Discernment (7)
By Pastor Raphael Adegoke
For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb 5:13-14).
Glory be to God who gives us life through Christ in abundance. May His name be praised forever! Last, we considered the need to discern the replacement of Christ with tools in the Church, but today we shall be focusing on “The Human Mind”.
The human mind, if care is not taken is oftentimes mistaken for the Spirit of God in us. Meanwhile, the Bible is explicit on the tripartite nature of man. “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:23). While the body is physical and visible, the soul and the spirit are invisible
It is another bright and beautiful day; and happy new month. May we not miss our portion of the blessings of the month in the name of Jesus. Amen! Last week, the focus was on the need to discern Satan’s manipulation in the Church as touching money, but today we shall be focusing on the subtle replacement of Christ with the tools.
Once a minister loses his spiritual sense of discernment, he begins to do things that are not pleasing. It is unfortunate that many ministers today have begun to do things that are not pleasing; replacing Jesus with ephemeral substances. “Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.” (Rom. 1:28)
If there is any reason the Church exists, and we are called into the ministry, it for the lifting of Christ. 31Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.” 33He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.” (John 12:31-33). Though, this scripture talks about the impact of the resurrection and ascension of Christ on the salvation of man, yet it still applies to our lifting of Christ in the Church today. While it is the duty of man to lift Jesus, it is God’s duty to draw men to Christ or Christ to draw men to himself. “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. (John 6:44)
It is indisputable that gadgets and equipment enhance worship experience, but it is unfortunate that Satan has subtly made many ministers to replace Jesus with these; all in an attempt to attract the younger generation to Church. Much emphasis is now placed on sound, light, gadgets, financial aids, e.t.c., more than Christ. These are now becoming what many ministers lift up at the expense of Christ.
Sound, light, gadgets, financial aids, e.t.c., are increasingly becoming the reason the majority of the younger generation now go to Church. They seek entertainment and physical ambience rather than genuinely seeking Christ, This really shows in many of them lacking true spirituality and genuine spiritual experiences. In fact, many are made to believe they are spiritual due to the manifestation of gifts that Satan has manipulatively imparted on them. This is the reason for so much manifestation of gifts among them, especially tongue speaking, but no fruit. “5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. This is highly pathetic and satanic activities in disguise.”(2 Timothy 3:5-7)
If genuine life will be restored into the Church, then Christ must be lifted up once more. The focus must be shifted back to Christ. He should become the primary while every other thing becomes secondary. Other things should be seen as means of enhancement, not the means of attraction. When Jesus is genuinely lifted in us and among us, He has got the ability to dray men to himself without the need for any accompaniments.
Pastor Raphael Adegoke is a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (Nigeria & Overseas) and a Lecturer in Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary.
