There are those, especially online, who are weary of all the reporting on ministry exposures. I can understand why. Emotions are charged, and allegations are suspect, especially when aimed at a recognized and seasoned leader. Every week seems to bring more things to light revealing systemic problems that are overwhelming. And as much as we want to stand with any victim of abuse and help them find resolution, there comes a saturation point where we just need some good news. We just want to hear what is going right instead ofwhat is going wrong.
We know by default that this is a spiritual battle. The enemy loves to divide and conquer. He knows what happens when we splinter and fall back due to weariness and discouragement. This is why I have been seeking the Lord and asking how we can cut through the muck and rally for a cause we can all agree upon. The fact is, until our hearts are united by a common conviction, our corporate authority will be weakened, our prayers will be hindered, and the process of healing and reformation will take much longer.
I would like to suggest one conviction that every God-fearing believer should agree upon. I believe there is one rallying cry that can help to unite our hearts and prayers to override the noise and clamor of the enemy. That is God’s standard for purity and holiness within His House. It is God’s standard for righteousness in the people of God. I believe this is the cause and conviction that should be our focus and our rallying cry in order to see some breakthrough.
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV
When all these exposures started, the primary focus was on sexual immorality. This was the blatant sin and compromise that the Lord was exposing and highlighting. But then it quickly morphed into questioning prophetic integrity. Because a number of the exposures involved ministers and ministries who practiced the gift of prophecy, the issue of prophetic integrity began to take center stage. Ever since, these two issues have been running side by side. But instead of bringing more clarity, the unending questions and doubts about prophecy have only muddied the waters.
As I was praying into this I realized that though prophetic integrity is critical and an issue that needs to be addressed, it has complicated the process. Not only are we considering sexual immorality and abuse, now we’re questioning and scrutinizing anyone who operates in the prophetic. And though this issue has certainly contributed to the toxic environments of some of these ministries, I felt the Lord calling us to prioritize our battle plan. Until we agree on His righteous standard concerning holiness in His House, we will not have the unity needed to tackle subsequent issues.
But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing My servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. Revelation 2:20
The Lord is clearly telling us the problem and showing us where to focus our prayers and collaboration. We have tolerated a spirit of sexual immorality and idolatry in the House of God. Not only have we been duped by spiritual seduction, but we have also yielded to fleshly pursuits and unsanctified passions. We must repent, turn from our wicked ways, and ask God to bring healing to His House.
“I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.” (Revelation 2:21)
Notice that He asks us to repent of sexual immorality. The prophetic ruse is only a cover for these demonic spirits of perversion to gain access. Though this spirit camouflages itself through prophecy, it is the resulting sins occurring within the Body that is the primary charge. It is this sin that He is calling for us to deal with, both personally and corporately.
I sense the Lord is going to sharpen our focus in the days ahead. As if seeing things through a camera lens, I see Him zooming in, past those who have blatantly practiced these sins, to those who have also TOLERATED them. That means those that have put up with, excused, “given grace” to, or even ignored these practices within the Church. It doesn’t matter that we’ve done good works or loved our neighbor. It doesn’t matter that we’ve “endured” or that our “latter works have exceeded our first” (Revelation 2:19). The collective charge before us is that we have allowed this spirit to operate in the Church, and it must be expelled. He is giving us a chance to repent and make things right.
(CLICK HERE for SCRIPTURES TO PRAY FOR A RIGHTEOUS STANDARD)
Here is the appeal. Regardless of your involvement in the process or your engagement in the online discussions, we can all remain steadfast in prayer. We can agree to appeal to heaven through our collective repentance and acknowledgement of our sin. Instead of bemoaning the ongoing investigations and litigation, we can stand in the gap for all those involved and pray that God would do whatever He needs to sanctify His Bride and clean up His House. We must allow His sanctifying knife to do the painful operation that is required.
Even as I am writing this word, I am hearing, “This process will only take as long as we allow it.” Do you hear that? Let me say it again. This process will only take AS LONG AS WE ALLOW IT. I believe this is the word of the Lord on this issue. The sooner we address this issue head-on and do the necessary work to rid Jezebel from our midst, the sooner we will see justice for the victims, consequences for the perpetrators, and restoration in the House of God.
So, for those who are weary – remain faithful in prayer. For those who are discouraged – remain faithful to His Word. For those who are frustrated in the process – surrender your will to His and determine to do your part. Let us all come before the throne of grace in humility of heart and rid ourselves of anything that could be a hindrance to His work. If we remain steadfast to the end, we will reap a just reward.
Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps My works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I Myself have received authority from my Father. Revelation 2:25-27
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