you want to get. The truth is that you can have as big a ministry as you are willing to have. But you can't get there if you don't work with the Shepherd.
Choose now if you want to be in the Saul group or the David group.
Not everybody could tell the difference. Notice how Nabal chose the power of Saul and therefore treated David poorly. Abigail, by contrast, saw character that carried anointing. One was blessed and the other not. You be Abigail. You be David. Don't just be entertained by the Word and song! Be changed! Yes, seek the anointing, but be diligent to be diligent, truthful, industrious, respectful, and obedient. Build character so you can carry the anointing, keep the anointing, be increased and very blessed in the anointing and the harvest that it will grow. -- GSB
No comments:
Post a Comment