man-of-godism

The thing about power is; it not only makes you powerful. It also makes one responsible…or vulnerable.

While people have dwelt on the other side of the seesaw, the ‘man of God’ must worry for himself as well as he’s not just susceptible to manipulate. He too can be manipulated.

Remember I already said power makes one vulnerable as well.

I am not saying you are going to manipulate others. But personally, I have fallen prey to the pride that comes after praying for people, and words of wisdom, knowledge and miracles befall!

Sometimes, these are no ordinary miracles! And because the people you’ve prayed with (or for) hold you in high regard, and can’t believe the prophecies or miracles, they’d be compelled to give you a ‘seed’.

For those unfamiliar with this, usually, out of gratitude for God having spoken, men and women are moved or told by the Holy Spirit to reward you as a thank you. This is usually monetary … and depending, it can be an overwhelming sum in some cases. Something the man of God didn’t expect!

Now, according to your gift or office, say prophecy, you’d prophesy over someone regarding a very urgent issue. The flaw is to tend to expect the same reward as from the previous time. And if you don’t get it, you end up talking about that event (maybe a prayer meeting) so long with the other party and hinting indirectly (or cajoling) the person you prayed for to give another gift — subtly forcefully — and if they give it, usually it is not out of their heart. They won’t give it as cheerfully as Corinthians says.

Pride could trick you into witchcraft; arising from a turned down invitation that you sent to the party. This is what I mean: you’d just enjoy praying with the other party, and maybe you wish you’d meet again to pray. But the other person would tell of how busy they are. Out of frustration you’d say (usually in your mind, before it manifests,)

Look at this soul. I prayed for her and her womb was filled. Now she is always working…Look at this man. I prophesied and he got a job after 3 days. And now he can’t even set some time apart to see me?

According to the level of maturity within the victim, they’ll tell if you are speaking from the place of the spirit, or the flesh. . .

And then we forget that it’s not us that are the true miracle workers, but God in us!

Knowing that many of you know how manipulation works, let me flip the coin to the other side. The sheep can also weave a stratagem against the shepherd.

Couple of weeks ago, a person who was dear to me came to my inbox. Usually, he calls me all sorts of holy titles; ranging from ‘apostle’ to ‘prophet’ to ‘man of God.’ Being called these alone puts me in a corner. I tend to lessen in excitement because I know the weight each title carries; the responsibility each requires.

This tends to soften you especially towards the person who calls you these because they probably know your calling or office or purpose. It’s pretty much like a step son finally calling his step father ‘father’ specifically in the western world as we’ve observed that these children like calling their parents’ new spouses by their christian names — without a pinch of remorse.

Even better, we’ve seen children or siblings calling their parents and fellow siblings sweet things and sweet nicknames that cause them to blush and feel overly good, softening the victim shortly before they pull the pin out the grenade and ask for what they want from either of these. It’s hard to say ‘no’ usually.

The person I was telling you about came to me and told me how he urgently needed some money and that he’d return it the following morning. It was late — a few to midnight. I sent the money electronically, and when the following day came, the person both ghosted and ‘ghostified!’

I texted and called to remind him, but it was all in vain!

Yes, this applies to you too ‘woman of God.’ Watch out for people who’ll know your potential spiritually, or the greatness you carry. While they praise you from under, it’s possible to be swayed and brought low in spirit by one simple act after they’ve won your heart through vulnerability.

You’d think you’re giving a hand: lending a car, lending some money, opening up your house. But it’s possible to lose the car, and lose a chunk of money you hadn’t planned to lose or even find treasures missing from your house in the name of helping a saint.

Discernment is the gift of the Holy Spirit that needs to be activated (or put to use) at this point. Some people believe the Holy Spirit gives one person discernment and another — another. But I think He gives it when it’s needed; when you’re almost being manipulated or duped. If you don’t believe that, then apply this second truth;

Hebrews 4:12 says God’s word is alive and active, sharper than any double edged sword, piercing even to the division of the soul and spirit…and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart. 1 Peter 1:23 says you are born of this same word, so by nature (and maturity), you are moving discernment or discernment in flesh. You should be able to discern the intents of foreign hearts, like Paul did with that girl that had a divination spirit in Acts 16. She claimed that Paul and Silas were servants of God, but it was a mockery.

I believe this was why Delilah tricked Samson successfully. He failed to discern her heart’s intents. She kept on praising him; calling him ‘superman’, ‘man of steel’, ‘one man army’, until he let loose his secret, and out went his dignity and strength.

The other antidote to this, is death. Not the death of you where we bring wreaths and behold your epitaph, but the death to self. The death to self means: you’ll be not moved by what men say — both praise and criticism. I’m not saying you should be unresponsive when someone commends you, say, about how you preached, or how you dressed. You can as well respond with a ‘thank you’.

Now, death is a process. And I can’t exhaust it in a mere article. It entails putting to death our feelings & emotions. Literally it is impossible to live without them, as God Himself will need these in us if we shall worship Him or minister to whoever He wishes us to.

The other definition of this death is eliminating the flesh as the primary vetter and endorser in our lives and handing over that office to the Spirit. This means, He’ll be consulted first, and whatever He says goes! The flesh must only second His decision. Since the Spirit knows all things, He’ll warn you of any pitfalls ahead just like He’d inform the prophets of old about unprecedented events, so that when they passed, none were taken by surprise.

However, being able to listen to the Spirit — to be in sync with Him — requires a lot of time with Him, just like we spend lots with our family or friends until we can recognize their voices at any one point.

Other practices like fasting and praying with time, position the Spirit afore the flesh. We end up, effortlessly, more inclined to the inner man’s frequency: to His discernment, His ability to see the future, His clairvoyance, and His guidance!

Kindly watch out next time for deceits that may follow in the name of honoring you as a servant of God. May the Holy Spirit keep you on high alert so that you don’t fall prey or victim in any way.

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Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ” This [is] the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.