LOSING GOD'S ANOINTING
DECEMBER 2012
by Lisa Maki
“And the law and instruction shall cease from the (distracted) priest and counsel from the (dismayed) elders (Ezek. 7:26).” (Ps.74:9; Lam. 2:9)
Two factors were brought out here … distraction and dismay. Let’s focus first on distraction. What are the different types of distractions?
Ministry work
Many pastors and Christian leaders are so busy promoting their ministry and building connections. As a result, they lose their main focus of taking care of their flock and building disciples.
Some have become busy with the “work”, affecting their personal quiet time with the Lord. Without that intimate connection with God, a leader loses sensitivity to God’s leading. Even his preachings will lack the depth and power to pierce through people’s hearts. He will lose the anointing.
A pastor or Christian leader can even be deceived of being “connected” to God because of the work that he does. Yet, without that undivided, quality time everyday, alone with the Master, he will lose God’s anointing. What’s worse, his people who have more time with the Lord may even outgrow him.
Temptations
Temptations or fleshly desires are the biggest hindrances to our walk. They really distract Christians, moreso the leaders. I don’t think that pastors or leaders will deliberately put themselves in uncompromising situations. Yet, sometimes, we put so much faith in the flesh. We just can’t!
Unrecognized sins
Pastors or Christian leaders normally attribute their problems to spiritual warfare. Though this is true, there are issues that need to be exposed and brought out. Problems can’t just be brushed aside by renouncing and rebuking it in Jesus’ name.
Guilt
This is the cause of the fall of Christian leaders. It is not much the sin that was committed but the guilt and condemnation that go on inside the sinner. Guilt distracts because it makes us feel unworthy. Without the faith and confidence in our stewardship, we will never have God’s anointing.
Other than distraction, another factor that was mentioned in Ezek. 7 was “dismay”. Dismay is caused by frustration, burn-out feeling, tiredness, weariness, and the like. In short, dismay is caused by weakening strength and faith.
Because of the calling of pastors and Christian leaders, they go about their ministry work despite the frustrations they feel. What we must realize is that whatever we are going through reflects in the preachings, the way we deal with our flock, and the way we handle situations. What’s going on inside us is manifested outside.
Unless this is dealt with and exposed, a pastor or leader will never have God’s anointing. There will always be a block that will stop the flow of the Holy Spirit in his life.
Two factors were brought out here … distraction and dismay. Let’s focus first on distraction. What are the different types of distractions?
Ministry work
Many pastors and Christian leaders are so busy promoting their ministry and building connections. As a result, they lose their main focus of taking care of their flock and building disciples.
Some have become busy with the “work”, affecting their personal quiet time with the Lord. Without that intimate connection with God, a leader loses sensitivity to God’s leading. Even his preachings will lack the depth and power to pierce through people’s hearts. He will lose the anointing.
A pastor or Christian leader can even be deceived of being “connected” to God because of the work that he does. Yet, without that undivided, quality time everyday, alone with the Master, he will lose God’s anointing. What’s worse, his people who have more time with the Lord may even outgrow him.
Temptations
Temptations or fleshly desires are the biggest hindrances to our walk. They really distract Christians, moreso the leaders. I don’t think that pastors or leaders will deliberately put themselves in uncompromising situations. Yet, sometimes, we put so much faith in the flesh. We just can’t!
Unrecognized sins
Pastors or Christian leaders normally attribute their problems to spiritual warfare. Though this is true, there are issues that need to be exposed and brought out. Problems can’t just be brushed aside by renouncing and rebuking it in Jesus’ name.
Guilt
This is the cause of the fall of Christian leaders. It is not much the sin that was committed but the guilt and condemnation that go on inside the sinner. Guilt distracts because it makes us feel unworthy. Without the faith and confidence in our stewardship, we will never have God’s anointing.
Other than distraction, another factor that was mentioned in Ezek. 7 was “dismay”. Dismay is caused by frustration, burn-out feeling, tiredness, weariness, and the like. In short, dismay is caused by weakening strength and faith.
Because of the calling of pastors and Christian leaders, they go about their ministry work despite the frustrations they feel. What we must realize is that whatever we are going through reflects in the preachings, the way we deal with our flock, and the way we handle situations. What’s going on inside us is manifested outside.
Unless this is dealt with and exposed, a pastor or leader will never have God’s anointing. There will always be a block that will stop the flow of the Holy Spirit in his life.
Lisa Maki is the founder, publisher, and editor of God'z Gurlz. More about Lisa at ...
http://www.godzgurlz.com/regular-contributors.html
http://www.godzgurlz.com/regular-contributors.html
