KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:14 KJV” Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”

Wrong speaking nullifies God’s power so much. The scripture says, do nothing with complaining or murmuring. Many servants of God do not know, to what degree their lives have been affected and distorted, because of complaining and murmuring. God cannot work with people who complain.  One area that many servants of God give OFFENCE is how they speak negatively about the way God treats certain servants of His.

Please read through Matthew 20:1-16. In this passage the Lord Jesus spoke about a parable in which an employer went about hiring laborers at various times in the day. To each person or people, he agreed with them how much to pay them after the end of each day. In the parable those who came earlier were offended because he paid those who came earlier and those who came later, the same amount. Many servants of God easily miss the grace of God because they become offended about how certain people seem to have been blessed. Some think they have been in the ministry for a longer time, and must have a greater grace to experience more blessings. Some easily find faults about others because of envy. These things should not happen.

Why do certain ministers behave this way? Pride is a cause, as well as sheer envy. The underlying cause of all these is carnality. Some leaders may become envious of their subordinates because it may seem they are manifesting so much of God’s grace, as it happened to Saul and David. These are some ways ministers give OFFENCE, causing the ministry to be blamed. Please note this, such an action is not just against the individual you may be offended in, but rather against God, who gave those gifts and abilities to that individual. There are some subordinates who may be so offended in their superiors because they feel they are been marginalized. Please OFFENCE in any form is a trick of the devil: don’t fall for it. No one can suppress supernatural energy. In the right time it would manifest.

CONFESSION

I am a child of the spirit and am not of the senses. I give glory to God for every work he does in the lives of others. My father has blessed me with all things that pertain unto life and godliness and therefore, I am never envious of whatever anyone has or does.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Peter 1:3 KJV” According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue”:

1 Samuel 18:8 KJV “And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2 Corinth 6:1 KJV” We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain”.

Our call not to give any OFFENCE as servants of God, is based on the grounds that, God has made available to us, a divine ability to excel in every challenge we encounter. Our key scripture makes it plain. It says in 2Corinth 6:1 that, “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain”. In our previous study we said, to give offence is to raise a stumbling block, to act against the expected standard, or to develop a feeling that places you out of line. You must be aware that no matter the condition that comes your way, you have already been strengthened to stand without getting bitter, or saying and doing something wrong.

Apostle Paul was one man of God who faced very severe trials and challenges, yet through it all he said, ‘we are more than conquerors.’ He said in Romans 8:39 that ” Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. What made Paul so resolute to go through all these death threatening situations and was never broken down? I believe he was able to endure all these by his knowledge of the Lord, the power of the Holy Spirit at work in Him and lastly the scriptural declarations that he made about the power of God at work in Him. In Philip. 4:12&13 He declares that, he has learnt to survive all kinds of situations, whether good or bad. In verse 13, he added ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.

Paul was a man of faith, who kept declaring words of faith in all situations. Just consider the following declarations from him. Philippians 2:13 KJV “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” From the verse he is saying, God is actively working through me and so I do not complain or murmur about anything. Dear child and servant of God learn to put faith in God’s word by boldly declaring them in all adverse situations. There is enough grace to go through any kind of situation without giving any offence. Believe it, say it and be ready to act it.

CONFESSION

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. I have received enough grace to stand before every kind of adversity and not give any offence.

FURTHER STUDIES

Philippians 4:12 KJV” I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”.

Romans 8:35. KJV” Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter”.

KEY SCRIPTURES:2 Corinth 6:3 KJV” Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed”:

Our key scripture is very emphatic concerning giving no OFFENCE in anything. Every man who would be a candidate for honoring God in his service must not give OFFENCE in anything. He gives the reason, why we must not   give OFFENCE. He says, so that the ministry would not be blamed. The ministry is the work of God. It is about the name and glory of the Lord. Nothing should dishonor the glory of God. Every servant of God must know that the ministry is more important than him or her. Never jeopardize the work of the ministry by your actions. The word ‘offence’ means ‘ to raise a stumbling block ‘ or ‘ to act against the expected standard’ or’ to have a feeling that places you out of line’

The preceding verse talks about the conditions under which we must not give offence. 2 Corinth 6:4 KJV “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses”. By not giving offence, we prove ourselves as servants or ministers of God. The following are the areas that we have to prove ourselves as ministers of God. In much patience in afflictions, necessities, distresses. Apostle Paul talked about being patient in stripes or persecutions, imprisonments and many more. You can’t talk about being a faithful servant of God without being prepared to face adverse situations. These are circumstances orchestrated by the devil, and it honors God for the child of God to come out with flying colors. I mean to go through without harboring hurts against men or God.

There are many workers in the body of Christ who are harboring various kinds of hurts. Some feel God has disappointed them. Others are offended in their leaders. Many are hurt because of conditions of service. The scripture said give no offence in anything. It means refuse to be hurt. Consider the following verse. Heb 12:4 KJV” Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin”. This scripture means, the difficulty you have is not demanding sacrificing your life, so don’t get offended. Even if you have to lose your life, don’t get offended.

CONFESSION

I am servant of God. I have received enough grace to face and overcome every adverse situation. I do not give offence under any condition. I bring honor and glory to the Lord as I put Him first in everything.

FURTHER STUDIES

Hebrews 12:2 KJV” Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”.

Hebrews 12:3 KJV” For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 5:30 KJV I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

IT is God who uses His servants, and so we must wait for His instruction. We can do nothing of ourselves without His direction. Every successful servant of God would not take any step without the instruction or direction of the Holy Spirit. In our key scripture the Lord said He would not do anything by Himself unless the father instructs Him. God our Father is not obliged to honour any act or action that He did not instruct. He says He watches over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).

The Holy Spirit is our teacher, guide and guard. We must have a deep relationship with Him. Recognize that He is always present with you, ready to direct you. Be sensitive to hear from Him as you pray. Don’t do anything without His counsel. Acting without His direction is like the sons of Aaron that offered strange fire in the presence of the Lord. Lev 10:1 KJV” And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not”. The proceeding verse said true fire went from God’s presence and devoured them. It simply means those who will act against God’s way would only suffer and be frustrated. We must learn to wait on God to hear His voice or command.

Moses was very successful because he followed through with what God asked Him to do. His desire to get to the promised land was aborted because he failed to honor the word of God at a point in his work. The Lord made a very serious statement about those who reject direct instruction from Him. 1Samuel 15:26 KJV” And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.  The Lord rejected King Saul because he rejected the word of God.

PRAYER

LORD I pray for every child of God, especially all those seeking to be used in God’s field. May they learn to continually wait for your counsel and instructions of the Holy Spirit.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 14:26. But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

Isaiah 40:31 KJV” But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Daniel 11:32 ISV ” Through flattery he’ll corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but people who know their God will be strong and take action”.

One of the miserable ventures to take is to attempt to serve the Lord without knowing him. The kind of opposition the devil raises against the servants of God, makes it almost impossible to serve Him without a personal knowledge of the Lord. It is not surprising that the Lord Jesus after his resurrection had to show himself alive by many infallible proofs, lasting a period of forty days. (Acts 1:3) This experience changed their outlook about Christ and their resolve to stand for Him. Almost all of them were killed because they claimed Jesus was alive. They knew Him.  Indeed, those who know the Lord would wax strong and do exploits.

I have come to know that people who do not know the Lord, do not fear Him, and so get themselves involved in very wrong rebellious acts. King Saul did not know God. He knew Samuel and as a result he could not trust God in difficult times. He woefully failed. David who knew the Lord was ready to pitch his life against a mighty warrior like Goliath. He did not consider defeat as an option. He knew God and knew He would not fail Him. How did he get to know God in such an intimate way? 

You may not know Him by memorizing scriptures. You know Him by deciding to believe the revelations He’s made about Himself. Believe His word, and act on it. The Holy Spirit would establish God’s reality in your spirit. It would not be a mental persuasion but an inner awareness of His presence that nothing or no man can take away from you. As you act on His word, you would be experiencing Him in your day to day encounters. The more you respond in faith to His word, He would likewise show Himself mighty unto you. There are some who would have opportunities to encounter God in a more physical but supernatural way. Apostle Paul had such an encounter. Many people in our times have experienced the Lord Jesus in such a way.

CONFESSION

The Lord has revealed Himself in His Word to us. I believe totally in His revelation. I act on what He says. I continually experience   His acts daily. He is real to me. By Him I do exploits to His glory.

FURTHER STUDIES

2Timothy 1:12 KJV” For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”.

1 Corinth 1:21 KJV “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 1:1 Net ” From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.

A slave is a legal property of his owner. We became slaves of our master Jesus through a willing commitment of ourselves to Him, in response of His great love shown us. A slave or servant of God is one who has completely forsaken his personal ambitions, and will to accept God’s ambitions and will for him. This is the fundamental mental concept that anyone who wishes to be used by God must have. Many people come into God’s service with their made-up ambitions, aspirations about what God must do for them. It is very amazing to find people who want to serve God because of the affluence, wealth and great reverence some men of God carry or command. Anyone with such an attitude has failed from start.

We are God’s servants or God’s love slaves. A slave has completely lost his or her RIGHTS. HE lives solely to please his master and Lord. The difference between King Saul and King David was that, Saul was a master of himself trying to relate with God, whiles David had no rights of his own, living to please God. Saul was rejected by God after only two years of his reign, although he sat on the thrown for an extra 38 years. King Saul was on the thrown yet God had rejected him for all those years. Anyone who claims to serve God, but is pursuing his own ways, have been rejected by the Lord. Unfortunately, they do not realize they have lost their place in God, because they seem to see some miracles in their life. Note: no one is rewarded in God’s sight by the miracles God works, but rather we are rewarded for how much we do not give offense in various challenging times) 2nd Corinth 6:3-9.

 The mistake many make is that, they are rather using God to get and do things, whiles God should be using them to do what He wants.  When you seek the anointing to show how great you are, then you are using God.

  Do you feel disappointed in God when things do not go as you want it? To feel disappointed in God is a great act of pride; you must rather feel grateful in all situations.  If apostle Paul had loved his life, could he have been used the way God used him. Decide from today to be a slave for Jesus. God would not use masters but cannot   do without slaves or servants.

CONFESSION

I am a slave of Jesus Christ. I do not have my own ambitions. I do not fear for my life in anyway. God is in charge of my life. My delight is to do what pleases Him.

FURTHER STUDIES

Isaiah 53:7 ISV “He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he didn’t open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, as a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth”.

2 Chronicles 6:17 ISV “Now therefore, LORD God of Israel, may your promise that you made to your servant David be fulfilled…”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 11:6 KJV” But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”.

GOD cannot be known by reason, but by believing in His revelation of Himself.

1 Corinth 1:21 KJV” For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe”. Anyone who would be used greatly to glorify his name must believe in Him. Many people claim they believe God but, they really don’t. Just consider the level of fear that Covid 19 has brought to many. Even many who claim to know and believe in God have been shaken to their roots.

To believe is a verb and its noun is faith. The Bible says by believing God or by faith, the elders obtained a good report (Heb 11:3). One can only be justified or declared righteous before God by believing Him. To believe in God, is to accept with your heart what He says and reject whatever any contrary physical evidence may prove. It sounds very simple yet anyone who would be used mightily by the Lord, must be a believer in Him. God chooses the weak things of this world to confound the wise. To believe means to commit your entire being unreservedly to Him. On many occasions servants of God have to act ‘foolishly’ In human terms to honor God.

Let’s take this illustration to show how acting in faith in God, can sound foolish to the natural mind. A brother called me via my mobile phone. He said there were some crows on his roof. Each time he goes out of his room these birds come around him in such a way that makes a great nuisance to him.

He called and asked ‘what must I do to stop them’. Somehow, I asked him to put his phone on loud speaker, and I would speak to these creatures. He also didn’t question my instruction. I rebuked them and placed God’s judgement on them. He called back after a few minutes and said, after the prayer, one of the crows fell from the ceiling to the ground and died. The other three could not fly away, so he threw a stone at one and it also fell and died. The rest left later never to return again. There was no wisdom in speaking to crows, yet faith instructs one to do such things.

CONFESSION

I believe absolutely in God and the whole counsel of His word.

I refuse to live by my senses, but to trust Him with my whole being. He continually manifests His power to save and bless or deliver each time I act in faith.

FURTHER STUDIES

Hebrews 11:33 & 34 KJV” Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens”.

Hebrews 10:38 “KJV Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:22 KJV “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will”.

Man has always been God’s means of fulfilling His purposes on the earth. All He needs from men is to yield their whole being to Him, and He would do mighty works with them. As He found David, God searches for a man with a right heart to use. 2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV” For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him……”   Would you have the right heart towards Him. In these last days, Satan has vomited every kind of unclean thing, raising evil men to say and do very abominable things. God needs men and women who would likewise stand totally for Him, to reveal His power, love and Glory through them. God would not do anything on the earth without the agency of a man.

In the light of this, God always seeks for a man who will serve His purposes on the earth. When king Saul rebelled against God, He had to find a substitute for Saul who would lead His people the Israelites. He said I have found David, the Son of Jesse, a man after my heart. He added, who shall fulfill all my will. When the heart of men was filled with sin continually God found Noah who did his will, to preserve a people who did not defile themselves with the wickedness and evil ways of the human generation in that era.

God found Abram who later became Abraham. He believed God enough to leave, his country, kindred and his father’s house. Through Abraham God raised a new nation, and the world was saved by his seed. (Gal 3:16) The need for God’s ways and acts to be revealed is in more demand in our time than ever. Would God find in you a man after his heart? Would he find a friend in you? God wants a man who will do his will. The number of Christians in our generation are more than it has ever existed in any generation, yet there are only a few men God is using to impact men in a very mighty way. God wants to have multitudes doing his works in a bigger way.  (John 14:12)

CONFESSION

I thank you Lord Jesus for giving your life to save me. I offer my body to you. Find in me a man who is ready to do what you say, and go where you ask me. Use me for your glory.

FURTHER STUDIES

Philippians 1:20 KJV” According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death”.

Romans 12:1. KJV “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 14:30 KJV “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in ME”.

The Lord’s testimony of himself in our key scripture is very remarkable. He says the devil comes, but he has nothing in Him.

The Lord is saying there is no darkness whatsoever in Him. Satan’s ability to destroy the righteous never lies in his brut power or might, but in his ability to deceive and infuse some amount of darkness into a man. Remember, a little leaven leavens the whole lump. The devil and his demons are highly crafty liars. The darkness is his ability control or to deceive a child of God in one way or another. The Lord Jesus said, Matthew 6:23 KJV “But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

The ‘eye’ in the above verse is one’s state of mind, outlook about life or motive for doing things. When evil has any grounds in you, it would dominate your actions. An evil eye can be unbelieving, hatred, envy, fear, lust or any wrong act that lies calmly in the desire of an individual. If there is such a desire, thought or longing in the heart of a child of God, the Lord says, his whole being would be full of darkness. Darkness is the abode of the enemy. It is also the strength of the demons. Demons will keep harassing you if you have any grounds for them.

To keep devils from having doorways into you, make up your mind to stay clear out of all wrong ways. Take away every wrong desire and wrong thought. Your desires direct you. The dominating thoughts of your mind is who you are. Make sure your thoughts and desires are always devoid of Satan’s impact and influence or unscriptural ways.

If you can do this, then you would also boldly say with the Lord, the prince of this world comes, but he has nothing in ME.

 Please get this point of wisdom, the simplest but the worst darkness that Satan can succeed in introducing into a believer is UNBELIEVE.

CONFESSION

O Lord thy word have I hid in my heart and have trusted wholeheartedly in you.  The evil one has no place in me. My heart longs after the ways of the Spirit.

FURTHER STUDIES

Hebrews 12:1 KJV” Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Ephesians 4:26 27 KJV Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Judges 6:25 NET” That night the LORD said to him, “Take the bull from your father’s herd, as well as a second bull, one that is seven years old. Pull down your father’s Baal altar and cut down the nearby Asherah pole”.

I am speaking further on this topic, because I have encountered many well-meaning Christians whose lives have been greatly jeopardized by these family altars. They must be free. I pray these truths help all. What is an altar? An altar is a place where a man or men cut a covenant with a deity by offering sacrifices.     The covenant is renewed by offering sacrifices. These demons will attack anyone in that family who would not serve them. Christians normally become the target. The Christian must not allow them to assault him or her. This is achieved by understanding scriptural provisions and applying them.

The process of salvation of every Christian ‘exempts’ him from such demonic activities. The Lord Jesus gave His life on the cross to save us. He became the sacrificial object on the altar that brought salvation to us. The truth is, we all were on the cross with him. Any Christian who has gone through this experience, should not have anything to do with any other god or demon. Gal 2:20 KJV “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”. Maintain a consciousness of Jesus life as your very life.

 Romans 12:1, instructs us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God. Remember every covenant is executed by a sacrifice. By that act of offering your body to God in holiness, makes you God’s sacrificial object, and it leaves no ground for any devil. The next step is to renew your mind by the scriptures. This also transforms you, to become what God’s word says. The Bible says with this you show or prove God’s perfect will in your life. In these ways, your resistance of any onslaught against you becomes very effective. Demons cannot dominate a sacrifice on God’s altar .

CONFESSION

I have offered my life unto God in holiness. I am God’s sacrificial object and no devil has power over me. I resist every demonic onslaught against my life. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 12:1 KJV” I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 6:3 KJV” Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”