How Extreme Attacks Can Reveal The Depth Of Your Godliness And Anointing Series

As believers, we are often taught to expect persecution and opposition as a natural consequence of our faith. In fact, Jesus Himself warned us that we would face persecution and hardship because of our commitment to Him (John 15:18-21). However, what we often fail to realize is that the intensity of the attacks we face can be a direct reflection of the depth of our godliness and anointing. In this sermon, we will explore the biblical principle that the more extreme the attacks, the more extreme we are in our godliness and anointing.

The Bible teaches us that persecution and hardship can serve as a refining fire, purifying our faith and revealing the depth of our commitment to God. In 1 Peter 1:6-7, the apostle Peter writes, "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

The Bible teaches us that there is a direct relationship between the intensity of the attacks we face and the depth of our anointing. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus declares, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." This passage emphasizes that the anointing of God is what empowers us to fulfill our calling and mission.

The Bible teaches us that the more extreme the attacks, the more extreme the anointing. In Acts 13:8-11, we read the story of Elymas, a sorcerer who opposed the apostle Paul and Barnabas. However, instead of being intimidated, Paul pronounced a curse on Elymas, saying, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?" This passage emphasizes that the more extreme the attacks, the more extreme the anointing and the more bold and courageous we must be in our response.

Practical Ways to Respond to Extreme Attacks

1. Seek a Deeper Relationship with Jesus Christ: Cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, seeking to know Him more intimately through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.

2. Develop a Strong Prayer Life: Develop a strong prayer life, seeking to communicate with God regularly and to seek His guidance and protection.

3. Surround Yourself with Supportive Believers: Surround yourself with supportive believers who can encourage and support you in your spiritual journey.

4. Stay Focused on Your Calling and Mission: Stay focused on your calling and mission, recognizing that the attacks you face are often a direct result of your commitment to fulfilling God's purpose for your life.

5. Trust in God's Sovereignty and Providence: Trust in God's sovereignty and providence, recognizing that He is in control and that His plans are good.

The more extreme the attacks, the more extreme we are in our godliness and anointing. As believers, we must recognize that persecution and hardship are a natural consequence of our faith, and that the intensity of the attacks we face can be a direct reflection of the depth of our commitment to God. May we seek to cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, develop a strong prayer life, surround ourselves with supportive believers, stay focused on our calling and mission, and trust in God's sovereignty and providence.