The Path of the Word

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God is delivered to the apostle. He, or she, in turn dispenses that Word to the church. However, in its attempt to form Christ, in the people of God, the Word will have to destroy mindsets, fleshy oppositions and demonic suggestions. The ultimate goal of a leader is to produce true sons of God. These sons are to mature into ministers of the gospel in some way or another. Regardless of the area or type of ministry one is called to, there will be some things that will remain constant. There will be people in their territorial spheres of influence. If not, there is no need for any type of ministry.

For example, a nurse will care for patients, a CEO will oversee a staff, while a pastor will nurture a congregation. The common ground here is they are all responsible for revealing Christ to all they encounter. Nevertheless, each of these people will have been raised and developed into diverse mindsets. In addition, they all will have existed in past and current environments which continue to influence their spirituality. Each of them will be involved in situations, circumstances and relationships that require spiritual responses.Therefore, the leader in these cases must be spiritually equipped to instruct, train, or guide these individuals to the mind of Christ.

There will always be demonic opposition to the righteousness of God as the Sons endeavor to render the mind of Christ to those in their sphere of influence. Therefore, there is a need for continuous spiritual edification and refreshing. The Word of God sets the believer on a path of righteousness that leads back to the Father. The path, however, always travels in an upward motion. This upward motion is referencing a babe moving into maturity. It is the responsibility of a leader to observe, monitor and respond to the spiritual development of the saints. This is just as true for auxiliary leaders, counselors or committee chairmen, as it is for pastors and preachers. A leader must endeavor to know the spiritual awareness and ability of all those he or she serves. Let us look at how the leader is to gain this crucial knowledge.

CONSISTENCY IN MINISTRY

First of all, it is important for the apostle to minister the Word in an environment where it can flow consistently. Pastors, teachers, evangelists and others must avail themselves to continuously hear that which God ministers through the apostle. It is an error to think we have or will ever receive in this world all there is to know of God or the Kingdom of heaven.

CONTINUAL GROWTH

It is important for leaders to attend ministerial conferences, discipleship sessions, workshops, and all gatherings of the Sons, where truth is being revealed. To assume this is not necessary is to deny yourself of continual spiritual development.

•OPERATION OF THE WORD OF GOD

When a leader remains on the path of the Word, he is allowed to see the Operation of the Word of God as it attempts to develop Christ in those who receive it. The Word will follow individuals into situations, circumstances and relationships that are sure to reveal their mindsets and true spiritual dispositions. Inside of every revelation, the son of God will have to make a choice to obey the Word, or to reject what it demands. A leader must discern and acknowledge his responses to this operation in his own life as well as the responses of those he leads.

•SPIRITUAL OBSERVATION

Through spiritual observation of the people of God, a leader learns not only the operation of the Word, but is also able to see the growth path the Word creates for those who hear it. He or she is also able to see the resistance to the Word; and the method by which the Word deals with that resistance; (which is another operation of the word). He notes the submission and the results it yields. This knowledge deepens his own understanding of the Word as well as builds his confidence in its power. Remember, he is observing from the perspective that when the Word is dispensed, it will either approve, convict or judge one’s spiritual disposition.

•WATCH FOR THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD.

O The proud shall be abased.

O The humble shall be exalted.

O Haughtiness precedes a fall.

O The joy of the Lord is my strength.

O I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me.

O My grace is sufficient.

There are many more principles sprinkled throughout the covenant. I am sure you can think of many more. But my point here is that you, through observation, pinpoint the location of your own spiritual location. Then you will be able to identify the location of those whom you influence. Determine which of the principles of God you are living in right now. Be truthful. Never lie to yourself. For example: If you are proud or arrogant, then say so. But don’t neglect to proceed to the end of the matter. If such is the case, then you can truly anticipate God’s response; for the proud shall be abased. This is true in your life; and it is also true in the lives of those you lead. The principles of God are universal.

•GIVE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTS

In the example above, a leader would be able to prophesy according to the knowledge of God. This knowledge is absolute; as the principles of God never change, they are a respecter of persons, nor are they subject to the will of men. Every situation or spiritual disposition must be judged by the Word of God. You must not be afraid to render God’s judgment in a matter. If adverse situations bring out the humility in an individual, then it is safe to say, ‘that individual will be exalted by God.’ This is a righteous judgment; because it simply echoes the spoken word of God.

•DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHERE THEY TRULY ARE, INSTEAD OF WHERE YOU WANT OR THINK THEY SHOULD BE.

This was the hardest lesson for me to learn in my tenure as a leader. My compassion and optimism would always cause me to deal with people outside of their spiritual location. Please don’t misunderstand me here. I am not suggesting that we abandon these virtues; but I am certainly implying that we must not raise our expectations beyond someone’s spirituality. In doing so, you will expect a person to do things that they are either not spiritually equipped, or unwilling to do. This will lead to many frustrations on your part.

Example:

In counseling a married couple, you may know some things about the wife the husband has not found out as yet. He is a man with an explosive temper, and a potential for violence. It would not be wise to inform him of those things, due to his spiritual location.

Example:

You might be counseling a wife as to how to deal with the infidelity of her husband. Because she loves him and elects to stay in the marriage, you proceed to teach her the virtue of forgiveness and agape love. But instead of following your counsel, she does the very opposite of everything you tell her to do. The same is true over and over again. The truth is your counsel is null and void, due to the fact that she is not saved. Oops! You are trying to get an unsaved woman to do that which only a saved woman can.

Example:

You may place someone in a position which calls for firmness and fervency. You know this person has a history of over-authoritativeness, and insensitivity to the feelings of others. But you want to believe this person has moved spiritually and has changed that behavior. However, once in the position, one of the other administrators says to you, “Pastor, when Brother John Doe first started, I was glad we finally had someone who would follow through on things pertaining to other workers in the ministry. But there is another spirit that seems to come forth in his discussion regarding those who are non-productive. He seems to not only become frustrated with them, but also very angry. This anger is not good for the morale of the group, nor is it good for Brother Doe. He seems to be regressing back to where God delivered him from.”

Now you must go into a spiritual observation mode, to discern whether this person is indeed regressing spiritually or whether this is simply an over- reaction. The point is, don’t lie to yourself, or deal with the situation out of your emotions. Watch with the eyes of the Spirit and listen to His leading. Then act according to the true spiritual location of the individual. To follow the path of the Word in your life, and in the lives of others, is the only way you personally will be able to move; or build spiritual giants to work in the Kingdom of God.