THE URGENT NEED FOR DISCERNMENT IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;" (1 Timothy 4:1-2 KJV)

One of the end time occurrences will be a falling away of believers. And the reason of this will be as a result of "seducing spirits and doctrines of devils". So it becomes imperative that the end time believer must as a matter of necessity and urgency be equipped with sound and accurate discernment so as to forestall the onslaught of the devil in these last days.   

The fundamental definition for Christian discernment is a decision making process in which an individual makes a discovery that can lead to future action.

The claim that only God reserves the right to judge a matter or a person because of his sovereignty and omni-science attributes is conclusive and absolute in itself and biblically correct.

It is due to this attribute of his nature that he grants every believer the capacity to exercise this attribute by investing his Spirit in us. We will be deficient in ourselves to make wise judgements outside the Holyspirit. Hence the bible says....

John 14:26 KJV

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

John 16:13 KJV

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

1 John 2:20 KJV

But ye have an unction vfrom the Holy One, and ye know all things.

The instrumentality of the Holyspirit in us is not just a companion and a friend, part of his major functions is to afford the believer the ability of access Supernatural information. Note that the verses above does not refer to the Gift of discernment which is an exclusive gift giving to some believers by the Holyghost for discernment. So every believer regardless of whether he or she has the gift of discernment or not has the Holy spirit in them which affords us the ability to know things that we cannot know naturally. 

Now let's drill the matter.....

If the Bible says that the wages of sin is death, and we see sin practised in a place or by someone, do we say only God can judge him and not bring the gospel to the person? By preaching to the fellow, we have already predetermined by his works that he is in sin and needs a saviour. Hence by the works of a person relative to the position of the word of God we can make conclusions. If someone asks why we are preaching to him, simple answer...he is a sinner and needs Jesus. What if this fellow continues in his sin what happens to him? Do you answer...i don't know because God judges all things and i don't have the authority to determine his end? 

This school of thought that casts off all reasoning by adopting the slogan that God is the one to judge negates the ministry of the Holyghost in tbe life of the believer. It makes the believer prone to deception and to lack the boldness to accept and use the authority of the inner witness of God through his Spirit within us. The slogan is a dangerous precedence and we refuse this in all its ramifications. 

What we refer to as discernment in itself is a judging instrument. If you can discern it, then you have judged it. Judging in this sense does not mean that one has the power to reward right or wrong on the account of the person or matter in question, which is the prerogative and position of the sovereignty of God alone, but this judging is in a sense that you can make an accurate decision to accept (or refer) a thing or not, whether a manifestation is right or wrong or whether a man is right or wrong. The position of judgement we are not authorised to make is the reward position. Only God holds this right 

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be". (Revelation 22:12 KJV)

If we as believers accept every doctrine, every minister, every ministry or every manifestation on the basis that we cannot judge another, we have negated the supernatural ministry of the Holyghost that aids accurate judgement. Even Apostle Paul was able to discern false prophets and teachers of his day....

2 Corinthians 11:13-14 KJV

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

The question is by what Authority did Paul use to determine that some are false?? It was by spiritual discernment and also evident from the works of this men. Why didn't he say "no comment" or i reserve my right to conclude on these people of their status in Christ. But rather he quickly discerned what they stood for and openly called them out. 

When Elymas the sorcerer operated to hinder the gospel in Acts 13:6-11, Apostle paul discerned his works and rebuked him. In verse 10, he said...

"And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, i thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness,"

He even went further to release the judgement of God on him and he was made blind. By what authority did he make this discernment or pronounce this judgement? It is also important we note that ability to discern does not afford one the office of doing corrective ministry. Corrective ministry is a grace and a calling. Every christain should have the ability to discern but not every christain should hold the office of bringing correction. 

"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

There's a high level of deception in the body of Christ today not just in this country but in the world at large. Every manifestation in the name of Jesus has been adopted to be true all in the theology of no man is allowed to judge. And the devil runs rampant in our congregations. The average believer doesn't even know what to believe, what is right or wrong, what is accepted or rejected. So where then is the work and ministry of the Holyspirit? If we don't grow up now and mature in the understanding of Spiritual things, we shall soon have occultic grandmasters, wizards and all erroneous entities on our pulpits and because they work miracles we shall believe them and accept their deceptions. 

Accurate and true discernment must return to the body of Christ if we must fulfil the end time mandate of the gospel and raise accurate disciples for the kingdom. 

I had an argument with someone lately about the accuracy of a certain notable minister in this country. I asked him....do you believe in the manifestations and ministry of this prophet? and his answer was....i cannot judge another man or judge God's servant. I went further to ask him....can you refer or approve a young believer or disciple of yours to join such ministry or man in order to learn the ways of Christ and be confident that he or she will grow to maturity? And his answer was....i don't think so. This answer summed up our arguments. Apostle paul made a stern warning to the thessalonian church, ....

Quench not the Spirit. [20] Despise not prophesyings. [21] Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. [22] Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 KJV)

The word "prove" in the above in order versions can be reffered to test, verify, ascertain, checking out and discern. Proving all things is a discerning ability and grace. And it is only possible by the ministry of the Holyspirit. He must not be quenched either in our lives nor in our congregations. Also these gifts or abilities must not be despised. When this is adhered to then can we be able to abstain appearances of evils that bedevil our generation. 

The sign of true christain maturity is the ability by the help of the Holyspirit to make accurate decisions in matters that one in his natural position cannot achieve. The more we interface with the Holyspirit the more we are brought into dimensions of understanding and we have the ability to know things, discern things and can be guided rightly. 

OBEDIENCE: THE PROOF OF SONSHIP

OBEDIENCE: ThE PROOF OF SONSHIP

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:" (Phillipians 2:5-11)

The season before us brings to bear a unique consciousness of an ageless story of sacrifice that brought immortality to life and life to immortality. A reality that shaped existence and changed the paradigm for eternity to come. With humanity at the centre of this exchange, adequate perspective is brought to bear as we seek to forge a partnership to bring to pass an eternal plan hidden from the begining of times. 

In this context we see a different perspective of the route Jesus had to take to fulfil his sonship ministry on this part of the divide and arrive at Lordship. That in fulfilling the will of his father for mankind, he had to go through a process.

That process was called the "HUMILITY PROCESS". Humility not in the context of man's definition, but that of the father. He had to be subjected to 4 different levels of submission (see verses 6-7).

4 LEVELS OF SUBMISSION OF JESUS (In order to fulfil Divine mandate) 

1. "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:"

(Another version states...He forfeited his form as God. He didn't equate it as robbery). Never felt cheated or short changed by his father. 

**and was made in the likeness of men:.....

There were other possibilities and  realms of glory that will befit a king but God chose that of man 

 

**which was the form of a servant ("Slave" MSG version).and the implication of that nature was that it's a "servant nature". Here we find one of the essential components of the make up of man, he was designed to be a dependent spirit and service driven creature. (Gen 2:6)

In Genesis chapters 1 & 2, we saw the dual dimension of man's priesthood as ordained by God for Adam by which an extension of the heavens can be revealed on this part of existence. 

Gen 1:26 revealed a priesthood whose sphere was over all the creation and the earth he was to rule. No spirit being was mentioned in this scope. Meaning the devil excluded. 

While Gen 2:15 revealed another Priesthood but this one of guardianship (to keep) and service (to dress), hence to God he was a dresser & keeper. 

2. "he humbled himself",......

The standard humility is not the one we expect to be remote controlled to do, God is not a tyrant. He didn't bully his son into submission. We chose who we obey freely and just as Adam chose rebellion, Jesus chose obedience. Hence, Humility in the context of kingdom, is the one we impose on ourselves by an act of our choice in exercising our will to participate in Divine agenda.  He had every opportunity & capacity so to do but he chose not. Don't let God humble you!!!

3. "and became obedient unto death",.....

Our obedience is to some certain degree but how many has death in our obedience agenda. To Jesus obedience to God was total. If he avoided this process, he will never have been able to deliver those who were bound by the fear of death, hence salvation will be incomplete. Death is the cessation of life, no reasonable God will request that from his subjects but that is the ultimate price required. Because in the eyes of the immortals it's in death that one actually begins to live. It is he that keeps his life that loses it. You have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin. 

4. "even the death of the cross"....

A demeaning kind of death. An insult to mere mortal talkless of royalty. Death reserved for criminals. A shameful & mentally irreversible way of exiting the earth. The devil thought the manner of death was intended to erase to ensure that his exit will erase any memory of any previous glory he exhibited. But the king chose this route because it was needful he died in a certain way, howbeit, the way of the cross so as to bring to bear all that heaven intended. A son of God dying shamefully so that sons of men can rise above shame and have stature before the father. 

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11)

If there was any doubt before now, it became clear that The "CROSS" is a technology that promotes. This is how men rise in the kingdom. This is where stature is formed. By this act of selflessness, Jesus secured a name that has the capacity of a widened jurisdiction. 

What is our responsibility to this depth of sacrifice. It is expected of us to cooperate to ensure this sacrifice was not in vain. So beyond just confessing Christ as Lord, we must go beyond salvation to ensure that his lordship is entrenched in the economy of our spirit. It will be the height of irresponsibility for us to respond in any wise lower than this. This would be our reasonable response as sons as we seek to bring divine pleaser to a merciful God that sacrificed all for mankind. 

Let's make him both LORD & KING!

Do You Have A STRONGHOLD?

DO YOU HAVE A STRONGHOLD?

"Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David". (2 Samuel 5:7)

As soon as David was made King over all Israel, the first thing he did was to secure a strong-hold. This is a  wisdom we need if we must maintain the stability and outcomes that David enjoyed during his reign as King. 

"David made the fortress city his home and named it “City of David.” (The MSG version).

Every king needs a stronghold. Every great Anointings have a chamber. That chamber is your stronghold. Throughout the life of David, he was anointed 3 times and every one of those anointings, he had chambers that acted as support for his calling and for the grace he carried.  

In the first anointing, David had the cave of Adullam (1Sam23:14), 

in the 2nd anointing, he had Hebron (1chron12:22-23), 

and in the 3rd anointing, he had Jerusalem which is defined as the stronghold of zion. 

Every great anointing had a chamber. This was witnessed in the life of many servants of God historically. Moses (Ex33:11-23), Elijah (1kgs17:1), Samuel (1Sam3:19-21). Jesus had a chamber (Mark1:35), and of course the Apostles too (Acts2:42). 

"Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race". (Psalm 19:5)

It is your stronghold that reinforces and supplies the strenght to run the race of life and to compete. It genders a momentum. It is a support structure that affords the anointed man the boldness to stand and engage a venture. Do you sense an anointing or calling in your life?? Then build a chamber for it. Don't be defenceless. Don't abandon life to chance. You are a wanted man and that rare gift of God in your life must be secured. 

Strongholds are not handed out, they are taken. It must be secured.

In verse 6, we saw the resistance he faced to secure that space. The jebusites who resided there then refused him, but he still took it.

"Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David." (2 Samuel 5:7)

The "Nevertheless" means he faced resistance but finally prevailed. 

Setting up a stronghold will always face resistance. The devil will fight it because he knows the power & security that one will gain from it. If it will involve seeking him when it's pleasant and unpleasant, do it. If it will involve fastings for inner strenght and focus, do it. If it will demand a word for the now, seek that voice like never before. If it will demand periodic shut downs for Spiritual check ups, start it now. The support system you set up now will elongate your life and influence as you journey to fulfil that great call on your life. 

Things To Note!

*You BUILD your stronghold!

"So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward." (2 Samuel 5:9)

He not only secured a stronghold, he built it. Your stronghold should be developed. It takes time. It takes effort. It takes consistency. No chamber is a gift. It must be cultivated and worked on. Sometimes one might need to learn from other matured and experienced ministers and apply wisdom. This is where mentoring comes in. 

BENEFITS OF STRONGHOLD

*Stronghold genders GREATNESS

"And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him." (2 Samuel 5:10)

Greatness is pedestaled on the Spiritual energy generated in the hold. The stronghold or the chamber if sustained and maximised will generate greatness. Show me a man who failed in his assignment, and I will show you a man who had no support structure. A rolling stone that failed to draw from a sustainable resource. Men who become great and sustain same in life and ministry were not ordinary men, they were men who had stronghold. 

"And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house." (2 Samuel 5:11)

Notice that the greatness attracted KINGS. Hence when you see men succeed and garner favour in ministry, it is because they latched onto a resource base that they took time to build. 

*Strongholds will reinforce the CONVICTION of your assignment in strange times

"And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel," (2 Samuel 5:12)

To fulfil one's call, a perception is needed. This perception is an inner knowing of conviction that reinforces your mind in times of  distress. Either in high/low times. Pressure comes to every person, whether high or low. A time will come when it will seem as though you are alone and in that time your convictions will be tested. It is from the resources of a strong hold that perception and a strong innver convictions are built. Don't give up or give in to the machinations of the devil. Draw inspiration from his presence and hold on to that word. Don't doubt what he told you in the secret. 

*Strongholds are RETREAT & STRATEGY points

"But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold" (2 Samuel 5:17)

Just like strong-holds generates influence & greatness with King Tyre etc, it also attracts the Philistines ("all the Philistines"). Let me pause here and say... Not all days are for receiving gifts, be prepared to also receive attacks. They can be reffered to as the evil days. They come to test the authority and authenticity of a man's position. The difference in these times will be a man's stronghold. In the case of David, he had a hold to retreat to.

"For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock." (Psalm 27:5)

*Strongholds afford us the ACCESS & FEEDBACK protocol. 

"And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand." (2 Samuel 5:19)

It was in the strong-holds he was able to enquire of the Lord about the battle strategies twice and got feedbacks. We enjoy fire-brigade approach in the times of distress. Despite how far we are from God, we always expect him to move heaven and come down because of a sudden challenge. And why not? As a merciful God, we get his response. But the way of the patriarchs such as King David was to build a resource base where he interfaces with God regularly and can get a word for the present for any confrontations of life. 

We can start again today and trust that as we intend to sustain the anointing and calling of God upon us, we, as a matter of necessity must find the elbow room known as a chamber where we can apply as the spring board to higher heights in life and destiny. 

Shalom!