When the Enemy Wants to Sift You

Luke 22:31-32

³¹Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain,

³² But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren.

There are times when we go through circumstances that leave us asking ourselves what is happening and why? This is probably how Peter felt when he saw everything around him crumbling. A little background on the situation is that Jesus had been giving His disciples a lecture on true leadership and servanthood after the Passover meal. During the meal, He had also announced that one of them would betray Him, and by this He meant Judas Iscariot.

The disciples did not know this and started arguing with each other about who was trying to betray Him among them, but Jesus used the opportunity to let Peter know that Satan Himself was looking to sift him. This means that he was asking to put Peter on trial. Peter was devoted to walking and serving Jesus as a disciple. He had left everything behind, family and career to follow Him. But it never occurred to him that there was some background of his that the enemy was going to use against him, perhaps at a time when he could have been chosen for a promotion in the spirit.

To explain more, this is what happens at times when the Kingdom has chosen us for a promotion, but the enemy comes before the Lord to accuse us and tell God why we should not receive the manifestation of this promotion or blessing we may be believing Him for. He does that because he sees that we may have unconfessed sins that we have not addressed and have become obstacles for us to receive the blessings. So what manifests instead is accusation from him through people that are wounded and contaminated with the spirit of the world and do not discern that what we need is time with our Lord to seek the healing of wounds and confession of our sins He reveals to us. Matthew 26:69-74 says,

⁶⁹ “Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and one maid came up to him and said, You were also with Jesus the Galilean!

⁷⁰ But he denied it falsely before them all, saying, I do not know what you mean.

⁷¹ And when he had gone out to the porch, another maid saw him, and she said to the bystanders, This fellow was with Jesus the Nazarene!

⁷² And again he denied it and disowned Him with an oath, saying, I do not know the Man!

⁷³ After a little while, the bystanders came up and said to Peter, You certainly are one of them too, for even your accent betrays you.

⁷⁴ Then Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, I do not even know the Man! And at that moment a rooster crowed.”

Jesus had warned Peter that he would deny Him three times (Mark 14:30) an although Peter had assured him that it would never happen, the fear of dying, after he saw His master arrested and sentenced to death, gripped him and his mouth uttered words that he did not really want to say, but it was in his unrepented nature that he would lie to safe his own skin. Verse 70 of the passage said that Peter denied knowing Jesus falsely. This is saying also that Peter gave himself to telling lies enough times for it to be considered a bad habit or better put, an unrighteusness. Revelations 22:14-15 explains the possible argument of the enemy against Peter for telling lies,

¹⁴ “Blessed (happy and to be envied) are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to [approach] the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city.

¹⁵ [But] without are the dogs and those who practice sorceries (magic arts) and impurity [the lewd, adulterers] and the murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and deals in falsehood (untruth, error, deception, cheating).”

The enemy knew that because of the level of power and authority God wanted to take him in his promotion, he could not be telling lies to save his own skin out of fear, so Peter needed to overcome those tendencies. The same happens with us and when we find ourselves being slandered, gossiped about, or accused of something whether true or not, the right way to handle the situation is for us to run to our Lord and ask Him what the enemy is accusing us instead of retaliating to the people that are being used of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12 tells us why,

“For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.”

That is one of the reasons we are sent to spend times in the wilderness of testing and trials. In this place we can come face to face with the things that keep us from being effective believers or that need to be pruned from us because they keep us from growing in the things God wants to make us strong in.

To give an example, I remember that when I was six years old I had an experience where I saw my dad responding the wrong way to a situation and rejected someone to favor the wrong person. He was demonstrating a weakness he had in the area of relationships that caused a fear of rejection to enter me at that time. I was not aware that this fear stayed with me all through a lot of my adult years. I did not even recognize it was the reason I was having some problems with some relationships in my life that meant a lot to me.

Then the Lord gave me a promise through a prophecy that involved the area of relationships. The promise sounded great when I received it, but what I saw was the total opposite to what was promised to me. I started getting accusations, slander from people, gossip about me, and rejection, and although the sin or miss of the mark was generational, in other words, I had not committed any sin in that area, but it was the fear which was deeply ingrained in me that caused me to go through the trial.

It was in this place that I was able to see what was causing the fear and how it entered me because I was finally alone with my God wanting to know His perspective on my situation and was able to receive the revelations of the truths that set me free (John 8:36). I am also glad to have been able to see my dad grow stronger in the area of relationships and how he responded according to God’s will for him and the people around him. So my dad overcame in that area, but I was still required to complete my time in the wilderness of testing that would ensure I was set free from the fear of rejection and learned to respond the right way whenever those situations came.

This time in the wilderness also helped me reach the level of authority and anointing where the enemy could not use his accusations or that fear of rejection against me anymore because I was set free completely and was no longer in bondage to him. Isaiah 10:27 says,

   “In that day the Lord will end the bondage of his people.
    He will break the yoke of slavery
    and lift it from their shoulders.” NLT

This also happened to Job. In Job 1 we see that he had a good life and trusted God. There was a hedge or wall of protection from God around him and everything he had. But the time came when Satan asked for him to be sifted or put on trial because he thought that if Job lost everything, he would forsake God and curse him to His face. This signifies that Job too was up for a promotion, but God wanted to make sure that the areas where he was weak will be strengthened so that he would not lose his blessings sometime after he received them and at the end, He gave him a double portion of inheritance. Verses 6-12 tell us,

⁶ Now there was a day when the sons (the angels) of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (the adversary and accuser) also came among them.

⁷ And the Lord said to Satan, From where did you come? Then Satan answered the Lord, From going to and fro on the earth and from walking up and down on it.

⁸ And the Lord said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who [reverently] fears God and abstains from and shuns evil [because it is wrong]?

⁹ “Then Satan answered the Lord, Does Job [reverently] fear God for nothing?

¹⁰ Have You not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have conferred prosperity and happiness upon him in the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

¹¹ But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to Your face.

¹² And the Lord said to Satan (the adversary and the accuser), Behold, all that he has is in your power, only upon the man himself put not forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.”

As we read the entire Book, we will see that Job was also accused of people that called themselves his friends. We can see that these men knew a thing or two about God and the ways of the Kingdom, but they still came short of understanding what was really happening to Job, and why he lost his family, health, wealth, and good reputation as a leader in the land.

Job went through a very tough time that lasted longer than he would have preferred. But in the end, he was found faithful to God and glad to have received the revelations that helped him overcome during his time in the wilderness. Job 42:1-3 reveals to us Job’s discovery that something was in the way of his understanding of the ways of God, and kept him from seeing things with the right perspective, but his eyes were finally open and he could see the way God saw the issues in his life so he could properly approached them. It says,

¹ “Then Job said to the Lord,

² I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted.

³ [You said to me] Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge? Therefore [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

⁴ [I had virtually said to You what You have said to me:] Hear, I beseech You, and I will speak; I will demand of You, and You declare to me.

⁵ I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, but now my [spiritual] eye sees You.

⁶ Therefore I loathe [my words] and abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.

What is more, Job was a compassionate man before his trial. This was proven in the way he made sacrifices to God on behalf of his children who were perhaps backslidden or even rejected God. He wanted to see every prodigal in his family return to the Lord, and that became a greater strength for him after the trial. By then, and as mentioned in other posts, he was willing to forgive and pray for those who had wronged him. God’s hand on his life was once again evident, he received a double portion of everything he had before and became prominent in the land once again for the glory of God alone.

Jesus, on the other hand, went through a time of testing and trial in the wilderness after He was baptized in the Jordan River by his cousin John the Baptist. There, He had an encounter with the Father who acknowledged Him as His Son. This was a sign that He had received a promotion in the spirit. So, right after this encounter of promotion, He was sent to the wilderness of testing where He overcame the enemy right before He went into ministry (See Matthew chapters 3-4).

However, after just a few years of ministry, Jesus was sent to die on the Cross for mankind. He too was sifted or put on trial. But the difference between Jesus’ approach to this time of testing and Peter’s and also Job’s was that Peter and Job approached it with fear, but Jesus approached it with faith since He knew that He was innocent and that it was the will of the Father for Him to go through this time of testing. This was necessary because it gave him the level of power and authority and the anointing required to overcome the enemy and rise again with a mighty victory as a son of man. Luke 22:15-22 reveals this to us,

¹⁵ “And He said to them, I have earnestly and intensely desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;

¹⁶ For I say to you, I shall eat it no more until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

¹⁷ And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He said, Take this and divide and distribute it among yourselves;

¹⁸ For I say to you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine at all until the kingdom of God comes.

¹⁹ Then He took a loaf [of bread], and when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and gave it to them saying, This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.

²⁰ And in like manner, He took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament or covenant [ratified] in My blood, which is shed (poured out) for you.

²¹ But, behold, the hand of him who is now engaged in betraying Me is with Me on the table.

²² For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined and appointed, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed and delivered up!” 

Jesus was accused falsely and betrayed, but when He was being crucified, Luke 23:34 tells us, “And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do…”  We can see that He did not run from the trial, instead He faced it head on knowing that He was innocent, but that it needed to be fulfilled because it was promised in the Scriptures that He would take the sins of the world upon Himself, so we could have salvation and life eternal and partake of the new covenant of grace.

This is a great example to us of how we need to confront those things that the enemy finds in us and accuses us before the Father to demand that we be kept from His promises to us. Therefore, as we find ourselves in those times of testing, let us run to the arms of our loving and living God, who is more than eager to reveal to us what the enemy finds in us so it can be nailed to the Cross through our repentance and confessions to Him and to one another as He leads, according to Colossians 2:14 which says,

“Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross.”

James 5:16 also lets us know that after we confess our faults or sins, and seek the healing of our lives in the area confessed and the restoration of our right standing with God, we can be sure that our prayers will hit the mark and we can receive the answers we are seeking. It says,

“Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].”

So, now please join me in this prayer. Heavenly and loving Father, we come to You willing and in pursuit of Your righteousness in our lives. We want to be restored back to a wholesome walk with You and ask You to help us overcome the things that the enemy accuses us of, according to 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 which says that If we, Your people, who are called by Your name, shall humble ourselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity Your face and turn from our wicked ways, then will You hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land. And now Your eyes will be open and Your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place as we cry out and ask that You reveal to us what the enemy is using against us to keep us from living victorious lives that give You glory and true evidence that Your hand is upon us. We want to turn from all sin, and be set free from bondage as Your delivering hand raises us up from the pit of fear and despair. We ask this in the name which is above every name. The mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

To God alone be all the glory. ■

Images courtesy of Google Images

All Scriptures from the Amplified Classic Version unless otherwise noted.

PRINCIPLES OF POSTURE IN PRAYER 10: Freedom to Receive Through Forgiveness

Freedom to receive through forgiveness -This is the final post on this series, but not the least one of all the things we have mentioned that will help us receive answers to our prayers. None of them will work if there is unforgiveness in our hearts. We can name it and claim it (Mark 11:22-24), pray together in agreement with others because the Bible says that where two or more are gathered together to ask for anything in agreement, it will be done of our Heavenly Father (Matthew 18:19), or try to use other postures of prayer. However, we need to meet two main conditions when we ask God for anything:

1-   What we ask needs to be the will of the Father for us (Matthew 7:21).

2-   We need to come to Him free of unforgiveness when we pray. Mark 11:25-26 warns,

²⁵ “And whenever you stand praying, if you find that you carry something in your heart against another person, release him and forgive him so that your Father in heaven will also release you and forgive you of your faults.²⁶ But if you will not release forgiveness, don’t expect your Father in heaven to release you from your misdeeds.” TPT

It is paramount that we take time to examine our hearts and allow God to show us if there is unforgiveness towards anyone in us because if we have not released those who have hurt us, offended us, mocked us, slandered and gossiped about us, or mistreated us in any way, we cannot receive what we are asking God to do for us. Let’s look at a couple of examples of this important principle of forgiving others or ourselves before we receive answers to our prayers found in the Bible.

Job’s example - we mentioned in other posts of this series that Job received a double portion of inheritance when he prayed for his friends. But the reason his friends came to him for prayer is because they had talked about him and blamed him for the process God allowed him to go through before he could be entrusted with the true riches of heaven and higher ranks in the spirit. They thought and even said that Job must have been in sin, and that is why he was going through everything he went through.

However, they did not know that by doing that, they provoked themselves to enter in to the very same process in the wilderness of testing that Job went through because they judged wrong the anointed vessel of God. Their judging violated the principle that says ‘touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm.” 1 Chronicles 16:20-22 says,

²⁰ “When they went from one nation to another,
And from one kingdom to another people,
²¹ He permitted no man to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
²² Saying, ‘Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.’” NKJV

So, in order for them to not receive what they have opened themselves to, God ordained Job’s friends to go and give him an offering that He specified to them for Job, and Job would pray for them because God was answering Job’s prayers, but not the prayers of those who slandered and accused him falsely. There is also the aspect that Job needed to forgive them. Without forgiveness, he could not have prayed and received answers from God. His heart needed to be clean and free from unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment towards them, because he understood that God had a purpose in allowing even those who accused him and had wrong attitudes towards him because that helped him make sure that his heart was right with God in spite of what others thought about him.

Joseph’s example – We know that Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and wanted to kill him. Joseph had told them about his dreams which did not help things for him. Rather than killing him, His brothers threw him in a pit and later sold him to an Egyptian slave driver. There in Egypt, he had to jump over a lot of hurdles. Among those, Joseph had to flee from the lustful luring of Potiphar’s wife which landed him in prison because he was false accused.

There in the prison he was promoted as an administrator, and the Holy Spirit gave him the interpretation of the dreams of the baker and the butler which restored the butler back to the palace to serve Pharaoh. The butler had promised Joseph that he would remember him and ask that he would be released from prison, but a couple of years passed before that became a reality. Joseph did make it to the palace after a while, and became second in command to Pharaoh. His position was strategic which helped make Egypt the wealthiest and most important country in the world at that time due to the wisdom for administration God had given to Joseph.

However, when famine had broken out in other parts of the world, including the land where Joseph’s father and brothers lived, they ended up coming to Egypt to find relieve from the famine. After some encounters with his brothers, Joseph finally told them who he was because his popularity and rank had made him wealthy and his brothers had not recognized him. Once he revealed himself to them, he had the option of choosing self-revenge or forgiveness towards them. He chose to forgive them and the family was reconciled. He also was able to see his father again and be the one who helped them be completely relieved from the famine as they moved to Egypt to be with Joseph.

Without forgiving his brothers, Joseph would not have been able to enjoy fully the reward that God had for him in Egypt, the place where he suffered most. What is more, his position and influence in the land would have been short lived because had he used his authority for revenge, God would have removed him shortly for the reason God sent him ahead of his family, was to help them during the time when they needed him the most. Thankfully, he chose to reconcile with his family and to make sure they would not suffer the famine that others had to endure for seven long years.

Finances and unforgiveness – Another major aspect of our walk as believers when it comes to giving offerings to God is that, as we come to the altar to give of what He has given to us, if our heart has something against another person, or another person has something against us and we know about it, we are required to do the best we can to resolve the issue, making sure that we forgive and are forgiven, so that we can give to Him a clean offering. Matthew 5:23-24 says,

²³ “Therefore, if you are bringing an offering to God and you remember that your brother is angry at you or holds a grudge against you, ²⁴ then leave your gift before the altar, go to your brother, repent and forgive one another, be reconciled, and then return to the altar to offer your gift to God.” The Voice

This is key to obey is because money has a voice, and if what it is speaking about us is the revelation of what is in our hearts towards others, or that others were hurt or harmed by us and we have not done anything about it, and this way are violating them and this principle of the Kingdom, our offering will speak against us, instead of on our behalf. Remember what Galatians 6:7 says,

^“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.” AMP

We certainly do not want to sow God not releasing us from our trespasses because we have not forgiven our brother or sister’s trespasses against us (Matthew 6:14-15). We also do not want to see harm or hurt come to us because we were careless towards others and sowed the wrong seeds for ourselves in our time of need. Luke 6:36-38 offer for us the pattern we should follow in order to receive from God in abundance when we give to Him offerings, including offerings of money. It says,

³⁶ “So be merciful (sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate) even as your Father is [all these].

³⁷ Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and release (give up resentment, let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and released.

³⁸ Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.” AMPC

We cannot claim verse 38 while neglecting the verses above it in this passage. We need to follow the proper procedure and we can see in these verses that first, we need to make sure we do not speak against others, including those who have offended us or hurt us. We are also admonished to not try to take God’s position as judge to point fingers and condemn or declare others guilty. But we are to leave vengeance in God’s hands alone (Romans 12:19). What is expected of us instead, is that we forgive them and release them from what they have done against us, and seek help if the wound and offense was severe and we need a deep healing touch from our Lord. 

There are other sources, but I am including in this post an article by Katie Souza of Extended End Ministries in Maricopa, Arizona posted by elijahlist.com that I use to help me whenever I see the need for healing in my soul or God prompts me to seek Him in order to be healed from past wounds. Follow the link here. "Three Basic Steps for Inner Healing"

We have mentioned before that when we judge and point the finger and choose to walk in unforgiveness towards others from what was done to us, we open ourselves for the same spirit that oppressed those who hurt us to come and oppress us and cause us to do to others what was done to us. We need to remember the adage which says that when we point a finger at others, four fingers are also pointing at us.

This is true because we become what we did not release others from if what they did was bad for us. We cannot live our lives being legalistic and thinking that everyone should be punished and that we can keep scores of what was done to us, but forget that others may also be keeping scores of what we have done to them. Seeking the healing of our hearts helps us discern and assess the circumstances around us and the motive of other people’s hearts in the right way.

It also helps us walk as mature believers that are known for the love of God in our hearts (Matthew 5:5) which is demonstrated in how we approach the issues in our lives and the people involved so we can separate them from the things they have done against us. In other words, we judge the sin, but not the sinner. This is another way in which we are separated from the world because we have become agents of salvation, healing, deliverance, and restoration as we allow the perfect love of God in us to cast out their fears. 1 John 4:18 says,

“There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].” AMPC

Living in fear, opens the way for unforgiveness, pride, anger, resentment, bitterness, and all other sins because we do not want to be hurt or harmed again, and it is why most people do not forgive. But as we permit our loving Father to do a deep work of removing every layer of hurt and idea that He does not love us or that others cannot love us, we can be set free from an orphan heart, and instead, allow His peace that surpasses all understanding to guard our minds and our hearts (Philippians 4:6-7), and that way, we can extend that same peace to those around us as much as we can for we are commanded to live at peace with others to the best of our ability.

Romans 12:18 says this, “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” AMPC

Choosing to walk in obedience to this command and asking God to help us obey His Word to be at peace with those around us as much as possible, help us to be developed in the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-24 which says,

^2-23 “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

^23-24 Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.” MSG

What is more, walking in the fruits of the Spirit outlined by the New King James Version in Galatians 5:22-23, ²² “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ^23 ]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” can make way for the gifts of the Spirit to be in operation in our lives and through our lives when we determine to flow in the fruits of the Spirit for others to find hope in God.

 We want to see the signs and miracles God promises that will follow us because we believe (Mark 16:17-18) and choose to walk in love and forgiveness towards others. In turn the gifts of the Spirit are outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:6-11 will operate through us for the benefit of others. The Scripture says,

⁶ “The same God distributes different kinds of miracles that accomplish different results through each believer’s gift and ministry as he energizes and activates them.
⁷ Each believer is given continuous revelation by the Holy Spirit to benefit not just himself but all.

Varieties of Spiritual Gifts

⁸ For example:

The Spirit gives to one the gift of the word of wisdom.

To another, the same Spirit gives the gift of the word of revelation knowledge.
⁹ And to another, the same Spirit gives the gift of faith.
    And to another, the same Spirit gives gifts of healing.
¹⁰ And to another the power to work miracles.
    And to another the gift of prophecy.
    And to another the gift to discern what the Spirit is speaking.
    And to another the gift of speaking different kinds of tongues.
    And to another the gift of interpretation of tongues.

¹¹ Remember, it is the same Holy Spirit who distributes, activates, and operates these different gifts as he chooses for each believer.” TPT

Therefore, let’s be people that forgive quickly and often, for we are commanded to forgive even 70 times 7 (Matthew 18:27). This means that we forgive always and forgive everyone because we also need forgiveness when we do things knowingly or unknowingly that may hurt or offend others. So, let’s remember that if we want to be used of God mightily, we need to release others who have caused us hurt or harm if we do not want to be oppressed in a way that causes us to do the same to others. To God alone be all the glory. ■

Images courtesy of Google Images

PRINCIPLES OF POSTURE IN PRAYER 9: The Weight of Honor

The weight of Honor - The principle of honor is very important to the walk of a believer. We are commanded, as stated in previous teachings, to love our God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. This means we are to honor them.

Honoring God - Mark 12:33 also tells us that loving or honoring God and our neighbor is more important than any sacrifice. It says, “And to love God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves are more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice we could ever give.” The Voice

In other words, this Scripture is telling us that loving God as our first priority in everything we do, guarantees that we will partake of the spiritual and earthy blessings of His Kingdom. We do that by spending precious time of intimacy with Him by the reading of the Word, praising and worshiping Him, and by obeying every command that comes out of His mouth. We are also commanded to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. But how do we love or honor God and our neighbor? We have stated in the previous posts that one important way is by giving a helping hand whenever possible, be it financial, with resources, with our wisdom, with our prayers, with our good attitudes towards them, and in every way God commands us to.

But there are other ways we need to be honorable to those around us, since honoring is a currency in the Kingdom of God. This means that the measure of honor we give to others is the measure we will receive for ourselves. This too is part of the Law of reciprocity or of sowing and reaping. 1 Samuel 2:30 says,

“Therefore the Eternal God of Israel declares: “I promised that your family would go in and out of My presence forever. But now I surely declare, those who honor Me I will honor, but people who choose to despise Me, I, in turn, will consider contemptible: those who hate Me will not matter to Me. “ The Voice

This Scripture shows that we forfeit access to what we do not honor. The issue of honor holds a great deal of weight in God's eyes. Therefore, some of the ways we demonstrate honor to others, according to Scripture include:

Honoring our father and mother – Ephesians 6:2-3 tells us, ² “Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother—this is the first commandment with a promise—

³ That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.” AMPC

Deuteronomy 5:16 also says, “Honor your father and mother, as I have commanded you. If you do, you will be blessed with long life and all will go well for you as you live on the ground I am giving you.” The Voice

These passages are letting us know that God is a God of order and authority. Authority also means an order and alignment that we need to learn to submit to. God gave us a father and a mother, either biological or a parent figure for us to learn to submit. When we learn to submit to our parents, we are submitting also to God because He established them as our authority figures in our life that represent Him. Dishonoring our parents or father or mother figures opens the way for us to walk in a cursed life because we chose to reject the authority God established in our lives.

I am aware that not everyone knows how to parent or be an authority figure that we would want to submit to, but as stated in other posts, our job is to pray for them because this will ensure that we will be in right standing with God and live a blessed life. Disagreeing with our father and mother or paternal figures in our life does not mean we should be dishonoring to them. For those who are older, this also includes that we take care of them financially and in every way we are able to. Matthew 23:23 tells us to not neglect being merciful, just, and faithful. This command is for every area of our life, including how we honor our parents. It says,

“So woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees. You hypocrites! You tithe from your luxuries and your spices, giving away a tenth of your mint, your dill, and your cumin. But you have ignored the essentials of the law: justice, mercy, faithfulness. It is practice of the latter that makes sense of the former.” The Voice

By the same token, Ephesians 6:4 also discloses that parents should not be obstacles for their children and irritate them by putting more discipline than love and care in their relationship. In other words, there are times for discipline, but also, there are times in which our duty as parents is to allow the gift of God in them to flow and that they have the freedom to be used of God even in ways we do not understand and for which we need to exercise discernment of their seasons and how God is using them.  To a certain extend our children need freedom to be themselves and not what we think they need to be like. The Scripture says, 

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord." NLT

Malachi 4:5 also reveals the importance of allowing the relationship between parents and children to be strengthened in the Lord. For this, the Lord is making available to us His healing touch so that everything the enemy has done to divide the generations may be destroyed. Our job is to pray and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit for our families. Otherwise, the enemy could come with a snare from which it would be difficult to come out. This snare may transcend generations if not dealt with promptly and properly. The Scripture says,

“’Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. ⁶ His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.’” NLT

Honoring our spiritual parents – The first thing to address about this is that a spiritual parent is not the same as a mentor. In order to learn to honor them in the proper way, we first need to understand the difference between a mentor and a spiritual father or mother. A mentor is someone that gives us knowledge of how to succeed at a public or career level. But a spiritual parent is one that not only wants to see us succeed in these areas, but will make us uncomfortable as he or she will tell us by the leading of the Holy Spirit the areas where they see weakness in our character and in our walk with God. For this, they can address our growth as children of God, as parents, as spouses, as friends, as children, in our finances, or how we treat our employees and businesses. This is important to them because they see our great potential.

In other words, by his or her teaching of the word and through communion with them, they will bring correction to us and teach us their wisdom that will help us overcome in the areas where they see us weak. By  their wisdom through their testimonies they can share with us how they have overcome the enemy in all areas. 1 Corinthians 4:14-16 says in the Amplified Classic Version,

¹⁴ “I do not write this to shame you, but to warn and counsel you as my beloved children.

¹⁵ After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel).

¹⁶ So I urge and implore you, be imitators of me.”

Many do not understand the admonition to honor those whom God has placed in our life as a spiritual parental figure. This is because they go to great length and labor to teach us the way of the Kingdom that will ensure we will succeed in every area by the truth of the Gospel. Therefore, our response should be to honor them by serving them and obey what God has said through them. Even when we start walking a successful life does not mean we start thinking we have become higher than them. They still labor in the spirit for us with their prayers, warfare, and the wisdom God gives to them for us.

For this we should be respectful of their time and not neglect meeting with them and serve them like Elisha did with Elijah. 1 Kings 19:21 says that Elisha, who was working with his oxen, plowing the field, forsook everything and followed Elijah and served him. If God is not asking us to leave everything behind, we need not do that, but He is asking us to spend time with our spiritual parents in the way He specifies which is communion (spending time with them since they are more than a mentor to us and he or she was placed there by God) so we serve them in the way God also specifies to us.

This is important because it is the way of the Kingdom for if we want to be great, we need to serve others in the manner God tells us to. Seeking after greatness starts through our service of those we are called to learn from and be of assistance to them. This is how we truly learn and reach other dimensions in the spirit, not by seeking greatness like the world does. When we do not serve those who God has placed in our lives to teach us the ways of the Kingdom properly and as led by the Spirit of the Lord, we are forfeiting our growth to higher statures and dimensions of power and authority in the spirit and become a target of the enemy to confuse us, derail us, and blind us from the way of the Lord for us which may lead to judgment. ! Corinthians 4:18-21 states,

^18-20 I know there are some among you who are so full of themselves they never listen to anyone, let alone me. They don’t think I’ll ever show up in person. But I’ll be there sooner than you think, God willing, and then we’ll see if they’re full of anything but hot air. God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.

²¹ So how should I prepare to come to you? As a severe disciplinarian who makes you toe the mark? Or as a good friend and counselor who wants to share heart-to-heart with you? You decide. MSG

Honoring our spouse – This is an important area to pay attention how we direct our attitudes, our words, and in essence, how we treat our spouse. The Bible is very direct and clear in what is expected husbands towards their wives and the wives towards their husbands. Some of those admonitions involve:

1 Corinthians 11:11 says, “Regardless of how it all began, husbands and wives should recognize they are not independent;” The Voice

Ephesians 5:21-26 explains, ²¹ “being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as [a service] to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church, Himself being the Savior of the body. ²⁴ But as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives should be subject to their husbands in everything [respecting both their position as protector and their responsibility to God as head of the house].

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives [seek the highest good for her and surround her with a caring, unselfish love], just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, ²⁶ so that He might sanctify the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word [of God], ” AMP

Part of this involves not to leaving her with all the weight of caring for the children, the household, and the responsibility of praying for herself and for the children and rearing them in the ways of the Lord. The spiritual environment and strength of their walk with God as a family is primarily the responsibility of the husband and the wife is to be his support in this. This is how the husband honors his wife and children: by taking on that role as spiritual head, not just to provide finances and discipline, but to live a balanced life with spiritual, financial, and care for all members of the household so they benefit from the right alignment of husband and wife.

But if that is not the case, 1 Peter 3:1-2 says, ¹”In the same way, wives, you should patiently accept the authority of your husbands. This is so that even if they don’t obey God’s word, as they observe your pure respectful behavior, they may be persuaded without a word by the way you live.” The Voice

Colossians 3:19 also says, “Husbands: love your wives, and don’t treat them harshly or respond with bitterness toward them.” The Voice

In addition, 1 Peter 3:7 also reveals the importance for husbands to honor their wives and not treat them harshly: so their prayers get answered. It says, “In the same way, husbands, as you live with your wives, understand the situations women face as the weaker vessel. Each of you should respect your wife and value her as an equal heir in the gracious gift of life. Do this so that nothing will get in the way of your prayers.” The Voice

Last but not least, the marriage union through sexual intimacy, should not be neglected between husband and wife as 1 Corinthians 7:3-7 instructs, ³ “Husbands and wives have reciprocal duties. Each husband has the responsibility to meet his wife’s sexual desires, and each wife should do the same for her husband. ⁴ In marriage neither the husband nor the wife should act as if his or her body is private property—your bodies now belong to one another, and together they are whole. ⁵ So do not withhold sex from one another, unless both of you have agreed to devote a certain period of time to prayer. When the agreed time is over, come together again so that Satan will not tempt you when you are short on self-control.” The Voice

Honoring our government leaders – 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 8 says, ¹”So, first and foremost, I urge God’s people to pray. They should make their requests, petitions, and thanksgivings on behalf of all humanity. ² Teach them to pray for kings (or anyone in high places for that matter) so that we can lead quiet, peaceful lives—reverent, godly, and holy— ³ all of which is good and acceptable before the eyes of God our Savior ⁴ who desires for everyone to be saved and know the truth.”

⁸ “So here’s what you tell them; here’s what I want to see: Men, pray wherever you are. Reach your holy hands to heaven—without rage or conflict—completely open.” The Voice

According to this Scripture, we are to first, keep the right attitude towards  those God placed in their governmental positions for God established them there whether we agree with them or not. Whenever we see or hear about any policies or laws that are not right for us or for our fellow citizens, we are to pray for the leaders to walk in the truth and wisdom of God so they can make the right decisions for us and that we will live a peaceful life in our countries, our counties, our cities, and neighborhoods. Slandering and gossiping about them does not help them or gets the job done. It only makes us vessels used of the devil to speak against them and this too is failing to honor them. Doing this also gives the enemy more ammunition to accuse them and deceive them in their lives so they make more mistakes.

Honoring our civil authorities - Romans 13:1-4 explains clearly how we are to deal with our civil authority figures. This incorporates our policemen and firemen, the military, even the meter maids, and other public authority figures. It says,

¹”It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth. ² Therefore, a person who rebels against authority rebels against the order He established, and people like that can expect to face certain judgment. ³ You see, if you do the right thing, you have nothing to be worried about from the rulers; but if you do what you know is wrong, the rulers will make sure you pay a price. Would you not rather live with a clear conscience than always have to be looking over your shoulder? Then keep doing what you know to be good and right, and they will publicly honor you.

⁴ Look at it this way: The ruler is a servant of God called to serve and benefit you. But he is also a servant of God executing wrath upon those who practice evil. If you do what is wrong, then you’d better be afraid because he wields the power of the sword and doesn’t make empty threats.” The Voice

Honor in the marketplace – Ephesians 6:5-9 discloses for us the right way to conduct ourselves in our places of employment and if we are the business owners, bosses, or supervisors, our attitude towards those under our authority should be to bless them and take care of them so they can thrive in their work environment in the best way we can. It says,           

^5-8 “Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.

⁹ Masters, it’s the same with you. No abuse, please, and no threats. You and your servants are both under the same Master in heaven. He makes no distinction between you and them.” MSG

For more explanation of this, see the other posts in this teaching series.

To God alone be all the glory. ■

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