Dear Son,
You are a young man now and live in a season when you choose who to follow and who to become. Due to recent events and my annual chronological Bible reading plan, I have observed an alarming truth which I must share with you. I pray you will hear me well and store into your heart what I am about to share.
In I Samuel 10-15, a young man who was still finding his way in this world, is chosen and anointed by God to be a king; but then he is rejected due to his disobedience and idolatrous heart. King Saul loved man more than he loved and feared God. After God says He will tear the kingdom away from Saul and anoint another in his stead, He also sends an evil spirit to torment him. Despite all these facts, something almost confusing happens. In King Saul’s rebellion and disobedience, he comes into God’s presence among those who have God’s Spirit, and he is able to legit prophesy by God in the encounter (I Samuel 19). Think about this, Saul could still prophesy by God’s spirit although he was rejected by Him and God was against him. Ponder how potentially confusing this must have been for any follower of God back in the day. Firstly, did they even notice God’s hand had turned against King Saul? Secondly, when he prophesied or did anything remotely good, did they think Saul was back in God’s good grace even though he wasn’t? This profound predicament is happening today and causing many to stumble and fall.
Son, just because one is, or was, anointed by God, does not mean they are walking with God and should be followed. They must be a person who is consistently following the Lord Jesus and walking with Him.
This profound reality reminds me of what our Lord Jesus has said to us,
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV)
Son, today there are far too many Church and world leaders who claim to be anointed by God but are not walking with Him. Maybe they were always charlatans and weeds planted by the Enemy, or perhaps they started off anointed by Him for a skill or a service to humanity, but due to their flesh, self deception, pride, haughtiness, lust, or rebellion, they have fallen away from what could be. Unfortunately, whether to confusion, a lack of discernment, or a lack of obedience within the Church, many Christians do not leave these said leaders. They know in their spirit something is off, and maybe they have even seen the glory depart from them and their house, but they do not have enough courage to leave and find the one God has raised in their stead. My Son, do not be like those people. Do not partake in their sin. If a leader is not walking with God, do not wait around for the invading army to come or lighting to strike. Leave them and find a true Shepherd of the Lord who has crucified their flesh and is consistently walking with Him. Find a House that has God’s pleasing spirit within it.
If you have an opportunity, gently rebuke those leaders in hopes they can still find salvation, but if they are self-willed and full of pride, do not attempt to save them. For the great Leviathan is King over the sons of pride (Job 41). Our Lord Jesus has warned us about men like this, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)
If the stakes are high and you know you must fight the pigs and dogs for the sake of protecting others, then remember to count the cost of the war you will ensue. Every battle has a cost whether in time, resources, emotional and mental fatigue, or human causalities. Also, remember that most battles we fight are not with man but with the heavenly forces and powers of the kingdom of darkness. (Ephesians 6:10-18) Every battle should be fought with prayer and some with both prayer and fasting. Many times this is more than enough to win against the evil. Do not engage in a battle with your own mind or will, but first seek God and inquire of Him for wisdom; God is most generous in distributing wisdom to all who ask. (James 1)
Remember Son, you will know them by their fruit. (Matthew 7:15-20) Fruit comes via words, actions, and bodily gestures. Remember to listen to the Holy Spirit within you and discern who people are.
I pray you will continually surround yourself with men and women who follow after the Lord with their whole heart. We need to uphold one another and keep each other on the path of righteousness in love and gentleness. It is within the holy community we are refined and pressed into fine oil and wine the Lord loves and wants as an offering. (Romans 12, Hebrews 10:25) Remember, we are the holy temple of the living God, and what we say and do is put on the altar of our heart to either produce a pleasing aroma or a stench to our Beloved.
I love you, Son. Keep yourself pure from idols and always seek the Lord Jesus.
The Trekking Thinker 