One of the most important things we should be teaching the people we lead is discernment. The gospel is not black or white, it is multi coloured. There are many areas that could be called ‘grey area’s’. I believe the Lord has intentually made it this way. For the grey area’s can only be fully understood and successfully walked in through a relationship with Him, love for others and discernment through the Holy Spirit. As I look through scriptures I see many verses that seem to conflict with other verses. But as you study the location, the culture and the heart of the people in that region, at that time you start to understand why the Lord spoke through His leaders in a particular and exclusive way. These were to meet the specific requirements and difficulties. They included warnings to guard and protect the Church, the Lords people from wrong teachings, behaviours, local customs or rituals. Paul’s instructions to different churches were not for every region to do the same, otherwise he would have addressed all the letters to the whole body of Christ. Paul was discerning what the Lord was saying and passing this on to his leaders in a form appropriate for the season, location and ministry they were in. If we take these scriptures out of context and try to apply them to our lives and ministries it may bring confusion and strife. We are not living in those former times or locations.
I believe the real message behind these scriptures is the importance of discernment. How to hear the Lord, and understand what He is saying to us and how to act on it !
Discernment allows the Lords people to live completely free with Him in a relationship of ‘oneness’.
True discernment allows people to know in the grey area’s of their life how to walk and what to do. Whether certain things or actions are right or wrong for them. Even if it is the opposite for others around them.
Discernment allows us to be confident in all we do, knowing Christ is at the centre of it all.
Discernment is where we find our true identity in the one who called us to become all we were created to be.
Discernment is what Solomon was asking for from the Lord when he asked the Lord for wisdom and knowledge to lead His people (2 Chronicles 1:10).
Sadly possessing discernment (Godly knowledge and wisdom) can lead people to a place of self knowledge, (start making decisions without discernment) thinking they now know best. This will slowly lead them away from the Lord’s plans for them. This is what happened with Solomon and many other incredible men of faith, and it ended badly for them !
As we travel around different churches in New Zealand one thing has become very apparent; and that is the lack of an awareness of the importance of discernment. Without this there is limited teaching, training and equipping in discernment with their people.
As a prophet I have the ability to amaze people with words from the Lord; words that can bring shock, excitement and intrigue. For there is no way I could ever say these things without them coming from the Lord. I get countless testimonies of prophecies shared with people coming true. But although this is good and has it’s place as a prophet it is not the main role I have been given by Jesus. My role as a prophet is to equip the saints, the Lords people for their ministry. Not to do the ministry for them ! In this way they will have and develop the skills and talents they need to work with the anointing and grace they have been given. Allowing them to fulfil their calling, whether in the church, market place or home.
Jesus’s appointed roles*, in His Church includes an instruction to equip the people for their work and service within the Church, market place or at home we call ministry.
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)
11 So Christ himself gave the *apostles, the *prophets, the *evangelists, the *pastors and *teachers,
12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
I have to resist the temptation to not step over the line and simply do the ministry for people. I confess I have done this on many occasions and let me tell you it does not work out well ! For I have finally learnt when I do the ministry for others, I end up with them dependent on me for the next word from God. This limits the effectiveness of my role and as a result I’m over worked, burdened and burnt out !
My role as prophet is to help connect the ‘phone line’ between people and the Lord. By teaching, training and equipping them to hear clearly, and know what to do. Then slowly backing off and leaving them to live in freedom with this incredible gift called, prophetic discernment.
This is the same calling we all have in our roles in different parts of the body of Christ. In each role discernment is one of the biggest keys.
1 Corinthians 12:7 (Passion Trans.)
7 Each believer is given continuous revelation by the Holy Spirit to benefit not just himself but all.
My questions for us to ask ourselves :
1.In my role, in the body of Christ am I equipping the saints for ministry or simply doing the ministry for them ?
- Are we teaching our leaders, people or children discernment or are we trying to discern for them ?
- Are we controlling & manipulating or building and equipping people to be free ?
- If we have discernment how are we using it ? Are we just doing our own thing ?
Now I say this not to condemn, but to encourage. My heart is set on building big people, equipped for ministry, living in the freedom the Lord gave His life for.
Whether you are one of the ‘5 Fold Ministry’ or not, your role as a leader is just as important to God. In fact Paul emphases this when he talks about the parts of the body of Christ ; 1 Corinthians 12:22 (Passion Trans.)
1. In fact, the weaker our parts, the more vital and essential they are.
Here is your challenge.
- Sit with the Lord and ask Him to reveal to you the importance of your role and how you can be more effective in it ?
- Ask him how to teach discernment and equip others for the lifestyles Jesus paid the price for ; ‘to be free’ ?
- Write down everything He has shown you.
- Spend a moment worshiping and thanking Him for all he has shown you.
Father I thank you for all you have revealed to us today. A lot to digest, take in and meditate on. Help us to lead your people and do our part in seeing them become all you created them to be.
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors/ Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
