Firstly, in order for the prophetic to function effectively again in this area, a healthy atmosphere must be reestablished. Today, in some circles the spiritual climate is such that if we talk to people about sin we are labeled as Pharisees or as having religious spirits. There are several causes that have led us here and we will examine them (other than the ones we have already seen) in the light of God’s word. In doing this we will confront the root of the wrong, so that the entire tree can be uprooted or else we are left to deal with the rotten fruits every season.
The major cause for this climate is a distorted view on what God’s word says on Holiness. Today the enemy has sown a common seed of deception. It is that ; all of us make mistakes and so why even focus on trying to be perfect for we will never get there.
God is presented as someone who overlooks mistakes or understands the way we are without expecting us to be perfect [ Matthew 5:48]. As a result people are unknowingly encouraged to continue in their sinful lifestyles as there is no absolute or clear standards. So when Holiness and Sanctification by Faith are not seen as a necessity naturally it is going to be hard to employ the prophetic ministry to address the underlying issues.
On the contrary, when people realize the absolute necessity of Holiness and the desperate need to walk Holy before God then it becomes easier to employ the prophetic into that. So sermons on Holiness and repentance have to be preached again in our churches with clarity and Love. The standards must be raised to the absolutes. We have to present to people an understanding and Loving God that expects nothing less than perfection from us.
In light of these things let us examine a few important things on what the word of God says on Holiness.
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
The beginning of chapter 5 till verse 47 describes the many areas of perfection God expects from us. This shows us the standards we must seek to achieve. If we can have faith to raise the dead then surely we can have faith on God to perfect us as He is.
Why do we apply double standards to God’s word saying one is possible and the other is not? Brethern, let us see things from God’s perspective. Nothing is impossible for Him.
The reason why there is abounding lawlessness is because we haven’t preached the word on Holiness and the truth that we can walk Holy before God. Therefore there is a lack of faith and when it is so then there is also a lack of corresponding works. For faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 6:22 But now, being made free from sin, and having become slaves to God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life.
The context of these verses is that Christ has set us free from the control or power of sin (See also Romans 6:6)
1 John 5:18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not continue to sin.
While it is true that we all might stumble at times, the word says here that if we are truly born of God we cannot continue in sin. It means we cannot live a sinful life style.
From these verses we see clearly that God wants us to be Holy like Him and He wants us to live free from the power of sin. He has provided us the way by destroying our sinful natures on the cross. As we walk in that journey to perfection, the prophetic is a helpful tool that will get us to that place.
The other major cause for the spiritual depletion in the area of Holiness, is that when the (some sections) church discovered it was under legalism, it started to destroy it rapidly and with zeal. The good thing was it succeeded to a great extent (in some circles) however the bad thing was it did not have true Holiness to plant in its place nor did it set any boundaries and parameters. As a result we have what we have today, a big mess in regards to Holiness. Jesus said that when a demon is cast out of a person it wanders in dry places and then comes back to the same place it was cast out from. It then occupies that place with seven more demons if the place is empty.
In a similar sense the spirit of legalism was cast out but since there was no true Holiness planted in place, the place was left empty. So that demon has brought back its lawless brothers along with it and the latter state is far worse than the former with lawlessness and abounding today and legalism in it’s shadows.
Brethren let us be warned that lawlessness is one of the signs of the end times and not legalism. This deception must be exposed to the roots firstly if we are to see healing in this area.
Then just as legalism was destroyed we have to start to destroy lawlessness. Only the pure word of God can bring this about. Then a clear balanced view on Holiness must be planted in place. When these things start to happen automatically the prophetic would find its place back in dealing with sin.
For now it could be incorporated into inner healing and deliverance ministries. In such kinds of ministries people’s sins have to be exposed and brought to the light for total healing and deliverance. The prophetic will be a useful tool there, also as people ( likely majority) who come for that kind of ministry are already willing to have theirs sins brought to the light.
Where is the prophetic movement today -5
