"Sharp is safe.Dull is dangerous." I stood at the deli counter in the local super market looking at the sign.I pondered over the meaning of the sign.Knives that were sharp seemed more dangerous to me than dull one.But the more I thought about it,the more I realized I needed to change my mind.To be sharp is to be safe;to be dull is dangerous.
This is what God's word says about sharpness.
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge,then he must exert more strength.Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. (Eccles 10:10)
Much time and energy can be wasted trying to pray for situations when our spiritual ax is dull.Sharpening our spiritual saw involves a spiritual sensitivity so we will have eyes to see,ears to hear and a heart to understand what the spirit is saying to us.Spiritual sensitivity is a vital part of effective intercession.Sharpness in spiritual hearing requires practice and perserverance.Just like sometimes,when we try to fine tune our radio to the right stations but still cannot get it and the noises are so irritating?
The Lord has made a way for His people to fine-tune their spirits to the Lord.So do we literally do the following things?
1.Attend a spiritual gym?
2.What spiritual muscles must I build up?
3. Is stretching part of the training?
4. What are some of the things that can keep my spiritual senses dull?
5. Do i need workout clothes for this excerise?
Ahaa..bet you must be thinking am i mad?Hear me out on this..I found this great chapter in Barbara Wentroble-Prophetic Intercession book. Someone once said,"In the time of wisdom there is peace,but from the lack of knowledge and understanding war will come."
A Cleansed Heart
The first way is to allow cleansing of my heart and life.Cleansing is a lifelong process.Although we are washed clean at our baptism,we still pick up dirt from life's journey.Like how sometimes we resist the prompting of the Lord when we feel justified in our unforgiveness,resentments,offenses etc.We rather hold on to these attitudes rather than allow the holy spirit to convict and clean us.And through the power of the holy spirit,and God's stubborn love,He will not give up on us. There are times when we need individual cleansing and some for community cleansing before victory can be achieved.
Deliverance from Fear
To be set free from fear as it seeks to paralyze us as we advance towards the enemy.Fear keeps us from using the spiritual weapons available to us as believers. Robert Jackson once said,"On the battlefield the real enemy is fear and not the bayonet and the bullet."
Wow,how true ya?The Lord has made a way for us to be delivered from fear as we mediate on His word and resist the lies of the enemy,we experience freedom from fear.Our trust must be in Him and not in our circumstances. Fear is an enemy to drain the believer of strength for the battle.
Strong Faith
Another means of sharpening is to develop a life of strong faith.Faith simply means being persuaded or belief.Everything we do in the kingdom of God must be done in faith.When we are born again,it is faith in the finished work of the Cross that gives us the assurance of salvation.We must be persuaded that when we pray,God will answer.Unbelief keeps us from hearing and obeying in intercession. "Trust will lie down in the boat,but faith will speak to the storms,winds and mountains of life."
Dressed for Success
After allowing cleansing,resisting every form of fear and embracing faith, one more step must be taken.We need the proper clothing.The clothing must be properly fitted to each of us. Often we see others who appear so powerful in intercession.They seem to get answers from their prayers.We try to pray the way they pray,but it does not work the same.Why?The lord fits other people for different tasks.It just simply mean you are not called to do the same task.That does not mean this assignment is less important for when one wear the mantle designed especially for you.Then you can be victorious in the battle.
Every intercessor is in a different season,or a time of spiritual life,with a different degree of spiritual growth.Each one is valuable in the kingdom.Each has been given a task from God to accomplish.Don't allow intimidation or comparison to keep you from taking your place in the Lord's army.David(book of samuel) could not wear Saul's armour as it did not fit.So he took it off and wore his own.Even though he was just a young man,he was able to defeat the giant Goliath,who had brought fear into the hearts of Saul's well-trained army.
A Sharp Battle Ax
As we allow the Lord to sharpen our spiritual ax,we will gain perception and strength for the battle.The strength will keep our ears tuned to the voice of God and cause our eyes to see where the enemy is and know how to direct our prayers.Spiritual strength will release our hearts to be obedient to God and less effort in battle and more break throughs will occur.I claim with faith for my spiritual ax to sharpen and to see victories as a result of my intercession.Praise GOD!
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