He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’” Luke 4:23
The preambles:
This phrase as used by Jesus to challenge his own people in Nazareth, symbolizes the readiness and ability of physicians to heal sickness in others while sometimes not being able or willing to heal themselves. In the context of this message, the church is the physician, while the world is the sick patient. The Church has the divine responsibility to heal the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ, so as to bring about salvation, deliverance and godly conduct in their life; but wait a minute, what is the true health status of the Church who has been vested with these responsibilities.
The Lord has laid it upon my heart to use this medium to diagnose the ailment facing the Church today and make possible prescription, which must be administered if she has to successfully carry out her divine mandate to the world. The motive of this message is to instigate the commencement of the Reformation movement in the house of God and not intended to be used for any anti-Christ campaign or an excuse for our non-Christian friends to feel justified in their belief system and practice of evil behaviors. Jesus Christ remains the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man can go to God except through Him. John 14:6, Acts 4:12.
The State and the Church:
Matthew 5:14-16 says “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden….Let your light so shines before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
The Church is the institution ordained by God to give direction to the State. Beginning from the Old Testament, God had used His Prophets like Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel etc to boldly declare His counsel in Nation building process and impact the system of governance. She is to divinely set the pace and give exemplary leadership lifestyle to the Nation. She is the light, the salt and the health of the Nation. If the Church is healthy, the Nation becomes healthy. But unfortunately, today’s Church seem to have lost her role as a voice to the Nation and her salt has lost its flavor and being trampled underfoot by men.
The State of the Church:
Luke 6: 41-42 says “ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”
Beloved, as I examine the FOUR types of spirit plaguing most of the Churches today, let me also say that, this may not be true concerning every Church; because there are still other Churches that have not succumbed to these end-time spirits. Rev.3:4. Such Churches may be unpopular and lack huge congregational patronage, but they possess God’s undeniable power for the manifestation of signs and wonders. Our Churches have become worldly and comedy centers, swimming in the ocean of confusion, complacency and lack of decorum. In fact, most of our new converts are being prepared to inherit the earth and no longer the kingdom of God. Our altar has become an entertaining podium for alcohol tolerant ministers. I weep because this is not the Church that Jesus shed His blood and died for.
1. Spirit of Deception: The first thing the Devil destroys in the Church is the gift of discernment of the spirit and introduces the spirit of deception. 1Cor.12:10. The Church can no longer discern the spirit behind every miracle as long as the name of Jesus is mentioned. Matthew 7:21-23. It is now difficult for both the preachers and the members to endure sound doctrine. Our prophecy has become a mechanically planned statement rather than divine utterances inspired by the Holy Spirit. Our preaching is now being powered by the amplifier’s electronic energy rather than the anointing of the Holy Spirit. 2Cor.11:13-14, 1Thes.1:5. Physician, heal yourself!
2. Spirit of Witchcraft: The Devil has sent forth his messengers to penetrate the Church and pollute the Lord’s altar. There are many false prophets using the spirit of divination to foresee and prophesy whereby they manipulate their client’s destiny. Some of our Church leaders are now being initiated into occultism and engaged in blood-shedding rituals and crowd-pulling sacrifices to seek power for miracles, signs and wonders, which triggers their popularity and prosperity. Little wonder, the olden days commercial magicians have transformed themselves into ministers of light in our Churches. Ezekiel 21:21-24, Acts 16:16-18. Physician, heal yourself!
3. Spirit of Mammon: Many Churches are now worshipping the god of Mammon and serving a belly god. The love for money and materialism and crowd gathering has compelled them to water down the word of God and lower God’s standard of righteousness, holiness and integrity. Church leadership is now being selected based on the fatness of their bank account and great possession. Our assemblies now run brief multiple offering and shouting services on Sundays without minding the spiritual growth of the congregation. All-solution anointing oil and handkerchief are now being sold at different price tags. Cases of fraudulent practices among Ministers of God are growing by days. Our overseers are living large and building mansions and citadels of learning; placing commercial fee which their own members could hardly afford. No wonder, the more the number of Churches increases, the more iniquities abound in the land. Matthew 6:24, 1Cor.6:13. Physician, heal yourself!
4. Spirit of Immorality: Sexual abomination (including incest) has crept into the church to the extent that the victims are no longer sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. There is a growing revelation of many Ministers of God indulging in marital separation, divorce, polygamy and other forms of extra marital affairs. Some find nothing wrong in conducting unholy wedding services involving pregnant brides. The spirit of Sodom has fiercely forced its way into the Church as homosexuals are being gradually compromised. That explains why we now tolerate ordination of gay Priests and Bishops. Sex before or outside marriage is still a sin and unacceptable to God. Hebrew 13:4. Be it known unto you that sexual sin can not just be forgiven by your self-declared fasting and prayer, your spiritual overseer must play a role in the process of genuine repentance. Matthew 5:27-30, John 20: 22-23, Ephesians 5:3. Physician, heal yourself!
The Solution from the Church:
Beloved, if the Church cannot conquer all these enemies within her fold; how then will she be able to overcome the battle of soul winning, setting the captive free and raising godly generation. Let it not surprise you, the recent hostilities against the Church is permitted by God to awaken the Church from slumber. Physician, heal yourself first. Do not continue to rebuke someone for a fault or problem you have yourself. Remove the plank in your eyes before complaining about the speck in other people’s eyes. The Church must start the fight inwardly with a self-cleansing and self-revival process, but how?
a) We need to pray individually and collectively for the restoration of the gift of discernment in the Church. Then speak-out and condemn every ungodly act being perpetrated by our Church leaders.
b) You need to prayerfully ask the Lord to reveal to you who your Pastor is and the sources of his power. If found questionable, then isolate yourself from such Minister and his Church.
c) We no longer need world breakthrough summits, or prosperity extravaganza outreaches, what we need is to proclaim a “National Solemn Assembly” to renounce all forms of demonic practices and be reconciled back to God. Joel 1:14.
d) Pentecostal Fellowship leadership should set a standard on establishment of Churches based on the principles of the Word of God and ex-communicate those that fall below the set standard.
e) Our Christian body should speak with ONE voice to declare God’s counsel and give direction to the Nation. We have the responsibility to lend our voices to the issues of corruption, injustice, impunity and other ills in the land.
In conclusion:
An adage says “Evil triumphs when good men keep quiet”. Join me at your various Churches and assemblies to fight the menace ravaging the bride of Christ called “The Church” and let us boldly proclaim the righteousness of God in the land. We shall conquer the battle in Jesus name.
God bless your household.
