Last month, I went to a Wednesday evening bible study whereby a deacon of the church was overseer; he made this comment “The Man Upstairs” in reference to our God. I know he did not mean to disrespect God. I know just from where he stood that he loves God.
As I looked into the ceiling trying to imagine our most holy God with pants on, I cringed in my seat, while trying to ignore the comment that diminishes the awe of our God and Heavenly Father.
First of all, by stating that God is the “man upstairs,” one has ALREADY insulted our most holy God. Therefore, God has ALREADY turned His face. Many Christian churches and their leadership have become so complacent in REVERENCING our most HOLY GOD. Even in most sanctuaries, one will find people eating, feeding their children, drinking bottle water or other liquids, as if they were at home just cooling-out, while distracting others from true worship. We must go back and teach why it is so important to reverence God. It is the responsibility of pastors, ministers, deacons, prophets, and bishops for teaching the entire body of Christ, and we are held accountable for not teaching what God wants us to.
According to St. John: 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him MUST worship Him in spirit and in truth.” Therefore, God will not respond to the prayers or so-called worship, for the disrespect of His Power and of His Authority of who He is.
According to Numbers: 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: has he said, and shall he not do it or had he spoken, and shall he not make it good, and according to Isaiah: 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.”
In my opinion, Faith is a SPIRITUAL action Word of God. Simply that God responds to Himself by His Word, so when we speak and or declare His Word back to Him, God then responds. It is like when someone calls your name, you will respond to your name being call. In the same matter, EVERY WORD OR PROMISE is God, so each time we speak or declare God’s Word, God is responding to Himself.
Keeping this in mind, I begin to think about how some Christian traditional and popular phrases and lyrics, misquoted scriptures, and other words, which are commonly stated among Christians, directly hinder our faith. When we speak these common phrases or such, we are actually decreeing and declaring – speaking into and over our lives each day, thus bringing every word alive that comes out of our mouths.
Many Christians are declaring these types of sounding-good-“Luke-warm” comments, phrases, words, and lyrics, are hindering their victory over their circumstances because the words are deem “unstable” – part truth and part popularity or tradition – the words being spoken are not what God has said. Many folks add words or take away the words that God has said – thus either deleting or watering-down the POWER of God’s Word.
For example, my name is Lorraine. However, on a legal document my name is misspelled – making the document void. Or, someone calling me – will call me Larraine instead of Lorraine. Sure, I know what they meant to call me, but I do not have to respond either, for only my name has its own meaning and power as it is with the Word of God. God does not respond to what He did not declare.
God our Creator is a Spirit who SPOKE-EVERYTHING into being. God is His Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (St. John 1:1) “And He said unto them, These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me.” (St. Luke: 24:44)
Christians are “reborn” making them to be Spirit first. Therefore, in my opinion, Christians are to “operate” the way God has ALREADY operated according to His Word – Himself. This is another reason to why obedience in our walk with God is so important, for God “orders our steps.” Keeping in mind, that we are God’s Ambassadors in the earth, we must operate by speaking, declaring, what God has already said to obtain victory in our lives and to fulfilled “God’s will to be done in the earth as it is in heaven.” Our Lord and Savior have said too “For by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shall be condemned.” (St. Matthews 12:37)
Because many struggling-along-the-fence Christians listen to Christian music before reading their bibles and or going to church, most literally take the lyrics of what they hear, as the Word of God. Therefore, many mimic, repeat, and declare that these phrases (words) are the Word of God. For many, listening to Christian music is their “church.” The so-called gospel lyrics and phrases that we speak and or sing puts the brakes on operating faith, because we are not speaking, declaring, or worshipping what the Word of God directs us to speak to gain victory over our situation.
I have been told that I “should not take these things so literally and God understands.”
According to St. Matthews: 12:36, “we will be held accountable for ever idle word that proceeds out of our mouth;” as you know, the term “idle” is un-productive. Idle words do absolutely NOTHING to activate, produce, or operate faith in our God.
Again, it is extremely important to note that our words directly impact us, for we are spiritual beings declaring things into and over the earth by our words. What we speak will come to pass literally and directly impacts the way we think too. Proverbs: 18:21” Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
I often hear idle words and misquoted scriptures in sermons, teachings, prayers, and songs that cancel operating faith. Yet, most Christians continue to walk in ignorance of the Word of God because it is, for the most part, tradition or popular, but not necessarily the entire truth.
The words and or phrases we speak, we are actually decreeing and declaring words in operation or response to our faith. I believe that most have become so complacent by Christian tradition or what is popular that prayers are not being answered. I am amazed that some of these gospel artists, preachers, teachers, and such are declaring these misguided words over thousands of souls to which they will be held accountable.
Most Christians DO NOT read nor study the Holy Bible and will take what they heard and run and tell someone else. Guess what. We are held accountable for misleading someone else, and we may have hindered him or her by misguided words and phrases.
Please note: When God’s Word is going forth, the Anointing ALWAYS breaks chains, yokes and bring forth deliverance and healing. There should ALWAYS be change in the environment/atmosphere when the anointing is present. Folks yelling, dancing, and shouting does not always mean that the anointing is present. Many are demonstrating emotions to their circumstances and or pain which are demons. The pastor and or spiritual leaders should have a strong Spirit of Discernment to bind and cast out these demons when they see it going forth during a worship service.
Other popular terms such as “oh my God (gawd),” (OMG) are disrespectful too. One is actually calling out to God when he or she says “oh my God.” I do not care how folks try to fix this phrase by spelling it GAWD or O.M.G. The Holy Spirit knows that one is still using our God’s name in vain. Exodus 20:7: “Thou shall not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.” Yet, Christians take our Lord‘s name in vain because of popularity. They would not say such things if they really reverence and love God.
Other examples of canceling faith or idle words that most Christians say and or sing are as follows:
1. “Satan is a liar.” And/or “We gonna make the devil out of a liar over the situation.”
Okay. Satan knows he is a liar.
What is the point? One is rebuking when one is not.
Yes. Jesus said that Satan is a liar (St. John 8:44).
Jesus rebukes Satan on several occasions in the New Testament and repeats the Word of God back to him. In the Old Testament, Zechariah: 3:2, “And the LORD said unto Satan, the LORD rebukes thee, O Satan.”
A person is not binding any demons or spiritual conflicts or commanding a spiritual warfare attack against Satan by saying “Satan you are a liar.” One is only confirming or giving credit – glorifying Satan that he is a liar – that is all.
A person gains victory over their situation by having faith when declaring and trusting in God’s Word – that is it. One rebukes Satan and repeat what God has said (already written) about the situation.
It may not happen when you want it, and like others, we have to keep trusting and declaring the Word of God even in the midst of tears. Remembering that you are being conformed to God’s Word – becoming one with God. The more you increase in obedience to trust and operate in God’s Word, the more you are conforming to His purpose and glory – increasing in faith to operate in faith.
If a person wants victory, then one must do as God has given the example in the Holy Scriptures to do it by His prophets and by Jesus’ words. When one is comforted with an evil spirit (demon) conflict, as example, be led by the Holy Spirit not flesh or one may get a “beat-down” from demons or principalities in high places (fallen angels). I have used the following steps in spiritual warfare:
ALWAYS be led by the Holy Spirit for guidance
Take authority, rebuke, command, come against, or curse at the root the infirmity or situation
- DO NOT HOLD conversation with demons – just take authority “IN THE NAME OF JESUS!”
- A person rebukes Satan or demon (demon must tell you its name or their names: “Hate, Unforgiveness, Greed, Lust, or Cancer – Situation: Poverty, Sickness, or Torment.) One must hear from the Holy Spirit for guidance to “speak” what God wants you to speak.
EXAMPLE: “I come against the spirit of cancer, and “I command the infirmity of cancer to come out – now, or I bind the spirit of cancer in the name of Jesus! For whatever I bind in the earth, God will bind in heaven, as it is in heaven and there is no cancer in heaven. “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.
What cancels our faith is when we speak being sick, for Isaiah 33:24 says “And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” Yet, most put more attention by speaking, declaring, sickness over their bodies instead of speaking, declaring, God’s promise or what has already been done.
I am not saying that it (sickness or infirmity) does not exist that would be
stupid, but we are STILL to operate our faith by God’s Word. We are to believe
more in God’s Word than the sickness or infirmity.
One continuously repeats, operating in faith, WHAT DID GOD SAY ABOUT YOUR SITUATION, the Word of God – YOUR ANSWER IS IN THE WORD OF GOD. Again, no matter what appears to be. Your break through may happen at that moment or months from now. I am not going to tell you that it is easy then I would be lying. The truth – it is not always easy to grow in faith, but our words and what we speak have a significant impact on the outcome of our victory.
2. Pass Me Not, O’ Gentle Savior by Frances J. Crosby
As a soprano, I have not joined a church choir. Because as a choir member, I do not want to join a choir that would request for me to sing hymns or songs that contradicts faith being operated – God’s Word. Pass me not, O’ Gentle Savior is one of the hymns that I refused to sing.
Jesus says. “He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us” (Hebrews: 13:5). “He will be with us always” (St. Matthews 28:20). “He will not forsake His Righteousness” (Psalms 37:28). “He will give unto us the Holy Ghost as our Comforter” (St. John 14:16-17) and many more Holy Scriptures of God’s promises. So, why do we sing hymns and songs that contradict what God, our Lord and Savior have said that He has already done for us or would be done for us? We are not worshipping or giving God glory when we sing songs that place doubt, such as “pass me not.”
3. Jesus will work it out or God is working it out
I love this song by Dr. Charles Hayes, “Jesus Will Work it Out,” and I sing it too, knowing that Jesus has already work it out. However, as I meditate on this song and others, it is not standing on what God has already done through the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ or what God has already promised according to his Word. The song title should have been named “Jesus Already Worked it Out.”
Why do we say that God is working it out when GOD HAS ALREADY DONE IT FOR US! God is Alpha and Omega. God has written the script for our entire life from beginning to end. God knows what we have done and what we are going to do. God sees our thoughts being formed before we do (Psalm 139) (AWESOME!) “God calls those things to be as though they were” (Romans: 4:17) and “God has made a way to escape” (1st Corinthians: (10:13). God has ALREADY given us ALL that we need and or want.
What is so WONDERFUL about God is that despite our selfishness and foolishness at times, God grants us the grace and mercy to make our own choices. The good or bad consequences resulting from those choices may or may not be the will of God for our lives. Not all our troubles are always the “devil.” There is reaping what we have sowed too.
Regardless, because you are the “Righteousness of God, “all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord and are the called according to his purpose” (Romans: 8:28) and not our own purpose. It is not about us, but it is about God’s Word being performed in our lives that God receives all glory.
Faith being operated means for YOU to take God’s Word and STAND on what God’s Word has ALREADY said, but you have got to know the Word (The Holy Scriptures) and stop playing church.
Our job is to know God’s will for our lives and walk in the will of God. Guess What. It is in the Word of God. Our problems is that we do not know how to obtain what God has ALREADY done because, for the most part, we want to operate in the flesh without keeping in mind that we are now spirit. Most of us want things our way and not the way of God, for it requires obedience, forgiveness, patience, and walking in love.
The other problem is that we, most of the time, walk in our flesh and then want it to be of God.
WRONG!
Then, when things get crazy, and they do, we want God to “fix it” to the way we want it. Then, we want to say God is working it out when God is saying humble yourself and repent that My will is done in your life that you gain victory for my glory.
(This occurs in many marriages that God has not ordained. Many marriages’ foundation is lust and selfishness, and the What are you going to do for me attitudes? Children are born and folks stay together for the sake of their children but the spouses are most miserable, and the spouses end-up creeping (adultery) anyway. There are many folks married to the wrong spouse that God did not ordained to be. Their flesh ordained it to be.)
4. “Try the spirit by the spirit.”
What-da-what!
According to 1st John:4:1-3: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world; Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God; And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
The Word of God tells us to “try the spirits whether they are of God” and not “try the spirits by the spirit.” If this was the case, then by what “spirit” is being tried by what “spirit?” We are to question the spirit by asking, “Hereby know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.” (1st John 4:2) By doing so, one will know if the “spirit” is of God or Satan and what type of “spirit” one is dealing with.
How many preachers and others have you heard say the following:
5. “I am sinner saved by grace or we are sinners saved by grace.”
“We are all sinners,” – NOT ME!
That is NOT what God said about those of us who are the redeemed of the Lord. I am the Righteousness of God because God said that I am. (Romans: 3:21-24)
“For you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (2nd Corinthians 6:16).
God does not hear the prayers of sinners (St. John: 9:31) unless their prayers are sincerely from a heart of repentance and worship. God says that we are His Righteousness for Jesus died due to sin according to 2nd Corinthians 5:21 “For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” Our God is so holy that He will not look upon sin. Therefore, how can we be sinners and the Righteousness of God – Redeemed at the same time?
C’mon Now!
Christians must stop thinking of themselves as just folks who love God and attend church services. Because we are “born-again” Believers, we are first spirit. The words we speak are spirit. Therefore, we are decreeing and declaring words – bringing forth from the spiritual realm into the earthly realm.
Christians should sincerely acknowledge and reverence God first by our words and by our actions.
Saying phrases such as “the man upstairs, O’ gentle Savior pass me not, or confessions such as “I am a sinner saved by grace” cancels are faith from being operated and fulfilling the Word of God because it insults God and cancels His Word which is Faith.
Without Faith, decreeing, declaring, believing, and trusting in the Word of God, we cannot please God according to Hebrews 11:6 “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.”
Remember that you are now Spirit, so you must see, hear, speak, and operate by the spirit which produces faith which allows God Word to be fulfilled.
Now do not get it twisted and start acting as if you are from the twilight zone.
Do not go around quoting scriptures when talking to folks – use the intelligence and wisdom God has given you, for you do not want folks running from you, nor do you want folks trying to locked-you up.
Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, as you should always do anyway.
I am going to leave all of this for you to ponder about the words that you speak for now.
Our next teaching will be about the man/ husband’s authority. Many sisters got it twisted, and men need to take authority and stop being a wimp to their wives or those whom they are “dating.”
Luv ya!
Be Encourage!