Chapter 4

Recently God has been constantly ministering and revealing to me the disposition of the Church. It is amazing how far from the early days the current church is. The Lord once described the church to me as a sleeping giant. One of the characteristics of someone who is asleep is that they lose the ability to discern their surroundings. With that said, the church has not truly discerned their overall disposition to the things of the Spirit.

If we consider the state of the church in the western world, we will see that there is a great spirit of apathy that has overtaken us. The Lord has been revealing this spirit of apathy to me, and has instructed me to teach the people. He also termed this spirit of apathy as 'spiritual complacency' and 'ungodly contentment'. Let us be careful to examine our hearts and ensure we are free of these things.

2 Timothy 3:5

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The Lord has been faithful to speak to us here at Bible Teachers, concerning the truth of the Word. Summary Scripture: John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

THE POWER OF UNBELIEF:

ungodly contentment

He has revealed to us the deep things of the Spirit, the mysteries of the Kingdom, and our hearts have rejoiced concerning them. With these revelations, God has given us the ability to pinpoint with extreme accuracy the doctrines of devils planted in the Body of Christ. He has taught us, how to deal with all contradictions to the truth, and we have been fervent in doing so.

Despite the excellence of revelations we have enjoyed, is it possible for our lives to preach another doctrine? As said earlier, Bible Teachers is quick to identify the errors in the body of Christ. However, can we honestly say that we have come to the righteousness that we have taught and learned? If not, it would then mean that we are operating in a form of godliness; meaning we have learnt the behavior of godliness, but have failed to experience the power of it.

Why is this so? Why is it that many are still tossed to and fro by every windy situation, or circumstance? Why is it that many can hear the truth, yet never truly perceive it? And why is it that many, despite having the knowledge of the truth, still are caught in the webs of wantonness and control? The answer is simple - we have not believed what we have received. To believe is to live unto and to expect. If we did a survey in the church, asking the saints if they believe God, I am pretty sure that it would return with 98% saying they do; yet still the evidence of belief is missing. There is no way to believe God without obeying Him. God is His word. His word is Spirit and it is life. He instructs us to live by every word spoken by His mouth. There is no way to know God, to experience Him, or to fellowship with Him but through His word.

St. John 7:38

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. The scripture cannot be broken. If we intend to be pleasing unto God and to see His works performed through us, we must believe on Him according to what the scriptures say. However, many are deceived because they believe in their hearts that God will fellowship with them by some other means.

Whatever the heart believes it will yield to. However, a belief system can be formed through various means.

OPINIONS

An opinion is a view, judgment, or appraisal, formed in the mind about a particular matter. Opinions are generated from the heart and can often establish the basis of one’s belief system. Though one may have an opinion concerning something and it not be harmful, there are still many with opinions that contradict the word of God – this is extremely dangerous.

Note the definition of an opinion. It is a view that is formed in the mind. If one lives according to one’s opinion it therefore means that they have made their own mind/heart/imagination the authority in their lives. When push comes to shove, this individual will obey their opinions as opposed to the word of God. Having opinions that contradict the word of God is a manifestation of unbelief.

These opinions are based on carnal wisdom that has been extracted from CSRs (circumstances, situations and relationships); and/or have been passed on from another. When one lives according to their opinions, they will never experience the true power of the Word.

TRADITION/CUSTOMS

There are often things from our cultural background, upbringing or even the traditions of the church that have formed wrong mindsets in people. When these are discipled into a person, it can form the basis of their perception of right and righteousness. Some people use even the word of God as a shield as they pursue their evil deeds and lusts. Though many of us have been prey to the shaping of culture and tradition, the issue arises when we hold on to our traditions when the word of God clearly confronts them.

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

This is a very powerful scripture, because it identifies those God recognizes as His children. We can only make it to heaven if we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. It is a curious thing, however, that the Holy Ghost usually does not lead according to our plans or preferences. The question then is, do we still allow Him to?

I think it is important to understand exactly what it is that the Lord would lead us into. The Lord will always lead us into fulfilment of all scripture. The Holy Ghost never leads contrary to His word. Sadly, however, there are many Christians who never intend to fulfill all scripture as it relates to them. In fact, many are appalled at the thought of fulfilling all scripture. Though one would not quickly identify themselves as one of these, God is faithful to reveal to us our true spiritual location by allowing situations, circumstances and relationships to come our way. If our walk and/or belief system does not manifest the fullness of scripture, then our servitude to the Father is conditional. This simply means that we determine to what extent of script we will obey, and we determine the scriptures that apply to us.

I think it is good for us to ask ourselves, how did we get here? We have been baptized into the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit of Truth that will always testify of the truth. He has changed our nature from darkness to divine. Why is it that many of us still do not believe on God as the scriptures have said?

Hebrews 3:15

While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

The scriptures are clear. In order for us to operate in a spirit of apathy we must first reject the word of God that confronts our heart. The spirit of apathy always begins with rebellion in the heart. Consider the scripture below.

James 1:22

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Listen to the scriptures teach. When we allow ourselves to be under the ministry of the word of God, and we refuse to perform the word, we will deceive ourselves. This deception refers to blindness, delusion, or hardness of heart. Quite frankly, we will become desensitized to the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 28:9

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

The Lord frowns upon rebellion. He equates it to the sin of witchcraft. When we operate in such deception, it is very easy at that point to be content with ungodliness. This is the agenda of the enemy and sadly he has achieved it with many of us. As long as the church is content never fulfilling all scripture, we will never manifest the power of God. We will be set in our ways, having a form of godliness.

This is so detrimental because it can blind us from its effects. One of these effects are the reality that we will begin to lose our vision for ministry. We will not allow the Holy Spirit to lead us outside of our comfort zone. We will have no vision for the people we lead or for ourselves. We will disallow development and the church will then be laced with our preferences of how the church should be, as opposed to what the Word allows. Church becomes a box of limitations, and any inference that pushes against the grain or what is comfortable is totally disregarded, and suppressed. The people will not move into a manifestation of the Word of God. They will simply grow to be religious. Faithfulness to church duties and tasks will be then equated to spirituality. While this happens, true spirituality and total obedience to the word is then seen as extreme or extravagance. There will be no true expectation to be as the disciples of old. Though this desire is often expressed with the mouth, the situations faced reveal that the heart never intended to be all that the word says.

Some churches have become a place of rituals; a sanctuary where we maintain tasks, and 0ur programs instead of experiencing the will of God, in every service.

There are many things that reveals the ungodly contentment of the church. Consider some of the following.

1. Ungodly Perception of Righteousness

• A manifestation of apathy is that spirituality will begin to be seen as too vulnerable and the people of God will lose their faith and trust in God. No faith will produce false sons.
• This perception is always established by the leaders. Leaders are seen as the manifestation of the scriptures. Sheep will often follow what they see. Our lives, whether we like it or not, will define the gospel for some.

2. Avoiding Righteousness (Scriptures)

• The scriptures that define righteous character are replaced with ungodly opinions and worldly perspectives.
• Persons who avoid righteousness become desensitized to righteousness and, after a while, fail to recognize that they tend to embrace ungodly, worldly counsel and perspectives. After a while “ungodliness” sounds right or “makes sense”.

3. Disregarding Revelation

· It no longer becomes important whether we understand revelation or not. We no longer see the revelations of God as relevant to our lives. This manifests that we have an underlying opinion on what we will live by, as opposed to every word that proceeds out of the mouth of

God. Or in other words, fresh revelation is good to know but not necessary.

· These opinions will be incorporated into our counsel. This will form ungodly mindsets in the people we counsel and interact with.

4. Bonds of Iniquity

• Apathetic people will often flock to others that are as they are. They will also experience a feeling of appreciation for the fact that they have found someone they can agree with. It is an emotion of satisfaction. This bond in iniquity will cement unbelief in the heart.
• Iron sharpens iron, iniquity strengthens iniquity
• The lack of the standard motivates others to also be complacent.

5. Cliques

· There will be no real expectation to love equally or to manifest oneness. No expectation to operate as a family through which love flows. Instead there will be preferences in love and care, depending on how an individual relates to us. We will be divided by race, nationality, economic status, and/or spiritual comprehension.

6. Spiritual Legends

· Pride in the works God performed in the past.

This is used to pacify the heart so that we do not feel totally unspiritual. However, this is deception because it ignores the absence of the move of God in our lives now.

The Lord is always faithful to reveal the true mind and heart of His people. He often does this by trying His people all at once. Thus things such as politics, danger, etc, can quickly reveal the apathy of the church. Let us ensure we are not operating in a spirit of apathy.