One may ask, ‘Can God do away with a vessel of His choice? Or can a man of God stand rejected, and his priestly garment revoked or stripped?’ In this teaching, we shall look into the answer to this question.
Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
1Samuel 16:1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
The most neglected area in pastoral training, is the part that installs into the mind of the vessel of God, that he can be rejected for the same office for which he was sanctified, anointed, and ordained to occupy.
In Bible school, we were very often encouraged to fan into flames the gifts of God in us, which is according to Paul’s instruction to Timothy. Very rarely did they tell us that we must be careful not to become a God reject.
In the pastoral training camp, I saw men of God lose their burning lamps, but hardly did I see those who became burning wonders. The untold truth is that we stand a better chance of losing the gifts and calling of God faster than actually fanning them into flames. Again, it is easier to lose your call and anointing, than fanning them into flames.
Here is the truth: Anointings dry up. A man of God can be rejected and divorced by God. God can choose another man to run that ministry, we can be stripped of the garment of ministry.
The Holy Spirit can depart from a man of God; and the gifts, power and authority can be given to another. Man of God, you can lose your calling without the possibility of retrieving it ever again.
I can still recall the day the Lord warned me and said, “If you are not serious, I will take away your calling and give it to your brother.“
When God rejects a man, he is not called a false prophet, but rather an old prophet. He is called an old prophet because the workings of God through him, and the light of ministry have become a thing of old.
You normally would see them talking about the acts of God through them, but they can no longer produce the workings of God they speak of. Their gifts are gone, the anointing oil is clogged, the iron is corroded, and the mantle is stripped and given to another that will produce the demands of God.
“He always tells us of big things God used him to do in the past, but he cannot do it here for us to see.” This was the report of a friend concerning his pastor.
A fake prophet is better than an old prophet. He is a sinner suffering from a lack of the grace of God that brings salvation. But a man who has known God, and has tested of the grace of Jesus Christ, if he has turned in great rebel against God, he suffers from darkness and death. For Satan has poisoned his soul; therefore, have nothing to do with such a man.
Howbeit, by the calling I have received from God, I announce that there is healing for all who will turn back to God. For He said, “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him.” – Hosea 14:4
I would like us to learn as I am always learning, that the gifts and calling of God may not be stripped all at once when a man is rejected. Example: When Saul lost his kingship, he wasn’t exactly removed from kingship.
A reject of God could still be on the pulpit pulling crowds, raising big money, and having big titles. Sometimes, he may produce the former workings of God. This is true. The manifestations will gradually die until he completely is cut off from the wealth of the ministerial graces God.
There are great preachers everywhere, why are we still heavily bedeviled? Why are we still yearning for the manifestations of the sons of God, and it is as if there is no balm in Gilead? A thing that was very easy for the apostles and prophets of old has become as hard as rocket science for us. Indeed, one man has become stronger than a million men. But the reason is very simple, many of the priests and prophets of today have become rejects. In that state men cannot become flames that can shake the world.
Is it that God is withholding His power from us? Or is it that he hasn’t given men mantles of greatness? No! Not at all! But before He would begin to unravel the mysteries of His callings in the lives of those He has chosen, many of them become rejects.
God doesn’t tell His servants all He has for them. He only gives them a little view of the script He wrote about them. Then He begins to test them continually for worthiness to carry the power and glory. Unfortunately, many fail before their calling and gifts could light up the world. They write themselves out of the things written about them. This is true! For the Spirit of Christ has caused me to decern great matters such as this.
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Now we shall examine exactly the things that can make God reject a servant of God.
1. NOT BEING ON THE LORD’S SIDE
A true man of God is a man under fierce allegiance to God, to please him always in the face of all men, and to be on His side as it concerns all issues of life. If he breaks this unscripted creed, he becomes unworthy to be a disciple of Christ. For if we choose to please men, religious leaders, church members, family, father, mother, wife, children, or society over God, it is a sign that our allegiance is not with God.
One of the early things God told me about a certain minister is that he loves his own more than God. He was very eager to please his family, and to look good in the eyes of men. But was not careful to obtain true honour which comes from the God who calls men into service.
In Matthew 10:37-39 Jesus said, “Any man who loves his wife, mother, father, or children more than Me is not worthy of Me”.
As ministers, I want to state clearly, that from time to time, we will be tested for allegiance to God. In that time, God will test us for whose side we truly belong, and He will know what truly is in our hearts.
Prophet Moses said to the Jews, “Who is on the Lord’s side, separate yourself and come unto me.“(Exodus 32:26) And the tribe of Levi separated and joined themselves to Moses as a sign of allegiance unto God. The brotherhood of the twelve tribes was not enough to change the heart of the Levites.
And when God saw that the hearts of the Levites were for Him, He ordained them as His Ministers, with an everlasting covenant. Thus, the Levites entered into the priestly ordination with proof of allegiance unto God. The other tribes became the laity of God’s people.
By this we know that only those on the Lord’s side amidst all pressures, situations, relationships, cases, and at all times can truly belong to the service of the Great God.
2. UTTER MISUSE AND ABUSE OF THE ANOINTING AND GRACE OF GOD
A prophet abuses his calling and gift by using the prophetic and ministerial grace granted to him by God for self-service.
The gifts and callings of God is for His honour and for the edification of the saints of God. It is not for self honour, self-aggrandizement, self-projection, cursing and hurting men, extorting people, making money, intimidating people and satisfying our pleasures and lust.
Another way you can misuse a gift and calling is not fulfilling it, or not putting it into use. If we cannot labour to fulfil the ministry handed down to us, God will simply find another man who will match heaven’s zeal with zeal.
“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” Matthew 25:28
3. DESECRATION OF THE ANOINTING AND CALLING OF GRACE
Consecration is all about keeping to the demands of a calling or an anointing. Whether it is the general calling of God, or the special ministerial call of grace, there are ordinances and laws that guide the called by God.
Violence against these demands is called desecration; and this causes the spirit of the anointing to depart from any man, both clergy and laity.
The consecrations of a prophet and a priest includes, Holiness and righteousness, diligence in the Word, obedience, prayer and seeking God. By these consecrations, they may be able to implement the judgements of God and teach others to do likewise.
A priest or prophet cannot drink alcohol. It is direct insult on the prophetic, priestly and teaching anointing. The Lord of Israel cautioned those who stand before Him, and those who teach His people to depart from drinking strong drink. Lack of consecration will dry any anointing, and if the anointing is dried, of what use are we in ministering grace and word?
4. FORGETTING AND NEGLECTING THE LAW OF GOD
God did not choose prophets because He was looking to bless or prosper men. Job, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jabez, David needed no prophetic juggernaut to cause them to prosper in wealth, fame and honour.
The generation of old believed that as long as they were following the God of Israel, and keeping to His ways, that He will cause them to prosper. For it is written:
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3
Prophets were rather chosen to establish the people of God in the knowledge of whom God is. Without the knowledge of God, calamity, curse, desolation, plundering would be the lot of the people. Any other thing that comes with the prophetic ministry, and also, other ministerial callings, is a secondary function.
The people of Israel were unfortunate to have priest and prophets who did not seek out God like Moses and Samuel. Instead of great seekers of God and His law, they became great seers, great dreamers, and great in prophesying peace and prosperity.
They dished out things that God did not say, expecting their words to come to pass. But true prophecies should come from God. The people we are prophesying riches to, might not be in the good books of God. And God might be saying another thing to that congregation we are turning up with “If I be a man of God.” This is why prophets ought to seek and know what God is saying and must stay on His counsel.
Satisfying the people with prophetic declarations is not the reason for ministry. And we know that God sometimes fulfills the word of His servants, but not those outside His will and what He is saying. The God of Israel is a Great King, He will not abandon His word and ordinances for the word of a mere servant.
“You have not gone up to the breaks in the wall to repair it for the house of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the LORD. Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, “The LORD declares,” when the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled.” – Ezekiel 13:5-6
One false prophet on the radio said that as a prophet, he has the right to change the word of God on a matter. He is merely overrating himself and overbloating the prophetic office. All true Children of God can intercede and bring about change, but only in some cases. Nothing can change the ordinances of God according to the scriptures. And you cannot change the mind of God by prophecy.
One minister said to his congregation, “…If what you are passing through is because of what you have done, I prophesy, you will not suffer it anymore…” This is wickedness! This is abuse!
Causing the people to ignore the sure counsels and judgments of God. To portray prophecy as a way into wellness instead of fulfilling the law of righteousness. And as for mercy, it is obtained by pleading with God, and by turning away from wickedness.
The prophets of Israel rejected the law and the judgments of God thereby ministering error to the people of God. They prophesied peace when God was saying disaster and plunder.
By this error, the sinners did not turn back to God, the hands of the wicked were strengthened as they gladly received word of blessings and favour from these traders who call themselves prophets. Israel knew their prophets and their words, but did not know their God and His law.
“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Proverbs 28:9
In the later days, instead of the sayings of the wicked prophets coming to pass, the judgments of God according to his ordinances overtook the people. Because of a lack of Knowledge of the rules, ordinances, highways and judgments of their God the people perished.
And as for the wicked priests and prophets, they were rejected by God.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6
Today, we can see that many servants of God are practicing the same erroneous approach to ministry. Forgetting the law and biblical judgments of God, they have become fine prophesiers of peace, riches, favour, graces and securities. And while they are at it, many have lost their faith, thinking that God is a liar. But not knowing that these prophecies were never approved by Him. We must turn away from this prophetic wickedness!
