"He who the Son sets FREE is FREE indeed!" John 8: 36
After a series of extremely disappointing and unfortunate events at a church/ ministry we were part of and in leadership for a number of years, the Lord took me through a deep process of deprogramming from wrong teachings, repentance and healing. He's still healing and dealing with me and will until He takes me home. It's a never ending process called sanctification.
It has been tough, but WONDERFUL at the same time. In this process He revealed areas of pride and self-seeking that were painful but necessary. He showed me how He used betrayal to bring me to a place of greater dependency on Him. As a result, a door of intimacy with the Holy Spirit was opened to where He continue a work of sanctification in my heart. You see, it doesn't matter how 'busy' we are for the Lord. He doesn't count up our good works as brownie points. It's a matter of heart motivation and obedience. That is what God is after.
After it's all said and done, I really appreciate small groups, conferences and workbooks for getting knowledge and some level of freedom etc., BUT there is no TEACHER better than the Holy Spirit. God is much more patient with us than ourselves and other people. There is NO QUICK FIX in the Kingdom of God regarding the heart of man. Yes, I believe in miracles and they happen, but I have come to realize that when it comes to our mind, will and emotions, God is very patient and kind. There is always tension between us and Holy Spirit's conviction to change. Everything in God's Kingdom happens from the inside out. It begins with thoughts, our heart motivations which in turn trigger our actions.
John the Revelator said in 1 John 2: 27 "And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.”
God has taught me through this process that in order get free in certain areas that have tripped you up for many years, it is a PROCESS that only Holy Spirit can guide you through-yes with some outside help at times, but He brings you to it to bring you through it. He is a our comforter, advocate, Paraclete, teacher and guide! He does for us what NO MAN can do for us. He REVEALS things we want to CONCEAL in order to HEAL us!
The more you study the Word of God for YOURSELF the more Holy Spirit can convict you in areas where you need to change i.e., need more fruit of the spirit, wisdom, love and where you may have depended upon yourself and man much more than God! It's a WONDERFUL thing getting free from self-help, man's opinions, affirmation from others, approval of man, along with others’ views and judgments of you (step by step)!
Man looks on the outward appearance but God sees our hearts: the good, the bad and the ugly. What's so glorious about it is that He convicts us WITHOUT CONDEMNATION. Holy Spirit shows us things in such a way that you really WANT to work out your weaknesses, sins and flaws. Better yet, He gives you the grace to change and when/ if you slip up He's always there to dust you off and encourage you to keep on keeping on! Tomorrow is another day! There is always tension and struggle between our soul and Spirit man, but when you YIELD you can HEAL! There is NO SHAME in healing!
Preaching & teaching isn't designed to take the place of Holy Spirit. The Word of God is a mirror. If preachers/ teachers minister the pure Word of God in context void of their personal opinions and biases, then Holy Spirit can use anointed messages to reflect His truth into our hearts through conviction rather than man's judgment. Once a preacher, prophet or teacher steps over the boundary from messenger to a harsh judge and critic of others, they are treading on thin ice with God for beating the sheep and position themselves for the same judgment too. "The measure you mete will be meted back to you."
God didn't call us to be a wrecking balls in people's lives. "Man's religious systems" need to be wrecked so GOD can do what only HE can do! We ALL need to walk in HUMILITY. HE is GOD and we're NOT!
Comments