To TopRights Versus Responsibility
(Suffer Rights/Gain Responsibility)
Submitted By Clay Sikes with Contributions By Lewis Green
If indeed we believe "the steps of a righteous man are ordered by God," it is safe to assume that we have learned a vastly important aspect of spiritual life - God orchestrates events in our lives, perhaps far more often than previously realized. God orders our steps and steps indicate direction with an ultimate goal. It is imperative to spiritually realize that each step has a purpose in our life - We should ask, "What are you saying to me through this Lord?" Those who are already asking this question are likely gleaning much spiritual wisdom and knowledge. Those who are not asking this question are likely living in chaos and confusion.
Many, like myself, cut their teeth on Word Of Faith teaching, the primary Christian belief system, which is based on being "blessed." Events that do not line up with being "blessed" are systematically tossed aside and deemed to be demonic. It is at this beginning point that I need to tell you that if binding the devil could get it done, Tracy and I would have escaped many of our past and present problems because we bound every thing except the kitchen sink.
Modern day Christian belief leaves little room for the possibility that any suffering to include inconvenience, embarrassment, financial problems, in-law problems, children problems, car problems, preacher problems, teacher problems, job problems, supervisor problems...you name it, may be God-orchestrated; the resulting attitude being A DEFENSE against anything that opposes or robs us of our supposed "blessing." While I cannot tell you that in twenty years of Christian life that there have not been times in which we have put the devil on the run, I can say that more often than not we simply became frustrated and confused as to why the power of God did not seem to work through us. After all, countless WOF teachers taught us that the power was ours - the frustration was "it wasn't working." When we inquired we were told we did not have enough faith, or there might be hidden sin.
The "blessing" mindset, perhaps above many other wrong doctrines circulating in Charismatic and Pentecostal circles, has rendered the Church inoperative and powerless. Years of sermons, seminars, tapes, books, meetings, TV and radio broadcast, teaching the Body of Christ that they need not suffer any longer; that Jesus came and suffered so now the saints would not have to. While certainly we can all agree that this revelation is true, it should further be recognized that it is 'a truth' that is not necessarily 'the truth.' The enemy sows his greatest deception using half-truths from God's word. Much of the Word of Faith teaching is centered on simply picking out scripture that fits your particular situation and holding it up to God and demanding that He fulfill it.
Contrary to this popular teaching we are quick to find many scriptures that tell us that "suffering" is as much a part of the true Kingdom of God as "blessing."
Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
2 Corinthians 1:7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
Ephesians 3:13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
1 Thessalonians 1:6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
2 Timothy 1:8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,
2 Timothy 3:11 persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
Hebrews 2:10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Hebrews 10:32 (Amplified) But be ever mindful of the days gone by in which, after you were first spiritually enlightened, you endured a great and painful struggle.
James 5:10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.
1 Peter 2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.
1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Revelation 1:9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
I would be drawn and quartered in Word of Faith circles were I to even intimate that there may be times that God allows things into my life that hurt. Often, what is deemed Demonic is in fact the Lord allowing some circumstance or situation to come into our lives that will expose sin, or purge us of its power, or simply reveal some spiritual truth; hence one of my favorite sayings, "Circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him to himself." When we experience suffering of any kind, it produces perseverance (Romans 5:3). Our salvation is made perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10). To further explain, we have to look no further than the same scripture in the Amplified Bible which states, that we are brought to maturity through our human experiences in order to be perfectly equipped through suffering. Scripture also points out that we receive the Kingdom of God through much difficulty and hardship (tribulation). Does this smack "the blessing" mentality about the face and lips or what?
If we are not made to realize that our suffering is for a purpose, we not only miss the blessing intended from the God-ordered event, but also expend great energy opposing forces without any authority to do so. Let me say this again for emphasis...opposing forces "WITHOUT ANY AUTHORITY TO DO SO!" There is no authority on earth except what Christ gives. When we seize authority for our self in any situation, we forego the authority God has for us in the same situation. Just as when we take matters into our own hands and lose God's ability in us, so too do we lose authority in any given situation if we are not responding the Kingdom's Way. God's appointed authority is God's way operating through man to release God's power into the situation. Any other way is man's attempt to seize for himself.
Let me interrupt the teaching here to interject a very vital piece of information. As you continue to read this article you will soon discover that authority seized without God's direction ACTUALLY WORKS AGAINST US. This is but one of many points we will bring in the future, exposing the fact that much Word of Faith teaching is actually diabolically designed to keep the saints of God from walking in God appointed power. The underlining premise (error) of much WOF teaching is that man can use God to get what he wants.
The forces that we face daily are both natural and supernatural. We will first examine the natural. I recently found myself in a situation in which I was falsely accused: This was done in the presence of individuals for whom I have great respect, thus my pride caused me to not only defend myself against the false accusations, but also to react in anger from my soul. How revealing! Had I been responsibility minded (spiritually), there would have been little room for me to be rights minded (carnally). In this situation, I was far more concerned, at the time, with my rights (in the flesh) than my responsibility (in the spirit). Had I responded spiritually and not carnally, God would have been my defender and those affected by this encounter would have been able to judge for themselves the inaccuracies of my accuser's statements. Because I rushed to my defense, God was never invited nor enabled to be my defender, hence I loss the authority of God in that situation.
By now you are probably thinking, "Well, where does the suffering come in?" The suffering comes in losing one's own rights and personal agenda in any given situation. The surrender, if you will, is the suffering required, the willingness to subject ourselves to the press, "the Gethsemane" from which the life of God emanates. Interestingly, Gethsemane quite literally means "a press through which the life of God flows." Geth means press and semane means semen that produces life.
God will see to it that our "ORDERED STEPS" include a few stops in the garden. Gethsemane is a place of exchange - your life for his. "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone, but if it die it brings forth much fruit" (John 12:24). Two truths to grab here - NO DEATH NO GOD; NO DEATH NO FRUIT. Be willing to die at your next "garden party" and see the life of God come forth in your life. Resist those first tendencies to seek "your rights" and submit yourself under the mighty hand of God. Watch as the mighty life of God begins to flow from you - it is an encouraging supernatural experience!
In all situations, both natural and supernatural, the authority of God is available to us if we will but await our direction from, and yield to the Holy Spirit. It is extremely common among God's people to get His "direction" without awaiting His "how to" (See II Samuel 6:1-13), the consequences of which are Uzzah type sufferings: Boy do we learn a lesson in this environment! The principle is the same as operating outside the sphere of God, which will render us powerless and ineffective. It is most discouraging because we feel we have failed God miserably. It cost this writer $10M to learn II Samuel 6:1-13. I had God's direction, but I did not await His "how to" and thus operated outside the sphere of my authority.
Occasionally our suffering may be to await God's instructions for many days when, in fact, we want to know something now! Patience being taught to those of us who continue to impatiently focus on themselves will exert itself as suffering, though later if we allow the process to be completed, our impatience will turn to the "rest of God" (Hebrews 4). Any God-appointed suffering (burden) will be light and easy to carry if we understand it. This is not to say that we will not need His grace to get through it, because most certainly we will. His grace is sufficient to get us through anything we are called to endure on this earth.
Some of my greatest frustrations as a Christian have been over wrong interpretations of what was going on in my life. I often opposed people and powers without authority. This lack of authority on my part not only produced very little, but also weakened me. Admittedly, I have opposed people and situations, and from my Word of Faith teachings, I certainly have opposed any spiritual force (celestial being) that didn't line up with me being blessed. Not only was I powerless when I acted without a definitive word from God, but more importantly, I released a weakened condition against my very own self. You are probably thinking, "Are you saying that if I bind the Devil without authority (a word from God), it could have a detrimental effect on me?" That is exactly what I am saying! For years I knew this was happening, but my traditional thinking and teaching said otherwise; only recently has the Holy Ghost seen fit to reveal it.
2 Peter 2:10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. 11 Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. 12 But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.
These scriptures are speaking of men who operate in disobedience to God's laws or God's way. It is interesting to note that the word "caught" in 2 Peter 2:12 means to be captured or taken. Those who slander or oppose celestial beings without authority are "destroyed" which literally means destined to pine or waste away, to shrivel or wither. What could be more corrupt than our own desire being place ahead of God's? When we do this we are "despising authority" (2 Peter 2:10).
Jesus was taken upon the mountain and shown all of the kingdoms given Satan. As you will recall, the Son of God was told that if He would bow down and worship Satan, He would be given those kingdoms. Jesus had the authority to take Satan's kingdom should it be His desire, but He knew Satan had been given that kingdom and would not violate the court of universal justice. He had the authority but would not take it. Later, as He hung on the cross, all power was available to Him, yet He chose, "Not my will, but thy will be done," the great example being, only operate in the authority you have been expressly given in any situation. I was called to the bedside of a dying man and close friend of many years. His wife, in obvious despair, asked us to pray for him. As I began to pray, very spiritually I spoke to the spirit of death and demanded that it depart. Almost as quickly, I heard the Lord's gentle voice say, "Do not pray against his death; it is the time I have chosen to bring him home." Though I had very little understanding at the time, I shut my mouth and in minutes he was gone.
If a man should take it upon himself to go behind enemy lines without authority or authorization from his superiors, and if that man should he be captured and imprisoned, it is likely that he will waste and wither away in prison for the rest of his life, if not killed outright. AUTHORITY TAKEN WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION IS DANGEROUS!
Jude 1:8 In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" 10 Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals--these are the very things that destroy them.
We Christians are all too often willing to reject God's authority in any situation and quickly gravitate to what we think our response SHOULD BE. We are quick to speak against WHAT we do not understand as well as those WHO we do not understand. We are most often ignorant of what power we release against ourselves when we do such things WITHOUT GOD'S DIRECTION.
The Book of Jeremiah offers some great illustrations of the resulting effect of operating in authority without authority. The Israelites were told to put their necks in the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar's rule as per God's instruction. To oppose him would create ruin.
Jeremiah 27 Judah to Serve Nebuchadnezzar 1 Early in the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 This is what the Lord said to me: "MAKE A YOKE OUT OF STRAPS AND CROSSBARS AND PUT IT ON YOUR NECK. 3 Then send word to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon through the envoys who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah. 4 Give them a message for their masters and say, 'This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Tell this to your masters: 5 With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please. 6 Now I will hand all your countries over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon;
We would do well to realize how important it is to seek our authority from God. We should be sensitive enough to realize that even when we think it our place to be in authority, God may have other plans. To oppose, from a supposed place of authority, is deadly as many in Judah found out.
8 If, however, any nation or kingdom will not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon or bow its neck under his yoke, I will punish that nation with the sword, famine and plague, declares the Lord , until I destroy it by his hand. 9 So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, 'You will not serve the king of Babylon.' 10 They prophesy lies to you that will only serve to remove you far from your lands; I will banish you and you will perish. 11 BUT IF ANY NATION WILL BOW ITS NECK UNDER THE YOKE OF THE KING OF BABYLON AND SERVE HIM, I WILL LET THAT NATION REMAIN IN ITS OWN LAND TO TILL IT AND TO LIVE THERE, DECLARES THE LORD. 12 I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah. I said, "Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live. 13 Why will you and your people die by the sword, famine and plague with which the Lord has threatened any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? 14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, 'You will not serve the king of Babylon,' for they are prophesying lies to you. 15 'I have not sent them,' declares the Lord . 'They are prophesying lies in my name. Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you.' " 16 Then I said to the priests and all these people, "This is what the Lord says: Do not listen to the prophets who say, 'Very soon now the articles from the Lord 's house will be brought back from Babylon.' They are prophesying lies to you. 17 Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon, and you will live. Why should this city become a ruin?
How often have we heard the prophecies of men promising great blessing like jubilee of several years ago and the current promise of supposed power and prosperity soon flowing to all in the Body of Christ. Similarly, pastors the world over tell their congregations of sensing a powerful breakthrough right around the corner "but we must BIND SATAN, GIVE TITHES AND SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS to get the job done." What true manner of hell have we unleashed against ourselves with this false teaching. When we operate in authority, against God's appointed authority in a situation, we are without authority.
Jeremiah 21 God Rejects Zedekiah's Request 1 The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malkijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said: 2 "Inquire now of the Lord for us because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us." 3 But Jeremiah answered them, "Tell Zedekiah, 4 'This is what the Lord , the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn against you the weapons of war that are in your hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians who are outside the wall besieging you. And I will gather them inside this city. 5 I MYSELF WILL FIGHT AGAINST YOU WITH AN OUTSTRETCHED HAND AND A MIGHTY ARM IN ANGER AND FURY AND GREAT WRATH.
We too often want to strike the rock as opposed to simply speaking to it, and in the process, lose the promise. This great Bible truth was included in the word and attributed to one of God's greatest men as a lesson to us, a type and a shadow of what we would face - applying a rote methodology instead of hearing and obeying God for the problems and challenges we face. As verse two of Jeremiah 21 above states, "Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders for us as in time past..." In modern language, "this worked for us in the past, perhaps it will work for us again!" How often we Christians take the supposed short cut, "Oh, I know how to do this, or, I know what it says in the bible about that." God is speaking loudly to us Church; He wants to be in charge all the time!
"Furthermore, tell the people, 'This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. BUT WHOEVER GOES OUT AND SURRENDERS TO THE BABYLONIANS WHO ARE BESIEGING YOU WILL LIVE; he will escape with his life. 10 I have determined to do this city harm and not good, declares the Lord . It will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.
Surrender has been the essence of this entire message. We must get our instructions from God as to what and who to oppose and not to oppose. As the word says, "I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death" chose life by choosing HIS WAY in dealing with opposition.
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