– essentially giving up food (or something else ie social media) for a period of time in order to focus your thoughts on God.
– While fasting, it is expected for you to read the Bible, pray, or worship
– The goal is to fast for a limited time while focusing your thoughts on God, the God of heaven.
– Fasting is not a gift but a discipline
– Fasting is a spiritual activity
Why do we fast ?
1. We fast to seek to seeks God’s direction –
– [ ] – Exodus 34:28 Moses fasted 40 days and forty nights in the presence of God for the 10 commandments. God sustained Moses during the fast and also gave him wisdom and direction.
– [ ] – Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to fast for 40 days and 40 nights
”Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.“ Matthew 4:1-11 KJV
2. We fast to humble ourselves before God
– [ ] Ezra 8:21-23 I proclaimed a fast so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for safe journey
Here fasting is a means to humility
”Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.“ Ezra 8:21-23 KJV
3. We fast for freedom
– [ ] Isaiah 58:6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and to untie the cords of the yoke to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
– [ ] Matthew 17:20-21 …However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
The purpose of fasting is more than just giving up food, the spiritual implications are great.
4. We fast to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit
– [ ] Acts 13:3 so after they fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
5. We fast to grow in spiritual strength
– [ ] Matthew 4:2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry
Jesus fasted and God strengthened him by sending his angels to minister to him. To grow in authority in the spirit requires prayer and fasting. May our sovereign Lord grant us the grace to seek His face through the sacrifice of fasting in Jesus’ Name.
”Then his disciples approached Jesus and asked, “Why do you always speak to people in these hard-to-understand parables?” He explained, “You’ve been given the intimate experience of insight into the hidden mysteries of the realm of heaven’s kingdom, but they have not. For everyone who listens with an open heart will receive progressively more revelation until he has more than enough. But those who don’t listen with an open, teachable heart, even the understanding that they think they have will be taken from them.“ Matthew 13:10-12 TPT
Let the gratitude of your heart lead you into the pursuit of more wisdom and revelation. God has so much to share with you. As you become more acquainted with His ways, you will transform into the likeness of His love. There is no shortage of revelation. What astounded you yesterday may seem common-place today, but don’t forget that God is full of truth and wisdom. The light of His understanding will make even the most mundane realities seem impossibly good.
A thankful heart will stir you up to desire more of God’s wisdom. You will seek to discover revelation through His word. There is no shortage of revelation but you first need to desire it and then seek it. Never get to that point where you think you have received so much and there is nothing beyond what you’ve known. Continue to dig deeper and yearn for more. That’s the surest way to grow in Christ; by increasing your capacity for more of Him each step of the way.
Do not be tempted by the mentality that you have been blessed with enough and that you should feel content with what you have for fear that others will miss out. That’s the broad way that leads us to a mediocre Christian lifestyle. God’s kingdom works in a different way; there is more than enough for everyone. When you consume freely from His table of wisdom and revelation, there is more to offer others. There is no such thing as spiritual gluttony, although you can starve your spirit.
Keep feeding the hunger of your heart by partaking in what He offers us as His children. Your capacity for understanding will grow as you continually listen and look with an open heart to receive. Press in and seek God out. He promises that when we do this we will always find Him. Why? Because He is right there with open arms yearning to commune with us, always!
The secret of happiness is to count your blessings while others are adding up their trouble.
William Penn
As we read God’s Word, we can see the theme of being thankful. There are hundreds of verses telling us to give thanks or offer praise to God. People who are thankful are known to be less depressed, get better grades in school, sleep better, stay healthy, have deeper friendships, and have a brighter outlook on life. Basically, gratitude is good for you!
”In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.“ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
Relationships
”And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.“ Galatians 6:9 KJV
Relating to people is the heartbeat of our lives. We’ll rarely go a day without having interactions with other people in our many roles. Are we thankful for the people God has put in our lives? Do we express our gratefulness to (and for) them? It’s been said that we are like the people we spend the most time with. Who we allow in our personal inner circles affects our gratitude quotient. Be mindful of who you spend time with.
Replace complaints with compliments.
Serve someone to lighten their burden
Write down something you’re grateful for about the people in your life.
Just say “thanks.”
Health
”What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.“ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV
In this fallen world in which we live, there will be struggles each of us face. Sometimes a health challenge is thrust upon us, while other times, we bring things upon ourselves. Regardless of where we are in these areas of our health, when we wake up each day, we have reason to thank God for our spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health.
Honor your body as God’s temple (exercise and eat healthy food)
Strengthen your mind.
Grow spiritually by reading the Bible, attending church, and gathering with fellow followers of Jesus.
Career
”And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.“ Colossians 3:17 KJV
All of us work at something. Before we can earn a monetary wage, we may work at school or do chores at our house. No matter what each of our “careers” look like, we have the opportunity to live a life of gratitude for how God has brought us to where we are. Whether you’re struggling to locate work or content where you are, always keep in mind that you’re working for God first. Do every task, assignment, and duty in His name, and thank Him regularly for the ability to do so.
Even if you’re unhappy in your current job, be thankful for the ability to be employed
Be grateful for what you have, instead of focusing on what you don’t.
List what you love (E.g. the health and retirement benefits or friends that you’ve made while working at your job) and focus on the good
Finances
”But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.“ Philippians 4:19 KJV
We often wish we had more. And we think that a possession or amount of money will bring lasting gratitude, when in reality, it’s just a temporary fix that will soon need to be satisfied once again. No matter how much money we make, it’s wise to see our income as a gift. Chances are, there are more people in the world who might think the lives we live are amazing. Keeping our lives free from the love of money will help us be more satisfied.
”Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.“ Hebrews 13:5 KJV
”Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.“ James 1:17 KJV
Thank God for the gift of a place to live regardless of size or style.
Thank God for the provision to have what you own.
Thank God for the gift of the conveniences of basic needs like food and water.
At the root of our desire to gain more money or possessions is a misunderstanding of what we truly need. God cares too much about us to give us everything we want, but loves us immensely and will meet our needs. We need to continually be thankful for the immeasurable love He bestows upon us through the various facets of our lives.
“He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.” (Matthew 10:41)
As a way of recap, to walk in the anointing, we need to sustain the consciousness that we have the Holy Spirit, speak faith filled words only and not fear, yield to the Holy Spirit and finally honour those who carry the anointing. Trust me, walking in the anointing is the most beautiful thing to behold and appreciate. It makes you feel special indeed. In fact, it lets men know you have been set apart. In other words, you are not ordinary. When you start doing what ordinary men don’t do know that the oil is upon you irrespective of whether you physically feel it or not. We are simply different and therefore react to the anointing differently.
To honour someone means to regard or treat (someone) with admiration and respect.
In the Yoruba land, when men want to greet an elderly or revered person they prostrate before them and that’s a sign of honour for them. Some even sustain that position even before fetish priests or worshippers of the devil. We are not here to judge them but the question is why do we Christians complain when people honour men of God in the same fashion? I’m personally not for that kind of honour but if people do it because they are honoring the Lord through His vessel( the man of God) and not the man that’s fine. As soon as some of us see that, we start making comments like “is he God? Why should I kneel down before a man like me”. Such statements are products of lack of spiritual understanding and may attract the anger of the Lord. But like I said, if you kneel down on your own and honestly to honour the man of God, you can quickly receive a portion of his anointing. Let me strike a balance here, this does not mean we should go about telling people to kneel down before us. Children of God are not our slaves; they are precious in the sight of the Lord like we ourselves.
Psalms 5:7 “I will come into your house; I will prostrate myself toward your holy temple in your fear”. So you see? The honour is always unto God and not man in our kingdom. No man should be the focus of worship but men don’t see God that’s why when they kneel down they honour God through His servant that they see.
To honour someone too could mean to recognize the grace of God upon a life and treat the fellow as such.
The opening scripture says “ he that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet receives a prophet’s reward and he that receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous person’s reward”. When you see a prophet or a man of God, and you receive him as such you shall receive a reward that comes from the office of the prophet and same for a righteous person. It’s a spiritual principle. One of the rewards that comes from a prophet is the anointing. What a prophet got over years of commitment, consecration, fasting and prayers can be transferred to you in a second if you honour him. 2 Kings 4:8-18 CEV
Once, while Elisha was in the town of Shunem, he met a rich woman who invited him to her home for dinner. After that, whenever he was in Shunem, he would have a meal there with her and her husband. Some time later the woman said to her husband, “I’m sure the man who comes here so often is a prophet of God. Why don’t we build him a small room on the flat roof of our house? We can put a bed, a table and chair, and an oil lamp in it. Then whenever he comes, he can stay with us.” The next time Elisha was in Shunem, he stopped at their house and went up to his room to rest. He said to his servant Gehazi, “This woman has been very helpful. Have her come up here to the roof for a moment.” She came, and Elisha told Gehazi to say to her, “You’ve gone to a lot of trouble for us, and we want to help you. Is there something we can request the king or army commander to do?” The woman answered, “With my relatives nearby, I have everything I need.” “Then what can we do for her?” Elisha asked Gehazi. Gehazi replied, “I do know that her husband is old, and that she doesn’t have a son.” “Ask her to come here again,” Elisha told his servant. He called for her, and she came and stood in the doorway of Elisha’s room. Elisha said to her, “Next year at this time, you’ll be holding your own baby son in your arms.” “You’re a man of God,” the woman replied. “Please don’t lie to me.” But a few months later, the woman got pregnant. She gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had promised.”
The woman did not only receive the anointing from Elisha but she walked in it. How? She miraculously received a child from the prophet and the child lived for sometime before he was attacked and was brought back to life by the same prophet. The woman obviously did something to walk in the anointing. She discerned Elisha was a servant of God and therefore got him a room with a bed. You may not provide a room but do something else in your capacity and when your miracle comes it will be permanent for Ecclesiastes 3:14-17 King James Version (KJV) says “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.” And that’s walking in the anointing and it’s also honour!
In our dispensation, we hardly come to the aid of pastors because of the proliferation of the bad ones. But beloved, listen, there can’t be bad ones without genuine ones. We shouldn’t let the bad ones prevent us from walking in the anointing in these last days. As believers we are filled with God’s Spirit and can equally discern the good ones from the bad ones. What have you done to your own man of God this very year? What have you done to believers who carry a level of grace that is lacking in your life to walk in their grace? Your may not want a child but a husband or something else. Learn to honour those who deserve to be honored.
Unfortunately, young people of this century are full of disobedience and dishonor. We don’t realize there’s a difference between us and those who are really anointed to effect changes in life’s or fulfill God’s eternal purposes on earth. We feel we are the same and that’s why we fall and rise up under the anointing in churches only to realize that nothing has changed in our lives.
Apostle Johnson Suleman said “at salvation we are the same but in terms of relationships or grace we are not the same. We maybe classmates, roommates, course mates, or area mates but certainly not grace mates”. This is absolutely true! People who live in darkness, understand the principle of honor better than us. Even in the cooperate world, workers know there’s a hierarchy that must be respected at all times.
If you are fond of insulting men of God or gossiping about them, forget the anointing. You should not be the first to go on social media and abuse men of God! It’s bad! No matter what the man of God did. We didn’t call him. God did so let’s allow God to deal with him instead of raining insults on him publicly. Muslims never do that when their religious leaders go wrong. Does it mean their leaders don’t fall? They do but Muslims reverence their leaders with understanding and love and have a wise way of dealing with them if they go wrong. You never see them coming on social media to insult their leaders! No way! But as for us we do it and feel it’s right and allow other people to join us to disgrace our own.
Brethren, “if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” – Galatians 6:1. What if you too fall, would you be happy if you are treated the way you treat others? Remember the anointing may still be on a man of God when he even falls and that man may go before God with a penitent heart and God will forgive him and you will still be there judging him without knowing God has forgiven him? And since you dishonor him, you did honour God and cannot receive anything from him let alone walk in the anointing. See, the anointing sees beyond the scope of the physical. When you insult someone , you use unkind words on him and those connected to him. Aaron and Miriam dishonored the anointing upon Moses by criticizing his choice of a life partner. Numbers 12: 1-2 says “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. Notice, the kind of woman Moses chose was not the required choice and the people were right by talking but was that their business? No! When a man of God makes a mistake in his life or ministry the best thing we can do for them is to pray for them or speak to them through their spiritual fathers if we lack the confidence or maturity to approach them directly and speak to them politely.
When they made that statement against Moses, God did not only afflict Miriam with leprosy but also took the anointing upon their lives and transferred it to Joshua and Caleb who were not supposed to carry it. God did that because Joshua and Caleb were good servants of the Lord, they honored Moses.
You could also honour a chosen vessel through service. And by so doing you would walk in the anointing that that person walks in. So, when I talk about service here it’s not limited to the church though the church maybe our focal point. Elisha served Elijah wholeheartedly and walked in Elijah’s anointing. Elisha even did more miracles than Elijah as a result that’s theologically speaking.
Service is the action of helping or doing work for someone. Remember, service is another shade of honour.
In some cases the one you maybe assisting maybe younger or less educated that you. But if you really came to serve, those differences wouldn’t matter to you. King Josiah was eight years old when he became king. He was king for 31 years in Jerusalem. He lived in a way that pleased the LORD, always doing what was right, as his ancestor David had done. An eight year old child? How would you feel to be his servant? What would happen to you if you did serve him? The grace upon him will come upon you and you would walk in the kingship anointing. Yeah, it’s true. You may have been a waiting mother for sometime. You may have prayed for sometime and fasted to no avail. The answer to your prayer could be in the service you render to that poor woman who has eight godly children that she raised alone. Why don’t you connect? Go to her, help her cook, wash her dishes constantly and let her pray for you for she has the anointing you have. You can also walk in it only if you serve her no matter your social status, age or educational background. Don’t be proud!
You don’t know how to cook? Go to those who are good at it and serve them and through that you will walk in their culinary anointing. It’s simple.
To get some answers from God, He himself says in Exodus 23:25 -26 “So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you; and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span. That’s the power of service! Serve God and if he touches you with healing he won’t only heal you but also make you an agent of healing for your generation. It’s a spiritual principle.
As you sustain the consciousness you have the Holy Spirit, speak faith-filled words, yield to the Holy Spirit, honour carriers of the anointing, I declare you too will walk in the anointing. It will be a daily experience for you and as a result you will not stop where your parents or relatives stopped in life and destiny. You will go beyond their limits in the name of Jesus.
Exodus 31:2-5, “Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.
From the above scripture, we learn Bezalel was filled with the Spirit ( anointed ) of God to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of crafts. What do we learn here precious ones? The anointing is not only used in church. Each anointing is meant for a different assignment at a given time. For Bezalel, his was to be used to build the temple of God aesthetically. In fact, his anointing was so unique that it gave the temple a unique image or picture. That’s the anointing for you.
Once you see a unique fashion designer or interior decorator who’s always sought after know that their services are not only sought on the platform of their skills but also on the platform of the anointing that is not visible in their field of work like in church.
Mary conceived supernaturally via the power of the Spirit. You too will conceive supernaturally despite the doctor’s report in the name of Jesus!
When the anointing came upon the prophets of old they said “ …and the spirit came upon me”. May that anointing rest upon you and all yours now in the name of Jesus!
In our previous lesson ( part 1), we learnt that to manifest the anointing in all our endeavors we should sustain the consciousness that we have the Holy Spirit. This is done by asking the Spirit to come into our life and by speaking faith-filled words to our seemingly insurmountable situations believing He hears us and will act accordingly for when God said “let there be light”, that declaration was made in faith and the Spirit immediately caused light to appear.
To walk in the Spirit, we have to yield to the Spirit of the Living God. We do this by continually obeying Him. This is because the Spirit is neither an influence nor a power. He’s not also fire, water or a dove but can manifest Himself in those forms. He’s actually a personality with emotions for the Scripture says “ and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption ( Ephesians 4:30). Do we grieve a force or an influence? I guess you know the answer! We grieve only persons or personalities. If the Spirit for instance tells you to sell “ waakye” instead of going to work in a company even though you are a Master’s degree holder and you are like “ how can an educated person like me stoop so low and sell that food when I have a better option to work in a reputable company, you have grieved Him and He will leave you without you knowing he’s gone.
In the “waakye” business could be your fianancial freedom that would eventually make you the talk of town. Could this disobedience be the reason why some of us left Africa our place of destiny for Europe or America for greener pastures when God repeatedly told us we were not destined to be there or vice versa? It’s not everyone who is destined to be in Europe or America or Africa to succeed. With God, location doesn’t always determine your place of destiny. In fact if you obey the Spirit wherever you go you will be a blessing like Isaac when he was in the land of the Philistines. Success is not in a place but in a person who happens to be the Spirit. If He guides you and you obey you are good to go.
You could be praying and all of a sudden, the Spirit tells you to “ praise Him” and you open your mouth and you are like “ what difference does it make”? Brother, you would not be able to walk in the anointing that way. This is because you may have prayed for years one a situation and now the Spirit who knows everything is telling you to “sing” to bring an end to that long standing affliction and you disobey. Is praying good? Absolutely! But when He talks, obey! It was songs that were used to break the walls of Jericho. He gives different strategies to different people for different situations. Don’t be religious but spiritual because we walk by faith (spirit) and not by sight (customs, rituals, emotions etc..)
When he wakes you up at midnight no matter how tired you are begin worshiping Him and later zoom into tongues and change things in your life, destiny or family.
Under the leading of the Spirit, Apostle Smith Wigglesworth of blessed memory could punch cancer patients at the spot they were really hurting. And as they received the heavy and violent punch they felt the pain and the cancer leave them immediately. Critics criticized him and wondered why he sometimes operated that way instead of doing the usual which is laying hands on the sick to get them healed. But His master led him in different fashion. For some, we blow air on them, for some we lay hands, for some we ask them to honour some scripture led directives and they are free because we are spoken to by the Spirit and as we obey results follow.
Sharpen your spiritual antennas by speaking consistently in tongues, dwelling on the scriptures, and listening to spirit filled messages. You will eventually hear him if He speaks to you and you too will walk in the anointing even though you are not a pastor. Would you pay the price?
Luke 10:38, “ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”
From the above scripture, we notice that the purpose of the anointing upon and in the life of Jesus Christ was to do good. By reason of the anointing of God, I declare and decree be losed from all forms of oppression, doors be open unto you, ancient altars catch fire. Be freed in the matchless name of Jesus.
Anything that comes from God to bless and turn lives around is termed as grace. In others words, favour, mercy, honour among others without forgetting the topic in question which is the anointing can also be called grace. The anointing can be termed as divine fragrance or person upon and in the life of an individual. When this grace is upon you, you get married without courting or dating for 6 months. You just attract people decently and not indecently. You may wear a casual dress and not look fashionable and a young man filled with the same spirit can just see you and say “ young woman, I want to marry you”. I know you don’t believe what I’m saying but it’s true. What do you think made the king fall in love with Esther upon seeing her? My dear friend, what attracted the king was beyond beauty. Esther was anointed with an extraordinary grace that made her find favour before the king. It’s called the anointing. You are not just anointed by you will learn through this platform how to walk in the anointing and accomplish great feats in life and destiny in the name of Jesus.
Pastor Benny Hinn calls the anointing a heavenly commodity. This is because, the source of this blessing is not earthly but heavenly. It’s not the prerogative of only the 5-fold ministry; it’s actually for all believers. These gifts are given by God Almighty to men to fulfill God’s mandate in the earth realm. The oil comes from heaven above and not from the hands of men (though it can be transferred from one person to another) because the source is Jehovah.
However, every believer is anointed when they get born again. God comes and makes His home on the inside of us. The scripture says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
(II Corinthians 5:17-18 NKJ)
You are set apart. The Holy Spirit comes to live on the inside of you and the anointing of the Holy Ghost becomes available to you. You have the ministry of reconciliation – to tell others about Jesus.
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. (I John 2:20 & 27 NKJ)
Beloved, the anointing is in levels. The dose of the power differs from individual to individual because of either their calling, their service or their hunger for more. Yes, it’s true. Matthew 7:7-8 says “ Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Unfortunately, most of us have never asked the Lord to increase the anointing in us because we are either ignorant of this reality or are satisfied with our current levels. Remember, God anoints us for different assignments. You may not be a pastor but for you to stand out among your peers you need the anointing. Hear God on this truth “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” – Hebrews 1:9. Doing that which is expected of you as a Christian can attract the anointing of distinction upon your life and that’s exactly what the scripture above communicated.
To be sought after by all men or look special in this world, brother you need to be assisted by a spirit and that Spirit for believers is the Holy Spirit; he’s the author of the anointing. You want to be a great musician, medical doctor, judge, fashion designer, mason etc? Aside your certificates, your intelligence, your contacts, you need this grace called anointing trust me. Without it, you may seek help outside Jesus to make it but hear me you will pay for that demonic help with your life and that of your generation. Receive help from God and be happy for there’s nothing good in the devil.
On the other hand, the anointing can also be utilized to destroy yokes, heal, deliver or do extraordinary on earth. Precious ones, receiving and walking in the anointing are two different things.
To walk in the anointing, you have to sustain the consciousness you have the Holy Spirit. In prayer, you may say something like “ I love you Holy Spirt, I’m sorry I neglected you for sometime, come and brood on my spirit, soul and body by your mercy, come into my life, let a fresh oil from you come upon me please. You don’t need to fall down or feel something to prove that He’s with you for we walk by faith and not by sight, the Bible says.
Declare daily” I have an excellent Spirit, the anointing of God is in and upon me, I’m heavily anointed, I’m the best and of God, nothing happens to me but I make things happen, my food, clothes or anything I touch is anointed, my presence anywhere in this world comes with the anointing. In addition to my job, training, there’s an anointing upon me. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and if He dwells in my body which is His, cancer, fibroid, growth, diabetes, organ infections you cannot kill me but rather you die in the name of Jesus.
What consciousness do you move with at your place of work, in your area or in your family. If you know the Holy Spirit is with you, you will not talk like people of the world. You got to speak faith – filled words. Job 22:29 “ when men are cast down, then thou shall say, there’s a lifting up; and he shall save the humble person “. You see, when men are cast down, YOU ( the believer) and not someone else shall say there’s a lifting up. “ Even though I’m unemployed now, I declare and declare I’m an employer of labour” that’s what you may be saying when people say negative things. Unbelievers may mock you when you speak like God even when you are confronted with seemingly insurmountable mountains, if you are consistent in what you say and believe it, very soon your declarations will put on flesh. These kinds of talk make the Spirit work on your behalf. Sometimes in meetings, we don’t hear directly or see from God but when we speak things happen because we know we are not alone and that God comfirms the words of His servant.
Unbelievers don’t know this reality unfortunately and that’s why they allow the devil to torment and attack them daily. Don’t live a defeated life for life and death are in the power of the tongue. A broke child of God just finished fasting and when he came out, they brought him a lady who could not even stand on her feet because of cancer. She was told by doctors in the UK to come home and die. As soon as the servant of God saw her he screamed “ cancer die in the name of Jesus”. Immediately the lady stood up and after one week hair that was disappearing from her head as a sign of the presence of cancer starting growing miraculously. Guess what happened to that dear man of God! New house in a prime area , latest car and of course cash were giving to him by the lady to thank him. How did the blessing come about, the pastor was conscious of the presence of Spirit that causes the anointing to work and he spoke in faith and the miracle took place. You can do the same thing if you don’t grieve the Spirit. Learn to please him at all times and his anointing in and upon your life will work.
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
Humility is a key:
1. Because it opens the door to salvation
”For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”“ Romans 1:16-17 NKJV
When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. Job 22:29
2. Because it opens the door to healing.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
In 2 Kings 5:1-19, Naaman was sent to Elisha, a mighty prophet of God in Israel to be supernaturally healed. Instead of Elisha coming to the door to greet Naaman, he sent a messenger to him saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan River seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you shall be clean.”
3. Because it opens the door to the riches and honour.
”By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.“ Proverbs 22:4 NKJV
4. Because it opens the door to the Grace of God
”For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.“ Romans 12:3 NKJV
”But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.“ James 4:6-7 NKJV
5. Because it opens the door to the anointing:
To humbly be a servant
To humbly receive someone as a father
To humbly learn from another
To humbly listen to a man of God
Four Enemies of Humility
1. Having a wrong mind
Types of Wrong Minds:
High-mindedness
A mind that you are being cheated
A mind that you are forgotten, and must be remembered
A mind that ‘I’m not noticed, I must be noticed’.
”Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV
2. Holding on to your good reputation in any field
This makes you want to fight to keep a good reputation which you may have to lose for Christ’s sake.
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7
3. Not accepting to be a servant
“You should think about things in the same way that Christ Jesus thought: Christ had the same nature as God. He was completely equal with God. But he did not try to keep hold of that. Instead, he chose to leave heaven. He took for himself the nature of a slave. He became like a human. Philippians 2:5-7 EASY
4. Not accepting that you are a mere human
“And when he lived as a man, he made himself even less important. He obeyed God completely, so that he died. He even died on a cross! Because of that, God then raised Jesus Christ to the most important place. God gave him the name that is greater than every other name.” Philippians 2:8-9 EASY
May we always remember that we are mere mortals whose main purpose is to accomplish the divine will of God. May we never be too proud to recognize God’s sovereignty and submit to Him at all times. The Lord bless us and keep us and make His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us in Jesus’ precious Name.
““And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.”
A door is an access point that leads somewhere.
There are certain works that open doors
The scriptures talk about two types of works.
A. Good works
B. Dead works/ works of the flesh (Gal 5:17)
Emphasis on good works. What does the Bible say about good works.
1. Our pattern for good works
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38-44 NKJV
2. A new identity that brings forth good works
Ephesians 2:10 reads “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
3. Good works for kingdom for kingdom advancement.
And purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” Titus 2:14.
In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works.” Titus 2:6-8“
To obey, to be ready for every good work.” Titus 3:1.
That those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.” Titus 3:8
Psalms 11:7 The Lord is righteous and loves good deeds; those who do them will live in his presence.
Galatians 6:9 NIV Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
B. Dead works of works of the flesh
Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:
adultery
fornication
uncleanness -(, to be defiled, polluted, unhealthy, or unfit, moral, sexual impurity)
lewdness, – (Lewd people have unbridled lusts and little sense of shame. They are outrageous in their shamelessness and give themselves to debauchery in a brazen way (Ephesians 4:19; 1 Peter 4:3). “Lewdness” is reckless sinning. It does not care what God or people think.)
idolatry – replacing God with other things -money, idols, people …
sorcery- the use of magic, especially black magic.
hatred
contentions – argumentative
jealousies
outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions,
dissensions – disagreement that leads to discord
heresies – belief or opinion contrary to orthodox (especially Christian) doctrine
envy
murders
drunkenness
revelries – Revelry is a wild, fun time.
and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Gates or doors and what they respond to:
1. Identity (who we are)
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.” Psalms 24:7-8 NKJV
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those 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 NKJV
All things respond to the Name of Jesus including gates and doors.
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:2-4 NKJV
Because we are hidden in Christ Jesus, doors will be accessible to us.
2. Gates and doors respond to Praise of the saints (Paul and Silas)
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” Acts 16:25-26 NKJV
3. Prayer (Peter and the angel)
“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”” Acts 12:5-11 NKJV
As you tarry in prayer may the angel of God that was sent to Peter appear to loose every bonds of bondage and cause every prison do to open to set you free.
Righteousness is a gift of God at salvation. A gift is freely given. The delusion is that many have received this gift and yet walk by their own leadings and direction.
To walk in righteousness requires many virtues including
Faith
1. the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.
2. And Abraham had faith towards God and it was accounted to him for righteousness .
Humility, patience, love, kindness, joy…
A lack of humility results in pride in all cases.
1. Pride is a deadly evil that affects humans.
2. It is an invisible evil that has started more quarrels and more wars than you could ever imagine.
3. Pride is the reason for the conflicts and the confusion in our world. We are desperately in need of a formula for humility that will deliver us from “those who are proud.”
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10
Many problems in the world now are because of pride. Satan is the one who inspires pride, arrogance, and conflict .
All who walk by pride walk under the influence of satan. Job 41:34
… he (satan) is a king over all the children of pride.
In the church all the problems in the church are due to pride and high mindedness. Disloyalty is caused by pride.
Satan inspired 1/3 of the host of heaven to rebel against God. And he is still doing the same thing now on earth. He said i will arise and displace the one who sits on the throne, i will replace the almighty God, i will be like the most high.
Symptoms of pride
Full of self-importance
Self -conceit
Delusion of self worth ( it takes about 10 years to completely unravel and destroy those who believe in them)
Unthankful / ingratitude 2 Timothy 3:1-5
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James4:10
Seven Reasons why you must be humble (James 4:6)
1. Humble yourself because God resists proud people.
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, but giveth grace unto the humble. Pride is so contrary to God that He has declared war on all who are proud. When you become proud, God will become your enemy and oppose you in all that you do.
People who have become proud do not realize that God has begun to oppose them. Satan goes on holiday. Often they make the mistake of rebuking satan. By being proud you make God Almighty your enemy because He resists the proud. Do u want God to be your enemy? Then be humble.
2. Humble yourself because God gives grace to the humble. James 4;6
… God gives grace to the humble…
Amazingly, God gives underserving help to humble people
Grace is underserved help and favor
Think of all the undeserving help you can receive in your life if you walk the paths of humility. Then humble yourself.
Do u need undeserving help in your finances then humble yourself.
3. Humble yourself because through that you will be lifted up to the next level in life.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the lord, and He shall lift you up. James 4:10
The next important reason for you to be humble is for promotion. If you want to be promoted then humble yourself. You will find yourself rising out of your current level into heights you never dreamed off. 1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God and HE MAY EXALT YOU IN DUE TIME. Exaltation is to be gloriously lifted up into beauty and shining excellence. Humility is the key.
4. Humble yourself so that you will be covered and protected. 1 Peter 5:5
“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””
Humility is not just an attitude
Humility is a spiritual covering
Humility is not just a poor and simple way of living
Humility is not being timid
It protects us from many unseen spiritual dangers.
5. Humble yourself because your pride is a signal for your soon to come destruction, your fall and your shame. Proverbs 29:23
“A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.” Proverbs 16:18-19 NKJV
“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.” Proverbs 11:12
“When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 NKJV
In conclusion, it is in our own interest as children to maintain an attitude of humility if we want to fulfill the will and purpose of our God. Colossians 3:12-13 NKJV
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NKJV
The darkness of this world is the home of evil spirits. Darkness speaks of the environment in which evil flourishes. Satan rules in the darkness of this world. Deception is a type of spiritual darkness. This is because the environment of deception is the breeding ground for evil spirits.
Darkness is simply the atmosphere of deception under which Satan operates. Our defeated foe flourishes in the deepest darkness. He stands no chance when we come out into the light. This is why Satan hates the Word of God so much. Jesus is the Light that destroys Satan’s influence over men.He is the Word of God. The Word of God is a light that shines in the darkness. Demon activity is greatly reduced where the Word of God is taught. That is why it is essential to be constantly nourished by the word of God through sermons and personal Bible study.
“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:5 NKJV
The power of Satan against the church can be likened to several wars and confticts in the world today. When a super-power fights against an inferior army, the weaker side often knows that he Does not stand a chance in open conventional warfare. Therefore, he hides and fights from a position of secrecy, deception and darkness. This often results in guerilla warfare and terrorist activities.
For instance, the army of Israel is far more superior to the armies of the Palestinians; the Palestinians do not stand a chance against the military might of Israel. Israel is even said to be a nuclear power. Because Palestine does not stand a chance, they resort to surprise suicide attacks and terrorist activities. Hijacking planes and killing members of the Olympic squad of the Israelis are just a few examples of the kind of warfare that the weaker army engages in.
Terrorist attacks like the one on September 11 are other examples of a weaker and smaller army fighting against a gigantic force. Similarly, the army of demons arrayed against the church,is no match for the power of God. The weapons of our warfare are mighty.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,” II Corinthians 10:4 NKJV
Satan trembles at the mention of the name of Jesus. Demons shiver when we sing about the blood. When they see the blood, they pass over. The Word of God is a mighty sword, which slices fallen angels and evil spirits into shreds. In the realm of the spirit, we are a nuclear power fighting against an army of natives brandishing swords.
Because the devil has no chance against us, the mainstay of his operations is through deceptive tricks. The Bible calls these “the wiles of the devil”. Our greatest effort therefore must be to uncover the tricks and the traps of our illusive enemy.
Believe it or not, one of the most successful tricks of the enemy is to make people believe that the devil does not exist. This amazing lie is so successful that the devil has used it on multitudes of unsuspecting Europeans. Most European nations are plagued with hordes and hordes of demons. The neat pavements and quaint roads with perfectly arranged buildings will deceive the unspiritual into thinking that all is well. I believe that Europe is the darkest continent on this planet. It contains the most immoral, and godless communities on earth. The devil is very successful in Europe because he has convinced them that he does not exist. Through this powerful deception, Sodom and Gomorrah have been recreated.
The more our eyes are opened spiritually, the more the wiles of the devil will be exposed. It is only the power of Christ that has the authority to confront demonic activity. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today. What makes Him the same yesterday, today and forever? The answer is simple. He does the same things today that He used to do years ago. Years ago, He healed the sick and cast out devils. Today, He still heals the sick and casts out devils. Years ago, He visited people’s homes and blessed them. Today, He still visits our homes and blesses us. He raised the dead two thousand years ago and is still raising the dead in today’s world. He is the same.
Accept it! Believe it today. Jesus is alive and He is stretching out His hand to minister to you now. He has not changed at all. He loves to do the things He used to do. That is a hallmark of the ministry of Christ. I have personally seen the Lord Jesus healing the sick and casting out devils today. He has not changed. Do not let the devil deceive you. The things you read in the Bible are real and are still happening Bible is one of the highest kinds of deceptions is to think that the Bible is just a history book describing the miracles of a Jewish zealot who is not relevant. this modern, computerized society.
There are still mad men like the mad man of Gadara and Jesus still heals such people. There are still many epileptics, who convulse and foam at the mouth. The power of Jesus still heals such people. There are still many, many women with gynecological problems like the woman with the issue of blood Jesus still heals such gynaecological diseases. There are many blind people in the world today. There are now schools for the blind. Christ Jesus opens blind eyes today. I have seen blind people receiving their sight in my ministry. There are many lame people in the world. Jesus is still healing such people.
Is it not amazing to note that the problems are still the same? The plagues that confronted humanity two thousand years ago are still the same. In spite of medical advances, these problems do not seem to go away. It is comforting to know that Jesus is still a healing Jesus. As you read this book you can expect the power of Christ to confront the evil powers of Satan in your life.
How does Jesus heal today? He heals today through His body. He is the head and the church is the Body of Christ. No matter what the good intentions of the head are, He needs the cooperation of the hands to do His works. Your head may decide, “I am going to read this book,” but it is your hands that will be used to lift the book up. Without the hands doing their part, the good intentions of the head cannot be realized. That is why the church must have healing and casting out of devils as a principal activity that goes on alongside preaching.
We are the hands and the feet of Jesus today. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Allow Him into your life right now to heal you, to touch you and to set you free.
With Love, Esinam.
(Excerpts from Demons, by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills)
It’s in our human nature to rather not wait. Being in a queue is probably one of the most undesirable forms of waiting. It is even more painful when after hours of waiting for your turn you’re told to come at another date.
As children of God, even waiting on God can be such a daunting and unpleasant experience. We oftentimes wish that as soon as we make a request it is granted. But God has His way of doing things. His ways are not our ways.
““And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it.” Deuteronomy 10:12-14 NKJV
The Lord requires us to fear Him and follow His ways, obeying His commandments with all our heart and soul. The heavens and the earth belong to our a father and when we follow His ways we delight him and then He blessing us with the good things that pertain to life and godliness.
“He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” … “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.” Psalms 103:7, 17-18 NKJV
God’s ways are what He likes, what He desires of us. You ought to always ask Him to show you His ways so that you can prosper and flourish in Him.
“Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.””Exodus 33:13 NKJV
You can discover the ways of God through prayer. This type of prayer is not just to seek our own but to seek His will. This is not the I like it, I want it, I need it so give it to me kind of prayer. Some even quite scripture and will be decreeing and declaring that God should give them what they deserve. Rather this is a prayer of humility.
““Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you.” Deuteronomy 28:47-48 NKJV
Reasons why you can’t wait on God:
1. You can’t pray on your own. Now many only rely on corporate prayers, especially those held online. Barring that, they have no personal prayer life.
2. You have no stamina for spiritual things. You see it as a chore and easily get bored or tired.
3. You are intelligent but not spiritual.
4. You have no time to pray because you are always busy doing other things.
5. You don’t have anywhere to wait on God. “And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.” John 18:2 NKJV. Our Lord Jesus had a special place He dedicated to prayer.
6. You don’t know how to wait on God.
7. You don’t know the implications of not waiting on God.
“For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.” Isaiah 64:4 NKJV
Learn to wait on God and follow His ways. And while you wait, serve. And while you serve, rejoice. May God grant us the grace to flow in Him. Stay blessed.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13:47-50
Fishing was a main occupation of these times and commercial fishermen would use large nets to harvest fish for selling at the market. The dragnet was the largest of nets weighted below and with corks on top. It covered about half a mile of water and picked up everything in its path.
In the parable the net is full and taken to shore where the fishermen would begin separating the edible, saleable fish from the worthless fish. The edible would be placed in containers to keep fresh in order to transport. The inedible were simply thrown away. The people of Jesus’ day, especially around Galilee, had seen this happen all of their lives.
In this parable Jesus goes ahead and actually takes the comparison one step further in order to reveal the similarities that exist in the spiritual realm.
He explains that this parable points to the end of the world and a time of judgement. Since He said that the kingdom is like a net thrown out to catch fish, the judgement here refers to the people, who are in the kingdom, the ones who have been taken in the net.
✓ We know that the “net” is the gospel, which is cast out into the world bringing in all kinds of fish (people) into the kingdom.
✓ Jesus says that at the end of the world the angels will separate the true disciples (good fish) from the false disciples (bad fish).
✓ Angels do this – Matthew 25:32. The good go into the containers (the many rooms of the Father’s house), the bad will be thrown away (into the darkness with bitter weeping).
This parable about the kingdom teaches some very different lessons than the one regarding leaven. They do not contradict each other; they complement each other by adding more detail.
From the dragnet parable we learn:
1. All kinds of people are brought into the kingdom. We know now that the gospel is the means to draw all people into God’s kingdom.
2. There is good and bad in the kingdom. People say, “I’m not going to that church because there are hypocrites there.” They think that the true church is the perfect church. Jesus teaches that all kinds of people find their way into the kingdom – for a while. The net brings all in. The requirements to be a member of the church allow for even insincere or evil people to be included if they want to. We ought not to be surprised or discouraged when we see someone naming the name of Christ but not acting like a Christian – Jesus said this would be normal. Work out your own salvation
3. The kingdom will be purified. When Jesus returns, not only sinners and disbelievers will be judged. God, through His angels, will remove all those from the church who don’t belong there. We can fool society, we can fool the brethren, we can even fool ourselves – but we cannot fool God. God knows who are the true disciples and He will keep only these in the end. Of course, this is a warning to everyone at various levels:
A. For those who are not in the kingdom. Jesus spoke this parable, not to disciples, but to the crowds who came to hear Him speak. He made it clear to all that there was to be a dividing line between those who were in and those who were out (not all the fish in the sea were in the net).
Christianity is both inclusive and tolerant. Anyone can become a Christian and all Christians are to be patient and loving even in the face of another’s weakness. But Christianity has boundaries set by God (the One who is allowed to do so and whose boundaries are always right and just). For example, God is the one who set the boundaries for marriage (Genesis 2:24) and no human court (e.g. U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage) can overturn His decision. Christians simply reflect what those boundaries are, they don’t invent them!
Another set of boundaries set by God can be seen in the gospel message itself:
• If you believe and respond to it in faith – you’re in the kingdom.
• If you disbelieve or refuse to respond – you’re out of the kingdom.
He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Mark 16:16
This is not intolerance or bigotry, it is God’s boundary and those who follow Him also hold to the boundary He has established. Jesus demonstrates the idea of boundary in this parable; some are in the net, others are not. It is possible therefore to be left out if we so choose. Another warning:
B. Those in the kingdom. To those in the kingdom, but there in name only not in the Spirit (I.e. I’m a Christian but bear no fruit). Jesus warns these that they will not escape judgement. Some people think they can hide in the church. They believe that they can have just enough religion to keep them saved while still enjoying the world. This parable warns that there will be a sorting out within the kingdom in order to clean out the hypocrites and the dead wood. Jesus wants to offer God a “living” church, a kingdom alive in Christ when He comes. For this reason, those who are really of this world and insincere in their Christianity will be removed.
Finally, a word of encouragement:
C. To the true citizens of the kingdom. For those who know Christ; obey Christ; trust completely in Him; are faithful to the kingdom; growing in the kingdom – there is the promise of a better place. They will be kept for rooms in the mansion of the Father. Each of us has to determine where we are and where we need to be – this is the invitation or message of this parable.
• For some it may be the initial step of repentance and baptism to enter into the kingdom.
• For others it may be a recommitment and renewal to a deeper and more faithful discipleship with God to remain in the Kingdom.
• For most, this parable should be an encouragement to continue following the Lord as they have been; knowing that the reward is sure because the Lord who promises it is faithful to the citizens of the kingdom.
May the Lord grant us the grace to heed to His word and strive to be members of His kingdom.
Virtuous Living 