AN EXHORTIVE WORD
FOR LEADERS
From Pastor Jana Alcorn
at Harvest Church
I John 4:1--"Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the
spirits to discover whether they proceed from God..." [Amplified]
[Note: For those of you who wish to print out articles on documents with white print, use the Copy function from your Edit and then Paste into your Word Processor program.]
Leader, I feel led of the Lord to give you a strong exhortation concerning those that you allow to be close to you. I read somewhere recently that 70% of ministers do not have personal friends. After over twenty years of ministry, I can see the reality of this.
However, I still believe there are true “armourbearers” that God places near His servants and that friendship is a biblical concept, not a worldly one. The scriptures that apply to relationships are written to the minister as well.
Leader, it is possible to have close relationships in the Body of Christ. But if you do not use wisdom in your relationships with others and ignore discernment and biblical principles, you will soon be enrolled in the sometimes difficult course, People 101.
There are lists of people that the Apostle Paul tells us not to company with. You can look up these scriptures and study them and do an inventory to see if you are in obedience. If you are in disobedience in these areas of command concerning your companions and close associates, your way will be most difficult, leader.
The Lord has given some basic instructions for relationships in the Bible that, if you will implement as a leader concerning those closest to you, that you may find yourself “cleaning house.” Remember, Leader, that the tongue can become the sword of assassination. Read what Paul says about those that cause discord and division. Read from the book of Proverbs about the list of things that God hates!
If you allow those that are close to you to contest your spiritual authority, you are making a seedbed for this type of multiplication in your ministry. There are only two camps -- submission and rebellion.
Don’t allow those that are close to you to manipulate your heart and advance their own independent goals and purposes. There will always be those that want to try you, to buck spiritual authority and be contentious about your God-given leadership. Be prepared for this.
Establish humility and submission one to another in the fear of God in your ministry! Teach God’s Word which says: "Be not high-minded." You see, there are people who can truly give you sound spiritual wisdom and advice.
When you allow someone near you who doesn’t walk in wisdom to manipulate you, you are setting yourself up for war (that’s to put it mildly) when you take your stand to “believe not every spirit" and "...to try the spirits” and to walk in the spirit of humble submission. You see, you must determine what is and is not proceeding from God.
There are those that the Lord wants to speak into your life. Don't let anyone rob you of this! There is one thing a demon spirit cannot do and that is be submissive. They must obey, but they are never submissive. Obedience is an action..submission is an attitude!!!! You may have people near you right now who may reluctantly obey, but are they submissive? Leader, there are only two camps..submission and rebellion.
Your ministry has a voice! Don’t allow the true voice of the Lord that is coming forth from you to be cut off by those who are close to you who do not have the Mind and attitude of Christ. The humble mind is a submissive mind! "LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU....HE HUMBLED HIMSELF...AND BECAME OBEDIENT!"
Get before God! This is a time of humility! Leader, don’t be afraid! Overcome your insecurites! Let confusion bow to the wisdom of the Word of the Lord! He suffered the pains of rejection, betrayal and misunderstanding. Tell your frustrations to look unto Jesus........if He started your ministry.......He’ll enable the finish! Remember, He is both Author and Finisher.
Use this and other similar scriptures to speak clarity in your situation right now.....
"Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them (continually recognizing their authority over you), for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account of their trust. Do your part to let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you either". Hebrews 13:17 [Amplified]
When Timothy was having difficulty with his closest associates in the ministry, Paul told him to get into the Word and let the sharp point of the Spirit’s sword be wielded against all that was raging in his ministry! Believe me, leader, the Holy Ghost has the intelligence for this situation!
There are those who you have allowed to be near you that must repent and submit to your true spiritual authority in order to be restored. When this happens, and there is evidence of teachability and submission, spiritual stability will be restored and those around you will be released in the anointing to pursue the destiny and calling that the Lord has place in their lives.
Leader, be sure that those around you are “proceeding from God”, have a humble mind, and are following the law of love.
You are not alone. Even though you have been lonely, you are not alone.
When I sent out my disciples, I did not send them out alone. I sent them out by two’s.
When I called the eight into the Ark, I provided for companionship. You are going to see my plan. Right at this moment, you are damaged. I wound, but I heal.
There were lessons for you, My child, that had to come. Even now, I am processing you in this way for My Glory. You could not bear the glory that I am about to entrust you with without these lessons. It would destroy you as well as others.
Your mind has become submissive to me. You are almost ready for the next level. The wisdom that you have attained in this way could not be found in the libraries of man.
I allowed the furnace of affliction to burn away the dross of flesh that stinks so in My Presence. Until now, you have not been able to smell this stench of flesh. This has been such a repulsive smell to me! I have held patience with you.
Now, I am going to wrap you with a confidence of love. The cleansing is here and you will be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Old things are passed away and behold I make all things new!
I will do a new thing. Get ready for excitement and anticipation to return!