8 DANGERS YOU WILL SUFFER FOR THE ANOINTING - PART 2

 

You will recall that last week I published a blog, covering ‘Part 1’ of the 4 dangers which you will suffer – as a believer – for the anointing. After covering the first 4 topics, I was surprised at the feedback which we received.

Many go through these hardships, and ‘perils’ as scripture refers to it, and their faith takes a beating because they begin to question God’s sovereignty in their lives.

In fact, many are led astray by these very thoughts – even turning cold towards God.

That is why this topic is so crucial in the body of Christ – in fact, now more than ever before.

If you missed last week’s blog, I encourage you to read it, as today we will continue with the last 4 perils which scripture warns us against.

My prayer is that this teaching would open your eyes to the war which rages behind the circumstances that you face, and in so doing, that you would be equipped in the Word on how to deal with these attacks.

1. Perils in the City

⁴⁴ For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honour in his own country.

John 4:44 NKJV

In order to excel in your city, you will need to advance beyond the systems that are in place, which the Bible refers to as a “peril”.

The word “city” in the above scripture comes from the Greek word “polei” which means a “structure” or a “system”. This is where you will experience resistance and opposition because you are advancing the Kingdom of God.

¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

Paul is a perfect example of how the system of this world can come against you, and he understood this peril exceedingly well. However, it was his response that attracted my attention. Paul would deal with this peril by being watchful and praying.

If you cannot conquer your city, you will not conquer your business! Do it by prayer.

2. Perils in the Wilderness

Wilderness is derived from the Greek word “erēmia” which means a “place of isolation”, a “place of no comfort”, a “place of drought”, a “place of no water”, a “place of poverty”.

This peril normally refers to financial struggle and constraints.

Often Paul made mention that when he was ministering, he would be driven into these sort of places. Most Christians right now are passing through different wildernesses.

¹⁹ Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19 NKJV

This portion of scripture is incredibly powerful, because of the promise God gives us when we are in the midst of a wilderness.

A wilderness is a vast, dry and desolate place without any hint of direction. You might feel like this in your marriage, in your finances or even in your ministry, but God promises to even make a road of direction with rivers of provisions.

I want to encourage you that He will make a way for you!

3. Perils in the Sea

¹⁴ But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. ¹⁵ So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.

Acts 27:14-15 (NKJV)

Paul was on a ship on his way to Rome, where suddenly they found themselves in a hurricane in the midst of the sea - this was a peril of the sea.

Now the Bible says that when they went into this hurricane, that suddenly the ship changed direction and took on the direction of the wind. So this strong wind caused the ship to go off course.

Here we see that even the wind and sea agreed to work against the anointing. This was such a severe storm that they feared for their life, It took God to send an angel to encourage Paul, by telling him that none of them would die.

Note that an angel was given charge concerning Paul so that the peril can cause him no harm. Whatever storm you are going through right now, I want you to know that God will give his angels charge concerning you, you will not die in your storm, you are merely passing through it.

4. Perils among False Brethren

It is important to realise that the Bible speaks of perils of false brethren – not Prophets or Pastors. These are wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing that worship and praise with you, but their assignment is to kill, to steal and destroy. False brethren do this by gossip and slander.

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves

Matthew 7:15 (NKJV)

I would like to highlight the fact that these are not prophets, they are wolves that have the appearance of sheep. You may. Ask yourself: “Who are the sheep?”, these sheep are the members of the congregation. False brethren come with the motive to sow disunity amongst the other believers.

How to recognise false brethren?

¹⁰ Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.

Jude 10 (NIV)

It is rooted inside of them to destroy, and the fruit of this root is slander and gossip. In fact, their motive is to understand so that they can destroy.

¹⁶ These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

Jude 16 (NIV)

Please understand that this is fault-finding in a breaking-down manner. Those who do it in a degrading way, it is not done with the purpose to build up or correct or increase in excellence, but their accusations comes from a bad root with the purpose to break down, destroy and cause division.

¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”¹⁹ These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

All they want to do is cause division. These are people led by the flesh and not by the Spirit. Their words are designed to draw you back into the world and away from God.

These false brethren will have to be dealt with quickly, efficiently and effectively to protect the flock from destruction.

In closing of Part 2 of this teaching, I urge you to stay anchored upon Jesus – the Rock of ages – and do not be shaken by the many perils designed to attack the anointing that is upon your life.

Rise up and make a choice today, that come hell or high water, you will not give in, give up or give out.

Make a choice that you will keep your eyes focused on the Way, the Truth and the Life - our Lord, Saviour and King, Jesus Christ.