A young lady once told a church member, “I want to join your church. But does your pastor see visions and prophesy?”
The member replied, “Yes. He sees visions and prophesies from the Word of God.” That response says everything.
Friend, learn to stay with the Word. Stop running around looking for prophecies in every corner (2 Peter 1:19). Stop searching for who will tell you your future. God has already spoken — in His Word. A pastor’s first assignment is not to pour oil on your head. It is to feed you with knowledge and understanding (Jeremiah 3:15).
Sit with the Word (Luke 10:38-42). It is spiritual laziness that keeps people under false prophets. If you won’t pay the price to study Scripture, you will soon pay thousands for a small bottle of oil. You will spend your salary on a white handkerchief. I believe in the anointing and mantles — but they are not a replacement for the Word (Psalm 119:89).
Like Gehazi, if there’s an error in your life, no mantle will work for you (2 Kings 4:29-31, 5:20-27). Let the Word correct you (2 Timothy 3:16). Let your pastor’s teaching bring order to your life. Stop running from pillar to post looking for what is not lost. Sit with the Word. Search. Find it (Matthew 13:45-46). Your entire life depends on it.
A well-fed flock protects the shepherd. As a pastor, feed God’s people the right meal (1 Timothy 3:15). Stop drama and acrobatics. Flow from the Word. Give prophecies rooted in Scripture (Isaiah 8:19-20). Don’t say “God said” when what you are saying contradicts the Word. The Word and the Spirit always agree (1 John 5:7).
You will always attract the kind of pastor you deserve. If you don’t want to learn the Word, you will get a pastor who doesn’t teach it (2 Timothy 4:1-4). Stop church hopping. Find a church and settle (Psalm 23:1-6). Some problems won’t leave because you attended a special program. They will leave when you settle down and let the Word do its work in you.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria